Rare 2005 IS300 SportCross Surfaces With Just 43K Miles

Destined to be a future collectible, this low-mile Lexus IS SportCross is also still a proper bargain.

By Brett Foote - February 5, 2020
Rare Lexus IS300 SportCross Surfaces With Just 43K Miles
Rare Lexus IS300 SportCross Surfaces With Just 43K Miles
Rare Lexus IS300 SportCross Surfaces With Just 43K Miles
Rare Lexus IS300 SportCross Surfaces With Just 43K Miles
Rare Lexus IS300 SportCross Surfaces With Just 43K Miles
Rare Lexus IS300 SportCross Surfaces With Just 43K Miles
Rare Lexus IS300 SportCross Surfaces With Just 43K Miles

Future Collectible

We're officially at the point where the early Lexus IS is slowly becoming a collectible item. Which is no surprise given the fact that many of us owned/drove/loved Japan's answer to the compact German luxury sedan. But not to the point where they're crazy expensive, however. Case in point - this rare IS300 SportCross, which just sold at Bring a Trailer for a reasonable $14,850. 

Photos: Bring a Trailer

Stored Away

With just 43k miles on the clock, this particular SportCross certainly hasn't been used much over the years. But perhaps that's because the original owner lived in Michigan, and maybe kept it stored in the harsh winters. At least, it certainly looks that way given the car's condition.

Photos: Bring a Trailer

>>Join the conversation about this IS300 SportCross right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Minor Incidents

That's not to say that this poor Lexus hasn't had its share of misfortunes, however. It's been in a pair of accidents, but nothing too major. The first required the rear bumper to be replaced, while the second more serious incident caused damage to both the front and rear.

Photos: Bring a Trailer

>>Join the conversation about this IS300 SportCross right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Well Equipped

Regardless, the wagon looks to be in pretty solid shape today, with shiny grey paint and nice 11-spoke SportDesign wheels wrapped in Michelin rubber. The interior looks pretty clean as well and is well-equipped with a leather-wrapped steering wheel, automatic climate control, an in-dash six-disc CD changer, and tape deck, and a power sunroof.

Photos: Bring a Trailer

>>Join the conversation about this IS300 SportCross right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Many Niceties

The interior niceties also include heated and power-adjustable black leather front seats with perforated center inserts, as well as aluminum-look trim that surrounds the controls for the power windows, mirrors, and locks. And of course, that cool chronograph-inspired gauge cluster with a 160-mph speedometer and tachometer with a 6,500-rpm redline.

Photos: Bring a Trailer

>>Join the conversation about this IS300 SportCross right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Slush Box

The incredibly sanitary engine bay packs a 3.0L 2JZ-GE inline-six that originally produced 215 horsepower and 218 lb-ft of torque. This particular SportCross is equipped with an automatic transmission instead of the more desirable (and rarer) manual, but that's not a deal-breaker by any means.

Photos: Bring a Trailer

>>Join the conversation about this IS300 SportCross right here in the ClubLexus forum.

Bargaining Chips

Perhaps the accident history and slushbox automatic are what kept the selling price of this SportCross low. And that's completely understandable. But you certainly don't see many Lexus wagons running around these days, and definitely not many with this little mileage and in such great condition. 

Photos: Bring a Trailer

>>Join the conversation about this IS300 SportCross right here in the ClubLexus forum.

For help with your maintenance and repair projects, please visit our how-to section in the forum.

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