May Return To Is200 Ownership.

[Bob King]

Hello Guys, been a long time since i posted here last, i sold my IS200SE Auto 5 years ago due to chances in home life, well as we know life takes twists and turns and I'm thinking about returning to IS200 ownership, I've seen the thread on what to look for buying used, back 5 years ago the top topic was the disc getting stuck in the CD player and the car had very poor traction in snowy condition, so can i ask whats new anything i should be concerned about ?

I know from past experience that beige seat trim is best avoided as it get dirty just looking at it !, i rather like the all leather limited addition model but not over keen on the wheels.

Any old faces in the IS200 section from 5 year back ? although i guess if any ,they are older and have more grey hairs :P

Bob.

[lexynik]

hello and welcome back - no its still the same wheelspinning in the snow with err3 playing on the 8 track !! few people you might know still on here - how come youre not going for a 300 this time ?

[Parthiban]

Welcome back! I'm still here :)

No more problems to report either :winky:

[kenfoxy]

Yes, go for a 300.

[Bob King]

Hi Guys, i'd not given any thought to the 300, yes that would sort out the leather seats yet still keep the orginal alloys, hmm.... time to go off and do a little more homework.....cheers :)

[lexynik]

goodstuff - i think youll be pleasently surprised at 300 prices now and also 5 years on insurance should be cheaper then when you had a 200 ++ hid,s and power !!

[Bob King]

Right I'm not one for rushing things but today I put a deposit on a 2002 IS300 in Platinum ice, full lexus history and 52k on the clock.

In the time i've been looking all the cars are bloody miles away but by chance this one was just 6 miles from home. on approching the car it looked tidy, very tidy and on closer inspection it was hard to fault, and with the test drive done i had fallen for her.

A deal was struck and a new mot done and taxed for 6 months and i pick her up sunday :)

The cars only done 52k yet there is a bill from Lexus for timing belt replacement, i though they were 10 years or 100k ? .

What don't i like !, not keen on the chrome gear knob, will the early leather one fit or maybe a LS400 one or another from the Lexus line up ?

I notice yet another IS with no mud flaps, i wonder if lexus leave them off as an option as they could affect mpg.

so all in all i'm rather excited , cheers for you advise guys :) .

[kenfoxy]

Timing Belt is 6 years or 60K miles. So you will need a replacement in 2014. Nice low mileage for an IS300 - just run in really.

[dandydons]

Sounds good. as for the gearknob I had a nice leather trd one which was a lot better than the chrome - think you can get them on fleabay for about £25.

[fjcfarrar]

What don't i like !, not keen on the chrome gear knob, will the early leather one fit or maybe a LS400 one or another from the Lexus line up ?

I notice yet another IS with no mud flaps, i wonder if lexus leave them off as an option as they could affect mpg.

so all in all i'm rather excited , cheers for you advise guys :) .

Gearknob is "Titanium" - a (stupid) design feature from when titanium was the new "in" thing. If the car is left in sunshine (dream on) the knob gets hot enough to take the skin off. If you don't change it, keep a jiffy-bag to put over it in the summer! IS300 is a great choice for a car of that age. What it loses in thirst it makes up for with little (if any) need for repair parts, reliabilty and a fine drive.

[Bob King]

What don't i like !, not keen on the chrome gear knob, will the early leather one fit or maybe a LS400 one or another from the Lexus line up ?

I notice yet another IS with no mud flaps, i wonder if lexus leave them off as an option as they could affect mpg.

so all in all i'm rather excited , cheers for you advise guys :) .

Gearknob is "Titanium" - a (stupid) design feature from when titanium was the new "in" thing. If the car is left in sunshine (dream on) the knob gets hot enough to take the skin off. If you don't change it, keep a jiffy-bag to put over it in the summer! IS300 is a great choice for a car of that age. What it loses in thirst it makes up for with little (if any) need for repair parts, reliabilty and a fine drive.

I've just sold a 2.8 Celica-Supra so not going to notice a change in fuel costs :winky:

I've seen a LS400 gear knob on eBay would it be a fair guess they have the same thread ?

[Bob King]

All mine :winky:

:)

[Dinho]

Looks sweet! If only they had manual!!