Used Is200 Se ('00 With 35k Miles) - Some Help Please

[octap]

I have made some posts about modifying my lexus IS200. The funny thing is that I dont have it yet, beeing currently on the negotiations and overall check of the car.

I have some question for you guys, and I hope you are so kind to give me some help here. I have been reading the forum as much as I can, the last days, but it's not easy to find straight answers on some things I got in my mind from a forum being alive for more than 8 years, with such a huge database. I need more time which I dont have at the moment.

My questions are:

1) I test drove the car and there's a small vibration transfered in the gear knob when it is on neutral (manual gearbox). I dont remember if this vibration is present when gears are engaged and on the move. Is this normal?

2) The car is 8 years old with only 35k miles. I know it is very easy to low the mileage on the cars and cheat the next owner BUT, the book is in accordance with the dates/miles and also the interior of the car is lamost like new. The back seats for example look like noone has ever sit on them. The leather is of cream color so I believe it would be in a quite bad condition if it has been used more than the miles say. The guy claims that he has a second car and a bike, so he didnt use the car much. He looks honest and very simple as a person. Are there any bad experiences related on cheated dashboard?

3) I was looking for the Sport edition, but the one and only that is on sale now (4 out of 8 is200 on sale are automatic, 2 of them are SE and only one sport) is '02 with 47k miles in perfect condition BUT it's £4,8k more expensive. What I was thinking of, is that with those extra £4,8k I can buy a used (or aftermarket new) LSD, new coilovers, a big brake kit, 18 rims+tyres and still save money for my engine upgrade project. What do you think?

4) Is there anything I should have in mind when checking the car with my mechanic? (In addition to those nice tips in the knowledge base)

I think I will have some more questions...

[Lexus2D]

Hiya & Welcome 2 LOC :)

What part of Greece r u from i love Greece & am goin 2 Corfu in October B)

Sorry i carnt help with your Questions but sure some 1 will ;)

[octap]

Hiya & Welcome 2 LOC :)

What part of Greece r u from i love Greece & am goin 2 Corfu in October B)

Sorry i carnt help with your Questions but sure some 1 will ;)

Thanks for the ...welcoming. I live in Athens and waiting next week for my holidays to Crete and then Mykonos probably

[Parthiban]

1) Not really sure as I have an auto

2) If it concurs with the service history it's probably genuine, but don't purely use the condition of the interior as the seats may have been replaced.

3) I believe fitting an LSD is not an easy job so if you really want one might be better to get the Sport - not sure I'd pay almost £5k extra for it though, as I doubt in normal driving you'd really notice much of a difference

Hope that helps a bit and welcome to LOC :)

[Lexus2D]

Hiya & Welcome 2 LOC :)

What part of Greece r u from i love Greece & am goin 2 Corfu in October B)

Sorry i carnt help with your Questions but sure some 1 will ;)

Thanks for the ...welcoming. I live in Athens and waiting next week for my holidays to Crete and then Mykonos probably

Your Welcome :winky:

Iv been 2 Zante Kefalonia & Ithica :)

Enjoy your Hol B)

[octap]

Anyone please?

[edeath]

1. The vibration from the gearstick is normal i have it in my car.

2. I havent heard of any clocked ISs but im sure there have been some in the past, but you say the interior and log book verify the mileage so trust your instincts really when it comes to the miles. However such low mileage on a car may also be a problem as on average it has only been doing 4.5k per year. Now that not a problem as long as it was being used on regular basis but such low milage may well point to it sitting unused for long periods of time and cars need to be used on a regular basis to stay on top form.

3. You don't NEED the LSD on the standard 200, though it is nice to have but not worth the 4.5k extra nor the cost of retro fitting one either. However if you think you can fit one yourself then they are relatively cheap (compared to the 4.5k extra for the sport) especially if you are going to uprate the power.

[DJ Wozza]

3. You don't NEED the LSD on the standard 200, though it is nice to have but not worth the 4.5k extra....

you could always wait for a sport, there are plenty for sale, and another will come along in couple of weeks,

and won't cost that much more.....

[octap]

1. The vibration from the gearstick is normal i have it in my car.

2. I havent heard of any clocked ISs but im sure there have been some in the past, but you say the interior and log book verify the mileage so trust your instincts really when it comes to the miles. However such low mileage on a car may also be a problem as on average it has only been doing 4.5k per year. Now that not a problem as long as it was being used on regular basis but such low milage may well point to it sitting unused for long periods of time and cars need to be used on a regular basis to stay on top form.

3. You don't NEED the LSD on the standard 200, though it is nice to have but not worth the 4.5k extra nor the cost of retro fitting one either. However if you think you can fit one yourself then they are relatively cheap (compared to the 4.5k extra for the sport) especially if you are going to uprate the power.

Thank you! Regarding you No2 answer this exactly my other concern. A parked car for long periods is not something good.

3. You don't NEED the LSD on the standard 200, though it is nice to have but not worth the 4.5k extra....

you could always wait for a sport, there are plenty for sale, and another will come along in couple of weeks,

and won't cost that much more.....

I am located in Greece. As far as I know, there are about 200-300 IS200s sold in the whole country, so it's not easy to find those. I bet there are less than 50 Sport around....

[edeath]

If you check the service book you will see the mileage at each service and if it gos up regularaly year by year it should be fine. It'll only be a worry if there are years with high mileage and then years with low mileage.

[Bobski]

Yasu Malaka, deganis .... :)

It sounds a nice car..........

Having visited Geece a number of times (Rafina/Marathon, Thesoloniki), I would only mebe double check for any accident damage, signs of overspray, ill fitting pannels and poor respray.

All the Best

Rob

[octap]

First I need to sell this....