Hi guys, Chris here. I currently drive a 2001 DC5 in black, here’s a quick pic of her:



Anyway, the insurance is killing me and I’ve been thinking of a possible replacement and the IS200 Sport might well be on the cards. If possible I’d be after one that’s been supercharged and had some good work carried out on it, like gauges, brakes etc. Want one a bit more powerfull then standard as my Integra is pushing around 240bhp and I’d certainly miss it.

Couple of quick questions, I know probably answered before but here goes anyway.

What’s the servicing costs for both minor and major, and is there one that’s really expensive to watch out for? I won’t mind at all going to a specialist to do it rather then a dealer if there’s money to be saved for the same work.

Who’s the tuner that most people settle for? I’m located in Nuneaton but hopefully will be moving near to Salisbury in the future.

Also, how many miles per tank do people get on average? Both for one that’s been S/C’s and standard(ish) ones.

What sort of BHP and performance figures could one expect from induction, full exhaust including de-cat and ECU? I’m a bit of an NA purist you see.

Finally, is there someone that's close to me that wouldn't mind showing me around there's.

Thanks for reading,

Chris.

240 bhp off a s/c is hard to achieve. you'd need to spend a fair bit of cash to get there.

prolex are developing a rotrex charger that may come close to that, but the TTE s/c as i have will get you to about 210-220 with a good amount of torque.

a decat and induction won't get you much more that 10bhp at the fly IMHO. if you really wanted to push the s/c, you'd have to go for something like:

larger s/c pulley
upgraded fuel lines
larger injectors
larger manifold
sports 6-2-1 manifold
F-CON ecu
etc etc

like i said, it really does add up, for what, in essence, aren't amazing bhp gains per £

Chris welcome to the club.
Lexus is a good car and quite bulletproof if you look round the site you will see what others have done from fitting an induction kit upto a 1200bhp monster. The IS200 was a bit lazy(153bhp) but one in good condition with induction,manifold/exhaust etc you should be looking at around the 215bhp mark give or take. There is one for sale at the moment if you look in the for sale section it belongs to Gord and its a little bit special but you would need to be quick as he was going to sell off the parts and put it back to standard to sell. MPG is not that great around the 30ish and with the SC it makes little difference. i hope this helps mate

I won't be after the full 240, I imagine the torque of the straight 6 will make up for the lower BHP figure, TBH anything over 180ish would be grand.

Just don't really want a standard one as 150 odd or whatever it is would feel a little slow I imagine compared to what I'm used to. Plus a pre-modded one would save me a lot of money, I've poored loads of cash into my DC5 like there's no tomorrow and I don't think my bank manager would be too pleased if I started the process over again!

Maybe have a look at Gord's Green IS in the for sale section, i think he's sold the exhaust and Coilovers but the rest of the cars still for sale.

Stav

Sorry mate, I really don't like green cars, seen it already and I would have snapped his hand off otherwise! It'd have to be Black, Silver, Grey or Red in that order. Not sure if there is a Grey IS200 but there we go.

Granite Sky Lexus call it instead of Grey.

Stav

Granite Sky like me

Welcome to the club mate. Definately worth taking a look at Gords it is a fine example and is s/c already which is a huge bonus!!

Anyway, i hope you find what your looking for and have many a day as a lexus owner!

We'll see though, got loads to think about including getting rid of my DC5 (which I really don't want to do), but I have my eye on Bazza's red beast!

Love the DC5 mate, that is a stunning car - always been a fan, including the entire range of predecessors

I'm 20 and bought an IS just after I turned it - I've never looked back. I pay decent insurance which is suprising, as I also had the car supercharged a couple of months after purchase. It is nippy - maybe not on a par with the DC, but it has a lovely bit of pull

Is your picture at SP by any chance....?

All the best,
Jamie

Yes mate, it was taken at Jap Show finale. TBH the DC5 is too fast in certain times, and I rarely take it to the red line, when I want to make swift progress down the back roads or on a motorway, mostly I'll keep it under 7000 rpm as I have a KPRO and VTEC comes in at 4500 so plenty of power mid range. The only sort of times when I use the full range is when I bored on my usual drive down south, some fool hangs off the back off me or when I'm on track. In addition, there's only so much power you can handle in a FWD car especially one that's got a LSD and stiff coilovers on UK roads!

Good to hear about the insurance, I'll give A Plan, Sky and a few other insurance companies a go. Don't think it'll be a gleaming quote though, I'm 25, 0 NCB (long story) 8 points (reason I don't use the full rev range all that much anymore, 3rd gear at 8000 rpm plus could leave me with a ban on most roads) and live in a poor postal code.

What about a supercharged Altezza

You selling already Gord?

Stav

Import isn't it? So it'd be group 20 and about the same to insure as my DC5.

Gord are you getting itchy feet again Maybe your just a lexus man through and through

Yes import, its not group 20, it cost me more to insure than the is200 supercharged, but that much.

Yes and no Rod, you know me but yes Lexus man

How about an IS300? Or am I missing something here They get 211bhp and only group 15 insurance. I love mine

But they are only automatics so I guess that puts off quite a few people - just answered my own question?

Yes you did mate.

think you may have forgot the supercharger in that list

You may have slighlty les power in the lex than the DC5 (very nice by the way) But................ Join lex and you feel like your actually driving a car rather than that bone shaker your currently bankrupt for


My view for what its worth with the IS200/300/Sc you get the best of both worlds a fairly quick middle of the road car with all the Family comforts added


Depends what your after i suppose

Good luck and welcome

sorry i meant a supercharged one yes, well spotted..

If the Lexus offers anywhere near the level of involvement of the DC5 then I'm cave in and buy one straight away. And who said bankrupt?

I can afford 2K insurance but it's the paying it part that makes me cringe....