A True All-rounder.

[Fidgits]

Okay..

I've had my IS 3-4 years, and it took me all of 5 minutes of driving it to decide it was the car I wanted...

For the last 12 months, I have been looking for a replacement... and I have come to the conclusion that the IS200 is the best all-round car on the market...

Proof? with a budget of £25,000, I set out to find a replacement for the IS, with the simple target of finding something a bit faster, a bit 'sportier looking' (e.g. coupe) and a little less practical..

So, starting with the usual suspects I looking at:

325 coupe - very expensive, low equipment, and not much faster or better to drive

C230 - again expensive, very smooth, but the drive was as involving as watching TV

A4 1.8T (quattro) - best of the bunch, but slightly uninspiring drive, and equipment levels tiny compared to IS.

So, i thought perhaps I needed to look at a different sort of car, as these just didnt compete.

Nissan 350Z - very fast, interesting style - but the same size as the IS with only 2 seats and a tiny boot.

Audi TT - great handling, a bit small, shame about the image

TVR Chimera - fast as :tsktsk: , great noise, great looks, inpraticality and reliablility worries..

So, I thought perhaps I went too far into the 'sports area', and I needed to look at comprimises.

Mitsubiti EVO VIII FQ-300 - well, it was fast according to the speedo, not exactly exciting though, and the interior was terrible, not to mention servicing schedule..

A3 3.2 Quattro - probably the closest I came to finding a replacement, it was very well specified (turned out to be a rareity though), reasonably priced, and a nice all-round comprimise. The IS was still more fun though.

So, my conclusion was simple, I'm keeping the IS for the near future, as for every new and nearly new car I have looked at for under £25k, while it may be so much better than the IS in one area, as an all-round package, nothing even comes close...

[Wosket]

glad your sticking with the IS Ian, maybe the new IS250 will tempt you later in the year?

[Fidgits]

I'm not sure - the look doesnt grab me as much as the original did..

but i will see when its out...

[Fargo]

why not get an IS300 ian,, that way you keep the essence of the IS but have more power,, leather seats etc etc..

[Fidgits]

if there was a manual or coupe version, then i probably would look at doing so..

[Andy_F]

Maybe an Altezza then? More power, more potential for tuning and the same basic car. They do it in 6 speed manual don't they?

[Mr Morse]

if there was a manual or coupe version, then i probably would look at doing so..

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Don't dismiss the IS300 just 'cos of the auto box, it is actually an excellent auto gearbox, plus you can switch into manual mode and change with the up/down buttons on the steering wheel

[Fidgits]

both the IS300 and Tezza will look the same as i already have, and while both are faster, neither make me want to rush out and buy one..

I will see what the 250 looks like.. either that or try and get a cheap LHD 996....

[MrADeveci]

I will see what the 250 looks like.. either that or try and get a cheap LHD 996....

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LHD cars in UK ............

[Scorpion]

What about an M3?

Or a 330i?

Here

Or maybe this one

330ci Sport

Here

[Fidgits]

I wanted either a M3 or S4, but couldnt afford the new M3, and I dont really like the old shape 3...

The 330, considered it, but for similar reasons to the 325 thought against it..

[Scorpion]

That place in the above link had 2 new shape M3's the other week,i think they were priced at betwen £25/27k, even i was seriously tempted Ian the highest mileage one was 58k and both were in stunning condition.

He offered me 11k for mine

[mudzs]

That place in the above link had 2 new shape M3's the other week,i think they were priced at betwen £25/27k, even i was seriously tempted Ian the highest mileage one was 58k and both were in stunning condition.

He offered me 11k for mine

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good garage to .bought a audi from him a few years back .that convertible looks the biz