Henry's New Lex

My new IS200 (2003 make) is up for regular inspection soon. So far, it's been totally trouble-free (quite impressive), except for the following annoyances, which I hope the Lexus guys could fix: 1. Knocking sound (appears to come from the doors or from the axle... somewhere) when turning around corners or going over small bumps. From the exterior (e.g. when listening from an opened window), they sound like loud "Clicks". Could someone tell me what exactly are those noises (knocks / clicks)??? 2. Rattles from the dashboard. Sometimes the dashboard is quiet, even over bumpy roads. Sometimes they rattle throughout the entire trip and can get really annoying. Does anyone know if those problems are typical IS200 problems?? Any suggestion of the probably cause?? (In case the service guys at Lexus "play stupid" and pretend never hearing of the problem). The noise is getting annoying, 'cause i always thought "Silence" is the selling point of Lexus !!! Thanks a bunch !!!

28.... This is my first Lex, and from what I've been experiencing so far, most likely not my last.... :D Previous car: BMW 318i (E46). A truly marvellous driving machine when it's working fine.... but when it gets "middle-age" (not even "old") and gets cranky.... :tsktsk: Probably my last Bimmer.... Still enjoying my new Lex... :D

After spending a week driving my new lex (2003 IS200), have to say this car is awesome. Great handling, acceleration and control in curves. Apart from the "built quality", it's a much better than my previous 3-series. Despite the wonderful driving pleasure, I have to say that I'm a bit disappointed that the Lexus designers left out the little bits of things that you would have expected from a "semi-luxury" and "modern" car. Here's list for me to vent out my little disappointments... with a sigh...: 1. No auto-lock upon drive off. Even my family's 1997 Toyota Camry has this feature !!! Got word that even the new IS250 doesn't have this... Shame on the designers !!! 2. No coin box. From what I observe, there are plenty of available space for this. 3. Automatic folding side-mirror when engine-off. Okay, so you can press a button for this. But why can't they do that automatically when you switch off the engine?? It's just another line of software program to the on-board computer. 4. Handbrake closer to the passenger than the driver, while the cup holders are located to the contrary. Don't know about you, but it sounds unreasonably to me. Can't imagine why the passengers need to be assessible to the handbrake more than to the cupholders. 5. No mudflaps. Can't understand, why not?? Simple plastic mudflaps could protect a lot of paint from chips and rusting. 6. No alarm when leaving the headlights on while engine-off. Another very very simply software program that could save our butt some day when we rush out from the car without switching off headlights. Don't get me wrong, I'm actually very impressed with the car. It's just that somehow the car designers of a prestigious brand name could have actually thought about those.... Or... maybe i'm just picky.

Recently traded-in my 1998 BMW 318i with a 2003 IS200. I was getting fed-up with the maintenance problems of the Bimmer (overheated twice in a month in the middle of the road)... and it was a choice between Audi A3 and Lexus IS200. Considering that both are priced pretty much the same... the IS200 won face down. So finally, I've joined the club of Lexus owners last Saturday. Took the IS for a spin this weekend.... involving urban roads, highways, mountain roads... and WOW !!! The driving pleasure given by IS200 is really just as good as the 3-series !!! Can't say better.... but have to say... just as good. Excellent handling, decent acceleration, very quiet, good sound system, excellent air-con.... the Lexus is just amazing. Anyways, as a first time IS owner. I've got a few "Strange Observations" which I hope folks here could shed a bit of light.... Maybe I'm a bit over-sensitive, so it might be nothing. 1. There seems to be a rather noisy "Fan" noise coming from the hood. It's doesn't sound like engine noise. Sounds more like the cooling fan or air-con fan. It's not exactly alarmingly noisy, but it sounds like some fan rotating at very very high speed. Loud air-con?? Maybe it's a Lexus design..... never had this sound in my BMW (and BMW's are not quiet). 2. When starting the car in the morning, there are "knocking" sounds (audible even with the radio on) in the car cabin. Lasts for about 10 minutes, then it disappears. I don't think the car cabin metals need warming up.... but can't figure it out otherwise..... 3. The Reverse Radar is downright annoying. It beeps like crazy even if there's nothing in the vicinity !!! Apart from that.... after 2 days and 200km of driving.... the Lexus IS200 is truly amazing !!! Glad to join the club ^_^