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So, I got to test an IS200T Sport a few days ago. I won't go into details of the styling, interior etc etc but focus mainly on the handling and driving of the vehicle. Bearing in mind, this was an IS200T "Sport" and not an F-Sport but even so, it was very well specced with the business nav and 18" black wheels for a base model. Not a fan of the black mirrors but thats another story, however I did like the grey accenting on the interior. So the drivetrain - well, its good! It feels like a small V6, probably the smoothest four cylinder Ive tested to date and its got plenty of torque for day to day driving. Fuel economy was OK - got about 28mpg but I guess I was driving it pretty hard. Handling is somewhat better than the IS300h down to less weight presumably. The only disappointments - the engine is very quiet for a sporting model. I was told no models have the intake for a throatier sound including F-Sport models and I wish it was a bit louder. But, its a Lexus so maybe thats what customers want. No AVS option on any models either which is odd too. The 8 speed transmission is good, pretty quick shifting for a conventional auto, the only problem was launching from a standstill. Unlike the 6-speed in the NX200T, the launch in the IS200T is very lazy, like its starting in 2nd gear almost all the time. I think this is the reason for the 7s 0-60 time which does feel identical to the NX. It could be much faster - 6-6.5s if it didnt take so long to get up and go from a standstill. No word of a lie, it took about 1 second to move after prodding the throttle from a standstill, something which doesn't happen when rolling. There is slight turbo lag but nothing serious, its just annoying that it takes so long to move at traffic lights when flooring it! Oh and the best bit - turn the traction off and it hits the limiter without shifting up!

Just a rant, sorry prople! I hate bonfire night, well, the two week period spanning 5th November. It seems that not a night goes by without some fireworks. I realise that everyone has the right to enjoy themselves and I wouldn't want to put a damper on that but must it span two whole weeks? Tonight has, not surprisingly culminated in a crecendo lasting 2 hours so far and I know there will be another week of it! I guess apart from the effect of the noise disturbing us people, the effect it has on our two cats is horrible. Two years ago this January we adopted a cat from the RSPCA, there was a lot of work to do because he had been abused and mistreated, amongst many, many other issues, he would flinch each time we reached out to stroke him. A lot of patience and care, we managed to get him to trust us and he comes when called, sits, shakes a paw and does a high five. OK, it takes a few cat treats but ... All the neighbours play with him and fuss him now. Here is a video www.timnjune.co.uk/minchin Some people have to wait untll the video has downloaded before they can watch it so please be patient. Right now he has hidden himself away and I know we will have to be extremely patient with him to gain his trust again. Rant over, Sorry people!

HATOs, do the same as a lot of people, search out anything they can use to justify their existence and their salary. Hence the over dramatic response to what used to be considered trivial events, closed off lanes to protect vehicles on the hard shoulder for example. As you say, a waste of money.

They don't damage the tyre or wheel, it can be washed away with water.

Thanks for your reply Steve. I don't quite understand your middle paragraph, are you saying if there is a reasonable tread left on the tyre you would use the Lexus kit? From previous topics on this subject it would seem that the tyre is rendered useless after using the Lexus kit also. Good to know that the AA/RACare able to plug the tyre if feasable.

John, (rhosneigr). In my previous post I was indicating holts do a similar product to lexus for a very reduced cost £10 v £160+. I would only consider using the holts product in preference to the Lexus one if it was a get me home situation AND the tyre was down to about 2mm of tread, thus knowing a new tyre was going to be purchased. I certainly would not use it if I was going to call, AA/RAC as they can effect a temporary repair with a plug device. Steve

All that will certainly help to reduce rolling resistance and weight - apparently, pumping up the tyres to 3.5 bar (~52 psi) and diluting the engine oil with diesel were what VW engineers did to 'improve' CO2 emissions/fuel consumption. Remember they were setting up to be on a rolling road for half an hour though. Whether it will make a measurable difference to 0-60 I don't know. How are you going to measure the time? A few runs in opposite directions with a stop watch and the speedo? Hmmm..... I can never find anywhere that's quiet and level enough. I find what I think is a deserted straight road and blow me - there's traffic coming along every minute! Same if we're having a picnic (or in my younger days a bit of hanky-panky) - you think you've found a quiet field gateway and you can guarantee the farmer will turn up with his tractor in 5 minutes!

Slightly heavy on the Italian cars... Audi 80 coupe Alfa GTV Alfa GT V6 Maserati Gransport Lexus ISF

It's a shame tho, as the Indy specialists do a far better job and at far better cost

What is the difference between using a Holts repair can and the Lexus one supplied with the car? How do the emergency service deal with the situation when called out?

Yup, the average joe will be looking for full main dealer history whereas us enthusiasts will be happy that it's been serviced at a specialist. I guess if you plan on keeping it for a good few years then it's not really a concern.

Nice tip, just changed my settings to open when in 'P', much easier. :)

You don't smoke the tyres away from the lights then. :) Only when it's a BMW or Audi to dispatch."..lol

I've used winter tyres the last 3 winters on both our cars. At current temperatures (double digits) the handling is definitely worse. The car 'moves' around more, and you really feel it at motorway speeds. In proper snow though they are unbeatable, I was getting up hills 4x4 couldn't manage :) BUT we only really get 1-2 days of proper snow in the Midlands every year, so not sure I'll bother this year. I do have a set of spare wheels that fit the IS300H in the garage, but will need to get x4 winters put on them which I'm not sure I can be bothered with, especially with how mild this winter is looking.

I cant see you losing out, there has clearly been a mistake and some help from the company you bought the goods from should be helping you out of this hole. Mike.

Appreciate the comments guys. The car is a 2010 and I just wouldn't have expected these issues for such a low mileage car. Re pulling it out of gear, this does also happen under load as I did read that it's normal whilst cruising. Also when pulling off in first without the accelerator pressed, I tested this under normal revs, when the car was warm. Its developed a strange spinning noise when changing down back into first gear. This only happened in the last day or so. Its like you can feel something spinning through the gearstick. The service manager rang me within an hour of me sending the email and car is booked in on 16th.

Should I over inflate the tyres to cut down on friction?And strip out the interior, oh and remove the spare wheel?

Jag, I would suggest you take legal advice immediately and seek to reject the vehicle under the S.O G Act while you are still within the 6 month Statutory Period. The model has been a source of discomfort for Lexus and in my view is not worthy of the Lexus badge. Regards John

Hi Stompe, Dim Tim, Wass has covered about everything, I wrote an article on 29/07/13, "New Kid on the Block," with pictures and cost breakdown. There's nothing to cut, the tray and goo can kit, along with it's expanded polystyrene holder, can be stored in your garage, as I did mine. There's also a shelf life of about 18 months, two tears on the goo, I believe. I have seen other solutions on the site also. For my IS, I just bought a spacesaver and bag, I keep them in the boot. Regards. Michael.

I have bought winters they are on another set of original wheels, ready to swop when the time comes. I have used winters on front wheel drive cars absolutely brilliant. Hope they are some thing like on the Lexus. Being an auto as well first one i owned. As a rule they are quieter, as the tread pattern dictates. No good over 7 degrees is the downside, good in very wet and minus degree as tread stays soft.

I have never worried about carry a spare but 120,000 miles seems to be a lot of miles to worry about not carrying a spare. It's down to preference isn't it?

I too have just bought a CT which doesnt have a spare. My GS300 I had converted to LPG and used the space for the spare for the gas tank. Still have a GS wheel if anyone needs one. On average its 120,000 miles before you get a puncture no I know that is road dependent etc but its a lot of miles to worry about carrying a spare

Guess what? I have a Lexus! YAY! Really nice handover from Jan at Bristol Lexus, once Richard had done the necessary to remove me of the burden of a sizeable chunk of money, of course! And as for the car . . . Oh. My. God. It's an absolute delight. I managed to creep through 57mpg by the time I'd got back to my home town (total journey ~35 miles), with the help of the "Pulse and Glide" technique. It's very logical and surprisingly easy to get to that level of economy. I am a happy boy

If you keep in D there is the possibility that the brake pads and disc being hot may cause warping of the disc. I tend to use P but if that gives you problems Steveledzep then you can always use N and apply the parking brake in the same way that you would in a car with manual transmission.

Who's the 'guy'? Lexus dealer or back street hacker? Personally, I'd get a second opinion as I've never heard of anyone neeeding new cats - I thought they were supposed to last for the life of the car?