Is300 Questions

[5nowy]

Hi each - new member and potential new Lexus owner - owners clubs always the right place to find out good information, so here we go.

I am in the market for a new car, and have been recommended the IS. From looking around, the IS200 seems a little gutless, and I would like to pick up something that packs a little more grunt, so am looking at the IS300. A couple of questions though, to make sure I am leaning the right way:

- What is the average fuel comsumption on the IS300, from those of you who own or have owned one? I have seen the official figures, but am more interested in real world numbers.

- What road tax bracket do they fall within? The internet (wonderful place for finding conflicting answers) tells me various numbers - £235-£435, anyone able to tell me categorically?

Also, any advice? Things to watch out for etc, any and all assistance gratefully received.

Thanks in advance :)

[Whitey]

Hi there

It's the lower tax bracket ~£265 ?

I get reliable 280-300 miles to a tank with mixed driving, 400 on a long run.

Welcome to the club !

Whitey

[janet]

Hi,

Yes I get 25mpg on mixed motorway and ordinary, I have not noticed a difference since to my previous 200...mind you I enjoy the drive so much I don't care anyway! Other stuff... read as per 200, check the headlights are not wet inside...if you like your grunt smooth as cream then enjoy!

[Whitey]

Mines quite tidy and is for sale in the relevant section :)

Drove it for the first time in 12 days and it always brings a smile to my face !

Whitey

[rhosneigr]

I've owned both and had the 300 for the last 5 years before changing to the RX. The fuel consumption for mixed driving was about 26 mpg. About 340 miles to a tankfull if there was a reasonable run thrown in. There was not much difference in the consumption between the two but the driving experience more than made up for any difference. The only problem that I had in the five years was the levelling system of the high density headlights which required a new sensor on the rear axle all done under warranty. Could be a bit heavy on tyres though.

[5nowy]

Thanks folks - exactly what I wanted to read.

Whitey, will take a look ;)

[lexynik]

the 300 is really everything the 200 should be - i dont know any 300 owners who dont/didnt love their car with a passion and get repaid with a thrill everytime they boot it

[Rory]

until they crash them :(

maybe thats just me tho, once I get a bonnet i'll be smiling again big time

[04AAA]

until they crash them :(

But that's caused by the driver not a fault of the car.

If a driver presses in the Sport button and turns the traction control off then attempts to "boot it" into a sharp bend or roundabout or while performing any maneuver in the wet then some experience of skid pans might be worth investing in.

[Rory]

nah mine was a minor bump, and i'd be lyin if even with a dented bonnet, i said my car didn't make me smile every time i got in it, all those extras as standard, is there a car for the money that comes close?

[kenfoxy]

IS300 definitely the better choice because it provides a better performance to cost ratio than the 200. Problems I can see are - finding the best tyres on that back end, especially if you not used to RWD and - finding a good one. A rare car and one that would be worth "investing" in in saner economic times.

[5nowy]

IS300 definitely the better choice because it provides a better performance to cost ratio than the 200. Problems I can see are - finding the best tyres on that back end, especially if you not used to RWD and - finding a good one. A rare car and one that would be worth "investing" in in saner economic times.

So is finding a good example problematic? Looking on Auto Trader and the like, there are several low mileage examples that look fantastic VFM. Naturally I will check the service book stamps with the dealers concerned to verify the mileage, but I am guessing that, as with any car, provided it has been well maintained there should be no cause for concern?

[kenfoxy]

Most cars look very cheap atm, especially highish road tax and fuel consumption models so make sure that it looks comparible, price wise, with similar types of car. The IS200/300 cars are every bit as good as a Beemer/Audi and probably more reliable. Strangely some have queried the build quality and reliability of the IS250/220D models.

[jay_russell]

you can also look for a very nice rs200. this is the jap sec lexus (altezza) and is a very good car with the tuned engine.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Toyota-Altezza-RS200-/310232715185?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item483b4f8fb1

but you might like to look at importing one for your self. very nice and not to many about

[lexynik]

5nowy is300s arent that rare its just most people assume theyre 200s when you see em about as bodystyling is near identical apart from badging and extras - only thing to look for in an ideal world is satnav and a factory fitted bodykit like whiteys one - apart from that its just a case of choose your colour as the 300 does come with just about everything

[5nowy]

Well thanks for all the advice, signed on the line for one yesterday :)

Deep metallic green, 58k miles, FLSH, has been a little poorly driven and has a couple of superficial parking scuffs on the rear bumper, but the rest of the car is immaculate.

Pick it up next week, and can't wait. Man what a fantastic car :)

[Whitey]

Congrats !