The thing is, they are pretty much a Japanese 3-series, except more expensive. So why pay more for a copy that is a very nice car, but doesn't have the name recognition?
The thing is, they are pretty much a Japanese 3-series, except more expensive. So why pay more for a copy that is a very nice car, but doesn't have the name recognition?
I see about one a week in SoCal. I'm somewhat sensitized to them because we have a 2001 IS300, and while the new ones get better mileage - and have more power...grrrr - I still like the looks of the original better.
There is a fairly nice example running around my home town. The owner keeps good care of it and seems to appreciate what he has. I would like to get my hands on one before they all dry up and fade away.
I saw a blue IS300 in Willoughby yesterday. There was a Sportcross at a MINI dealer nearby.
It seems like that car would be a prime candidate for a better tune. Why do they get such crappy mileage?
MrJoshua wrote: It seems like that car would be a prime candidate for a better tune. Why do they get such crappy mileage?
No one knows. There was a large thread on this same topic on the club lexus forums. Not terribly heavy, not geared too short, A/F fairly good.
I owned an IS300 when they first came out, currently own an IS350...the 350 is better in every way save purchase price.
I love my '05 5-spd. IS300. They're rare in Canada 'cuz they were over 50K new! I bought mine with 80000 kms. (50K miles) for 8K last Dec. I haven't spent a penny on it other than oil changes. It's a great car, plenty of power for the street and super comfortable, although a bit small for me(6'3" 245lbs). My biggest gripes are about the fuel mileage, and the insurance, other than that I'd buy another one in a heartbeat!
Just to clear any confusion, the Sedan can be had with a 5 speed manual but all the SportCross came in automatic only.
In reply to jrw1621:
I don't think so. I believe there is such a thing as a SportCross with a 5 speed.
Duke wrote: The thing is, they are pretty much a Japanese 3-series, except more expensive. So why pay more for a copy that is a very nice car, but doesn't have the name recognition?
I think this is at least part of the answer.
Cone_Junky wrote: I'm a BMW technician. Exactly why I bought an IS300. 90% of a BMW for 30% of the maintenance
Plus they're different. Different is always kinda cool. And some of us are just kinda into Japanese cars.
On the mileage - how crappy we talking? I'm guessing it's not as bad as the 4Runner.
I don't know mpg wise, but I am wondering why my cousins says 93 octane only on the fuel door for an NA 220hp inline six.
That might be part of the reason you don't see many often.
fast_eddie_72 wrote: In reply to jrw1621: I don't think so. I believe there is such a thing as a SportCross with a 5 speed.
jrw1621 got it right, according to my friend who works for Lexus of North America. Unless a conversion's been done.
As an attempt to provide a source, here is a C&D article from 2002.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/lexus-is300-sportcross-short-take-road-test
C&D said: Mechanically, the SportCross is little changed from the sedan. Same silky 215-hp in-line six up front, same five-speed automatic with the shifter buttons on the steering-wheel spokes (no manual in the wagon)
And Edmunds Article:
http://www.edmunds.com/lexus/is-300/
Edmunds said: ...automotive writers cried foul when Lexus initially failed to offer a manual transmission. The company rectified this oversight in 2002, adding a five-speed manual gearbox option for the sedan. The IS 300 SportCross wagon, which also debuted for '02, was automatic only.
The SportCross was miss marketed as sort of a sporty car for the junior execs wife. A trendier way to tote the kids around. The reality was that if these shoppers were in a Lexus dealership they bought the RX300 crossover in droves and the SportCross was overlooked as too small.
Personally, I liked the SportCross since it arrived. They ultimately sold really poorly as new and that is why there are so few used.
from the back it looks like an RX300 that got slammed
Huh, well there you go. No manual for the SportCross. She wants an auto anyhow, so no big deal. A manual is tough to find in any IS 300 from the looks of it.
I don't know, the more I think about it the more I want one.
My car gets, on average 21-22 mpg combined. It's slightly better in the summer. I run premium fuel only.
It revs quite high on the highway. I wish it had a 6th gear to drop the revs, the car certainly has enough low end torque.
calteg wrote:MrJoshua wrote: It seems like that car would be a prime candidate for a better tune. Why do they get such crappy mileage?No one knows. There was a large thread on this same topic on the club lexus forums. Not terribly heavy, not geared too short, A/F fairly good. I owned an IS300 when they first came out, currently own an IS350...the 350 is better in every way save purchase price.
I'm going with the fact that the JZ series never got good gas mileage no matter what they were in, and that family of motors was over a decade old before the IS300 was created in the first place.
Man, that is pretty crappy.
So how about a 6mt swap?
xFactor wrote: So how about a 6mt swap?
Good idea, except the trans. alone go for $2500+
fast_eddie_72 wrote: On the mileage - how crappy we talking? I'm guessing it's not as bad as the 4Runner.
Our 2001 gets about 20-21 on the freeway, though I drive about 80, but still, it's about what my Toyota pickup truck gets, which is rediculous. However, it's pretty much the car's only issue, at least with ours. It's so smooth and solid that I've sneeked up to 100 mph a couple times (on I-5 through Camp Pendleton - better known locally as the Autobaun) just to see if my wife would notice. Nope.
Yep, the car gets better the faster you drive it. It's a stealthy car too, mine being the beige colour just blends in with all the Corollas and Camrys.
A also wish the rear seats folded down, that's just dumb that they don't.
Five years ago I really wanted one of these and bought a 328i instead because it was quite a bit cheaper. If I remember right one guy was running the IS300 with LSD did well in DS with a car with good shocks and a front bar.
I wonder if I would have been happier with the IS...
It was sold as a "sports car" and wasn't offered with 3 pedals. Another win for Toyota.
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