Some time ago I posted a thread where people could take a certificate to their Lexus dealer to test drive an IS300 and get a bunch of free internet music downloads. Well, today I took my own certificate in (my GS was in for service anyway) and gave it to a salesman. He offered to sign it without me taking an actual test drive, so I took him up on the offer. They did have a 2004 SportCross on the lot, so I at least took a look at it.

For those who haven't followed my saga in other threads, I am starting to look for a replacement for my Acura CL. Three key consideratons are that 1) I now have a baby and so a coupe isn't really practical, 2) I am a part-time DJ and so want enough cargo room to transport my fairly hefty equipment to gigs, and 3) I live in an area that has bad weather six months out of the year and need something more driveable than my GS. A sport-ute seems like the logical solution, and my wife and I had been strongly leaning towards the LX470. I am bored with the old, old, OLD platform, however, and am amazed they still don't offer HIDs on the LX. The GX is an ugly box-mobile (apologies to any GX owners out there), and I was despairing until I saw an IS300 SportCross in a parking lot. It seems to offer a lot of what we're looking for, and at less than half the cost of an LX. Drawbacks include the lack of luxury features (no Mark Levinson stereo is a BIG drawback to me), RWD which is still not that practical on snow, the small cabin compared to an LX, and the lack of prestige associate with buying a bottom-of-the-line vehicle as opposed to a top-of-the-line.

Comments? Suggestions?

 

It sounds to me you have already reasoned out the IS sport cross.

It sounds as if you need an AWD vehicle. Have you considered the RX? The Hybrid version will be coming out soon and offers just about everything you seem to be looking for.

Also, you may want to wait for the Subaru Legacy GT (I believe it is called) to come out over here. YOu may not like SUbaru or be interested but the vehicle has everything your looking for AND speed.

-Anthony

 

Not sure if your looking at pre-owned but they are a steal. Re-sale hasn't been kind. 20k for a low mileage IS Sportcross (I've never seen a high-mileage one). One plus is you can mod it just like the IS sedan. I know since you came from the BMW roadster and GS L-tuned, a SUV may not suit your needs handling wise. Maybe the FX 35, but it has no more cargo room than the IS.

 

Funny you're comparing an LX470 and an IS300 SportCross (could they be any different?) But based on your comments, you might consider a Subaru (Forrester, Legacy, Outback) - they're great. No Mark Levison like stereo though.

 

i must jump on the subaru bandwagon in this thread as well. it sounds like for your needs, the all wheel drive awesomeness of a subaru wagon will give you just what you need for the bad weather along with tons of cargo space for all that equipment.

 

Thanks to all for inputs. This is going to sound silly (maybe not to some other members here), but I'm not even considering other makes besides Lexus. Now that I've been spoiled by the total package of performance, looks, prestige, luxury, and service--well, let's just say no one else tempts me right now.

The FX45 did tempt me, until I saw how tiny it is inside and found out my wife would divorce me if I bought one because she thinks it's in the same fugliness category as the Aztek and the new 5-series.

1SickLex, you're exactly right about the resale values. The local Lexus dealer happens to have a new one and used one on the lot, both black, and the depreciation is very un-Lexus-like. Aside from having an aversion to used cars in general, I'm so picky about my colors and options that I would almost certainly need to order a new one to get what I want. Now if they still offered an L-Tuned kit for the IS, I think I might have placed an order already...

 

Your wife rulesz . What color? B/C I think nationwide, any dealer would really give you a great deal on a new one. L-tuned kits, I think you would have to get a used one unless Steve finds some (like he found the GS kits outta nowhere).

We had a guy in our club SELOC with one, he came to a couple meets. It was blue with beige I think. Certified pre-owned=100,000 warrenty and the car is treated like it was new from you.

 

Subaru WRX wagon

 

SportCross and IS300 come standard with the 17" summer tires. the combination of summer tires and RWD is very bad for any accumulation of snow (even a half inch) speaking from experience.

If you are considering the SportCross, you will want to get the no cost option 16" All Season instead of the 17" OR you will have to get a second set of wheels and tires for the winter time (preferably 16" rims). Also, the 17" standard summer tires are directional, you cannot rotate them.

I had to order my SportCross. I am surprised to hear that they have a 2004 model in the lot. maybe someone ordered and decided not to get it. If you are planning on ordering one, be sure to get the full Leather since you want more luxury feel and the VSC option.

I love my SportCross. I have had mine for about 8 months now. I didn't get the second set of winter tires and rims since I am planning to move out to sunny Cal. BUT if i were to stay here in VA, i will certainly get the second set.

I also test drove the BMW 3-series wagons. you should check those out as well. The BMW wagon has more cargo room than the SportCross. The SportCross looks great but its sloping hatch can really eat up the cargo room for a wagon.

Oh yeah, another great feature about the SportCross which I like is that the frontseat folds forward completely flat for long items.

 

I love the way the seats, even the front passenger one, fold up. At first I was like, "Ehhh, this won't have nearly enough room to carry all my DJ equipment," but then the sales guy folded the seats and the cargo area became cavernous.

No 3-series for me. I had a Bimmer before the Lexus and vowed not to get another one for a long, long time. As for the interior of the SportCross, I really like the look of the leather/alcantara. If they would do it up in a two-tone (say, black leather with gray suede) I think it would look amazingly good.

I hate living in snow country. I spent my first 21 years living in cold climates and then enjoyed the next ten away from them. Damn military assignment system!

 

Iceman, if you want a good all-weather machine and like the GS, and want to stay with Lexus, wait a couple of months and look at the new All-Wheel-Drive GS coming out. The AWD system should be available (according to sources) with both the new V6 and the 4.3 V8. ( See my other thread on the new GS). I think this may be the answer to your problem.
That notwithstanding, it's hard to go wrong with a Subaru. They make an inexpensive, relatively simple, and, well-proved (and I mean WELL-proved) AWD system that has the boxer-engine with the rear-facing output shaft that does not need additional bevel gears to direct the power to the rear. Their reliability has consistantly been above average, very close to Honda-Toyota standards. Just about everything they offer in the U.S. market should prove suitable for you and your family, with the possible exception of the WRX and STi, though the Outback Sport tends to ride roughly. The WRX and STi may be OK if you retrofit them with winter rubber, but their suspension and tires are fitted primarily for rallying and high-performance stuff, not snow traction.
And ANY Subaru will cost a lot less than a new AWD Lexus GS.

 

One more significant possibility I forgot to mention, Iceman.....if you like the Subaru Impreza or WRX, Saab is going to offer the same car at a slightly higher price, with some front-end restyling, more sound insulation, refinement, recalibrated suspension, as the new Saab 9-2X. It is basically an AWD Subaru with the same reliable Subaru mechanicals with a Saab name on it. It will have both the regular Impreza 165 HP and the WRX 227 HP engines.

 

Saab is having one of those 24 hour test drive promotions in my area.

 

The upcoming AWD GS is definitely intriguing, especially if it will be offered on the V8. I'm also eager to see the LS450GT--if that sucker is AWD then I don't care about the $100K+ price tag--you'll probably be seeing one of the first buyers right here.

I guess that's my biggest problem with buying the IS, or definitely with buying a Subaru. Every car I've bought in my life has been a step up from the last, in terms of power, luxury, and prestige. It's just not my style to move downmarket, no matter how logical the arguments. I'm used to things like the Mark Levinson stereo and touch-screen nav. No Subaru can match that. It's one reason why I probably can't ever buy another Acura--I used to think they were great cars, but now I think they're great cars FOR THE MONEY. As long as Lexus doesn't let me down (like Saturn did at one time, and then BMW), they've pretty much got my business.

 

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