Newbie Here - Why Own An Is200?

[dashfield]

Hey guys,

As the title suggests, i'm new to this forum. This may not be a great way to introduce myself, but i currently drive a 2003 BMW 330d auto, which i enjoy, but my wife is expecting our first in June, so i'm selling the BMW to get our finances in order before the baby arrives, which will leave me with about £4k to spend on a car.

I've always liked the IS200 and looked into getting one before - they're a great looking car and i've always been LED to believe that Lexus's are very reliable (unless you tell me otherwise!). But the thing that has always put me off is the lack of choice around the engine - according to Parkers, give or take a few minor variables, the main choice seems to be a 2 ltr engine that is not especially fast (0-60 9.2s) and is quite thirsty (28mpg).

My question is whether the other points about the car are good enough that i should ignore the engine and go for it anyway? My driving is about 70% town/traffic and 30% A roads /motorways, so bearing in mind i'll be trying to keep the running costs fairly low when the baby arrives, is this a car i should consider?

Instead of getting all my info from facts and figures, i wanted to see what you thought as owners. Any help is appreciated.

[sparkystav]

Howdy,

welcome to the club.

Firstly yes the IS200 is quite thirsty but its a car and a half in the first place.

everything you could ask for in gadgets AS standard, and very reliable.

All in all the best car in the budget and i wouldnt swap it for the anything.

Stav

[WylieCoyote]

Hey matey. The IS is a superb car, very reliable, smooth, quiet and pleasant to drive. You're right about the fuel economy, although it largely depends on your individual driving style. Real world economy tends to run in the low-mid 20's (can be as low as high teens sometimes) but it jumps quite drastically when you drive on open roads - I get 35mpg+ whilst driving at motorway speeds, I'm sure I could get it >40 if I drive at 55mph. As Stav says every toy you can want is pretty standard. It'll be a very different driving experience to the 330 you have now - the IS will be far more sluggish by comparison.

The IS comes in the top 3 every year in the JD Power customer satisfaction thingy - there's a reason for that - well built, reliable cars and good dealers.

Your running costs won't be low, they'll just be proportionate to the kind of car it is - if you want a car that's dirt cheap to run, buy a small diesel - economy is not why you buy an IS - it's not cheap to run but you get a hell of a lot of car for your money.

Keith

[Adie]

Welcome :)

[kam05]

Why own an IS200? (Pros):

1. Standard of kit beats rivals (eg: compare the spec. of an IS200SE to a BMW 318iSE)

2. Reliability- read the reviews, ask IS200 owners and drivers

3. Not many on the road (when they were first new, although probably more common now as the early cars are now 8/9 years old, round my neck of the woods, I see more E36/E46 BMW's compared to IS200's)

4. Excellent dealers, they can't do enough for you (most of them anyway)

Cons of the IS200:

1. You are coming from a BMW 330d, your 330d is a much powerful car, the IS200 is NOT a performace car in standard form, although you could go for an IS300 (thirsty) or an Altezza, the import/Jap version of the IS. You could also supercharge the standard IS200 engine.

2. Fuel consumption, as the other guys have said, the IS200 is thirsty when 'pottering about', but the consumption isn't too bad on motorway runs.

3. Servicing is not cheap, particularly at Lexus dealerships, but if you go for an IS200 which is out of its warranty period, then consider using a good local garage. There aren't many Lexus 'indys', where as you will find plenty of BMW and Merc 'indys'/specialists. There aren't many patterned parts avaliable for the IS200 (in my experience) and to be frank, I'd rather use genuine/OEM replacements items, such oil filters, plugs etc.

Hope this helps.

[maneesh]

The IS models are sweet, but go drive auto/manual versions for yourself, and see how they drive for YOU. Good Luck!

[Rory]

I love My IS, If I sell, i'll be getting another one but newer, it hasn't let me down, i've had it a year (pretty much to the day)

I pass about four other Green ones on quite a regular basis between home and work and thats within 10 miles, and i don't think any of those are other LOC members, still, if they are getting more common, its not a reason not to buy one

[dashfield]

Thanks guys for your replies, they are much appreciated. I know that the IS200 will be very different performance wise to the 330d, but i was expecting that. Obviously when you dropping from an £11k car down to a £4k car, there will be some compromises.

It all sounds good and i really fancy one, but i have to say that i'm a bit concerned with the fuel consumption. I had a BMW 325i before the 330d and i was only getting low-mid 20s out of that, which is why i switched to the 330d. Admittedly i only get about 30mpg on average out of the 330d, but i wouldn't want to drop much below 30 in my next car.

I was secretly hoping that you guys would tell me the mpg wasn't that bad so that i could justify the purchase, but i guess not.

Tricky one.

[KevLex]

All my driving is around town in traffic and to be honest I am very disappointed with the economy. No matter how carefully I drive it I get about 19mpg :-(

I was looking for an Audi A4 TDi Auto Avant but couldn't find one so I bought the Lexus instead.

I also find the driver's seat very uncomfortable but I suspect that this is unique to mine.

From what you have said I think that you would find the fuel economy and main dealer servicing costs prohibitive. Why not look for an A4 TDi or Passat TDi? £4k would buy you a reasonable one and you will get a good torquey engine that isn't too thirsty.

[Lexus_Lee]

I will admit they use a bit of juice compared to other cars in its class but it is a superb drive and i love how it looks and feels on the road. No offence but it isnt as common as a 3series and not seeing many on the road makes me feel even more special. On the topic of fuel consumption, i drive 22 miles to work & back on mainly country roads so it does get a hammering safely overtaking others :winky: n i get about 25-28 mpg, Hope this helps. Btw im in the car trade and i dont think you can get a better quality car for the money imho.

Lee

[loggyboy]

The main factor for my choice of the IS was the look.. its a sexy car.

[evoelf]

I've had my IS for 6 months now and i can honestly say i love it and its the best car i've owned.

I do alot of urban driving and as every1 above has said the mpg isn't the best (i think i average between 21-27mpg) but when its on the motorway its a completely different car.

For me weighed up value for money, performance & street cred B). The IS came with everything as standard where none of the others did. Lexus just has that niche, I love people's reactions when you tell them you drive one.

[Steve_D]

Evoelf hit the nail on the head as far as im concerned, I average higher 20's mpg for the town driving side of things & lower 30's for motorway driving. Its a lovely car although i'm not sure how far £4k will get you towards a good condition IS200?

[Ian D]

I have an IS300 (2003). It's a far better car than the 3 series I've had before, it's quick and, in black Sports disguise it looks fantastic and makes a 3-series look common (in looks and numbers on the road).

Yes, it (and the IS200) does use fuel, but: the difference between it and my petrol BMs' fuel consumption is negligible; with a diesel you pay more in maintenance and depreciation than you save in fuel costs (do the figures); and, if you want performance for £4,000 with any modicum of reliability and cheap running costs, there are many people out there who'd also want to know the secret.

In life you don't get anything worthwhile for nothing..........and it's hard to run a fast car on a tight budget - good luck!

[nickolarup]

Hi there,

I'm currenty driving a 328i BMW (e46) which I love driving but its had its fair share of problems. I had an IS200 about 4-5 years ago for 3 years and loved it and have just bought another one for my wife. Its an IS 200SE (2000 year). It drives very well, comfortable, easy, rides over bumps etc better than the BMW and looks great, also not as common. Its not as powerful or fast but feels great.

All in all for £4K or so I'd agree there probably isn't much better out there.

p.s. My wife cant fit her huge baby buggy in the boot and the rear seats down fold down like they do in the BMW so it could be up for sale soon !!

Nick

I have an IS300 (2003). It's a far better car than the 3 series I've had before, it's quick and, in black Sports disguise it looks fantastic and makes a 3-series look common (in looks and numbers on the road).

Yes, it (and the IS200) does use fuel, but: the difference between it and my petrol BMs' fuel consumption is negligible; with a diesel you pay more in maintenance and depreciation than you save in fuel costs (do the figures); and, if you want performance for £4,000 with any modicum of reliability and cheap running costs, there are many people out there who'd also want to know the secret.

In life you don't get anything worthwhile for nothing..........and it's hard to run a fast car on a tight budget - good luck!

[nickolarup]

Hi Ian,

Wanna swap 328 BMW (2000) for your IS300 for a week or two ?!

IS 200 a bit sluggish and underpowered by comparison but a fantastic car, so I'm guessing the IS300 could be the car I need !

Nick

I have an IS300 (2003). It's a far better car than the 3 series I've had before, it's quick and, in black Sports disguise it looks fantastic and makes a 3-series look common (in looks and numbers on the road).

Yes, it (and the IS200) does use fuel, but: the difference between it and my petrol BMs' fuel consumption is negligible; with a diesel you pay more in maintenance and depreciation than you save in fuel costs (do the figures); and, if you want performance for £4,000 with any modicum of reliability and cheap running costs, there are many people out there who'd also want to know the secret.

In life you don't get anything worthwhile for nothing..........and it's hard to run a fast car on a tight budget - good luck!

[Rikos]

I've been looking recently at maybe swapping for a diesel but the IS200 has set the bar very high on what i want out of my next car and to be perfectly honest if it works out that i dont need a diesel after all i know for a fact that my IS will be staying with me for a good few years .... well until i can afford the new one

I know that MPG isnt great on an IS but that is about it!! Everything else is top nitch and if your buying a £4k IS then you wont need to go to the main dealer for servicing and so you will find if you shop around the servicing costs are actually reasonable. The only big hit on cost each year is tax as the IS isnt exactly green.

If you really are concerned about the MPG then a diesel it will have to be and for £4k you'll be looking at high mileage older shape A4 or Passat which personally i just couldnt go for. The newer shape then maybe!

I hope you end up getting an IS as you wont regret it.

[robmitch]

I've been looking recently at maybe swapping for a diesel but the IS200 has set the bar very high on what i want out of my next car and to be perfectly honest if it works out that i dont need a diesel after all i know for a fact that my IS will be staying with me for a good few years .... well until i can afford the new one

I know that MPG isnt great on an IS but that is about it!! Everything else is top nitch and if your buying a £4k IS then you wont need to go to the main dealer for servicing and so you will find if you shop around the servicing costs are actually reasonable. The only big hit on cost each year is tax as the IS isnt exactly green.

If you really are concerned about the MPG then a diesel it will have to be and for £4k you'll be looking at high mileage older shape A4 or Passat which personally i just couldnt go for. The newer shape then maybe!

I hope you end up getting an IS as you wont regret it.

Hi there,

Just to give you an idea how good these cars are, I resently bought my wife a BMW 118dSE, fantastic I hear you say. No is the answer, she drove it once and went back to our IS 200 LE, I am now driving around in a bloody 118. To cap it all off the BM is 4 months old and has been back to the dealer 3 times for faults, The IS just keeps going. Yes it can be a little juicy, but if you get the chance to drive one turn the stereo off and listen, no creaks, no annoying clicks just a lovely 6 cylinder engine purr. The IS really is a quality car. The dealers (whilst very good) do tend to charge a helluva lot for servicing though. I live in Germany and use my local Toyota dealer who is very good.

Hope this helps, remember, dont buy a bloody 1 Series, they are rubbish.

[GWilso]

I have (i think) one of the first registered IS200 SE's it was registred on Jan 99

so its what just over 9yrs old

I still get the "nice car" comments thats good enough for me

People really believe that my IS is a very expensive modern, posh, car and with my Private Plate no one would know the diffrence although since the intro of the new IS value has come down and there are more and more on the road

So i guess what i'm saying is you can have a moder.posh.expensive car for under 5k and it will go on forever and still turn heads

Ok i'm rambling now its early

[Mincey]

Hope this helps, remember, dont buy a bloody 1 Series, they are rubbish.

I can believe that. The second in command at my local tyre emporium has had one from new and he says it's a heap of junk. One of my clients has one too and its forever going back to the dealer for this and that. It also has a thirst for oil.