Here’s why Lexus IS300’s are RARE // U.S. CARS

This video is dedicated to explaining the rarity of the Gen1 Lexus IS300 and its sub-models in North America. I will be informing you on the exact production numbers of the IS300, explaining the rare colors offered for these car, and elaborate on the rarity of all of the IS300 sub-models including L-Tuned, Sport Design, and Sportcross models.
I've been curious about the Rarity of the Lexus IS300 for years and have yet to find a video or article throughly explaining this topic, so I went ahead and and made this video. I hope you learned something new about this platform because I certainly did!
0:00 Introduction
1:05 Sedan Production #s
4:25 Sportcross Production #s
5:20 Manual Swapped Cars
6:40 Rare Paint Colors
8:45 IS300 Trims&Options
13:23 Conclusion
Be sure to check out my giveaway Giveaway video for a chance to with the $50 O'Reilly's gift card
Thank you for watching

[@nncoco]

I stored my 02 Sportcross for 8 years. It started right up for the first time this week. I'm going to be driving it again. I had countless offers for it but I'm glad I kept it now.

[@samybougandoura9434]

What kind of offers did you get ? Tomorrow I pick a 300 sportcross with 14.000km, green/beige. I’m dying of waiting 😂

[@bc8580]

Hey thanks for geeking out on the production numbers of sedans/wagon and transmission options. I have a spreadsheet by year and it agrees 100% to your numbers. 2005 actually is an outlier as manuals accounted for 45% of total sales excluding the Sportcross. This is perhaps the best modern NA engine and manual transmission offered by Lexus. Awesome effort. Thanks for sharing your passion.

[@jjvdz]

Thats awesome. Thanks for watching the video!

[@milagosthomas9141]

Can you make a copy of the spreadsheet public?

[@shotty.]

also really important to note, a lot of these cars were/are bought & owned in the rust belt & plenty of other states that get salted roads. absolutely eats these cars up

[@Toyota4Life]

Epic information bro thank you for taking the time to make this video

[@marcosmarti87]

Thanks man! I’ve been looking for something like this forever! I personally have owned a ASP 2001 IS300, a blue 2002, and currently own a Factory manual and LSD (not all of the manuals are LSD) 2002 GGP IS300 and a 2002 GGP wagon. Love these cars…I could have owned a mint Gold manual one but they wanted too much and I passed…😭. Great cars…almost bought another one this weekend.

[@yoyo11177]

I've got a Altezza Gita (sportcross) 2001 JDM version, with no sunroof, manual cloth seats. Refreshingly simple car, and really a pleasure to drive.

[@jjvdz]

Super cool

[@JM10344]

For real, you did a stellar job with good info. Thank you. Really dug deep.

[@henryhalkyard7385]

Thank you for your work!! You're right, this info is hard to come by. Cheers!

[@trigun101]

Really broke down the production #s of every model. Love it. Met at a gas station and found the channel 🤘🏾

[@jjvdz]

That’s awesome brotha! U had a clean silver 03 M/T sedan. It was nice meeting you and really appreciate your feedback and support to the channel🤙

[@dinkyvision]

I have a 2002. Original owner. Solar yellow, e-shift, oem navigation, limited slip, non chrome wheels, full leather package (black). A few bolt on upgrades (greddy Evo exhaust, strut tower bars, TRD carbon fiber grill, TRD intake). Garage kept. Mint condition. 160k miles. Only ever hand washed. Driven by 3 ppl other than me (wife, dad, a friend). No paint chips or cosmetic issues. One tiny wear spot on driver seat edge. Does have a crazy custom AV system though. Fold out 7” alpine screen w dvd, XM, iPod integration, alpine EQ/5.1 dts processor, Diamond audio hex series mids & tweets, JL audio 12w7 sub, 1000w JL amp for sub, dual 300w JL amps for front/rear stages, alpine backup camera, dual rear headrest monitors. OEM head unit & nav brain integrated (in trunk) to retain voice guidance features. Full car cabin & trunk lined with 2 layers of dynamat sound deadening. Custom 300amp alternator & AGM cell battery. All install work is full custom (carpet matched enclosures etc) with removable trim panels to completely hide sub & amps. Featured in a few magazines back in the day. No plans to get rid of it. Going to hold it (only put around 600 miles on it the last 4 years). Getting a new 2023 Audi RS6 Avant as my new daily.

[@juniorguzman5220]

thanks for the info very good review

[@cory5197]

Till this day I still haven’t seen a L-Tuned iS300 in person

[@acode1719]

Thx for the info I picked up a diamond white for $1000 last year running and all but water pump needed to be done which it did

[@noduh736]

I just got one back on the road 02 sedan blk tan interior with auto and I love it wanted one since day 1

[@2jzge]

Honestly didn’t think my “base” model slicktop factory manual Is300 was this rare😅glad I haven’t sold it yet just hit 70k miles on it

[@eddiesandoval2540]

We have the same car

[@blazenelson2585]

This made me appreciate my pos factory manual even more!

[@SmokeySmile]

My '01 is no sunroof and full cloth seats right here ❤ I love my car!

[@anthonypileggi7]

You missed out on Imperial Jade Mica. It was produced only during 2001 and is the rarest color

[@zanethornton8531]

I own a 2003 is300 5 speed in the grey color with an lsd, car is a blast

[@brucebostiler8758]

Any idea where I can find front struts for the 4WD version sportcross ?

[@Heckk_oh]

I was hoping you’d talk more about some of the available control options in the interior. Such as the buttons in front of the shifter and to the left of the steering wheel. Also, the sticky dash issue is worth mentioning. My 2001 has a plastic dash, not sure which year started the sticky dash issue. 40k miles here 🤩

[@jjvdz]

Hey man really appreciate your feedback on the video and will keep that in mind of an updated rarity video. I actually have a video “5 notorious issues with Lexus IS300” that goes into depth on the sticky dash issue. Cheers!

[@xdreemfpv9637]

just got a 01 is 300 with 160K miles this year back in march. manual swapped this last Jan. just about to rebuild the motor do to a rod knock.

[@Nzaf001]

Def did your homework on this one great video. How many 1jz vvti swaps in the USA? I got one 😃

[@Christiank77]

A quick seat swap and sunroof removal from the standard sedan would seem to mimic a base stripped sedan I think. sunroof is still worth it imo. If you haven't yet covered Altezzas or is200, or as200/300, i think some wagons came auto with 4 wheel drive in other regions like maybe on the Gita wagon in japan. not sure.altezzas had a rs200 3sge also with z edition which included the TRD lip body kit which was a jdm shorter spec of the L-tuned bodykit. The modelista qualitat appearance package like body kit, grill, guage cluster, red interior accents was another. i think sport design had different names depending on the region which included a light gray interior but also offered in black interior. the jdm sedan and wagon Gita had an appearance package called evoluer, orange-ish diamond stitch seats, and fancy chrome trimmed grill and foglights on a new bumper with specific rims, chrome around taillights, and woodgrain window switch plates. my favorite edition of all (not sure how it was originally sold) was the TOM's rs200 with a toms turbo kit, body kit, blue interior accents and tom's gauge cluster. "L edition" was offered on some altezzas in later years which optioned the usdm Lexus parts and usdm style headlights (minus one signal bulb from headlight to fender instead.) toyota europe also had a supercharged is200 called the TTE. seems the editions dont end and parts being revised gradually from 98-05. then there's the aftermarket where you build your own personal edition. My eyes are set on the rather bold sedan VEILSIDE bodykit.

[@hjmouj]

Dont forget about the Altezza and IS200.

[@laughchaser6939]

I have a 04 5speed 150k miles I picked up last year for 6800$ rebuilt title but was replaced with all oem parts from a doner car best car I’ve ever owned and the prices are going up and up

[@drivedb7]

Surprised that Cibola Gold wasn’t mentioned. That’s probably the most uncommon color since it wasn’t popular at all and few even remember it.

[@jjvdz]

I was going to add Cibola Gold but the reason I didn’t not was because at the time I did not believe they produced a Sportcross in the US in that color (After doing more research I discovered they did). Cibola gold was produced for 2 years for the sedans, and in this video I only included 1 year colors in the video. But honestly your right I should have. Thank you for watching the video your feedback is much appreciated!

[@drivedb7]

@@jjvdz - That makes sense! Believe it or not, they actually did offer the SportCross in Cibola Gold although I've only ever seen two. One was reviewed by MotorWeek (which they have that review posted on KZbin if you'd like to see it) and the other is for sale right now on FB Marketplace in NJ for $20k. Still, I think your SportCross is in the best color - Graphite Gray Pearl. I love my black sedan, but if I could buy an IS brand new, it'd definitely be in GGP.

[@jjvdz]

@@drivedb7 Really I will check that MororWeek review out. Next time I make rarity video this color is definitely added. I cannot agree with you more about GGP. It’s a common color but if you keep it clean the metallic flake really spectacular

[@trenttavarez2309]

Wow I bought a wrench 2003 manual sport design in thundercloud metallic I had no idea how small of a projection number they had, i kinda feel bad taking all the drive tranny for my auto car that I’m swapping

[@nakamurak74]

Thank you for posting this info. I really learned a lot and it makes me appreciate my car more. I have a 2002, MSM, manual, LSD, black leather interior, no sunroof. It also came with the 5 spoke, 17" rims. I've owned it since 2003. Does this mean it was a base model w/ leather, lsd and wheels added as options?

[@jjvdz]

That’s a rare car! Thank you for your appreciation and viewership to the channel.

[@jjvdz]

Email me and send me pictures and I can tell you more.

[@turbogears900]

Can you do a video like this on the toyota aristo jzs161 and gs300?

[@jjvdz]

Eventually.

[@marioandultrachap]

Btw you should do a video on all these cars put together like the altezza and is200 and I think there's a AS300 in Japan. Difference how many there are. Engine specs. Rarity of each. Basically all the variations of the altezza that were ever made.

[@eddiesandoval2540]

Hey I have a stripped down base model Is300 ( No sunroof, no power seats, 5speed manual and is a great car

[@toy704]

So base model is300 sportcross’s 👋 I have one 2004 model blk with cloth and slicktop with lsd car came out of Florida . Has a ton of mileage and a neo2 trd kit on it . Have others that are in better condition .

[@isaacgarcia8686]

my code on the door sill says millennium silver, but it not silver, its like a silver, gold maybe champagne. anyone know this color?

[@jyudat4433]

damn bro beautiful scenery.

[@jjvdz]

Thank you for watching the Video!

[@chrisstackalot1680]

Guess I found a real gem.. I own a “base” model manual is. No sunroof and diamond pearl paint! Thanks for the video!

[@jjvdz]

Sick spec

[@chrisstackalot1680]

@@jjvdz thanks. I missed a day of work and drove 26 hours for it when it was posted. Best decision ever!

[@2jzge]

Same here with the alcantara/leather interior just hit 70k miles

[@chrisstackalot1680]

@@2jzge nice man. Would be dope to see some videos

[@killswitch6673]

I have the 2004 sport design trip tronic can't find info on it tho. I love my car it's all light grey great job ty for info I'm impressed I looked everywhere for info

[@jjvdz]

Thank you really appreciate your feedback, I’ll make a better revised rarity video eventually

[@killswitch6673]

@@jjvdz did u ever here if a trip tronic lex like mine.? I heard of manual and auto not much of trip tronic 2jz gte

[@jjvdz]

@@killswitch6673 trip tonic as in having the up and downshift buttons on the steering wheel? That would be considered the 5speed Automatic transmission

[@killswitch6673]

@@jjvdz yes and ty for responding

[@Wagon_Attack]

I have a sport cross with oem lsd and vsc

[@jjvdz]

Sick man that’s a good spec

[@DanceChicks]

🏎🏁

[@amoney11]

I love these cars especially the sportcross but I hear the MPG isnt great

[@jjvdz]

I just make a video on the MPG of this car. It’s not as bad as you might think

[@nateoverthehorizon1176]

There’s a 2004 sportcross that comes to my work that is a base with cloth manual seats and no sunroof and it’s amazing. It’s white with 16 inch rims and I wanna buy it to make it a manual track wagon

[@jjvdz]

Would love to see a picture of that

[@nateoverthehorizon1176]

@@jjvdz i sent it to your Instagram

[@lowkeydiegoduran4724]

they are pretty common in los angeles lol, I see them all the time

[@marioandultrachap]

I want the cloth seats so bad. Thanks for this video though. I like learning about these cars cause they're so unique. I assume they're rare since by technicallity they're not really "Lexus" cars. They're from Toyota line of cars and just got rebranded over here as Lexus probably so they can sell them more expensive.

[@2jzge]

Lexus IS Toyota

[@sym6oI]

@@2jzgehe’s talking about Toyota Altezza, somehow these still cost more and the altezza looks way better ahaha

[@TurboV8boi]

2:05 I would assume at least 1/2 of the IS300's are off of the road by now.

[@TurboV8boi]

I had an auburn sky pearl IS300. I painted it another color, and I swapped it from auto to manual, and then swapped it back to auto 😂

[@jjvdz]

Agreed

[@Spiretspvp]

Did you factor 01 not having manuals built? All over forums suggest only 5% of these cars were produced as manual

[@jjvdz]

Yes I did, the official production numbers are shown and crunched down in this video!

[@Thainagooyen]

Ugh I actually owned an 01 stripped down model is300. I didn’t realized how special and rare it was. I hated the wheels though. I ended up giving the car to my mother and she eventually got into a bad accident with it and totaled it. I now own a 2002 manual is300.

[@wierdmoney7252]

I have a solar yellow 😤🌞

[@kiingezra8968]

I got a 2002 looking to sell asap

[@la_screw]

I have a 2002 auto sedan and there's a 2005? Sportcross sedan maybe 4 houses down from me

[@LeanProblems]

I got a 2002 absolutely red sedan. It’s got a LSD, navigation system, heated seats, and a rear spoiler. I’m not sure how rare any of these options are. I paid $4000 for the car and it had 150k miles when I bought it. The navigation system is completely useless lol, I would much rather have a storage compartment. The controls for the navigation system also take up like 60% of the cup holder in the center console.

[@speltwrong9009]

I own 3 automatics 2 2001 manual swaps and one 2002 automatic. The 2002 has a salvage title it's my parts car. One of my 2001s was totaled and will be going to the junk yard soon the other is in very good shape in dark grey. In 3 years it will be a classic and I will have a 100% street legal 1000+hp car 25 yr old cars get exemptions. It is 300 is very under rated if you manual swap go t56 the r154 is not woth it unless your running around 400 hp but ide still go t56

[@DeePunter]

sport cross is a unicorn

[@ppopovich2847]

Except for GGP, MSM and BO, all the Gen I IS300 colors are rare. I suspect that Cibola gold is the rarest of them all.

[@dallassmith9617]

Most of them must be in georgia because o see them everywhere. Now sports cross is rare to see in Georgia anyway

[@matthewmoore5808]

I currently have a bone stock 2 owner 2005 with only 130k miles. I was thinking of selling......

[@mmoreno2541]

and the green is300 isnt called electric green. its called mecia green lol

[@jjvdz]

There is no “Mecia Green” There are 2 greens. There was a 2001 only color called Imperial Jade Mica (green) and only sedans came in that color. It was not mentioned in the video because the colors look very similar. The other green is Electric Green Mica which was offered on sedans and Sportcross (2002-2005) and was extra rare to find on a Sportcross.

[@iheartgs400]

The market of is300 beat to crap/clapped out overpriced clean title versus salvage title one but repaired and clean.

[@jyudat4433]

yeah i bought one in november 2021. 5.3k CAD factory manual 201k km so low-ish kms. clean title but 3 accidents on carfax. needed a lot of work + body work just to get safety inspected. i still spent less overall to get it on the road than a super taxed "clean" one though. like you were saying truly clean and stock/low mileage examples pretty much don't exist.... oh the things we do to get the car we've wanted for so long & love/lusted over for so long. needed pads all around, rear rotors, 3 abs sensors (yes 3 lmao), hood release cable (seized, so lucky it was stuck open though not closed), left ball joint (play), y pipe exhaust gaskets (bolts were rusted to shit lmao), springs were cut (wouldn't pass safety, got some used stock struts for only $120), bad tires and can't forget the driver side rocker was rusted through (passenger side is basically rust free tho!) i figured if i didn't act soon i wouldn't ever get to own/experience this car for myself. i only wanted a factory manual no exceptions and i don't think prices will be going down anytime soon if ever.

[@drewrout]

It is a major deserves to the car community by releasing videos with misinformation. Please 🙏do your research before releasing videos that are historically based. GL on the videos keep trucking.

[@MRMAN-wb1tv]

*RARE? Where?* 😂😂😂

[@altezzagita7157]

Man you keep messing up on this info lmao the sport design did come with performance upgrades. It had a different exhaust, and suspension that none of the other variants got.. you must of never heard of the evolure sedans and wagons?? Man you really need to do your research before making this kind of videos. The evolure model sedans and wagon has to be the rarest is300 ever made and you didn't even mention them 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️ with only 25 being made of each sedan and wagons 🤦🏽‍♂️🤦🏽‍♂️

[@drewrout]

I agree. Last video was incorrect info, this guy needs to learn his history before making these videos.

[@jjvdz]

This is a video that covers the USDM IS300 rarity, not the global altezza platform. The Sport Design came with a chrome exhaust tip. The L-Tuned came with a L-Tuned muffler (not full exhaust), the L-Tuned springs, and sway bars. But when comparing it to a regular IS300 the driving experience is very similar. The point I was trying to make is that there was no significant performance jump like for example a BMW 3 series to the M3 which is why the L-Tuned brand was short lived. The Evolure was a JDM car not USDM

[@jjvdz]

I appreciate your viewership to the channel but there’s no need to be harsh. Im just trying to make informative IS300 content for the community

[@ppopovich2847]

Actually, you messed up. You owe him an apology. The SportDesign option only had a different exhaust tip. Suspension was same. Perhaps you got mixed up and were thinking of the L-tuned version or perhaps you are outside the USA and not talking about USDM cars.