Prospective Purchaser Of Is300 Sportcross

[scorcher]

Be gentle - my first post!

Off to look at an 03 IS300 Sportcross this afternoon at Lexus Guildford - anything I should be on the lookout for, having had no experience of Lexus dealers yet?

Have currently got a 2003 VW Golf R32, but with our first baby due in 8 days I thought it was time for something comfier, with loads of toys and a tiny bit more sensible! Am in the process of buying a house which needs a lot of work, so though the Sportcross would be better for B&Q trips!

Previous car was a 2000 E39 BMW 528i Sport which the wife loved, but didn't have enough gadgets for my liking - how will the IS300 compare in power, drivability and fun?

[MrADeveci]

Hello, and welcome to LOC.

What to look out for on an IS300 ? - There really isn't anything that can go wrong to be honest.

The earlier IS300's has a slight starting problem in the cold/damp - however this was fixed in the newer models .............. so an '03 plate one should be fine.

The driving quality on them are great, and the performance is also smooth, and progressive.

It probably won't be as quick as your R32, but bare in mind it's a bigger car and an automatic, however you will not be dissapointed in the performance the IS300 gives you, 211BHP with a tiptronic gear box when you fancy a change from the Auto ;)

I'd personally get one with sat nav, but that's just my personal preference .........

Hope your propectus purchase in an IS300 goes well !

Regards,

[Mr Morse]

Welcome to LOC!

I've had my IS300 from new, 15 months old, 10K miles and no problems at all.

They may not be as quick as equivalent VW's Audi's B*M's etc but come just about fully loaded with all the goodies, which the competition doesn't!

Anyway, what the IS300 lacks in speed is gains in luxury and they are sooooo quiet you won't know the engine is turning.

Like SF says, go for one with Sat Nav and reversing sensors.

You may even want to make a few modifications

[MrADeveci]

You may even want to make a few modifications 

Well, you had to go and say something didn't u .............. :P

[Mr Morse]

You may even want to make a few modifications 

Well, you had to go and say something didn't u .............. :P

←

Get thee behind me Satan!

[scorcher]

Ooops - just bought the IS300

Took it for a long drive with heavily pregnant wife and she thought it was fantastic - and I was very very impressed - soooooooo many toys! And no hesitation at all in the auto box - didn't try the steering wheel gear change as I thought that might be best left until I'm on my own! Didn't realise how little they look like 'estates' in the flesh - much more like long hatchbacks, if that makes any sense.

It's a 2004 Sportcross Navigator in Platinum Ice with black leather, ex demo in mint condition - couple of stonechips they are going to sort out and it'll have a brand new set of rims under warranty (all of them had bubbled, which was a bit odd). It hadn't been prepared for sale yet, so am sure they would have sorted the faults anyway.

They offered me a very good trade in price for the R32, and as it was filthy inside and out (wasn't expecting to trade it at all) and I'll be collecting it next Friday

Very impressed with the customer service too - nice to be treated as a human (remember I'm used to VW and BMW dealers)

You may even want to make a few modifications 

Yep, undoubtedly so :)

Tastefully (IMHO) modded the R32 and only had it three months..

Can you point me at a few websites of aftermarket goodies?

[Mr Morse]

Congratulations

Ha! Bitten my the mod bug already and he hasn't even got the wheels yet! A few performance & handling mods for ya

For starters:

18" rims (SX has 16's I think)

TTE anti roll bars

Eibach -30mm lowering springs

Cat back replacement back box

The main course:

Induction system

Front & rear strut braces

Unrestricted manifold

Coilover dampeners

Grounding cables

Voltage stabilizer

Uprated/big brake kit

The Ultimate (no one in the UK has done it YET :winky: )

Supercharger or turbocharger

Check out some of the garages for more details. This'll be interesting, think yours will be the first modded SX on the site Have you told her yet

[scorcher]

Congratulations

Ha! Bitten my the mod bug already and he hasn't even got the wheels yet! A few performance & handling mods for ya

For starters:

18" rims (SX has 16's I think)

TTE anti roll bars

Eibach -30mm lowering springs

Cat back replacement back box

The main course:

Induction system

Front & rear strut braces

Unrestricted manifold

Coilover dampeners

Grounding cables

Voltage stabilizer

Uprated/big brake kit

The Ultimate (no one in the UK has done it YET  :winky: )

Supercharger or turbocharger

Check out some of the garages for more details. This'll be interesting, think yours will be the first modded SX on the site  Have you told her yet 

←

Even whilst in the showroom the missus said "are you going to change the wheels then?" :D

I have got 17"ers, but will undoubtedly go up to 18"ers

All those mods look doable, but what are

Grounding cables

Voltage stabilizer

..haven't come across 'em before?

[MrADeveci]

Grounding cables

Voltage stabilizer

..haven't come across 'em before?

Congratulations on the IS300 club ............... and your new purchase !

The above mentioned mods, some may say have an effect - some may say they are a gimmick.

The main purpose ? - the more ground cables on your engine chasis ... the more stable it runs .... (and supposedly improved/smoothed ride)

I can't say I have noticed any difference ................. like Colin metioned before, I think the fact that you disconnect the Battery for more than 10 mins, it restes the gear learning computer system, making you think the car is more responsive :D

Don't forget to show us some pics of your new ride .................

[marcus]

Welcome to the club mate :D