RE: SOTW Lexus IS200
Discussion
Gridl0k said:
ESP that beeps when off = no ta. I find cars are more predictable with it off. I kerbed the missus' 3 series when it decided to give me understeer instead of oversteer on the apex of a roundybout 
Definitely the car's fault you crashed, and not yours eh? 
As ever the "driving gods" that turn it off are the ones that need all the help they can get...
pSyCoSiS said:
I get 18.5 mpg out of my V8 XJR pondering around town, so it's kinda s
t on fuel really isn't it?!
What will you get on a long run in one?
Well when I had it my foot was made of lead so I was seeing around 29MPG at 90ish on the motorway and maybe 32-33 on country roads.t on fuel really isn't it?!What will you get on a long run in one?
I sold it partly to do with the horrendous MPG for the power - I drive a Seat Leon Cupra now and really do miss the Lexus 3 years on (it was a 200BHP Supercharged IS200 with uprated ARBs.)
Edited by edeath on Friday 27th July 16:13
Edited by edeath on Friday 27th July 16:13
Ari said:
Definitely the car's fault you crashed, and not yours eh?
As ever the "driving gods" that turn it off are the ones that need all the help they can get...
It was a mild kerbing, not a crash, and it was because ESP was on. I expected the car to slide round the apex, when the bimmer wanted to reduce power and tighten the curve, hence clipped the inside of the roundabout. As ever the "driving gods" that turn it off are the ones that need all the help they can get...
Last time I went karting I set a new customer record for the circuit, first time there, so I don't struggle to control cars, and I like to keep ESP for when the surface/conditions warrant it. If Lexuses beep at you when ESP is off (which apparently they do/don't depending on who you believe in this thread!) then stuff that.
Terrible car, I had to drive an old GF's 03 is200 occasionally.........what a waste of a six cylinder engine.... gearing was a shocker.....constantly down the box to try and find some power....completely breathless top end and anything remotely "fun" was watered down for all those who had upgraded from their Corolla, also came with ridiculously low profile tyres...slightest sign of a pothole and it was straight to the garage for some air.....not a happy time...
Hahaha, this was what my bro was thinking of getting or the 3er. We went for a test ride in it, the road noise was unbelievably loud IMHO, and it was in Leicester, I would not buy a car from there TBH. It is a world apart from GS300 of the same vintage. Probably would be a good track car once stripped down due to RWD.
Ran an E36 325i with 138k on the clock for a year, including a number or trackdays. Smooth, reliable, never missed a beat and about 30mpg average getting to and from work. 196bhp for only £675 from eBay ;-)
The IS200 I've driven didn't seem to want to pull and pull and pull through the rev range, and seemed 'less' in the twisty stuff. The RS200 - now that sounds more like it if it's lighter with more power and higher redline. Wouldn't mind trying one for fun.
The IS200 I've driven didn't seem to want to pull and pull and pull through the rev range, and seemed 'less' in the twisty stuff. The RS200 - now that sounds more like it if it's lighter with more power and higher redline. Wouldn't mind trying one for fun.
Maybe it's just me, but whenever I see one of these nowadays it has inevitably been "slammed" (as I believe the Young People describe it), is running on 28" rims, with blacked-out glass, a tailpipe the size of the Channel Tunnel and ICE (or OOCE - Out Of Car Excrement) audible as far away as Belgium. Either the next step up from a Chavalier or just going cruising wid da homies ....
Still, there are a fair few 3-ers heading the same way now so maybe the comparison is spot on. I'll get my pipe and slippers - and the keys to the Benz ....
Still, there are a fair few 3-ers heading the same way now so maybe the comparison is spot on. I'll get my pipe and slippers - and the keys to the Benz ....
A 51 plate IS200SE was my first new car purchase. The 1GFE engine was pretty old when the IS was launched, smooth, but not gutsy at all. Little in the way of torque and, to compensate perhaps, very short ratios on the manual box - quoted top speed was redline in 6th, which it would pull easily enough.
Comedy moment at the handover when the sales guy told me 6th was lower than 5th "for overtaking".
Had it 3 or so years & 70k, apart from a siezed rear brake caliper and replacement wheels (corrosion under the lacquer is a favourite problem) it was just servicing & consumables.
Chopped it in for a 12 month old IS300 which suited my commuting more and only got about 2mpg less than the 200(27 vs 29).
Was much gruntier & more relaxed cruise but still not actually quick - might've been usefull with a manual box but not an option here.
Again, kept that to about 70k with only routine maintenance apart from headlight levelling sensor replacement (warranty).
I think the dissimilar wheel sizes mentioned previously only applied to the Sportcross (to do with rear axle load) - or I could be wrong about that.
Only other perennial issue is wheel alignment - most of them seemed to scrub the front inner shoulders off in short order unless you took it to someone who knew what they were doing. Dealers & similarly misinformed types would just say "they're set up to handle" and that tyre replacement every 10k was normal.
Comedy moment at the handover when the sales guy told me 6th was lower than 5th "for overtaking".
Had it 3 or so years & 70k, apart from a siezed rear brake caliper and replacement wheels (corrosion under the lacquer is a favourite problem) it was just servicing & consumables.
Chopped it in for a 12 month old IS300 which suited my commuting more and only got about 2mpg less than the 200(27 vs 29).
Was much gruntier & more relaxed cruise but still not actually quick - might've been usefull with a manual box but not an option here.
Again, kept that to about 70k with only routine maintenance apart from headlight levelling sensor replacement (warranty).
I think the dissimilar wheel sizes mentioned previously only applied to the Sportcross (to do with rear axle load) - or I could be wrong about that.
Only other perennial issue is wheel alignment - most of them seemed to scrub the front inner shoulders off in short order unless you took it to someone who knew what they were doing. Dealers & similarly misinformed types would just say "they're set up to handle" and that tyre replacement every 10k was normal.
Edited by LexiconUK on Friday 27th July 18:23
Edited by LexiconUK on Friday 27th July 18:24
Had an IS300 here in the states for a few years. Was equipped with the 3.0 straight six (2JZ-GE, non turbo Supra motor) making just over 200 BHP. Quick, quiet, great handling and as expected from a Lexus, amazing build quality and reliability. I still see it driving around my town from time to time, I do miss it. Fantastic cars. 
Edited by BigAl80021 on Friday 27th July 18:54
I remember the first time I saw the IS at a motorshow and immediatley thought it was a good looking car and it was one of those 'one day....' moments.
The only thing that puts me off is the power to mpg ratio.
On a side note I once er, 'chased' on of these on a dual carriageway and it was unabale to pull away from me despite his best efforts. I was in a 1.6 Zafira!
The only thing that puts me off is the power to mpg ratio.
On a side note I once er, 'chased' on of these on a dual carriageway and it was unabale to pull away from me despite his best efforts. I was in a 1.6 Zafira!
i drove an is200 quite a few years sgo, couldnt believe how slow it was. from a six cylinder engine its rubbish. a 1.0 focus literally half the cylinders and have the cc would run rings around it!
Would love a go in a is300 sportcross though, however after reading this thread i'm not so sure...
Would love a go in a is300 sportcross though, however after reading this thread i'm not so sure...
My old man was encouraging me to get one of these when replacing my Civic.
Very nice, very comfortable, subtle straight 6 engine note
Great handling on the Sport model too 
However the performance (as you would expect for a 150bhp Saloon) didn't justify the reported economy (25mpg, same as my 200bhp Civic!)
Very nice, very comfortable, subtle straight 6 engine note
Great handling on the Sport model too However the performance (as you would expect for a 150bhp Saloon) didn't justify the reported economy (25mpg, same as my 200bhp Civic!)
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