Jap Saloon suggestions?
Jap Saloon suggestions?
Author
Discussion

jkb89

Original Poster:

59 posts

154 months

Saturday 18th August 2018
quotequote all
Hi all,

Bit of a different 'What car' thread. I've been on the look out for a new car for a while, I'm not in a hurry but a new job means I'm doing fewer miles so would like a nicer, petrol car.

I was looking at BMW 325i's, but have moved away from them to a Lexus IS250. Is there anything else I should be looking at over the IS? I'd like something around the same size, 200ish bhp. I know the IS isn't the fastest car, but as long as it's a bit quicker than my current diesel golf I'll be happy.

Buying used, budget of 5-8k.

Am I missing anything obvious?

Suggestions on a postcard.

Ta,
Joe.

Edited by jkb89 on Saturday 18th August 20:14

HustleRussell

25,947 posts

180 months

Saturday 18th August 2018
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Not Jap but from the Far East... Kia Stinger?

oop north

1,639 posts

148 months

Saturday 18th August 2018
quotequote all
HustleRussell said:
Not Jap but from the Far East... Kia Stinger?
Not for 5-8k...

Then only thing I can think of is Subaru Legacy spec b

Aeschylus

63 posts

89 months

Saturday 18th August 2018
quotequote all
Petrol Mazda 3 or 6 the new shape ones are small bang in your budget (especially the 3)

ZX10R NIN

29,741 posts

145 months

Saturday 18th August 2018
quotequote all
If it has to be Japanese then yes the IS250 is the one to go for, but with that budget I'd be going for one of these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

They're a better steer than the IS just as reliable & a little bit swifter too.

I've recommended & sourced a fair few IS250's but personally I'd buy the Mondeo.

IS250's worth a look:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...


PomBstard

7,569 posts

262 months

Sunday 19th August 2018
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Years ago I had an IS200 and IS250 on my list. Took a Liberty/Legacy for a drive, and now on my fourth. The Subaru felt more fun to drive, and mine have all been v reliable. Worth a try, esp any turbo or 3.0 version.

kieranblenk

865 posts

154 months

Sunday 19th August 2018
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Suzuki Kizashi is well worth a look.

Red 4

10,744 posts

207 months

Sunday 19th August 2018
quotequote all
Aeschylus said:
Petrol Mazda 3 or 6 the new shape ones are small bang in your budget (especially the 3)
New shape Mazda 3 for £5 - £8k ? Where ?

It's a fair suggestion but you'll struggle to find a higher power (165 BHP) car for that money.

A previous generation BL model would be a reasonable shout but even if you can find 2.0 model (relatively rare) they only have 150 BHP.

Having said that, they are a very good car and a decent steer. Lots of kit on Sport Nav trim level.
Hatchback only though (they did offer a saloon but they are ulta, ultra rare - can't remember ever seeing one).

Edited by Red 4 on Sunday 19th August 11:02

ZX10R NIN

29,741 posts

145 months

Sunday 19th August 2018
quotequote all
kieranblenk said:
Suzuki Kizashi is well worth a look.
This is a good call but these are a bit smaller than an IS250 so check to see if you can work with it, they're also £500 tax as well

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

There's also the 2.5 Mazda6 which is a good option it's not as good a steer as the Mondeo it's based on & imo the Mondeo is the nicer place to be:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

As I said the Titanium X Sport is hard to beat:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

A leftfield option is one of these:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

They're hard to find & if you can live with the tax then this is the only car listed I'd take over the Mondeo.

Heaveho

6,535 posts

194 months

Sunday 19th August 2018
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From personal experience of working for Lexus and owning several of them over the years, I would take the IS250 every time. It's just fast enough to be interesting, the ride is great, and the steering was one of the most surprising things about it for me. We went on to have an IS-F on the strength of it.

kurt535

3,560 posts

137 months

Sunday 19th August 2018
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Heaveho said:
From personal experience of working for Lexus and owning several of them over the years, I would take the IS250 every time. It's just fast enough to be interesting, the ride is great, and the steering was one of the most surprising things about it for me. We went on to have an IS-F on the strength of it.
Just don't buy one with the diesel. its a problem child..

Register1

2,279 posts

114 months

Sunday 19th August 2018
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The petrol V6 is a peach of an engine.
Coupled to the silky smooth auto, it really is very quick.

Heaveho

6,535 posts

194 months

Sunday 19th August 2018
quotequote all
kurt535 said:
Just don't buy one with the diesel. its a problem child..
Yep, dreadful piece of tat, avoid at all costs!

Jaybmw

325 posts

101 months

Sunday 19th August 2018
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Gc8 is the only way in that cycle or is it rwd you want? Any of the Honda's either dc2/5 etc

aka_kerrly

12,493 posts

230 months

Sunday 19th August 2018
quotequote all
Are you aware of the Japanese Market Honda Accord Euro R? Not to be confused with the Euro market Accord Type S!!!!




220HP, 2.0 16v k20 engine, LSD + close ratio gearbox as standard it's essentially a 5 door DC5 with a few extra goodies, considerably more fun & somewhat faster than a IS250.

Ilovejapcrap

3,310 posts

132 months

Monday 20th August 2018
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I also was going to say accord as above.

My mum has a 59 plate is250 and although not rapid it really is a great car to drive fuel consumption is crap mind.