Opinions on a Lexus
Author
Discussion

Steve H

Original Poster:

1,172 posts

254 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
quotequote all
Hi all, really trying to make a decision on a new car for my new commute which will be 150 mile round trip 3/4 days a week. I have mentioned in previous posts that it will be mainly A road and motorway. Budget wise I have about 8k but could go to about 10k but having read a few other posts about 25/30k miles pa I am keen not to pay too much due to depreciation.
Basically I need a nice place to sit, good mpg (between 40/50mpg) with as low running costs as possible.

I have considered mondeo/Saab/Volvo but have read about various problems these can suffer. Now, I had a IS200 from 6mths old for a couple of years and had to get shot as it was sooooo slow but I was impressed with the build quality and although the servicing/parts were not cheap they did last quite a while. So I am thinking maybe a Is 220 d or dose could be a good consideration, they are comfy, safe and seem to return the mileage. There are a few on AT within budget and the mileage ranges from 60/80k. Anyone got experience/advice on these cars?

Sorry for the rambling post, I must change the car soon, the cmax zetec 2ltr petrol I am using is horrendous and gives 33 mpg if I take it easy

Patch888

701 posts

158 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
quotequote all
"Yeah, I love Lexi"

Vaud

59,717 posts

185 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
quotequote all
Look at the IS250, especially in SE-L spec. Very good economy for a petrol. Very nice drive.

fathomfive

11,238 posts

220 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
quotequote all
From all I've read, the 220d is frustratingly geared and difficult to extract decent mpg from - 6th gear being next to useless in this country and the car being a heavy thing indeed.
I'm sure there'll be plenty along shortly to give you a more in depth view.

Steve H

Original Poster:

1,172 posts

254 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
quotequote all
Patch888 said:
"Yeah, I love Lexi"
It is after all "the Japanese Mercedes"

Euro1300

122 posts

156 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
quotequote all
The Lexus diesel engine isn't the best out there.

As you have a fun car for the weekend, perhaps look at a Prius? - you'd get a decent spec. current shape car for that kind of cash.

I just don't trust modern diesels - they're fine if someone else pays the bill when they break, but I wouldn't want to do a lot of miles in one that's out of warranty.

Steve H

Original Poster:

1,172 posts

254 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
quotequote all
I agree with opinions on modern diesels. Problem is that it will also be my family car and I don't fancy having a Prius as my only transport if we go out as a family. I have also considered a barge for 2/3k running until dead and then rinse and repeat.

Patch888

701 posts

158 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
quotequote all
Steve H said:
Patch888 said:
"Yeah, I love Lexi"
It is after all "the Japanese Mercedes"

Classic Alan. smile

AmitG

3,566 posts

190 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
quotequote all
For that money you can do better than an IS. I would look for a GS450h, which size-wise is closer to a BMW 5-series.

At 8K GBP it will have done most of its depreciation.

It's a far better motorway cruiser than the IS. It's much quieter, the ride is softer, and the interior is in a different league.

You will probably get 40mpg out of it (can't remember the figures).

You will also get a 0-60 time of 5.9s, and strong mid-range acceleration due to the electric motors.

They are superbly built and very reliable; I would have no problem buying one with 100K miles on it.

Downsides are that the boot is small (due to the batteries) and they have a boring image. They are also comfy rather than sporty.

calibrax

4,788 posts

241 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
quotequote all
AmitG said:
For that money you can do better than an IS. I would look for a GS450h, which size-wise is closer to a BMW 5-series.

At 8K GBP it will have done most of its depreciation.

It's a far better motorway cruiser than the IS. It's much quieter, the ride is softer, and the interior is in a different league.

You will probably get 40mpg out of it (can't remember the figures).

You will also get a 0-60 time of 5.9s, and strong mid-range acceleration due to the electric motors.

They are superbly built and very reliable; I would have no problem buying one with 100K miles on it.

Downsides are that the boot is small (due to the batteries) and they have a boring image. They are also comfy rather than sporty.
Nice car, but for £8,000 you wouldn't get a good one, it would be a dog with stellar mileage.

Steve H

Original Poster:

1,172 posts

254 months

Tuesday 29th October 2013
quotequote all
Cheers tonker that makes for good reading

Edited by Steve H on Wednesday 30th October 18:30

AmitG

3,566 posts

190 months

Wednesday 30th October 2013
quotequote all
calibrax said:
AmitG said:
For that money you can do better than an IS. I would look for a GS450h, which size-wise is closer to a BMW 5-series.

At 8K GBP it will have done most of its depreciation.

It's a far better motorway cruiser than the IS. It's much quieter, the ride is softer, and the interior is in a different league.

You will probably get 40mpg out of it (can't remember the figures).

You will also get a 0-60 time of 5.9s, and strong mid-range acceleration due to the electric motors.

They are superbly built and very reliable; I would have no problem buying one with 100K miles on it.

Downsides are that the boot is small (due to the batteries) and they have a boring image. They are also comfy rather than sporty.
Nice car, but for £8,000 you wouldn't get a good one, it would be a dog with stellar mileage.
Looking on AT the budget of 8K is indeed on the low side. If the OP can go up to 10K (as he suggested he could) there is lots of non-canine choice with reasonable miles.

Extra-urban mpg is given as 39.2.

Benj1984

173 posts

161 months

Wednesday 30th October 2013
quotequote all
Don't buy a diesel Lexus. They are terrible. They don't make a diesel anymore, and have stuck with hybrids which they are very good at. The IS220 is the worst car they made in my opinion, goes against everything Lexus stands for. The petrol and hybrids are brilliantly built and reliable cars though.

Benj1984

173 posts

161 months

Wednesday 30th October 2013
quotequote all
Don't buy a diesel Lexus. They are terrible. They don't make a diesel anymore, and have stuck with hybrids which they are very good at. The IS220 is the worst car they made in my opinion, goes against everything Lexus stands for. The petrol and hybrids are brilliantly built and reliable cars though.

dfen5

2,398 posts

242 months

Wednesday 30th October 2013
quotequote all
Ex boss of mine had the 2.2 ltr se-l iirc. 6th gear was unusable most of the time. I'm tall and the b post curves in - lost count of the number if times a bump in the road caused me to crack my head on it.
Suspension overly firm, rwd bad in the ice & snow. Centre console overly wide. Clutch got heavy after 60k ish and needed new clutch.
Think it's the same diesel motor as the Avensis, prone to hgf on the 2.2. Personally would not buy unless from Lexus with long warranty, low mles & fsh.


Urban Sports

11,321 posts

233 months

Wednesday 30th October 2013
quotequote all
I've driven an is220d, I didn't like it at all, it has a claustrophobic cabin but above all as others have mentioned it has the strangest gearing of any car I've ever driven. I literally found myself changing down to first gear in town driving and on the motorway you couldn't really use 6th at legal speeds.


Motown Junk

2,041 posts

247 months

Wednesday 30th October 2013
quotequote all
Patch888 said:
"Yeah, I love Lexi"
Quite fond of Miss Belle myself.......

delboy735

1,656 posts

232 months

Wednesday 30th October 2013
quotequote all
Friend of mine has one, and it's been massively expensive to maintain.
As has been said, 6th gear is ridiculously high and fuel economy ???? it's a struggle to better 36mpg. He is now looking at a BMW E61 Diesel of some sort !! Says it all really.

KM666

1,757 posts

213 months

Wednesday 30th October 2013
quotequote all
Motown Junk said:
Patch888 said:
"Yeah, I love Lexi"
Quite fond of Miss Belle myself.......
Oho!

vinnie83

3,367 posts

223 months

Wednesday 30th October 2013
quotequote all
IS220d is a terrible car.

Poor mpg, terrible power delivery.

I tested one before getting my car and it was frankly horrid. The power delivery is one big dollop at quite a high rev (compared to other diesels) - I almost crashed pulling out as there was just no immediate pick up.

6th gear is practically useless below 90mph as well.

Drive it, then drive a 320d - you will see the difference between a decent diesel engine and a poor one!

IS250 is supposed to be a great car though.