Lexus IS 300 Sportcross - The Rare Family Q Car You Need To Know About

[@JaseSung]

I did used to hate jewel lights because of the boy racer trend, but it’s been so long since that it just looks fine to me now.

[@dadcars]

To be fair I’ve never taken any notice at all of Lexus until actually driving a couple on the channel… give me a little time and I’m sure I’ll get over it 😅

[@irrationalgaz]

Used to own a saloon is200. Was the most beautiful car I've ever owned or driven. It was just solid, no rattles or niggles and that dial cluster is still the one of the most beautiful designs to ever grace a dashboard. The straight 6 was incredibly smooth and the gearbox felt like a rifle bolt. Great car.

[@dadcars]

I’d love to try a manual 👏🙌

[@irrationalgaz]

@@dadcars I see people complain all the time online that 150 bhp wasn't enough power but I feel like they were missing the point. The IS200 wasn't designed to be a track weapon it was meant to be a motorway cruiser and the manual gearbox was set up to make the most of the 2l straight six for just that purpose. Gear changes were buttery smooth and whilst it didn't launch like a rocket unless you wanted to rev it hard it had plenty power to comfortably overtake anything in your way whilst being as smooth as Sir Roger Moore

[@monkeyhighRTD]

This was my first car. Loved it and it set such a standard for me when it came to a car's handling and drivability. Was not the quickest but a solid cruiser. Only thing I did not miss was the fuel economy

[@saifabdalkader9512]

I have a soft spot for these, such a good all rounder! Great vid as always!

[@dadcars]

Thanks man! Never been a Lexus guy but this car charmed me 😊

[@1974Slipper]

Good luck Ben. Just started watching your posts. Sensible topics. Brilliantly presented and edited for this stage in your YT ‘career’. Keep it up. Different to other channels which is necessary 🎉

[@dadcars]

Thanks Steff I really appreciate this comment 🥲👏

[@Natanaelsjoberg]

Love this Lexus, really a good dadcar. Also fun and interesting dadcars: alfa 159 (especially the fourwheeldrive 5cylinder diesel manual!), volvo 850 t5/r.

[@dadcars]

Alfa sports wagon is super cool! I think they did a V6?

[@petervernon848]

Had so many super performance cars. Audi RS4 Rs sixes and Marc AMG C63S. My wife has IS300 Sporctross for 9 years and always preferred driving her car.. Now have one myself and never miss my German super cars. Just so fantastic to drive for such a dated car.. Find me a better one than my 56k mile car and I would buy it.. ```dri9ve one for a while and you we find how fantastic they are...

[@dadcars]

56k miles! That’s a gem 🙌👌

[@timw2083]

I bought one last week. I'm loving the experience. Very few people know about it. This has a great stance. I will research the HKS Coilovers.

[@dadcars]

Awesome! Great purchase!

[@icantrideslow]

Welcome to the club! :) look up SRD tuning in Haywards Heath, Lee is very knowledgeable he and his team did the work on mine. The coilovers are HKS Hypermax S, not cheap but absolutely worth it.

[@sideshowbob32]

Awesome dad car! Owned one of these 10 years ago, I can confirm the folding passenger seat was great for a quick nappy change. Make sure the cambelt is changed on time. Only downsides are a firm ride, and poor mpg, 25ish from memory, not alot better than the e39 540i I owned prior.

[@dadcars]

Yeah see I like a sportier ride and anything above 20 mph is good in my eyes 😅

[@josephvalenzuela8649]

Fellow sx owner here 02’ intensa blue pearl. Same color as the one you posted for sale. These wagons are very fun too drive.

[@M2c-718GTS]

I bought a 2005 black/black IS300SC, last week. Also with sunroof and limited slip differential. 59.000 miles, RHD. I also own an LHD with 11.000 miles, 2005 Green/Beige. Really nice cars.

[@icantrideslow]

amazing! whereabouts do you live? I am the owner of the car in the video, we should meet up!

[@dadcars]

Wow! Sounds awesome! That’s super low miles! Join the Dadcars Facebook group and show us some pics! 🙌

[@M2c-718GTS]

@@dadcars will do !

[@M2c-718GTS]

@@icantrideslow with pleasure! I live in Fulham ;)

[@georgimihalkov4781]

A very cool car, always liked the look of these! There are a couple of cool estates from Sweden as an alternative - Saab 9-5 Aero and Volvo V70 R.

[@dadcars]

Great shouts, I have done a Saab before and should be filming a Volvo in the summer 😎

[@venatorclass07]

Coming up to a year since owning one, beautiful and fun to drive, coming up to 100k miles. Only fault was a wheel bearing that needed to be replaced. If you can do basic services yourself like oil, fluid changes, brakes you can save a lot of money. Only downside is fuel economy. Love my sportcross!

[@dadcars]

Very cool car 🫡

[@krissveismanis990]

Even in IS200 the fuel economy is terrible, but otherwise I love the car.

[@rnyellow]

I thought these were dull and a bit weird looking at the back. But this is a revelation! Seriously considering one now! Loved her reaction to the limited slippy diff comment

[@dadcars]

😅 yeah took me by surprise this one!

[@markanthony4086]

That's one cool looking car...and practical also. I must admit I had never heard of or seen one of these before, thanks for showing this on the channel 👍

[@dadcars]

👍 I like to get a mix of cars on the channel :)

[@deaks25]

Very cool car, simply for the fact it’s a rare car, and perfect t DadCar: practical family transport that’s good fun to drive. In terms of other cheap estates; Jaguar X-Type 3.0 V6 AWD Estate would be my first thought.

[@dadcars]

Great shout! Can’t believe I’ve yet to feature a jaaaag

[@odl21]

Never heard of that but I really like it

[@odl21]

No excuse for boring - I’ve always said exactly the same!

[@dadcars]

🙌 😎

[@bootsandpaws]

Try and get hold of a Nissan Stagea, only sold in Japan so super rare! It is basically an R33 Skyline estate.

[@dadcars]

Funny you should say that! I was looking at one on Facebook marketplace the week I filmed this car! 🙌 I’d love to try one

[@Upperfoot]

Proper enjoyed this video! Really engaging! Had my SX since July, drove it through France and planning Netherlands next year, it really enjoyed the 130KPH roads 😉

[@dadcars]

Awesome! Thanks man 😊 check out some of my other videos! I’ve actually done a Mk4 supra now too!

[@1brianmoran]

Loved your review, and your content in general. Just a point of clarity Sportscross or salon is300 (3.0l) only came in auto, you can get the is200 (2.0l) in manual. Keep up the great work, thanks.

[@dadcars]

Thanks man! And thanks for that clarification 👍

[@icantrideslow]

In the US the saloon came with a manual as well

[@imaca6538]

I had an is200 sport back in the day. Loved it. Was the car I always wanted. Had to sell it due to splitting up with my then girlfriend. Losing that car impacted me more than the breakup. I bought a 106 as a runaround and saw my Lexus being driven by someone else. Still kills me

[@dadcars]

106 still pretty cool!

[@imaca6538]

@@dadcars not this ons, it leaked and the engine cut out on the motorway when I got to 70 haha

[@alistairkeith]

I love mine '03 and just over 50K stock ... (at the moment) ... great review! 🥰

[@dadcars]

👌😚 sounds like a wonderful example!

[@saifabdalkader9512]

I think you may consider something like an RCF for your next car, v8 coupe and it's a Lexus and it's far from a dad car! so I believe it checks most of your boxes expect for the price but I believe it will make up for it by the Lexus reliability.

[@dadcars]

I’d love to try one! Sadly above budget for my next car but if someone has one I’ll feature it! 😎

[@rhrynq]

I've got my 2nd Sportcross, first there was a M/T IS200, now the A/T IS300 LSD. Cars have their little foibles (weak ball joints, rusting rear wheel arches, maintenance-heavy brakes, failing heating fans), but nothing major, and given that those little rascals are around 20 years old, a bit more attention is advised. MPG though in the city might be a bit harsh at times, when in the countryside is not a problem, and well, I prefer to leave my money in the petrol station rather than in the shop. They are very rare and specific - those who are not interested in cars won't notice the IS', but those who know, they appreciate one once they see one. And from what I've seen on YT, those IS200/300 estates are starting to get more and more attention, which is nice. In 2015, when I bough the IS200SC and went to the local toyota dealership for a few maintenance bits, one guy from the parts depo didn't believe it was an actual SC (as VIN decoded) and had to go out and see it for himself. A huge shame that there were no more estates from Lexus and that the IS300SC was only available with the A650E A/T.

[@FRFRANKIE]

Hi Ben hope you & family are doing good. I knoe whst you mean by guys putting on those Lexus type tail lights on their cars back in the day. I've never heard of or seen a Lexus crossover like that. That is so cool looking.

[@dadcars]

We’re great thanks Frank! 😊

[@Kacpa2]

Jay knows someone with Legacy Spec B, guy from project nigel channel could take it for a spin too. I think Jay could arrange it for you to test it.

[@dadcars]

👌😎

[@Kacpa2]

@@dadcars If you get to test it would love to hear how it compared to this. I am split between getting this and manual swapping it or getting Legacy 3.0R Spec B. Legacy seems more spacious but less fun. Especially which ever feels more sporty and you feel more speed in.

[@odl21]

Reminds me a lot of my Saab 92x (which is essentially a Subaru Impreza WRX). It’s 2005 and cost me about 4 grand. I think it’s probably only 1 of 2 in Europe - so rare.

[@dadcars]

Sounds awesome!

[@garyh2008]

Awesome! On my short list for sure

[@dadcars]

Such a cool car! What else you looking at?

[@garyh2008]

@@dadcars IS200 Sportcross :)

[@jvsyoutube3298]

well, i own a is200 sportcross manual. I would say, its a really quality car. Its just so good, and it would be even more great if they had a hitch what i miss alot. Iwe owned alot of bmw's mercedes, audi, volvo and such. And this is a class of its own, for shure.

[@Edgar_84]

Other cool sub 5K Estates: all of the following are pretty great: The Legacy/Outback that you have just mentioned, The Honda Accord Wagon 5th and 7th Gen, Volvo V70 I and II, the BMW e34, e39 Touring maybe if still attainable, Mitsubishi Sigma Wagon if you can find one, Mazda 6 MPS, maybe some other rarer cars but pricewise maybe not making this list. The Lexus, Subaru and Hodas are definitely up there.

[@rileysullivan841]

What’s a dad wagon review without it being used properly! Cheers, great review

[@dadcars]

Thanks! And welcome 😊 glad you found us

[@danielafonso11]

this is my dream car

[@dadcars]

It’s a super cool car!

[@phucnguyen0110]

I only know the standard coupe IS300 (thanks to a famous racing video game apparently) - never thought it has this estate body style lol (please correct me if I am wrong) :D

[@dadcars]

Gran Turismo shaped a generation of petrolheads 🙌

[@phucnguyen0110]

@@dadcars good guess Ben - unfortunately it's not the game I was referring to 😀

[@Sam-go3mb]

I own one of these but in New Zealand where they are more or less regular traffic 😂 there's a few enthusiast ones done up nicely, but we get old dudes and middle aged women rocking these things fully stock, driving 20kph under the speed limit and not washing them etc. and don't even get me started on skylines that just rot in the streets 😂 NZ is bizarre but real fortunate if you're a car guy lmao.

[@dadcars]

That’s crazy 😅

[@nekite1]

Try the Lexus Ls 430 - I reckon that is a proper dad car.

[@dadcars]

That would be a fun one! Proper old school lux barge 😎

[@nekite1]

@@dadcars Relatively cheap to buy a good example, bulletproof engine if properly maintained and all the toys. I had two Saab 9-5 cars when my kids were younger (they are in their mid thirties now) and loved those, but given the choice, I'd rather have the Lexus. My current circumstances dictate that I need to drive an economical car - I am a widowed pensioner and my son lives with me, so don't need a big car. My choice? - a Honda CR-Z as it is only £25 road tax/VED, group 17 insurance and whilst being frugal with the fuel, is a hoot to drive on B roads. Not your thing with your little darlings on board, but yeah, I did this stuff some 30 years ago with a very small budget, so my car choices are not something you hear of nowadays - Honda Concerto being one of them.

[@dadcars]

@@nekite1 Saab being front wheel drive is the drawback for me… I do love Hondas though! Had a S2000 in my twenties and an early CRX was my dream first car but alas it never happened 🥲

[@hormelinc]

I see you have almost all the options. You don't have the OEM Navigation system. Consider yourself lucky because it needs the old radio to keep working. My old radio is in the trunk spare tire space (with the Alpine 5ch amp). Did the UK have a Nav system option anyway?

[@icantrideslow]

Yes, but it was a £2480 option. Considering that the car was around £28-29k new, no wonder that only a few people ticked the box when ordering one

[@chazshier]

I wish Lexus had made an estate in the 5 Series / e class / A6 avant size category. Those IS300s are just too small when you have 2+ young children. The Chaser wagon looked awful. Given they designed the LFA you'd think there's potential there! Great channel BTW.

[@djneils100]

Great content - fast forrester would be a cool review

[@dadcars]

Thanks! 🙌😊

[@drewjones66]

Please track down a Nissan Stagea..Their Skyline based estate car. Particularly potent are the 250t- RS/RX Four models. The A-RX are slightly raised, like a subaru outback. They have a front, mid mounted v6, with the same Atessa awd found in an R32 gtr skyline( rear wheel drive, viscous limited slip diff, front wheel assist when needed with viscous lsd also... Awesome cars

[@dadcars]

Oooooo…. Now that would be a dream to feature! Is anyone has one? 🙌

[@jayjay378378]

Use to have one of these sold it way too cheap in 2019 😂

[@dadcars]

I feel like that about some of the 90s JDM cars I sold in my 20s 🥲

[@joshuakhaos4451]

Theres a few of these running around my city.

[@dadcars]

Awesome!

[@velocelens]

As daddy Doug always says, more rare than a Ford GT :)

[@dadcars]

Lol! I’ve not actually watched his sportcross video yet! 😅 I am a fan though 🙌

[@MarcusTDM]

I’m sure the IS300 was quicker than that. About 7 secs, 8.1 for the 200. You could get the sport cross in a manual but they’re bloody rare. I almost bought a red one but was beaten to it! 😔

[@icantrideslow]

The manuals are all swapped, you could only option the sedan with a manual.

[@MarcusTDM]

@@icantrideslow oh ok. That's interesting. Cheers.

[@dylan1390]

They’re very rare 3,067 only made so if you do buy her take all the upmost care the car I found is pretty beat up but she’s home now

[@dadcars]

Very rare and very cool 👌

[@Birmingham_racing]

If you can could a civic mc2 1.8 vti aerodeck that would be cool but those are rare now

[@dadcars]

Christ yeah I can’t even remember the last time I spotted one of those

[@Birmingham_racing]

@@dadcars yeah my friend used to have the mb6 about 5-6 years ago even then they were rare

[@jvsyoutube3298]

yeah, these cars where a trend starter with their lights. Why? because they where first, and they looked different. I didnt like them back then, but yeah, these are the original, i like them.

[@Birmingham_racing]

I almost forget these exist

[@dadcars]

Super cool right!

[@Birmingham_racing]

@@dadcarsshame we didn't get this engine in the saloon in the uk like Americans did

[@M2c-718GTS]

@@Birmingham_racing it was available in the sedan

[@robertlloyd7493]

👍

[@dadcars]

Bit slow off the mark this week! 😅 send me a message on Instagram my man

[@robertlloyd7493]

@@dadcars sorry 🍌

[@dadcars]

@@robertlloyd7493 are you UK based? Should come to shedfest in august! I’ll be there

[@robertlloyd7493]

@@dadcars just looked it up....shedfest....I have some bizarre interests...but sheds are not one of them sorry.

[@dadcars]

@@robertlloyd7493 😅👏

[@carforumwanker]

Be super quick...... there is a EXCELLENT MANUAL IS300 for sale in the UK NOW ... And its worth buying !

[@dadcars]

The is200 on auto trader?

[@carforumwanker]

@@dadcars i believe its autotrader Be very very quick . Its excellent

[@carforumwanker]

@@dadcars Its a 300 manual

[@w0bblyd0inkb0ink]

Not a JDM, this wasn’t available in Japanese Domestic Market back in the day. Toyota Altezza is though

[@pauldavidson2443]

Saab 95 Aero...?

[@dadcars]

I have featured a £1k Saab already and it surprised me! More than happy to try a 9t aero 😎

[@Birmingham_racing]

What about a Zafira gsi turbo? Not an estate obviously a family car

[@dadcars]

This has to happen yes!

[@koakamaka]

You’re being STUPID, cuz these Lexus lights are the OG Lexus lights. All the cheap knockoffs are just that. This is the reason for all the cheap knockoffs, hence the name. That’s why those look so good & the reason for the trend.😂 BTW, unfortunately in the USA, people know what these are and they’re asking DOUBLE the price!🤦‍♂️ there are some fantastic builds on these! Manual swaps & turbos…