Lexus IS200's Views please.

Saytan said:
he's considering ditching it cos it's sooooo thirsty tho
Click to expand...
What sort of MPG are we talking about on a 75MPH motor way run? I would have though with the 6 gears it wouldn't have been that bad running at lower revs?
 
Spamalot said:
What sort of MPG are we talking about on a 75MPH motor way run? I would have though with the 6 gears it wouldn't have been that bad running at lower revs?
Click to expand...

most cars with a largish engine on a run like that will return good economy, its how you drive to the motorway and when you arent on a motorway that will drink the fuel ;]
 
In the North West, an early IS200 is now the car of choice for low level drug dealers, chavs and scallys. Friend of mine runs a used car pitch in Liverpool and can't get enough of them - he gets them brought in from auctions all over the country and sells most of them for a bag of used £20's.
 
I think they are pretty decent cars, just the engine could do with being a little more powerful :) Look good though, especially with the sport kit on it.
 
I really like the IS200. Bit underpowered and the engine is fairly thirsty, but I think they're good looking and seem well put together. Apparently very reliable, although I've never owned one.

An excellent alternative for people who don't like the image which goes with the BMW 3 series.
 
Scuzi said:
The E46 BMW 3 series betters it in just about every area bar reliability. Having driven both extensively I would pick the E46 without a doubt.

Take for example an E46 320i which would be the 'equivalent' to the IS200 although larger engined versions are available.
It's faster, it handles better, it has a more involving drive, it doesn't bore you on B roads, the interior is ever so slightly less tacky. The Lexus is a bit flat and boring compared. The only place I can think that the Lexus betters the BMW is reliability. One thing I hated about the IS200 was the manual box, the throw was awful compared to the 3 series I have driven.

If I had a set budget and had to choose, it would be the BMW every time. There are a lot more of them available on the used market, you can almost specify exactly what you want and get it without a problem.

The E46, you know it makes sense ;)
Click to expand...

I'll echo what Scuzi said, having driven both the IS200 and IS300.
I actually like both cars. The simple fact is that the 3 series just does virtually everything better. Above all, the E46 is simply more cohesive. What I mean by that is that if you think about how good the engine is on the IS, you'll rate it, same on the handling etc. The BM takes it a stage further and hangs it all together, meaning that when you drive it, it's so seamless in what it does. Have to say that I found the 300 a good deal more pokey, but the extra weight upfront seems to blunt some of the fun, meaning that whilst the 200 is slower, I enjoyed it more to drive, makes a lovely noise.

At the end of it, I WILL be going with an E46.
 
Chap who sold me my V6 mondeo had one amongst his companies fleet and gave me a drive of it. My overiding memory of it was how gutless it was and how badly suited the engine was to the 6 speed box, he warned me it'd be as much but I was quite shocked when I got in and drove it. Don't think I'd bother buying one when they are better cars to choose from.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom