Lexus IS - opinions?
Author
Discussion

Legend83

Original Poster:

10,317 posts

238 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
...as a reliable commuter / family hack? Not quite bangeromics prices for mk1 but if they last forever might be worth a cheap punt?

Papa Hotel

12,760 posts

198 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
I'm sure they're bulletproof but not particularly efficient, powerful or cheap to run. At least that's what my research told me a while ago.

Baryonyx

18,136 posts

175 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
They always struck me as being a bit of a Mercedes-lite option. They should run well for a long time as they seem to be pretty well made but don't expect it to excel in any particular area. They do make a competant RWD cruiser though.

Fox-

13,445 posts

262 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
Poor old IS200.

It's a nice car - yet it drinks like a big Six whilst offering the performance of a 2 litre 4.

k-ink

9,070 posts

195 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
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Get the IS300. Way faster for no more fuel the 200. They are quiet, solid, handle well (not too large), practical (just big enough), totally reliable, look good in deep grey with the facelifted lights too. Later SE models have all the toys - leather, cruise, dimming rear views, tiptronic, folding mirrors, you name it. Lovely dealers too. Coming from an S3, R32, plus other usual suspects this is the best all rounder daily I've had.

T84

6,941 posts

210 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
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Thirsty! I'd have one if it wasn't for the awful MPG

icepop

1,177 posts

223 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
Longish life span, but no better than an equivalent VW/AUDI/BMW, and probably more expensive to fix once over the 100k. I looked myself and they're not up there with the IS 400's whch Lexus really owe their reputation to. Nice inside mind you. So to answer the question, yes nice motor, expect the usual.

Baryonyx

18,136 posts

175 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
Of course, Alan Partridge has gave the image of these cars a bit of a battering, so don't expect to be getting admiring glances as you drive around!

k-ink

9,070 posts

195 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
icepop said:
Longish life span, but no better than an equivalent VW/AUDI
My experience says differently. Many £1000's on VAG repairs v nothing on IS.



ps

In response - Has anyone actually watched Alan Partridge in the last decade? No. That tired old nonsense died a very long time ago. Along with the other PH classics of Alfa's being unreliable, or chipped 335d jokes still being funny. Move on for all of our sanity.

davidjpowell

18,388 posts

200 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
Had an IS200 a few years ago. 51 reg, I think.

Had it a year, as second car and cost not a penny in repairs, but did few miles.

I found it a pain to drive. Very revvy. all power at top end. On the one day I did use it for work, it used quite a lot of fuel.

Depends on whether you can live with the fuel consumption I guess.

icepop

1,177 posts

223 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
I can see your "nothing wrong on the IS 200", and raise you "alot of probs on said car vs very little on VAG models", so your comment doesn't really mean very much does it. They do go wrong, and it costs a fair bit to put right.

k-ink

9,070 posts

195 months

Sunday 6th February 2011
quotequote all
I said IS300, now repeat ad infinitum...


£6000 of repairs in 40k VAG miles.1 owner. Full VAG history. Beat that...

frosted

3,549 posts

193 months

Monday 7th February 2011
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I had 5 lexus cars and a few german cars , the toyotas were much kinder on the wallet tbh

Kaelic

2,709 posts

217 months

Monday 7th February 2011
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Had a IS 200 Sport

Was a great car, which I ruined with a stupid exhaust, but I was young and stupid biggrin

Reliable car and still looks really good.

Cons:
Wheels rot like there is no tomorrow frown
Thirsty for a 2ltr
Now in the price range for idiots so not as exclusive and rare as they once were
Only about 150BHP (I think from memory)
Sportwagon is pretty rubbish frown (I really wanted to like it too)

Pros:

Quiet drive
Really nice interior, even if some think the dash is a bit dated
Lots of toys even on the SE (dont get an S Spec as they are quite bare)
Lots of mods and lots of aftermarket stuff for them, Lexus owners club is a great place to talk to other owners etc..
Toyota under the L badge so its reliable and cheap to get parts for (from my experience)
Red really suits this car



I would punt for an older one with the leather/alacantra seats instead of the full leather the later ones had. But if you can find an LE within budget (dark grey with multispoke wheels and not the rotting 5 spoke normal lexus wheels, get one (even if they are full leather))

Or if you want to mod it get an Altezza which is the same car just badged by Toyota and is 210ish BHP and quite easy to make much much faster, but these are imports and are quite rare.

frosted

3,549 posts

193 months

Monday 7th February 2011
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It's not that thirsty compared to a ford focus 1.6 auto either

icepop

1,177 posts

223 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
IS 300....now you repeatest infinitum, and I really don't think you've studied Latin.

Doesn't matter a t*ss about the IS 300, wrong motor.

Do keep up Alan.

Ahhh....ahhhhh.


k-ink

9,070 posts

195 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
Please grow up. Thankyou, from all of us.

geeteeaye

2,369 posts

175 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
k-ink said:
Please grow up. Thankyou, from all of us.
These Lexi owners can be very fruity smile

Hi k-ink byebye

raf_gti

4,167 posts

222 months

Monday 7th February 2011
quotequote all
k-ink said:
My experience says differently. Many £1000's on VAG repairs v nothing on IS.



ps

In response - Has anyone actually watched Alan Partridge in the last decade? No. That tired old nonsense died a very long time ago. Along with the other PH classics of Alfa's being unreliable, or chipped 335d jokes still being funny. Move on for all of our sanity.
Jeez, did someone throw a can of Red Bull at you or something?