2001 Lexus IS 300 Problems, Fuel Economy, & Test Results

As with all our long-term-test cars, we recorded mileage, fuel consumption, and all problems and repair costs, including dealer checkups. However, as this loan progressed, our quarterly One-Year Test Updates were becoming increasingly difficult to write: Zero problems and free scheduled maintenance made this among the least worrisome one-year evaluations in some time.

That's not to say we didn't create problems of our own. At about 6000 miles, we discovered a driveway entrance had high centered and dislodged a portion of the vehicle's plastic undercarriage cover; it began to scrape the road at freeway speed. What's worse was the loose tray allowed the parking-brake cable to dangle dangerously. We temporarily fixed the cable with a ziptie and later had the tray replaced at no cost. At about the same time, a parking-impaired staffer managed to scrape both curbside wheels. Yes, we blame ourselves for both. However, owners should account for the car's low ground clearance (5.3 in.) and miniscule rubber overhang on the rims to avoid a similar plight and embarrassment.

The interior drew several common staff entries in the logbook. Foremost is the aesthetically pleasing, yet ergonomically challenged instrument cluster. We tip our hats to the chronograph presentation, but found the speedo hard to read at a glance. The inclusion of a tiny, instantaneous fuel-mileage gauge is just plain silly. "How about something more useful such as an oil-pressure gauge to round out the typical European triumvirate of coolant temp and voltmeter?" wrote one driver. Also common was the criticism of the too-low center armrest and cupholders best suited for tomato-paste cans. Otherwise, stereo, HVAC, and other controls were simple to operate and tastefully presented. That said, the chrome-plated shifter ball proved to be a hot potato to handle after the car was parked in the sun more than a few minutes. Still, the metal embellishments and unique design are innovative instead of just "me, too."