Boydie

I have had an IS200 SE for a few years now I "upgraded" from a TOYOTA Avensis but was disappointed to find that the Sat Nav in the IS200 had no "traffic avoidance" system (which I had in my Avensis) and I was also disappointed that the LEXUS did not have a RANGE function on the "computer" - i.e. how far you can travel with the fuel in the tank - again, a feature my Avensis had I am not complaining as the IS200 has been a fantastic car but I just wanted to check I hadn't missed anything with the RANGE function and to check that it is not hidden away anywhere ?? I am now used to how far I can travel (although there have been a few hairy "running on fumes" moments) but I just find it hard to believe LEXUS would not have such a basic function - especially when it is on your "bog standard" TOYOTA Avensis!

I had a similar problem with an FM transmitter in an IS200 I have seen them work well in other cars and the one I had that didn't work in my IS200 is now working perfectly in my wife's Vauxhall Zafira! :shutit: I had toruble finding a harwired solution - when I looked into it it seemed that the only person on the planet that can make an audio interface was ill and not producing them I therefore went for a "low-fi" solution and actually bought a "Ipod Cassette adaptor" - do you remember cassettes!?!?! lol Luckily the IS200 still had the original stereo, which includes a cassette deck I have been very pleased with the results, although it is very untidy and a neat IPOD aux socket + power tucked away somewhere would be much better (like the 220 and 250) Just thought I would give you another (cheap) option to consider :winky:

I have the VODAFONE version of the TyTy (I think they call it the V160) I have the older IS200 (at the moment anyway.....) and I had a quick look for a mount However, in the end I went for a BLUETOOTH solution using a Parrot 3200+ This means that I just jump in the car with the TyTn in my pocket and it automatically syncs contacts with the Parrot handsfree device I find this a much more convenient option and may be worth considering I did get told that the Parrot does not install into the Lexus IS200, but thanks to some digging in these very forums I found a way and a "man that can"! If you want any more info just post

You gotta love that "long lasting fragrance" Not only the shiniest but nicest smelling wheels in town! :-D

CHIPS229, I totally agree that it is still technically engine braking (as I said in my previous post) - it is only me that makes the distinction between using the right gear and using the engine to actually slow the car down I also know exactly where you are coming from with the Advanced Driving! I have completed my course and waiting for the phone call to take my test You basically go out on 4 observed runs (it was the first Sunday of the month for me) You get a different "observer / Trainer" for each run - My first one and last one were excellent, the second and third ones were exactly as you described and seemed to make their mind up of what they were going to pull you up for whether you did it or not! (e.g. - "you didn't check your blindspot there" - yes I did - twice! :tsktsk: ") Anyways - all in the course was brilliant and I am a better driver for it To get back on topic (sort of ) by FAR the hardest thing in the Advanced Driving is driving at the speed limit - 100% of the time! In the IS200 you will spend most of your time in 3rd Gear for the "engine braking" to stay at 30mph!!!!!!!!!

That is a good point, although it is technically engine braking I don't see it as such I just see it as being in the correct gear - you are using the low gear to stop the car "running away" rather than using it to slow it down - I would use the brakes to get to the correct speed and then change down to stop the speed increasing I would not use the low gear to slow the car down to the correct speed (what I see as true engine braking) - I would still use the brakes to slow down and the correct gear to stop the car increasing the speed too much And I would never do it for the sole purpose of not getting brake dust on my alloys ;-)

The Advanced Driving system of car control avoids breaking and changing gear at the same time It is REALLY difficult to get used to but when you master it you actually get a smoother, more progressive drive When you approach a hazzard (giveway sign, Roundabout etc.)... You basically get all of your braking done FIRST - slowing to the speed you will negotiate the hazard THEN you change gear This keeps the car "balanced" through the hazard (you don't need to brake or change gear in the hazard - thus upsetting the balance of the car - allowing you to concentrate on getting the power down when you exit ) You will always have situations where you need to overlap the 2 but you should use brakes for slowing and gears for going ;-)

When I first test drove my IS 200 I wanted to disable that annoying reversing buzzer as soon as I got it! I posted on here before picking the car up and had some REALLY good advice not to do it I am pleased to say that I took this advice and if I had disabled it I am sure I would have had 2 accidents by now The closest was when I was doing a 3 point turn in what was a quiet road when I started the manoeuver and then turned into Picadilly Circus when I was half way through I tried to quickly snatch 1st Gear and hit reverse! Even with the reversing beeps enabled I still travelled backwards a bit If there had been no beeps I am 100% sure I would have hit something! This was more than enough to convine me the LOC advice was spot on and I hope you take heed of all the advice in this thread - I think everyone has a "I snatched reverse instead of 1st" story - especially when you arte flustered, trying to do it quickly, or have people waiting!

Engine breaking technically puts UNNECESSARY strain on the transmission/engine The point is "unnecessary" Brakes are for stopping Brake pads are a lot cheaper to replace than other parts of the transmission/engine! Engine breaking IS a legitimate technique for certain situations (e.g. slippery roads) where braking may cause a skid (although this is much more reduced with ABS!) To use engine braking to prevent brake dust getting on the alloys seems like madness to me and he is just developing "bad" driving habits At the end of the day it is his car so he can drive it how he wants Someone else more "mechanical" can shed light on if it actually causes damage - all I can say is that is definitely a bad habit to get in to from a purely driving point of view!

And, yes I am thinking along the lines of "quick clear" screens, and you can get them in plenty of vehicles nowadays, not just fords. Just wondered if any glass manufacturers were doing them for vehicles where they are not an original option. I think you will find that FORD hold the patent to these screens and the other "car makes" you see with this feature are part of the FORD "family" I haven't owned my IS200 through the winter yet but have been told the the "wiper heaters" do a good job of clearing the front windscreen (and it comes on with the rear window heater)

This is a excellent and extremely useful feature I am currently doing my Advance Driving course and my parrellel parks are much better when I tilt the passenger mirror ;-) I would love to have this fitted to my IS200 and was hoping someone was aware of an aftermarket add-on Looks like I will have to wait until I get an IS250 (although by then cars will probably park themselves - and quicker than the Honda does at the moment!)

Hey All Is anybody aware of a mod that will automatically tilt the passenger mirror down when you select reverse gear (to aid parking and manoevers) Apparently the new IS 250 has this feature I have driven a Merc with this feature and would LOVE to have it on my IS 200 Anyone heard of an after market mod for this?? I am in the South East (Kent) so if anyone know of somewhere that could fit this (assuming it exists!) I would be VERY interested Thanks Boydie

If you have £16k burning a hole in your pocket it might be ;-) This is all down to personal circumstances / preference Some people don't like the idea of the "balloon" payment schemes as you never "own" the car Some (including myself) like to change cars every 3 years so these schemes allow me to pay for a car on a monthly basis that I would not be able to afford to pay out right I would intend to change the car in 3 years and do the deal again (hopefully for an IS 250) - therefore never "owning" the car but paying monthly It really does depend on whether you intend to keep the car long-term or are you likely to get "itchy feet" after about 10 years

Are you referring to the LEXUS finance options?? If so I would say (guess) that you would be looking at around: Car cost: £16k (late 04/05) Deposit: £3k Guaranteed Future Value: £6-7k after 3 years (they set it low to ensure you get equity to get another LEXUS ;-) ) This would give you monthly payments of around £300 The above is off the top of my head so please use it as a guide only - the sales staff can give you a few quotes over the phone - I ran through a few scenarios with different value cars and different deposit amounts A detailed quote is obviously essential - for me it was balancing how much to put donw and how much to put on finance Good luck and I hope you get what you want - you won't regret getting a LEXUS IMHO

Unfortunately YES! I have been invoved in a FAULT and NON-FAULT accident and they were fantastic! I have been with them (and constantly renewing with them) for over 5 years I originally went with them as they seemed aimed at "Boy Racers" and when I was younger and had a Rover Coupe I got a quote and signed up Since growing up (not necessarily maturing) I have always found their quotes and service excellent They are essentially a broker I think - your actual insurance is likely to be with a more well known company (mine is currently with Royal Sun Alliance) I have also been promised a further 10% discount for being a LOC Gold Member when I get around to doing it ;-) I really can't fault them and if anything their service has improved (I actually received a very interesting motoring magazine free of charge last week) ALSO - I did not have to pay any extra when I got my 3 points for speeding I phoned them to notify them and I was expecting to pay an extra premium but didn't have to pay a penny - my renewal also went down so I didn't get stung there either (PHEW!) ADRIAN FLUX definitely gets my recommendation