Used 2002 Lexus IS 300 Wagon Consumer Reviews
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215,000 miles and still like new
YotaFan, 12/29/2016
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I am the second owner of my '02 SportCross and have driven the heck out of it. It is my daily driver, and has been incredibly reliable. I have had zero issues with the car and have no doubt it will keep going past 300,000 miles. The back seat is roomy enough for my kids, but my almost 6-foot tall son does get a little cramped back there on long road trips. The cargo space is surprising, the rear split seats fold down, and the passenger's seat does as well allowing me to carry long things like an 8X12 foot rug. Build quality is exceptional, even after almost 15 years, the seats still look like new, the carpet isn't worn, and all the buttons still work. On road trips in the mountains, I still get around 28 MPG, in town, it is around 21. It took me a long time to track down a SportCross, but it is well worth the search.
I love my Sportcross
Bob-1885, 09/07/2004
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I love this car. I have had it for 4 months and have not seen a single one like it, there are other is300's out there but no wagons. Very few can say they have such a unique and head- turning car. Handling is very nible. The car is so responsive that you don't feel like you are driving this car so much as mentally willing it to move. It makes my daily commute enjoyable and everyone I know likes it. It is fast. I topped it out at 137, it would have gone faster if it did not have 500lb in cargo at the time. It has lots of low end power. VROOM!!! The e-shift is *fun* and useful, especially for sudden bursts of speed when passing. Fuel economy is mediocre.
15 years of reliability
Joey, 07/21/2017
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This is a very cool car. It is like a little town car for cruising around the neighborhood. It is very quiet for a gasoline powered car. It is a very unusual design and I rarely see any other SportCrosses around. It is silky smooth and the acceleration is with no engine vibration and feels like a big rubberband was let go. It is not a sports car however. It is the slowest of my current cars. But I still like driving it and now my goal is simply to see how long it can last. I don't intend to spend anything more than for oil changes or smog checks. Frankly it is very practical. It has a surprisingly large storage compartment especially with the back seats folded down. It has never broken down. It survived being lent to my 20 year old son for two years. It worked fine after a mild front end collision against a SUV. Driving it now is like going out with an old friend where we just enjoy a little time together. After owning a BMW, that car feels like a hot date, high maintenance, built for speed and likely to age poorly...
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
my sportcross
jlim, 06/28/2004
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Overall great driving experience, handles well with plenty of acceleration when you need it. Quality throughout, with great sport suspension albeit on the firm side. Quite ride on the highways, minimal tire/wind noise, and nice throaty exhaust only during quick 0-60mph gas pedal action.
Wonderful Car
KTM, 04/28/2002
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Two weeks in and I love this car. I traded in my BMW 323i for this and have no regrets! This has more room, horsepower, and smooter ride. I love hatch-backs...owned a Saab at one time...good car--but not even close to Lexus in any aspect.
Not an SUV
EDOman, 10/16/2003
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have had this car for 14 months. It still attracts attention here in Los Angeles and is alot of fun to drive. Tested it in rural New Mexico where it handled very well on a straight stretch of open road at 130 mph. The car apparently was not designed for sport conditions as I have beat the hell out of the front dam on curbs and crossing intersections in the city and the 'cute' low profile tires do not hold up to either urban or cross country conditions. Why call it a sportscross if you can't drive it that way without the tires falling apart!!!!
SportX is fun
jmess, 04/13/2002
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
After 3 months with the SportX I really enjoy this car. I wish it had some features like memory seats but I smile every time I drive the car. I find the hatchback to be really useful. I am happy with the good balance of performance and handling. The car is pretty quiet and smooth for a sport car. The car has had zero problems and feels like it will easily last 100K miles.
IS300 SportCross Experience
Habu55, 05/10/2002
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
After 6 months I have been pleased with the purchase. Ride quality is very good, seats comfortable and supportive, transmission smooth and easy to use in the Sportshift mode. I like the Ecsaine fabric because it warms up quickly and keeps me from sliding in the seat. The car is quiet, the sound system very good and the 6 disc changer in the dash is handy. I average 22 to 23 mpg on premium fuel in town driving). I have yet to observe highway mileage. The interior space is well designed for hauling cargo when necessary. The car remains tight and rattle free as I approach 4k miles.
Love it
imspud, 06/14/2002
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
great car, handles like a go-kart
Yeah baby!
lightning, 09/20/2002
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is outstanding to drive. Its handling is great, especially when going into a curve. At least once a week I have someone asking me about the vehicle. Get one of these.
Sporty and Solid
jonsey, 02/27/2002
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I compared the sportcross with the BMW wagon and hands down the sportcross was the better deal - not just in terms of price but the performance was excellent. I love this car and disagree with the edmund reviews that this is more suitable for the "baggy pant masses". This is definitely NOT your parents wagon, but it's a great car for someone who wants the flexibility/cargo of a wagon without the wagon look.
Our 2002 Lexus Sportcross
WFLaidlaw, 08/25/2003
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Ours is full of add-ons to include navigation, leather, heated seats, etc, but the most appreciated add-ons are the Limited-Slip Differential coupled with Vehicle Skid Control. Cornering is uncanny and with superior braking makes a very competitive vehicle. Service is poor locally, so we drive 2 1/2 hours one way to the Charleston dealership. It is of the same quality as the car.
A real SportCross owner!
Weber, 08/29/2003
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Our SportCross is our 1st Lexus and most definately will not be our last! The transmission shifts like silk and the handling is superb and sharp. The other so-called SportCross owners above are most assurredly bogus and probably will never experience Lexus quality and dependability. We love Our Lexus IS300 SportCross! P.S For the owner above who wanted to disable their vehicle skid control just push the TSC button on the dash.
great car but...
steveNsc, 11/21/2005
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new and the only costs besides normal maintenance was a recent change of the oxygen sensor, 299.00. During warranty period I have had problems with front suspension creaking. Dealer could not correct it so I have learned to live with it.
What I Expected
Carolina Rocket, 02/07/2006
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Car is exactly what I expected except the gas consumption. Tried to save money by using mid grade instead of the premium required. Have gone back to premium and expect mileage to improve. Sound system is fantastic. Steering is equal to the S2000. Room in the rear is much better than expected.
Sportcross Hunting Brake
Terralunatic, 04/15/2003
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I like the overall appearance, the scale of the car and the tail gate within which to throw all your stuff. The Sportcross is quite rare and still gets a lot of looks, especially with the summer 17s on. The E-Shift is ridiculous and I just ignore it now, however I would have loved to get a 5 speed manual but Toyota/Lexus doesn't offer it in the Sportcross. One irritation though is all the squeeks. I have eliminated most with shimming or lubrication, but the belt anchor still squeeks. Not quite Toyota quality.
Eye Candy!!
erik, 03/06/2008
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
SportCross is a head turner and as well as roomy! Fast, super smooth, super reliable, (had an A4 before and everything broke at 50K, this has 82K and tires, oil are that have changed). I hate when people complain about gas mileage.You knew what the gas mileage was when you bought it! I have gotten over 20 in city and 30 on highway.
Sportcross
Bertrand, 03/15/2002
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Just bought a black on black Sportcross and I am really enjoying it. Handles and brakes better than anything else with this much cargo flexibility (bar none). All it needs is a low pressure turbo or supercharger and it would run with an M3.
More Fun for the Dollar
curtkc, 03/16/2002
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Great looks; smooth reving and torquey engine with world class tranny and brakes. Seats are comfortable; Sportcross gives the hatchback appeal and functionality of some of the Euro cars: BMW; Audi et al. Steering is highly responsive and tracks on center; it talks to you; you know where you are in the curves when driving at 8/10ths or better. R&T ran this car thru the cones @ 65mph and .91g on the skidpad:'nuff said about handling. Great car
Fun and useful
GT, 03/19/2002
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This car is just fun to drive. The extra space in the sport x version makes it useful as well.
great fun car but not a BMW
hog4oc, 05/04/2002
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 2 people found this review helpful
I had this car for 1 week, my wife and I love driving it, we also own BMW 5 series, it is definitly not a BMW, but different kind of fun car to drive around. It is a good experience for us, much better than any Toyota cars around.
Should have kept my Audi
StikW/AUDI, 09/28/2002
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 4 people found this review helpful
If all cars drove as poorly as mine we'd all take public transportation. The dealership, when they can be bothered to return my calls, tells me its normal for a Lexus to have an extreme amount of vibration in the steeringwheel, even on the smoothest roads you can find in southern California.
SportCross
DaviM, 08/16/2002
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I am 6'6" tall though lean, so keep this in mind when I make my comments. First, the car is not a BMW, does not have anywhere near the handling (typical sloppy plowing turning characteristics). Crummy Perrelli (sp?) tires. Poor mileage. Quality issues too.
my IS
BikesEtc, 04/22/2002
2002 Lexus IS 300 SportCross 4dr Wagon (3.0L 6cyl 5A)
0 of 11 people found this review helpful
disappointing...the looks of the car grew real tired in a matter of months, should've gotten' the Xterra