Lexus IS 200

Seigal12

Seigal12

Seigal12

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Joined
13 Aug 2005
Posts
108
Location
United Kingdom.
Hey guys,

I am looking at saving for a new car, and it has been recommended to me that I go for a Lexus IS 200 (as I like the luxuries). Currently I have an Escort 1.8 Ghia, now is it worth the £5k+ to splash out for the IS 200 or can someone give me a better suggestion for the same sort of money.

This image really won me round:
media


I really like the shape and look of the Lexus, but realistically I rarely go far driving, other then work and back. Perhaps I would drive more if I had this...
 
Good cars, nice looks, premium badge, Japanese reliability.

Best bet is to take one for a drive. I did consider one of these a few years ago, but decided to go for something smaller and less refined, but faster.
 
"Since owning a Lexus, it's amazing the number of Lexii you see around"
"Lexus is like the Japanese Mercedes".

Don't do it.
 
dalepearson said:
premium badge
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Nope, nowt premium about it thats why the brand havent made it main stream, they are trying to enter a market that BMW already have sorted.

BMW / Mercedes = Premium

Lexus = Premium pretender
 
quite like the look of the is200 but I would go for one of the bigger ones :D

perhaps a GS 3.0 sport on a around a 99 can be had for around 6 depends what you like though.
 
The IS200 was a popular company car choice in my office ~2000-2002 time frame. After a few months though people weren’t so happy and were very glad to get rid after three years and return to the BMW camp.
 
Nothing wrong? What other than the well built yet cheap looking interior and dire engine range (You can have two engines, the 2.0 or the 3.0, the 3.0 is only available as an automatic and nobody ever bought one so it's ultra rare) meaning lacking performance..

It's a fake BMW. If thats your bag, great, but I'd stick to the real thing.

Lexus are best when they do their own thing and dont try and copy whats already about - ie, the LS series.
 
Problems with threads like this is most people will be biased in one way or another.

As with all things, do your homework, test drive a few, and buy the one you feel happy with.
 
Got to admit, I quite like them.

Mate bought one and although it wasn't for me, I did appreciate it as a nice car. Liked the interior, cracking sound system, quite smooth 6 pot.

Had absolutely no guts in it though. My friend thought it could live with my scoob....he's still eating the hunk of humble pie to this day ;)
 
Nice cars and I'd certainly prefer one over a beemer, however the 200 isn't that quick and is fairly thirsty. Interior is an aquired taste.
 
dalepearson said:
Problems with threads like this is most people will be biased in one way or another.

As with all things, do your homework, test drive a few, and buy the one you feel happy with.
Click to expand...


The best advice ever..... :)

Why were you when i wanted advice? ;)
 
Dogbreath said:
On the plus side at least you might get let out at junctions in a Lexus :D
Click to expand...

Follow the BMW infront, although you have a challenge on some models as to which direction they are going, indicators are still option extra's on BMW's iirc.













:p
 
I would advise against buying an old IS200 - around Liverpool they are being snapped by chavs and small time drug runners as high mileage ex fleet cars are available fairly cheaply. This will no doubt catch on elsewhere in 6 months time.
 
I was considering one a few years ago. An excellent car, well put together, excellent reliability and a nice drive. The 2.0 straight 6 provides adequate power for decent progress. It's just incredibly boring though. Everything about it is plain, innofensive and boring. If that floats your boat then you'll get a great car albeit a boring one. An E46 BMW 320i is a better car.
 
For years I was dreaming of an IS200 Sport. Theres one up the road from me on a T plate for £4995. Might be tempted to have a look just out of curiosity to see what that kind of money would buy.

I was going to post that you'll get a lot more Lexus for your money than you would with a BMW. Luckily I checked Autotrader before I said that, must admit I was suprised.

I think the general consensus is that BMW is the better drivers car and has the better choice of engines. The 2.0 6 pot in the Lexus is silky smooth but lacks grunt. Depends on what your after as to whether this is a problem to you or not.

I really like the interior of the Lexus but I find interiors are a very subjective thing, I also prefer the styling of the IS in Sport trim and in the right colour.

As has been said, suck em and see. A test drive is the only way you'll know if a car is right for you.

One thing I disagree with is that its a fake BMW. Hows that? Is the class leader in any particular catagory now the "real" car and everything else a wannabe?
 
Some interesting comments, almost as though it's struck a raw nerve with some.

Either way, I tried both the 2ltr and 3ltr recently.
IMO, both have great interiors, and I actually prefer them to the equivalent BM. It's also pretty widely accepted that they're even more reliable than a BM, so that's hardly a bad thing.
As already suggested, the 2ltr is pretty sluggish, but then so was the 2ltr straight six 3 series. The 3ltr auto is actually quick quick, but strangely is a bit more anesthetised to drive, probably because of the extra weight over the front wheels.
Would I buy one? Quite probably yes if I wanted a saloon and was more bothered about refinement and reliability than oodles of straightline performance and willy waving ability.
 
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