After two weeks of featuring Euro wagons, we are back to featuring yet another JDM wagon for this week’s Avantturous weekly blog. The owner of this fine looking IS300 Sportcross; Juan, is basically a reflection of yours truly from the parallel universe: starting it off with the sedan version of one platform and later branching into the wagon variant of that exact platform! The only difference is Juan got his inspiration from a family member who owned the same wagon many years earlier. The IS300 itself was a groundbreaking design from it was first launched! The car sported many unique parts from the factory (most notably the Altezza taillights and its chronograph-style instrument cluster).
The first thing that I noticed and really liked from Juan’s IS300 Sportcross was its full Gita kit. I always thought the regular IS300 Sportcross looked “naked” without this full-on lip kit addition all around. Originally purchased as a fixer, this wagon had gone a major transformation in order to get to how it looks today! In addition to the lovely Gita kit, this wagon also sports some rare exterior modification: Altezza Modellista Evoluer sideview mirrors (they have turn signals on them), OEM dark chrome taillights, and Netz Sport front grille. This wagon was then lowered on coilovers and a set of Enkei NT03 wheels made their way to complete the exterior package. Step inside and you will notice the 3rd pedal right away; that’s right! Juan did a full swap from its original auto-tragic (literally… since the original one was a goner) to a full 5-speed manual. A full donor was purchased to make this swap happen; therefore everything works like factory had intended (always a good thing when someone went the extra mile like this!).
Since this is Juan’s daily, he mainly wants this to be a sleek and enjoyable cruiser wagon. And of course everything needs to work as intended from the factory and passes smog here in California… Took dedication and patience to get this wagon to where it is today and the result certainly delivered!
Happy Motoring, Juan!
Introduce Yourself:
My name is Juan Rivera, I’m from the USA I live in California and I’m an Aerospace technician
WHY A WAGON?
I own a 2001 IS300 sedan, I always wanted a wagon ever since my uncle got his in 2011. I found my 2003 Lexus IS300 Sportcross on a Sunday noon. I remember I was at a jack in the box when a friend sent me the post of the wagon. Car was in Long Beach, I stopped eating and told my friends we had to pick the car up. Within 30 minutes, I was at the guy’s location purchasing the car. On my way home to East Los Angeles, I noticed the car was on limp mode and steering rack & suspension were shot. The interior was a complete mess full of trash. Oil leaks, bumpers falling apart, transmission started slipping on the way home, but the car was still driving somehow. Car was parked for another 3 weeks until I had all the parts to restore this car. I got lucky my friend was selling her sportcross. She sold me the rear kit, I had some spare oem elegance sides in my house and my cousin sold me his Gita elegance front end. Another week later a friend got his manual sedan totaled, then I had a chance to buy that car off him and transfer half interior to my car and manual swapped the car w every factory component. Car is fully manual swapped smog legal. I got wheels, coilovers, sway bars, fix my engine leaks, new tires, new headlights, OEM dark chrome tail lights and a few other mods. This car was bought for a really good price. But the overhaul and restoration on it were a few dollars but well worth it. I love this car.
Did you consider a different WAGON instead of this one?
I consider a Lexus CT200H back in 2020, gas saver and well a newer Lexus.
What was your original objective with your car and has that objective changed?
My original objective was to have a realiable wagon that can be used for road trips, canyon runs and light track day so far I’m happy the way this car sits.
What style would you say best describes your car?
I believe the car is a full oem+ car w oem option stuff and fucntional car.
Who assisted in the planning/building/modding of your car?
I did all the work to the car. My good friend Miguel Aka locho always helping me out when I need the help.
What do you feel makes your car unique / special in your eyes?
I think what makes this car unique and special to my eyes is that it has oem+ options like Evoluer mirrors, full elegance gita kit and a pretty rare wald and NETZ sport grill.
What is your favorite part/feature/function of the car?
The favorite function of the car is the 5 doors. Rear seats fold down along w the passanger seat, making this car more spacious. Perfect for road trips and adventures. The favorite part would be my evoluer mirrors w side markers.
If you could pick one thing you aren’t satisfied with about your car, what would it be?
I hate the mpg on this cars. Other than that I love it.
What has been the biggest obstacle you’ve faced while building this car?
Biggest obstacle building the car was finding the parts. Parts for is300 sportcross are hard to come by and you can find parts for it from japan. The IS300 wagon in japan is Altezza Gita
What one word best describes your car?
“La Wagina” the wagon in english
What is your final goal with this car?
My final goal w the car is to maybe 3uz swap it or keep the 2jz healthy and reliable to keep traveling w/ this car.
If money is no object, which make & model wagon would you get into?
If Money was not object I would love a 2023 BMW M3 Wagon
