Lexus is200 se

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Discussion

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
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miken2k8 said:
Managed to machine buffer the front half of the car in this heat tonight and fully fitted the satnav and deep cleaned the interior. The seats came out good for 115,000

Edited by miken2k8 on Saturday 17th June 21:32
Looking good OP. thumbup

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Sunday 18th June 2017
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Cookeh said:
Subjective indeed, but there is a lot more to a car than its bhp figure... Oh, and lets compare like for like shall we, the competitor for the 325i and the 330's was the IS300 - with 217bhp... wink

To boot, I find the ISs to be more involving, with the IS200 having a much better gearbox than any of the BMs, coupled to a engine that wants to worked and pushed. I also find the ride to be superior, and much prefer the interior.
I don't think the IS300 really was a 325/330 alternative though, given that it was only ever offered as an automatic (and "only" had 217 bhp when an E46 330i had 231 bhp).

But then you say the IS200 had a better gearbox than any of the BM's - was that the manual one that you couldn't have on the "like for like" IS300?

Or did I miss something?

miken2k8

Original Poster:

362 posts

82 months

Monday 26th June 2017
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Found a nice country lane. Seems to go round corners quite well







Edited by miken2k8 on Monday 26th June 15:19

col1983

60 posts

118 months

Monday 26th June 2017
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Mr Tidy said:
Cookeh said:
Subjective indeed, but there is a lot more to a car than its bhp figure... Oh, and lets compare like for like shall we, the competitor for the 325i and the 330's was the IS300 - with 217bhp... wink

To boot, I find the ISs to be more involving, with the IS200 having a much better gearbox than any of the BMs, coupled to a engine that wants to worked and pushed. I also find the ride to be superior, and much prefer the interior.
I don't think the IS300 really was a 325/330 alternative though, given that it was only ever offered as an automatic (and "only" had 217 bhp when an E46 330i had 231 bhp).

But then you say the IS200 had a better gearbox than any of the BM's - was that the manual one that you couldn't have on the "like for like" IS300?

Or did I miss something?
I think you've missed something, like the fact the op picked this IS up for £750. You couldn't find a decent 320/325/330 for that money, certainly not one with less than 200k on the clock or 10+ owners, that hasn't been 'modified' / chav'd.

The two cars would be bought by two different types of customer when new as well...no doubt the more focused drivers would buy the BM but I've no doubt the Lexus would be the better cruiser.

I can definitely say though that given the choice between the OP's IS200 or a 325Ti, I'd take the Lexus on looks alone....(and I own two BM's) wink

Looks like a great car op - following with interest!




Edited by col1983 on Monday 26th June 17:10

Ilovejapcrap

3,274 posts

111 months

Monday 26th June 2017
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these are great cars

just watch for rust on rear arches

_Nathan_

505 posts

247 months

Monday 26th June 2017
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Cookeh said:
Subjective indeed, but there is a lot more to a car than its bhp figure... Oh, and lets compare like for like shall we, the competitor for the 325i and the 330's was the IS300 - with 217bhp... wink

To boot, I find the ISs to be more involving, with the IS200 having a much better gearbox than any of the BMs, coupled to a engine that wants to worked and pushed. I also find the ride to be superior, and much prefer the interior.
Absolutely no way. I had both and the IS300 didn't really handle, the engine was mute and felt flat.


miken2k8

Original Poster:

362 posts

82 months

Monday 26th June 2017
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Also the stereo in this car is very good and does not distort at high volume which is a plus. Never heard a standard stereo of similar quality in this class

LightsOut

1 posts

81 months

Monday 26th June 2017
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The Sat Nav option probably cost twice what you paid for the whole car. Good find, it's a total steal at that price.

Cookeh

247 posts

87 months

Tuesday 27th June 2017
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Mr Tidy said:
I don't think the IS300 really was a 325/330 alternative though, given that it was only ever offered as an automatic (and "only" had 217 bhp when an E46 330i had 231 bhp).

But then you say the IS200 had a better gearbox than any of the BM's - was that the manual one that you couldn't have on the "like for like" IS300?

Or did I miss something?
217bhp in a car weighing 100kgs less than the BMW with 231bhp, hardly significantly in favour of the BMW, if at all. I stated the IS200 has a better gearbox (it does), and given the OPs car, and the car being discussed is the IS200 clearly you have missed something. If its any consolation, you are right (partially - US markets got a 5speed manual in 2001-2003 I believe) that the IS300 only came in auto, though that truly has no bearance on my statement of the IS200 having a better gearbox now does it? Beyond that, there's just your personal belief that the IS300 was not a competitor to the 325/330, despite being designed, marketed and sold as such.

In any case, can we kindly save the BMW is bestest stuff for a differing thread and stop cluttering up the OPs thread with such trivial debates.

_Nathan_ said:
Absolutely no way. I had both and the IS300 didn't really handle, the engine was mute and felt flat.
You're the first person I've come across that can describe a 2JZ as "mute" and "flat" biggrin

OP, car is looking great after that machine polish. How did you get what appears to be a Windows OS onto the dashscreen, though?

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Tuesday 27th June 2017
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miken2k8 said:
Found a nice country lane. Seems to go round corners quite well

Edited by miken2k8 on Monday 26th June 15:19
Anyway OP, enjoy your country lanes - if you like RWD there aren't too many options!

Make the most of yours while cars like this still exist! thumbup

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 27th June 2017
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Awesome little cars, We have had several and always seem to be my "go to" car whenever we need a cheapish reliable car. My wifes current is200 is coming up for 18 years old and still looks and drives fantastically.

Not sure what to make of the Autobox as its only 4 speed and I find it a little unresponsive compared to the box in our LS and the thirst is insane however what you pay at the pump you save in repairs smile (At least thats what my wife keeps telling me)

Yours looks lovely with the cream leather too!

Oh, And before you do anything else, take the cambelt cover off and check the cambelt, They are prone to premature wear. One of the tensioners goes lopsided with age and the belt literally wears through until failing. (2 out of 3 that we have owned have done this so worth a quick check)

Edited by CDB1983 on Tuesday 27th June 06:03

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 27th June 2017
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Are people arguing over the is300 when the thread is about the is200, lol.

Great solid cars, good noise just juicy on fuel. Always loved the seats.

miken2k8

Original Poster:

362 posts

82 months

Tuesday 27th June 2017
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Cookeh said:
You're the first person I've come across that can describe a 2JZ as "mute" and "flat" biggrin

OP, car is looking great after that machine polish. How did you get what appears to be a Windows OS onto the dashscreen, though?
I bought the satnav housing off ebay and gutted the screen. I bought a cheap 5 inch satnav off ebay and put it in place (it fits perfectly). It's add a fused to the ignition so it comes on and goes off with ignition. The housing is motorised so goes up and down with ignition. Works really well and has a lot more features than just the nav part.


Thanks for all the positive comments this car is a massive step up for me from a 1l saxo.

Cookeh

247 posts

87 months

Wednesday 28th June 2017
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miken2k8 said:
I bought the satnav housing off ebay and gutted the screen. I bought a cheap 5 inch satnav off ebay and put it in place (it fits perfectly). It's add a fused to the ignition so it comes on and goes off with ignition. The housing is motorised so goes up and down with ignition. Works really well and has a lot more features than just the nav part.


Thanks for all the positive comments this car is a massive step up for me from a 1l saxo.
That's a smart and tidy solution, cheers man.

SuperVM

1,098 posts

160 months

Wednesday 28th June 2017
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I'd love one of these with a 2JZ fitted. A chap I used to work with had an IS200 with either a turbo or supercharger (I can't remember which anymore, it was 10 years ago) producing around 450 BHP, which seemed like good fun.

Mr Tidy

22,065 posts

126 months

Thursday 29th June 2017
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miken2k8 said:
I bought the satnav housing off ebay and gutted the screen. I bought a cheap 5 inch satnav off ebay and put it in place (it fits perfectly). It's add a fused to the ignition so it comes on and goes off with ignition. The housing is motorised so goes up and down with ignition. Works really well and has a lot more features than just the nav part.


Thanks for all the positive comments this car is a massive step up for me from a 1l saxo.
Great - I hope you keep enjoying it! As you say, quite a step up after a Saxo. laugh

K50 DEL

9,227 posts

227 months

Thursday 29th June 2017
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Here's my old one, bought at about 6 months old, didn't keep it long as I really didn't gel with it, it seemed all style over substance to me..... my verdict at the time was "all show and no go, maybe the IS300 would be better"

Still love the looks and the interior though.


aka_kerrly

12,416 posts

209 months

Thursday 29th June 2017
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The IS200 is staggering value for money, my brother bought his (the Y reg) for £750 , 2 prev owners 110k full lexus service history.

Then about a year later I bought the X reg one for £600, did a deal with my brother to swap the TRD grill and 18inch alloys (worth £600 alone) and then gave the car to my dad.

Both cars have been utterly faultless and are surprisingly good to drive!! It really makes me want to try a Altezza with the BEAMS engine in it or a IS200 with a turbo/supercharger conversion. I expect circa 300hp would be very satisfying!!

A free flowing exhaust an intake pipe really make them sound good to. if the clutch ever goes, a single mass lightened flywheel conversion makes a lot of sense and should improve the engine response significantly


Edited by aka_kerrly on Thursday 29th June 21:22

Rsdop

458 posts

116 months

Thursday 29th June 2017
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Great cars, I preferred mine in many ways to the E46. Comfortable, loads of equipment and really well built just a bit thirsty for the lack of performance. As mentioned if you haven't had a look at the cambelt yet then do it! When I checked mine took the cover off and it was full of black fluff and the belt had less than 10mm of width remaining.

miken2k8

Original Poster:

362 posts

82 months

Monday 18th December 2017
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lost all previous photos gave it a polish and did skyline light mod, done 10,000 miles in this with just a new set of tyres going in for service and mot next week. Only failed once in 13 years for a wiper blade apparently. Love it.