Finding the right body kit IS300 is generally the very 1st thing around the to-do list for anybody which just indexed a Lexus XE10 or even even the more recent XE30 models. Let's be real intended for a second—while the particular IS300 looks good enough coming away from the factory ground, it was initially designed to compete with the BMW 3 Series, which indicates it leans a little more towards "entry-level luxury" plus a little less towards "aggressive street machine. " But the beauty of this system, especially the very first generation, is simply just how much it changes once you start playing with the outdoor lines.
In case you've spent any kind of time on car forums or scrolling through Instagram, you've probably seen a few absolutely wild forms. The IS300 offers this weirdly ideal geometry that allows it to draw off a number of various styles, from super-low drift missiles to wash, sophisticated "OEM plus" builds. But prior to you go clicking "buy" on the first fiberglass kit you notice on an arbitrary auction site, there are a few things you need to probably know regarding what you're obtaining into.
Exactly why the IS300 Is a Perfect Canvas
The particular first-generation IS300, or maybe the Altezza if you're a purist, has turned into a cult classic for a reason. It's got that legendary 2JZ-GE under the hood, rear-wheel drive, plus those iconic "Altezza lights" that every other car company tried to copy within the early 2000s. Since the chassis is therefore solid, owners tend to keep them for a long period, which has resulted in a massive aftermarket for aesthetics.
When you start looking regarding a body kit IS300, you're looking at a car that already has great proportions. It's got short overhangs and a relatively boxy but smooth shape. This can make it really easy to enhance. You don't possess to fight the particular car's natural form; you just need to emphasize it. Whether or not you want in order to make it appear wider, lower, or simply a bit even more modern, the options are honestly endless.
Choosing Your Aesthetic Design
Before you drop a few grand, you need in order to decide what "vibe" you're going with regard to. Not all kits are created equivalent, and mixing plus matching styles may sometimes turn out looking a bit sloppy if you aren't careful.
The Clean "OEM Plus" Look
If you want your vehicle to look such as it could have come from the manufacturing plant as an unique high-performance edition, you're probably looking for a lip kit. These are generally small additions that will affix to your present bumpers. The TRD style or the GReddy-style front lips are absolute classics intended for this. They add just enough "chunk" towards the bottom associated with the car to make it appear lower without requiring you to replace whole body panels. It's a subtle method to work with a body kit IS300 in order to stand out with no screaming for interest.
The Aggressive Drift Style
Then you've obtained the kits that are meant to end up being seen. If you're into the drift scene, you know the name BN Sports . These kits are usually big, they're loud, plus they sit extremely low to the particular ground. They give the IS300 a massive, squared-off look that makes the car appear very much wider and more planted. Just a heads-up, though: in the event that you go this route, you're likely to be scraping on every speed lump and driveway inside your zip code. It's a lifestyle option, truly.
The Sophisticated Street Design
For individuals who want something in the center, Vertex is definitely arguably the full of IS300 styling. A Vertex-style body kit IS300 is the gold standard for "clean" increases. It's sleek, this follows the organic lines from the vehicle, but it adds a level of aggression that the stock bumpers simply don't have. It's the kind of kit that appears just like good with a high-end vehicle show because it will at a local meet.
Thinking About Materials: FRP vs. Polyurethane
This is how things get a bit technical, yet it's super essential. The majority of the kits you'll find are produced of either Fiber-glass Reinforced Plastic (FRP) or Polyurethane (often just called "Poly").
Polyurethane is like the particular "Goldilocks" of components for a daily driver. It's flexible. In case you accidentally touch a curb or hit an amount of tire upon the highway, a poly lip will usually just flex and pop back into shape. The downside? They're heavier, plus sometimes they may sag over period if they aren't supported correctly. Also, they are more difficult to paint mainly because the material is definitely so "oily" through the factory.
FRP (Fiberglass) is what most high-end Japanese kits are produced of. It's lightweight and holds the shape perfectly, meaning your paint will likely look better onto it over the long term. However, fiber glass does not want to bend. If you hit a control having an FRP fender, it's going to crack or shatter. If you're heading for a show-car finish and you're a careful drivers, FRP is typically the way to move. If you're a bit more "chaotic" with your driving, stick to poly.
The fact of Fitment
I actually can't stress this enough: almost no body kit is truly "bolt-on. "
Even if the website states it's an ideal fit, almost always there is heading to be a few sanding, trimming, or even heat-gunning involved. This is especially true for the more affordable "replica" packages you find on-line. If you purchase a genuine kit from a reliable brand, the fit is going to be much nearer, but even after that, an expert body store will usually need in order to spend a few hours obtaining the gaps flawlessly even.
In case you're planning upon carrying this out in your driveway, you should be prepared for a bit of a headache. You'll require a drill, a few self-tapping screws (or better yet, actual hardware), and a lot of patience. In the event that you want this to look professional, don't skip the particular "test fit" stage. Always mount the kit before you paint it. Absolutely nothing is worse than spending money on a stunning paint job only to realize you have to shave off fifty percent an inch associated with fiberglass to create the trunk close up.
Don't Neglect the Supporting Mods
Putting a massive body kit IS300 on a car which is still sitting down on stock suspension and "sunflower" tires is well, it's a glance, but probably not the main one a person want. A kit makes the car look visually reduce and wider, which means your stock wheels are likely to appear tiny and "sunken" into the wheel wells.
To really pull the look together, you almost always need: 1. Coilovers or Lowering Suspension springs: You've got to near that wheel difference. 2. Wheels with the particular Right Offset: You want the wheels in order to sit flush along with the new edges of your body kit. 3. Paint or even Wrap: Unless you're heading for that "unfinished drift car" aesthetic, you'll want to budget for color-matching the kit to your own car.
Gift wrapping Everything Up
All in all, picking out there a body kit IS300 is one of the most rewarding things you can do for your car. It's the quickest way to turn the "commuter car" into something which you in fact turn around to look at every time you walk away from it in a car parking lot.
Whether you move for a delicate front lip or even a full-blown widebody transformation, just remember to take your period with the prep work. The difference between a vehicle that looks "cheap" and a vehicle that looks "custom" is all within the details of the particular fitment as well as the paint. The IS300 is usually a fantastic platform that has aged extremely well, and along with the right kit, it can very easily hold its personal against cars that are twenty many years newer. So, do your research, figure out your budget, plus get to work—that stock bumper offers probably seen enough miles anyway.