Paradroid

Blank page is the way to go :) Why wait for a web page to load that you probably don't want to read anyway, especially if you're opening a new browser window. Consumes less bandwidth too :D

Strathcaron Blue, and it was in Chester Good point I wonder when the 300 came to the uk, the 200 was pretty new itself in '99 Actually, I hadn't thought of that, makes a lot of sense though! It was flying

Can anyone help clear this up - years and years ago (1999 I'd say) I got in a little duel with a Lexus IS. The car I was in had a 0-60 time of 7.5 seconds, and I gave it full stick through second and third gear on a rolling start. But I couldn't shake the Lexus! Given that is was a new car it wasn't likely to be modded, so must it have been an IS300 or could it have been an IS200? On paper there's no way the 200 could compete, having a 0-60 time of 9.5 seconds, but are they just slow off the mark? Once they're moving and you're in the power do they feel quicker than the 0-60 time? P.S. This was on a dual carriageway so I wasn't breaking any speed limits!

Much as Hammond brightens up Top Gear (for the ladies mainly) I don't think he really knows his stuff about cars. Look at the bottom of the article where they're trying to goad us into buying a Citroen C6 with no mention of depreciation - now that is bad advice!

Nice looking car there - I especially like the side profile of the IS it looks great (third picture). I'd have thought for the worst of the bumper scuffs you might get a bodyshop to have a look. Trouble with things like that is if you just paint over them you can still see the shape of the scrape, it could do with a bit of filler and sanding to make it go away completely. For the other scuff you could try that t-cut for metallic paints, I was dubious but a mate had some really good results on his SLK.

Not sure if this has been suggested before, but I think it would make a lot more sense of the new and old IS had seperate forum areas? The two cars might have the same name but they are very different cars, and there is quite often some confusion about which car a thread is talking about. Has this been considered before?

I was thinking that, or it could be the gubbins for the rear view camera but then if that was fitted he'd probably know that's what it's for! We need a picture!

Ok, I found a link to the auction I was on about before: http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...A%3AIT&rd=1 That's probably one of the best examples around, a late model in a cracking colour with the 18" wheels which look great. Still don't see what the Mr Universe thing has to do with the car though :D

There is another IS200 on eBay at the moment (very low mileage too), there was a bit in the blurb that really made me laugh. It said something like "car has had one owner, non-smoker (and two times Mr Universe winner)" Car looks really nice though I have to say!

You've got me worried there with the word "wallowy" I currently drive a MG ZS180, which contrary to what most people think is quite a serious car in the performance department. The chassis setup on it is very firm and it corners very flat with loads of grip. I do wonder if the IS200 will be a bit too much of a change for what I'm used to. Of course the improved build quality and luxury will be welcome though :D

Well I know they're sales fellas but this does sound plausible - the way they make a given car over time does change to reflect improvements and fixes as issues are noticed. I've pulled cars apart and seen things like little foam pads to stop rattles, so if something is noticed by enough people it will be addressed. Plus Lexus do have a habit of looking after it's customers a bit more than other manufacturers. The problem is the word "should" - however it would be impractical to guarantee a car with no rattles because it can easily happen to any car.

Codlord, so is your IS a more recent one that is riding lower than an SE? In which case it sounds like the LSD and the ride height difference don't make a very big difference to the way the car drives?

Tough one to call. It could be something putting a load on the engine causing it to labour and stall. Or it could be a sensor or an ECU fault meaning the engine isn't fuelling right. I think a trip to the main dealers might be best - get them to hook the car up to the computer and see if that shows anything up.

I wonder - which IS200 is the more likely to get the tail out on a corner? Is it the one with the LSD because it gets more power down? Or does getting the power down in a more controlled manner mean less chance of the back end breaking away? :duh:

Sorry folks I should have said, I do mean the original (and best looking ) iS not the new one That's how I understand it to. So you can indeed feel the power "going to waste" so to speak, but that is a slightly artificial scenario, does it make much difference in normal driving - including fast road driving?

Sorry I know the Sport vs. SE topic has been done to death, but can anyone who's actually driven both tell me how different they actually are to drive? I know the sport is lowered slightly, and has the LSD. But is the ride much firmer and the handling much better or is the difference subtle? And does the LSD really make a difference? Does it mean you can exit corners quicker, or get more power down out of corners? I know what the LSD does by the way, just curious what difference it makes in the real world/ :)

Thanks folks :D

Hiya folks, Thought I'd say hello and well done for having a great forum. I don't own a Lexus at the moment and am not sure if I will be getting one too soon, but I do like the is200 and might think about a nice low mileage one in a year or so (unless I can afford an is250!). Hope you don't mind me asking a few questions Thanks :)