To Buy Or Not To Buy Is200

[concho]

I have had quite a few cars in my life and have never owned a Lexus. My freind has owned one for about 6 years and has never had a problem ever so on that I think that they must be reliable. I have a Saab 9-5 Aero at the moment which is very nice and super fast but I just don't trust it as it is after all just a Vauxhall in disquise.

So what should I look out for when buying or looking at one?

Do they have variable servicing?

I want an automatic, is there anything different with these?

Also I want one that was registered prior to March 2001 (so I don't get clobered next march with the £415 road tax)

Is the 2.0 better than the 3.0 and what is more economical? I drive 500 miles a week all motorway and at the moment in my 2.3 Hot 250bhp Saab I am getting around 34/36 mpg?

Also would I get a decent late one (xreg) for around £5000)

All advice is greatly appreciated.

[tHomBleached]

So what should I look out for when buying or looking at one?

that the CD player isnt showing err3, that the AC is icy cold, check inner tyre wear for alignment issues, check that all windows are original if not make sure there is no damp in the footwell.

Do they have variable servicing?

servicing is every 10k or every year

I want an automatic, is there anything different with these?

slightly slower to 60, apart from that, not really

Is the 2.0 better than the 3.0 and what is more economical?

200 is slightly more economical, the 300 has the extra bhp that the 200 lacks, entirely personal preference (remember IS's are notoriosly thirsty on fuel)

I drive 500 miles a week all motorway and at the moment in my 2.3 Hot 250bhp Saab I am getting around 34/36 mpg?

you'd be able to achieve similar MPG as long as you take it easy and your not heavy footed (and use cruise control alot) the most I've ever had out of a tank was 410 miles (65 ltr tank)

Also would I get a decent late one (xreg) for around £5000)

definately

[Parthiban]

Also need to remember that there are no pre 2001 3.0 cars so if you want to avoid the road tax, its only the 200

[JamesStewartClark]

I bought an X Reg IS200SE Auto with 100k miles on the clock and it is a dream, i have known the car since new as it was originally my mums company car. Good spec and when it came to her getting rid there was only one place it was ever going to go, my drive. It is a fabulous car, i highly recomend Lexus. It has been fully maintained which is ver important and has never let us down from new. I am looking to sell this very soon as i now want an IS220d, it should hopefully be quite easy to sell as it is Riviera White which is really rare aparently.

In short....GET ONE!!!