Newbie From Bristol

[Richard Hill]

Hey guys, my names Rich, im 27 and from Bristol. Im a petrol head and have had various cars over the years including Alfa 156 V6 24v, some jap stuff like civics, some modded, some not etc. I currently drive a 57 civic type S 2.2 CDTI as a daily, and have my pride and joy MK1 golf cabby as a summer / weekend toy which comes out to play March - August.

However the civic is soon to go back as its a company car on a 4 year lease, and now i have to go onto a car allowance rather then being provided with a company car. My plan is to buy my Dad's lexus IS200 SE Aero from him, as he is changing his car this week and i have always liked the IS200 so seems like a great opportunity.

So here's the car, to my knowledge is a IS200SE with the aero kit and wheels factory fitted, 2.0 petrol AUTO, its got 2 owners with FSH, and only 50,000 miles! its a 2003 and i think the colour combination of blue exterior paint on cream half leather, with the subtle kit really set if off.

So i do have a few questions:

(1) - What would you guys say its worth, when i look about they can start at 2k or less and then for a later one like £4500 + ?

(2) - the stereo linked to CD changer (standard lexus one) is not working, i think its a problem with the volume or on button, i got a sense this is a common fault,how much are new standard head units, and do they come up for sale on here time to time ?

(3) - What sort of MPG can i expect from the 2.0 petrol auto ?

(4) - what do you rekon ? good example ? mileage good ? desirable ?

Thanks guys, sorry for all the questions, just wanted to ask them whilst in my head, look forward to maybe meeting some of you if you do meets and shows etc in the future, here's a few pics of the motors

and the lexus which should be mine by the end of the weekend :-)

[smokeybaz]

id say depends on how clean it is, auto is less desirable so would not be worth as much as a manual, but judging by your pictures the car is clean enough, id say it be worth around the 3k mark or over, as it is 2003, and so little miles. although this is a rough guess and i have not been looking at prices over the last year since i got mine lol.

the standard oem stereo are known to be faulty, this is very common problem but they can be got on eBay etc from time to time, although i would just put in a new double din or something.

im not sure about an auto but my manual averages 25mpg, when cruising on a motorway at a steady speed the mpg's says its doing a clean 40mpg, but the minute i put the foot down even just a little it shoots down to about 20 mpg lol, or another way to look at is i put in 40 quid a week and average 150 miles, she can be thirsty but in my eyes its worth it as it such a sexy car to drive lol

id say the car is nice, looks clean enough, and nice mileage on it, auto would not be my thing but everyone has thier own preferences i suppose, cream interior is pimp but might be hard to look after or keep clean.

welcome to the forum anyways and hope you end up getting the car, i love mine, smooth car to drive and reliable, starts every time

ps your golf is class, lovely car you got there, looks mint B)

[mike213735]

Hi Rich,

I don't know anything about the IS, so I won't comment. Welcome to LOC though :)

Mike

[Matt>NI<]

The V dub is very nice, cool summer car!

Few answers:

(1) I would have thought about £3.5K although I paid £5.8K last year for my Nov.2003 IS200 Sport with Aero kit (32k miles) but the Irish channel adds about a grand on to any car!

(2) The head unit problem is a common fault on IS200s.....luckily mine is ok at the moment, touch wood. OEM Radios come up on eBay time to time but id replace it with a nice Alpine Head unit if it’s broken.

(3) My mpg is woeful but its worth it for the car...I have what you say 'Heavy foot' syndrome as I love the purr of the straight six at high revs and the car doest really move til at least 4K revs anyway! I get about 20 - 25 mpg on average.

(4) Think the car looks well and I think the aero kit looks good on the lex.

[Richard Hill]

Thanks Guys

OUCH ! 20-25 MPG, im used to getting 40-50 out of the civic, so will have to take it steady on the old right foot :-)

I have seen some OEM stereo's going on flea bay, but may go aftermarket double din.

Thanks for the valuations i a hoping it would be more around the £3500+ but dont plan on it going anywhere for a while, just have to see how i get on with fuel consumption.

Planning on refurbing wheels and giving it a full detail when i get it before civic goes back so will post some pics up then

Cheers, and thanks for the warm welcome

Rich

[Mr.Rudus]

hello & welcome to the forum.

good choice with the is200.

mint golf!!! thats a golf clipper model?

hope you enjoy your visits to the forum -

[Richard Hill]

yeah its a clipper. Its a 1992 K plate 1.8 carb clipper cabby, with the electric roof and windows :-), only 4 owners from new which is good for a cabby as they often change hands after each summer. Its cheap enjoyable motoring for me £125 a year insurance with 3000 mile limit and agreed valuation and £118 for 6 months tax so for £243 i have a classic cabby to use for summer :-)

[kevinsgs300]

welcome to the club

[Richard Hill]

thanks guys, got the car this weekend, over the next few weeks its having wheels refurbed, bumpers repainted as a couple of small scratches / scuffs, and then a full valet and should be gleaming and ready to go for when the civic goes back :-)

[Richard Hill]

Hi Guys

Here's the Lexus :-)

Cheers

Rich

http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=72698&st=0&gopid=753979entry753979