Lexus IS220d Multimedia

Spamalot

Spamalot

Spamalot

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Joined
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Cambridge
Hi All,

Mileage is go up and weather is getting worse = trouble in the Boxster.

I’m looking at getting something a little more comfortable. I’d (naturally) like to spend as little as possible, this includes both purchase costs and reasonable running costs (running’s not really been an issue in the past but mileage is going up and up, I could top 20k this year). I also need a car that’s not to flash, doing some sales work for a solar installation company that I help start a while back and the Porsche really isn’t the right image.

I did start a thread a month or two ago but have reined in my aspirations for a while due to the whole flash image and increased mileage.

Want-

• Economical
• Reliable
• Not to flash
• Comfortable
• Some speed
• Electrics- Bluetooth, sat nav, heated seats…​

This has bought me to the IS220d Multimedia (c. 2006), I should be able to pick up an SE for about £8k. It’s got lots of kit as standard, it’s not to long in the tooth, not to flash, reliable (?), it’s got a bit of go with 170bhp and 295 torques and with the Multimedia pack has all the right switches and screens.

My question is to people; what are these like? Has anyone had any experience of them? Is there a better “value” option that I’ve missed?

Thanks!
 
I don't believe you can specify the IS220d with an auto box and the manual is horrible. For this reason I wouldn't want one.
I drove an IS250 SE-L recently and was decided unimpressed. The drive was dull and some of the interior features are nasty (check out the lettering transfers on the nav buttons). Tons of kit though if you get the SE-L.
Personally, I'd try and find a 320d with options on it.
 
Rilot said:
I don't believe you can specify the IS220d with an auto box and the manual is horrible. For this reason I wouldn't want one.
I drove an IS250 SE-L recently and was decided unimpressed. The drive was dull and some of the interior features are nasty (check out the lettering transfers on the nav buttons). Tons of kit though if you get the SE-L.
Personally, I'd try and find a 320d with options on it.
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It's really hard to find a 320d with a decent spec for the money. I would like a 320d or a 520d, it's faster and I'd rather a BMW than a Lexus. It's just hard to find anything other than a basic 320d/520d for less than £10k, especially with anywhere close to the spec of the IS. I know it’s illogical but, if going done the BMW route I'd really like a sport also, that adds further to the price.

I hear what you're saying about the auto, I would prefer not to have to change gear.
 
It wouldn't be so bad if the manual box was nice and slick, but it's not. It's notchy and imprecise.
Personally, I wouldn't be looking at an £8k IS anyway. It's going to be very, very miley or not looked after. The 250 SE-Ls I looked at in main dealers started at £14k for a 55 plate example.
What about a Honda Accord 2.2cdti Executive? Plenty of kit, probaby the best 4 cyl soot-thrower in the business, very reliable too from all accounts.
Although, in this price bracket I'd be looking for a current shape Mondeo Titanium X or Ghia on an 07 or 57 plate.
 
I'd avoid the IS220d as mentioned, the manual gearbox is horrible, it really isnt that good economy wise for a diesel either (check the owners club for complaints with regard to this) and you'll be getting quite a high miler for £8k with no official lexus warranty.

What sort of MPG were you looking for?
 
ljt said:
What sort of MPG were you looking for?
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I'm not really that bothered but I'd like it not to be too high. 5mpg isn't going to make much difference I just need to be aware of it when doing c 20k a year. I'd also like a little poke and would comprise that for a few MPGs.

I just want new, comfort and kit. The Lexus seemed to fit all those without letting the badge brigade (that I do semi-belong to) down to much.
 
Well, I got myself a IS250 SE-L manual a few months ago, and I'm already thinking of selling it.

The car is very nice, tons of kit and, I think, a very nice interior (as long as you ignore the airbag warning light!) plus the ML sound is really amazing.

But the manual gearbox is terrible and the fuel economy worse than I expected, these are my only problems with the car, but big enough to make me consider moving on.

I picked up mine (55 - 80000) for £9k, autos go for a couple of grand more but would be great to own, they even get slightly better MPG
 
DiG said:
Well, I got myself a IS250 SE-L manual a few months ago, and I'm already thinking of selling it.

The car is very nice, tons of kit and, I think, a very nice interior (as long as you ignore the airbag warning light!) plus the ML sound is really amazing.

But the manual gearbox is terrible and the fuel economy worse than I expected, these are my only problems with the car, but big enough to make me consider moving on.

I picked up mine (55 - 80000) for £9k, autos go for a couple of grand more but would be great to own, they even get slightly better MPG
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Interested in a Boxster S?
 
Rilot said:
It wouldn't be so bad if the manual box was nice and slick, but it's not. It's notchy and imprecise.
Personally, I wouldn't be looking at an £8k IS anyway. It's going to be very, very miley or not looked after. The 250 SE-Ls I looked at in main dealers started at £14k for a 55 plate example.
What about a Honda Accord 2.2cdti Executive? Plenty of kit, probaby the best 4 cyl soot-thrower in the business, very reliable too from all accounts.
Although, in this price bracket I'd be looking for a current shape Mondeo Titanium X or Ghia on an 07 or 57 plate.
Click to expand...


I think you are being truly complimentary about that gearbox. It is properly awful. We have the IS220D as pool cars at work and I have had the pleasure of sticking plenty of miles on them.
My quick and dirty review. Awful gearbox. Pointless 6th gear. Crappy interior plastics on the dash. Vague steering (at best).When I consider what these things cost new I am gobsmacked that there are any on the road.

The only thing going for them is that they look nice.
 
Rich said:
I think you are being truly complimentary about that gearbox. It is properly awful. We have the IS220D as pool cars at work and I have had the pleasure of sticking plenty of miles on them.
My quick and dirty review. Awful gearbox. Pointless 6th gear. Crappy interior plastics on the dash. Vague steering (at best).When I consider what these things cost new I am gobsmacked that there are any on the road.

The only thing going for them is that they look nice.
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Sounds like I should give up the IS idea.
 
Spamalot said:
Sounds like I should give up the IS idea.
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Sadly, unless your going for the auto, I would. A real shame as otherwise they are great cars! I'm looking down the diesel (:o) E-Class root atm, or if I can find it an another Lexus, with LPG and an auto box (best of both worlds!)
 
DiG said:
Sadly, unless your going for the auto, I would. A real shame as otherwise they are great cars! I'm looking down the diesel (:o) E-Class root atm, or if I can find it an another Lexus, with LPG and an auto box (best of both worlds!)
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What sort of E class would you get for similar cash?
 
I had a 15 minute test drive in a manual IS250 this week and was expecting to be dissapointed by the gearbox from what I had read but I didn't really see what the fuss was about.
I ended up buying it in the end and take delivery on thursday but I am coming from a mk4 golf 1.8T so any gearbox was bound to be an improvement!
 
Spamalot said:
What sort of E class would you get for similar cash?
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I'm early in the process, but it seems a 53/04 plate 80000 + E270 avant-garde is about right, depends what I can get for the Lexus!

S-classes look great for this money, so temping but the running costs would destroy me! Thing is I'm looking for comfort and toys. Don't seem to get that without massive repair cost risk!
 
chrisstevens said:
I had a 15 minute test drive in a manual IS250 this week and was expecting to be dissapointed by the gearbox from what I had read but I didn't really see what the fuss was about.
I ended up buying it in the end and take delivery on thursday but I am coming from a mk4 golf 1.8T so any gearbox was bound to be an improvement!
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Obviously you wouldnt buy a car like this without also test driving the competition - when you did this, surely you must have noticed what the other gearboxes were like and been able to form an opinion that way?
 
[TW]Fox;17464448 said:
Obviously you wouldnt buy a car like this without also test driving the competition - when you did this, surely you must have noticed what the other gearboxes were like and been able to form an opinion that way?
Click to expand...

I did test drive a couple of other cars that were on the shortlist and I came to the conclusion that there are certainly better gearboxes out there but the Lexus manual is certainly not that bad to deter me from the car as a whole.
 
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