Lexus IS200.....is it a good idea?

[raceboy]

Just sold the daily run about and need to replace it.

Surfing the classifieds I stumble across IS200's.....now is an early £3k IS200 a good idea or is it going to empty my bank account.

I hear Lexus and think relaible jap barge that will last for ever and cost peanuts to run but am I right?

Something like this is looking like a good idea compared to some of the cars that are on my short list and a little less common than the 3 series BMW that I always end up look at.

[Technonotice]

personally i wouldn't buy one for 3 grand. Consumables can be expensive(new disks/pads etc).

The 2.0 straight six is hardly a strained engine, so will probably go on forever. Lovely to drive, very refined (even the early models).

Most I've seen look very well cared for, more so than the equivalent bmw/merc

try www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php for more detailed questions

• edit just looked at the link, looks nice I'd imagine @95k it won't we worn out, far from it in fact. I was looking at them a while ago and I decided that I would pay the extra 2grand or so to get one with 60k on it..

Edited by Technonotice on Wednesday 17th September 19:19

[GravelBen]

They're good cars, being a Toyota reliability is a given really. Try the version with the 200hp BEAMS 3S-GE (possibly only available with Toyota Altezza badging rather than Lexus, not sure on that one) as well as the 6-cyl, then give us some feedback on how they compare

[fluffnik]

GravelBen said:

They're good cars, being a Toyota reliability is a given really. Try the version with the 200hp BEAMS 3S-GE (possibly only available with Toyota Altezza badging rather than Lexus, not sure on that one) as well as the 6-cyl, then give us some feedback on how they compare

You speak of the Altezza RS200, no Lexus has the I4 BEAMS 3S-GE.

E30 M3 style stonking with a hint of E21 323i tail happyness...

The I6 153bhp IS200/Altezza AS200 is E30 320i dull.

A friend of mine has recently got his Altezza RS200 back from a tail first off, I scuffed the door handles of my W124 E220T following him back from the bodyshop...

[anonymous-user]

I enjoyed mine. Had one for 2.5 years from new and did 100k in that time. Lost a hell of a lot in depreciation, but didn't find even main dealer servicing to be excessive and the service was peerless. I imagine that a Toyota specialist should be able to do most work on them now for considerably less. At the time I was comparing the BMW and Lexus available for my budget. The equivelant cost BMW was a 318 with a 4 cylinder 120bhp ish engine, cloth seats, manual air conditioning, etc. The Lexus was 6 cylinder 153bhp, half leather, climate, etc. I found it a very nice car and hadn't realised they were now so cheap. Might have to look around.

[raceboy]

Looking tempting, might have to go and kick some tyres, it's going to take some dragging to get me away from a 3 Series as now in the 'well used' market it's against 328i coupes, but it's worth a look.
I'm guessing the usual consumables like discs and pads aren't daft money and readily available from the autofactors and not main stealer only bits.

[anonymous-user]

One thing to point out - if you get one, factor in a trip to Tony Bones at wheels in motion to get the geometry sorted so it doesn't chew through tyres as they do out of the factory.

On brakes - IIRC, the rear disc has an integral drum in the bell for the handbrake which would likely push up the price.