Morning all. Not spending much time here these days, but been lurking a bit over the past few months.
Anyway, I felt like doing a bit of a write up on the car I've been running around in for the last 9 months - the Lexus IS200. They're pretty uncommon cars, both around here and in the wider world, so thought someone might find the insight useful!
So, some of you, like me may have noticed that these cars are surprisingly cheap these days - for something built to apparently take on the E46 3 series it seems like an interesting proposition. I bought mine in June last year - its a 55 Reg Sportcross (estate) which now has 112k miles on it. I paid £3400 for it which really was Ford Focus money.
Lets get this out the way - the fuel economy, given the power, is poor. I knew that before I started looking at them. So if you do a lot of miles and that's likely to bother you, then probably best look elsewhere. Otherwise, the engine is wonderful - its only a 2.0 but its a 24v straight six with VVTi. Its smooth and quiet at lower revs and makes a wonderful noise at higher speeds - helped by the standard full stainless steel exhaust. The power is adequate, its not a fast car but its perfectly capable of being entertaining and never feels strained. There is a 3.0, unsurprisingly in the guise of the IS300, which is the same engine with more power. This is only available in the UK with an auto box, my main reason for not buying one of those. The biggest bone of contention with these is the economy and no, its not great. On a long run its doing mid 30s but most of my mileage is around town so its much lower on average - I dont keep accurate track though and there's no trip computer. That said, it doesnt seem any worse than the older 1.8 Honda Accord it replaced so its really not that bad.
In terms of other costs its not been bad at all. Insurance is about 400 quid for me (27m with 7 years NCB) - about half the cost of the IS300. Tax is the highest bracket, but being post 06 (they all are) means the £400+ bracket doesn't apply.
Equipment levels are very good - there are 3 trim levels - S, SE and Sport. Most are SEs and have heated electric alcantara/leather seats, climate, electric everything, a great audio system and optional satnav. Sport models add body styling tweaks such as tinted rear glass and silver pedal covers and all Sportcross models are Sport trim. Interior quality is pretty good - much nicer than its Toyota brethren but not quite up there with the Germans. Mine has a few squeaks from the boot area, but everything else is nicely put together and not showing the mileage at all. There are a few tacky bits that let it down (the interior door handles spring to mind) but otherwise its a very nice place to be.
Ride and handling is superb. It's superb on long runs - quiet and smooth on the motorway with excellent seats. Would benefit from cruise but that was only available on the autos for some reason. These are rear wheel drive with a limited slip diff and an excellent chassis - despite the lack of power they can be excellent fun on the right roads. They feel wonderfully balanced with precise steering.
So what have I spent on it since getting it? In terms of repairs and faults...nothing. Absolutely nothing has gone wrong, everything works exactly like it should. Reliability was one of the draws to this car and it seems to be pulling it off! I added an XCarlink ipod interface so I could keep the OEM stereo and replaced all the discs and pads a few months after I got it (200 in parts for Mintex, fitted myself). Recently replaced the ugly and corroded 16" wheels with the 17" ones that the saloon gets. Picked up a knackered set from ebay for 50 quid, had them refurbed for £220 and brand new Toyo Proxes T1R tyres all round. Had the colour of the wheels changed to a darker grey which looks superb.. no photos apart from a crappy phone picture, but can take some if anyones remotely interested.
Anyway, I hope these rambling thoughts might be of use to someone. Overall I'd say that if you can get over the fuel economy issue then they're highly reccomended!
Anyway, I felt like doing a bit of a write up on the car I've been running around in for the last 9 months - the Lexus IS200. They're pretty uncommon cars, both around here and in the wider world, so thought someone might find the insight useful!
So, some of you, like me may have noticed that these cars are surprisingly cheap these days - for something built to apparently take on the E46 3 series it seems like an interesting proposition. I bought mine in June last year - its a 55 Reg Sportcross (estate) which now has 112k miles on it. I paid £3400 for it which really was Ford Focus money.
Lets get this out the way - the fuel economy, given the power, is poor. I knew that before I started looking at them. So if you do a lot of miles and that's likely to bother you, then probably best look elsewhere. Otherwise, the engine is wonderful - its only a 2.0 but its a 24v straight six with VVTi. Its smooth and quiet at lower revs and makes a wonderful noise at higher speeds - helped by the standard full stainless steel exhaust. The power is adequate, its not a fast car but its perfectly capable of being entertaining and never feels strained. There is a 3.0, unsurprisingly in the guise of the IS300, which is the same engine with more power. This is only available in the UK with an auto box, my main reason for not buying one of those. The biggest bone of contention with these is the economy and no, its not great. On a long run its doing mid 30s but most of my mileage is around town so its much lower on average - I dont keep accurate track though and there's no trip computer. That said, it doesnt seem any worse than the older 1.8 Honda Accord it replaced so its really not that bad.
In terms of other costs its not been bad at all. Insurance is about 400 quid for me (27m with 7 years NCB) - about half the cost of the IS300. Tax is the highest bracket, but being post 06 (they all are) means the £400+ bracket doesn't apply.
Equipment levels are very good - there are 3 trim levels - S, SE and Sport. Most are SEs and have heated electric alcantara/leather seats, climate, electric everything, a great audio system and optional satnav. Sport models add body styling tweaks such as tinted rear glass and silver pedal covers and all Sportcross models are Sport trim. Interior quality is pretty good - much nicer than its Toyota brethren but not quite up there with the Germans. Mine has a few squeaks from the boot area, but everything else is nicely put together and not showing the mileage at all. There are a few tacky bits that let it down (the interior door handles spring to mind) but otherwise its a very nice place to be.
Ride and handling is superb. It's superb on long runs - quiet and smooth on the motorway with excellent seats. Would benefit from cruise but that was only available on the autos for some reason. These are rear wheel drive with a limited slip diff and an excellent chassis - despite the lack of power they can be excellent fun on the right roads. They feel wonderfully balanced with precise steering.
So what have I spent on it since getting it? In terms of repairs and faults...nothing. Absolutely nothing has gone wrong, everything works exactly like it should. Reliability was one of the draws to this car and it seems to be pulling it off! I added an XCarlink ipod interface so I could keep the OEM stereo and replaced all the discs and pads a few months after I got it (200 in parts for Mintex, fitted myself). Recently replaced the ugly and corroded 16" wheels with the 17" ones that the saloon gets. Picked up a knackered set from ebay for 50 quid, had them refurbed for £220 and brand new Toyo Proxes T1R tyres all round. Had the colour of the wheels changed to a darker grey which looks superb.. no photos apart from a crappy phone picture, but can take some if anyones remotely interested.
Anyway, I hope these rambling thoughts might be of use to someone. Overall I'd say that if you can get over the fuel economy issue then they're highly reccomended!
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