Looking To Buy A Is200

[Inquisitor]

Hiya everyone,

Months gone by and finally the car is on its last legs (well its not really but its a long story so i'll save you the boredom).

I have researched done some research in the past for the IS200 but never really found anything to look out for in specific except

~ Timing belt @ 40k?

~ New tax band (pre March 2006 now isnt it?)

~ Master Key

Im ideally looking for a v low milage one >40k ideally because its going to be a long runner hopefully as I plan to share the car with my parents. Are there any other things I should be looking out for when buying an IS200? Thanks in advance!

P.S. It was JAE 2008 that swayed me that the IS200 should be a next car..!

Edit: How do i delete my own thread... lol I found a great link! http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/knowledge...p;id=41&c=5

Should really be in the sticky section..! but hey ho. Thanks.

[Guest inicol63]

Hello and welcome to LOC.

Have you decided on age model or if you want auto or manual gear box.

Fuel returns are not great

Timing belts are 6 year or 60,000 Miles.

alloys can corrode so have a good look.

Best of luck with your search.

If you know what your requirements are and price then let the guys on here no and they can help.

[Inquisitor]

Price braket at £5-6k, Manual, I suppose around '03-'04 isnt too optimistic, SE seems best option.. but after looking at the Sport seems tempting also...

Yeah I have noticed fuel economy is a slight concern, I cant really work in mpgs so how much would you get out of a tank? and how much would you spend for a tank? it seems the IS makes up for that in the safety/reliability factor?

[sparkystav]

a tank is 70litres so you can work out how much it costs.

MPG varies obviously depending on your right foot.

[Chris.S]

You gotta decide exactly what spec you require colour, manual or auto etc, one you know theres plenty out there to choose from

[Inquisitor]

You gotta decide exactly what spec you require colour, manual or auto etc, one you know theres plenty out there to choose from

>=40,000 ideally

Dont mind colour, not racing green unless its well under my budget. lol

Manual

SE but would prefer a Sport version (LSD seems like a good investment)

£5-6k bracket

year around 2003 would be good.

Surrey/London area would be fantastic, but willing to travel if its worth it.

no/little modification would be prefered.

no imports? (but love the colour)

Any other specs I need to mention? Thanks for the replies

[ormi]

You gotta decide exactly what spec you require colour, manual or auto etc, one you know theres plenty out there to choose from

>=40,000 ideally

Dont mind colour, not racing green unless its well under my budget. lol

Manual

SE but would prefer a Sport version (LSD seems like a good investment)

£5-6k bracket

year around 2003 would be good.

Surrey/London area would be fantastic, but willing to travel if its worth it.

no/little modification would be prefered.

no imports? (but love the colour)

Any other specs I need to mention? Thanks for the replies

whats wrong with green?? :o

i have a green sport, didnt fancy a green car till i saw it in the flesh liked it that much i drove it away the same day!!!!!!

[Paradroid]

Sport model gets hard to find on later plates from what I saw when looking for mine. Most are the SE.

Be careful of suspension damage, the components are quite lightweight and seem easily bent. It's not a really common problem but but did catch me out. Centre the steering wheel and then make sure the front wheels sit centrally in the arches i.e. not too far backwards, make sure both sides are the same.

[Inquisitor]

Sport model gets hard to find on later plates from what I saw when looking for mine. Most are the SE.

Be careful of suspension damage, the components are quite lightweight and seem easily bent. It's not a really common problem but but did catch me out. Centre the steering wheel and then make sure the front wheels sit centrally in the arches i.e. not too far backwards, make sure both sides are the same.

Wow that sounds a bit scary, will look out for that. Thanks!

Haha, Im sorry ormi, I have to admit I havent seen one in the flesh, perhaps that will change my mind. Its just that british racing green on a jap car seems a little.. different..

I've also noticed that theres a fair few under 40k miles (couple even under 30k miles) with 2-3 owners.. is that something to be weary about or is it just many people buy is200's yet dont drive them?

[ormi]

Sport model gets hard to find on later plates from what I saw when looking for mine. Most are the SE.

Be careful of suspension damage, the components are quite lightweight and seem easily bent. It's not a really common problem but but did catch me out. Centre the steering wheel and then make sure the front wheels sit centrally in the arches i.e. not too far backwards, make sure both sides are the same.

Wow that sounds a bit scary, will look out for that. Thanks!

Haha, Im sorry ormi, I have to admit I havent seen one in the flesh, perhaps that will change my mind. Its just that british racing green on a jap car seems a little.. different..

I've also noticed that theres a fair few under 40k miles (couple even under 30k miles) with 2-3 owners.. is that something to be weary about or is it just many people buy is200's yet dont drive them?

people see them goin cheap buy them thinking look at me i'm in a lexus then crap them selfs at how much fuel they use!

and now people are startin to panic abot the new tax laws!!!! :o

not me though mines a 99 B)

[mr mech]

to be honest not that bad on fuel (well i dont think so) not compared to other cars ive had :P

[ColinBarber]

budget £100 to get a full geometry check/adjustment done.

Timing belt interval in the book is 100k but should be done at 60k. Double check to see if it has been done, if not then get £500 knocked off the price.

[Inquisitor]

people see them goin cheap buy them thinking look at me i'm in a lexus then crap them selfs at how much fuel they use!

and now people are startin to panic abot the new tax laws!!!! :o

not me though mines a 99 B)

If you can afford a lexus then you should afford the petrol, if you can afford to fix/maintain it you can afford to use it to its potential . But yes the tax laws are backed up to the march 2006 isnt it now?

Thanks ColinBarber, v good tip! :D I found one at ok price, SE, low milage and should hopefully to have a gander at it on saturday. Only because its v close.

[Chris.S]

even though im selling mine i wouldnt say its bad on fuel. with conservative driving ive managed on average on a run between 460 and 500 miles to a full tank

[Inquisitor]

460-500miles per tank doesnt sound too bad :)

What are the std colours of the IS200? I've seen yellows and whites before which look v nice but are they import or just very rare?

[sparkystav]

Both just rare, some are imports and some are Altezza's. but IS200's in them colours are rare

Stav