Lexus IS200 - should I sell, swap, fix or keep it?
Poll: Lexus IS200 - should I sell, swap, fix or keep it?
Total Members Polled: 34
Discussion
You can select multiple answers - if you select other please elaborate in your response. Thanks.
Back in April I bought a '51 reg Lexus IS200, with 86k miles on, 2 former keepers.
I've only added 1000k miles since then.
Following a saga with brakes and tyres*, it ended up costing me the best part of £800 for 4x new tyres and 4x discs / pads and one caliper before I had owned it for a month.
The car is pretty much mint, with a (very) minor scrape on the bonnet lip, and a scuff on the bumper along with some minor swirl marks.
In recent weeks, it has developed a clutch judder (which isn't there all the time) and looking on the Lexus IS forums, judder is a common complaint (a 'feature' if you like).
This clutch judder can vary in severity, and is always fine when the car has four people in it which I find odd!
Also, the 'box clunks when changing into 2nd (although this can be worked around by getting the revs right - I presume this is slow synchromesh) and this too would appear to be another 'feature', as apparently many of them did this from new.
So, this is my 25th car in 10 years - and I'm hankering after another 406 Coupe, but having just been through a period of unemployment, lack the funds to add to any purchase.
Do I try and sell it? Should I keep it?
The rest of the car is absolutely fine by the way, the aircon works, CD changer works etc.
Oh, the drive shaft oil seals weep a bit.
* For the tyre saga, see this thread
Back in April I bought a '51 reg Lexus IS200, with 86k miles on, 2 former keepers.
I've only added 1000k miles since then.
Following a saga with brakes and tyres*, it ended up costing me the best part of £800 for 4x new tyres and 4x discs / pads and one caliper before I had owned it for a month.
The car is pretty much mint, with a (very) minor scrape on the bonnet lip, and a scuff on the bumper along with some minor swirl marks.
In recent weeks, it has developed a clutch judder (which isn't there all the time) and looking on the Lexus IS forums, judder is a common complaint (a 'feature' if you like).
This clutch judder can vary in severity, and is always fine when the car has four people in it which I find odd!
Also, the 'box clunks when changing into 2nd (although this can be worked around by getting the revs right - I presume this is slow synchromesh) and this too would appear to be another 'feature', as apparently many of them did this from new.
So, this is my 25th car in 10 years - and I'm hankering after another 406 Coupe, but having just been through a period of unemployment, lack the funds to add to any purchase.
Do I try and sell it? Should I keep it?
The rest of the car is absolutely fine by the way, the aircon works, CD changer works etc.
Oh, the drive shaft oil seals weep a bit.
* For the tyre saga, see this thread
I'd sell up purley because I was running one of these a few months ago - an auto in imaculate condition bar the cd changer and a wheel bearing. Simply could not stomach the mpg vs performace. 24mpg ave and 0-60 in 10secs anyone? Good solid motors, but I'd cut my losses and get something more in Line with the times.
The autos a good smooth strong unit, but it's a 4 speed. 38mph in 1st then a change into 2nd which takes you to just over 70. It dropped out of vvti for a bit between 1st and 2nd which killed the acceleration. Proper frustration! I love the is200, Lexus had an e36 beater on there hands but put a 2.0 6cyl in only?? ? I get the feeling lexus were taking a big gamble with the is200, and bottled investing in engine design. Shame.
Edited by exgtt on Tuesday 26th July 15:36
exgtt said:
The autos a good smooth strong unit, but it's a 4 speed. 38mph in 1st then a change into 2nd which takes you to just over 70. It dropped out of vvti for a bit between 1st and 2nd which killed the acceleration. Proper frustration! I love the is200, Lexus had an e36 beater on there hands but put a 2.0 6cyl in only?? ? I get the feeling lexus were taking a big gamble with the is200, and bottled investing in engine design. Shame.
There was an IS300 which was similar to the 200 but with a 3.0 litre straight six.Edited by exgtt on Tuesday 26th July 15:36
exgtt said:
nickdrinkwater said:
There was an IS300 which was similar to the 200 but with a 3.0 litre straight six.
Yeah think it was only offered as an auto? And the 3.0 wasn't the best, bit of an old lump? You're looking for a cost to change of £0.
You're not going to sell a car with a knackered gearbox easily (I'm assuming it has actually got worse and needs replacing).
So, assuming there's nothing else wrong with the car, I still think you'd be mad not to get some use out of it to offset the money you've put into it getting it in good order - otherwise you've bought a car, paid to get it tip-top and given someone else the benefit.
Sounds like you've had a bit of bad luck, but I'd still give it a chance, the first round of expense was consumables after all - factor in the buttache of shifting the car and finding a replacement (which you'll still have little guarantee of long term trouble free motoring in - and I'd still trust the IS before a Pug)...
You're not going to sell a car with a knackered gearbox easily (I'm assuming it has actually got worse and needs replacing).
So, assuming there's nothing else wrong with the car, I still think you'd be mad not to get some use out of it to offset the money you've put into it getting it in good order - otherwise you've bought a car, paid to get it tip-top and given someone else the benefit.
Sounds like you've had a bit of bad luck, but I'd still give it a chance, the first round of expense was consumables after all - factor in the buttache of shifting the car and finding a replacement (which you'll still have little guarantee of long term trouble free motoring in - and I'd still trust the IS before a Pug)...
exgtt said:
Lexus had an e36 beater on there hands but put a 2.0 6cyl in only?? ? I get the feeling lexus were taking a big gamble with the is200, and bottled investing in engine design. Shame.
I drove one of these and a very early E46 328i back to back at one of the Company Car In Action days they used to have at Millbrook back in the late 90s. I really liked the is200 but I think with an engine in like the 328i had it could have been a real contender. It was really well made and handled nicely on the handling circuit but just felt a bit flat on the bowl.Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff