Having to wait to buy a car until I buy the house has me coming up with all sorts of ideas...

"OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars" (jakeauern) 08/15/2017 at 21:41 • Filed to: None

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So far the cars I’m thinking about buying next are a WRX(that I still haven’t been able to test drive) and a Focus ST(which the wife and I both loved). Tonight I had another thought though...

Manual swapped Sportcross with the manual parts sourced from a manual IS300 and the work done by my dad at his Toyota/Lexus shop. For 10k I could have it absolutely done right with a great starting car. Soo tempting.

awmaster10 > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 21:48

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So, whats the holdup?

Chariotoflove > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 21:52

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With that source, it’s a no-brainer. Do it.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 21:53

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With known history like that it is a no brainier. I bought my car from my mechanic and have had 0 issues in the year and a half that I have owned it.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/15/2017 at 21:55

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I might have typed that wrong. We don’t have a Sportcross, I would be buying the Sportcross and then we’d be manual swapping it.

Tapas > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 22:01

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Do. It.

DOO EETT :D

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Tapas 08/15/2017 at 22:02

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Over a brand new car?

E90M3 > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 22:06

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Come to Savannah, they’ll let you test a WRX STi no problem.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 22:09

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That makes it a bit trickier as you would have to find both a Sportcross and a manual IS300. Neither are terribly common.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/15/2017 at 22:12

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Yeah I wouldn’t mind traveling to buy a Sportcross but the manual will definitely be interesting. Might have to have my dad and our friend who works in parts at Lexus do some redearchZ

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > E90M3 08/15/2017 at 22:12

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I know... 

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 22:14

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My friend is talking about manual swapping his IS300 sedan and apparently using a Pontiac Solstice or Saturn Sky transmission is a pretty common swap.

Steve in Manhattan > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 22:16

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There does not seem to be an issue here - has Zoidberg weighed in?

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > TheTurbochargedSquirrel 08/15/2017 at 22:17

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Yeah that may be a good backup option.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Steve in Manhattan 08/15/2017 at 22:18

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Zoidberg has weighed in on how he likes the Sportcross every day since he got one.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 22:24

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Tough call. It won’t be cheap. Finding a low mileage sportcross is another concern.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 08/15/2017 at 22:25

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I found one with 100k for 10k but that seems a bt steep.

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 08/15/2017 at 22:25

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Or any sportcross for that matter. But Florida always seems to have a few.

notsomethingstructural > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 22:26

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is this not a zoidberg post?

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 22:26

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Mine had 91k miles for 7k... before I took it in for a new timing belt, water pump, diff service, etc.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 08/15/2017 at 22:27

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Florida isn’t really that far so I should be ok. Maybe oneof our 2 customers with Sportcrossi is ready to move on.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 08/15/2017 at 22:28

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Yeah having a shop available solves so many problems. I’m just trying to figure out if the “old” car is worth it if I can get a. Brand new one

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > notsomethingstructural 08/15/2017 at 22:29

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Not this time. There’s 2 Toyota guys here

Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 22:31

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I think this is one of those cars that, if well kept, won’t lose nominal value. They only sold 3,000 in the US and who knows how many are left.

That said, premium fuel and mediocre at best fuel economy are high running costs, especially when you consider what else you could buy for 10-12k used.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo 08/15/2017 at 22:36

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I drive a LS400 haha. It gets regular gas anyways and I get subpar gas mileage on a good day

notsomethingstructural > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 22:39

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Honestly, the IS300 is a very, very cool car, but if you can get a FoST or WRX you’d be crazy to pick it instead. The IS300 (sedan or SC) is among the most beautiful cars of its vintage, but I test drove two and didn’t come away with much. It’s a jack of all trades, master of none. Fair amount of body roll, isn’t that loud or revvy, too heavy for the motor, not the best back seat, too much focus on luxury and not enough on sport. It just didn’t resonate with me and I went to both drives with cash in hand.

Frankly, when it comes to 4-doors I find the hot hatch/compact sedan FWD options more appealing, which stinks but they’re not trying to masquerade as luxury cars.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > notsomethingstructural 08/15/2017 at 22:43

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Yeah I really don’t *need* something fast, just something more fun then a LS400. Plus I feel the SC would get a lot of attention at C&C which would be neat for under 10k

notsomethingstructural > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 23:01

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It’s a hell of a unique car and $10k is a shade high but not unreasonable. If you want something cool, the IS300 SC in manual is pretty OG unicorn-type shit. I didn’t find it much fun compared to a SVT Focus, Mazdaspeed Protege, RX-8, (all owned by me at various times), G35 coupe/sedan, 350Z, even RSX-S, etc. You mileage may vary.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > notsomethingstructural 08/15/2017 at 23:05

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Yeah I bet with a few mods I bet I could work some magic.

beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 23:12

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it’s just a W55, they’re not too rare. You’d be able to get a W58 from a Soarer/SC300 too

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 23:15

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Evo 9. You know you want it

Steve in Manhattan > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 23:18

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Well, so many of us bemoan the fact that you can’t get X vehicle with a clutch, so you have your marching orders.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Steve in Manhattan 08/15/2017 at 23:22

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Yeah I figured it would be neat to have one of the only Sportcross with a stick

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 08/15/2017 at 23:22

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I like my interiors.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard 08/15/2017 at 23:22

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That’s a good call!

Steve in Manhattan > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 23:27

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If you’ll let me drive it around the block, I’ll do it.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Steve in Manhattan 08/15/2017 at 23:28

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Make it down to Tennessee and I’ll be glad to let anyone drive it.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 23:43

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You seen this?

http://my.is/forums/f88/auto-manual-swap-wiring-ecu-cc-nss-clsw-trac-snow-now-smogged-ca-434112/

Besides all the usual wiring and mounting stuff, apparently you have to cut the transmission tunnel open too.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 08/15/2017 at 23:46

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I can’t look at the forum for more then 5 seconds without it stopping and giving me a loading signal... ugg. But why do I have to cut the tunnel?? That doesn’t even make sense.

Steve in Manhattan > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/15/2017 at 23:48

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Cousins in Nashville, so I have no excuse.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Steve in Manhattan 08/15/2017 at 23:49

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The Lane Motor Museum is also here so double no excuse.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/16/2017 at 00:11

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Oh right, I have Adblock enabled by default. This is the pic that gave me pause:

That said ...

http://collinsadapters.com/index.php/is300-a340-350z-full-kit.html (!!!)

I feel like I’m going down a rabbit hole here but it sounds like they’ve considered the fitment issues for auto IS300s, so if you do start down that path maybe give them a call and pick their brains.

notsomethingstructural > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/16/2017 at 00:20

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If you’ve got $6-8k to spend you could make it dope as hell but your cost would be more like $15k

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > notsomethingstructural 08/16/2017 at 00:31

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I’d only be in for parts, with a lot of those discounted to wholesale(that are available).

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire 08/16/2017 at 00:33

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Looks like they’re having to cut because they’re putting a transmission from a Z car in. I’d be putting in a SC300/Altezza/Is300 transmission in.

Steve in Manhattan > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/16/2017 at 00:38

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Damn - last down there in 2000 and I did not know it existed.

RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/16/2017 at 01:02

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The my.is page was trying to put in an IS300 manual transmission (Toyota W55) in (see his parts list), and that requires cutting. The other page I sent with the Nissan Z transmission seems recent, so maybe they’ve figured out a way to do it without cutting which is why I posted that.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Steve in Manhattan 08/16/2017 at 08:12

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Jeff Lane opened it in October of ‘03 so it was still a personal collection when you were here last.

Tapas > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/16/2017 at 13:08

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Buying a brand new car is a different thing in itself tho. If you aren’t too big yon the new car thing, you can get 2 used cars for the price of a brand new car.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > Tapas 08/16/2017 at 13:59

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The thing is I can meet my needs spending 10k, 20k, or 30k. The 10k will appreciate I assume, the 20k Focus will depreciate a good bit but seems to my needs the most, and the 30k Subaru will barely depreciate which is nice. I want a new car but spending half as much I can get something similar but with less features. It’s just a mess.

Tapas > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 08/16/2017 at 15:02

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I get what you’re saying.

I am probably just adding to your confusion, but you could also spend $30k on a used car (that isn’t that old)? lol

Like a Carmax Mercedes C Class AMG or a M3?