No, the Lexus ES300 is a Camry. Which isn't bad. But it's not a Cressida. The Cressida is the b*stard child of a Supra and a Buick LeSabre. not literally, there is no relation to a Buick apart from the soft ride. it does, however, have a variation of the Supra engine; every Cressida made had an inline six and rear wheel drive. That's part of why it's so sturdy. It's basically a car on '70s Corolla lines but with DOHC and two more cylinders, with a Buick sensibility towards ride and power accessories. The Cressidas I cited were a 1988 and 1992 models.

The FWD Lexus and Camry aren't bad, but the Cress was the end of an era WRT superbly tough Toyotas. M-B 300E is a notably better car, engineering wise. It isn't necessarily a better $3000 car though.

Personally, I'm pretty happy with my $1500 300SD, but that's a diesel and might not be your cup of tea. I also have heard, on this forum, that most aren't as lucky reliability-wise as I've been...

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1985 300TD
1984 380SL
1983 280SE (full Euro, trunk triangle and all!)

Formerly owned:
1986 420SEL
1984 300D
1983 300D
1981 300SD
1976 300D