agalbraith

Is the piece in AutoCar worth going out and trying to find a copy for? Or is it just a short "There's a new IS coming" type piece?

laugh. 1st Car (98): 95M Rover 214SEi. Great car until bits started dropping off. 2nd Car (99): 98R Volvo S40 T4 CD. Great interior, v. quick. Lots of buttons. (2000 - accident in the volvo. Young driver = 50% fault must be mine. Insurance gets scary.) 3rd Car (00): 98S Peugeot 306 TD. Lots of fake wood. Slow as hell. Very cheap to run. 4th Car (01): 99T Lexus IS200 SE Auto Navigator. Ordered it over the net from BMW's headquarters in Munich (client meeting!). 5th Car (02): 52 Lexus IS300 Navigator. My first new car ever.... love it. and, after much soul searching.... 6th Car (05): 55 Lexus IS250. Couldn't be anything else... It's a depressing realisation that the range of cars is opened up more to me, cos I'm old - got an insurance quote on a 35K group 20A car last week... fully comp insurance is cheaper than 3rd party was on the Rover 214. Interesting thread.... Alistair

Potato (sack, thereof)

Hmmm... have they both got the same SSID, and all encryption turned off?

From what I remember - my 99T IS200 still wouldn't let me change destination even if you removed the little remote. I believe Lexus have extended this frustrating feature so that the bluetooth phone only lets you use one of 18 preset numbers while moving, in the new generation cars too. There has to be a firmware option / hack for this, but I never managed to find one. Alistair

If you do need to use adhoc mode (because you have no access point) check that: - the IP address for each card is either not set (and Windows will assign one for you) or that one is set in the same subnet. This is easier. I'd set one card to be say 10.0.1.2 with a mask of 255.255.255.0, and the other card to be 10.0.1.3 with a mask of 255.255.255.0. - Turn off the Windows firewall on both machines if you want to be able to connect to them from somewhere else. This is a slight security risk if you're connected to the internet directly at the same time. ..then all should work. Access one machine using the other's ip address: e.g. to browse machine 1 from machine 2 - Click Start, Run - Type in \\10.0.1.2 - Press OK - You may be prompted for a username or password (this is a user on machine 1) Best Alistair

I've spent the past four weeks deliberating on what to replace my IS300 with when it comes up to 3 years in December. After discounting almost every other marque over reliability, cost of ownership, or cost of getting a similar model up to the spec of my IS300... I came back, looked at the pictures of the IS250 again, and put my deposit down. It's hard to find another car that has the reliability and the incredible Lexus customer service. Yeah, it doesn't have the "car park credibility" of some of the other marques, but you can't have everything! Can't wait to actually see / drive one now! Alistair

I like it. Didn't at first, but it grew on me - and as it seems possible to get it without the wood in the interior... I just put my deposit down on one :) I've spent four painful weeks trying to find something "not old man" to replace my IS300 in December... but once you've had the Lexus experience, I don't think you can go back.

There's a (very) few things on there worth looking at. The "two presses to unlock all doors" function is listed as working on the IS - that would probably be pretty useful. Obviously the US market has the headlamps configured to stay on for several seconds after you leave the car though..... strange. The only useful function, auto locking on setting gearbox to "DRIVE" or pullaway..... not available :( I wonder what cool toys there'll be to play with in the 2005 IS.... :D

The dealer told me when I bought mine that this is adjustable. My old IS popped open all the way and then some. The new one (with the standard IS300 mini-spoiler) pops about 70%. His argument was that this was deliberate to prevent the ingress of rain..... not sure if I believe him ;) A

Reading highlighted the imminent need for replacement on the fronts on my IS300 when it had its 10,000 mile service a few weeks ago. I think it was Mark I spoke to, but he said that it's expected on the IS series. My car has Michelin tyres atm, but the Pirellis on my old IS200 lasted 20,000 miles without a problem. I'll wait as long as I can, then replace them all I suspect..... <sob> A

I asked at Lexus Birmingham (soon to become Saab Birmingham, terrible shame obviously) when my old IS got the dreaded ERR3 issue. They told me that the wiring looms were incompatible between the units, so I'd get like for like. I wouldn't complain though, the older stereo setup sounds SO much better than the new one.

OK - Thx! Scotts Tyres always did bargainous rates for new tyres, but I'd never spoken to them for alloys..... Your mate certainly has masses of lexus goodies in his car... even down to the Lexus branded security badge necklace over his/her rearview mirror ;) What's the deal with the numberplate tho? Is it one of those "cameraproof" ones? it's really hard to read..... Next must have uprated their corporate benefits! When I worked in retail I could barely afford a Metro <G> A

It's a Sony Ericsson P800.... the phone is awesome, and the firmware update is supposed to fix the camera quality. I can't say I'd buy any mobile for it's digital camera ability tho! That and the fact that I was walking whilst taking the picture, in case the owner was nearby and turned out to be the type who objected to being photographed <G>

Hi, I was admiring the wheels on this Platinum Ice IS200 at Northampton Riverside yesterday, and noticed a Team Lexus sticker on the front window. After trying to work out the number plate for a while, I gave up.... was this your IS? If so, where did you get the wheels from ? ;) Alistair (ps forgive the image quality.... the camera on my phone is fairly pants!)

I have an S6 Neo, and they're fab. I have the GPS engine version only, which cost me £299 IIRC. My thinking here was: - Northants police user laser guns, rather than radar - The database seems to have all the fixed (laser/gatso/specs) cameras I've ever seen, including a new one that turned up 4 days ago (and I was saved from!) - The SPECS handling on the S6 is vastly superior to that on the Blue-i - The laser detector doesn't give you any warning on any of these systems. By the time they've fired the gun at you, and set the alarm off, it's too late. - If you're worried about lasering, you need a, ahem, jammer. These aren't entirely legal, but do work. Obviously for use only whilst on a test track, for test purposes, bla bla bla. - The S6 unit ties in so neatly with the IS' interior (orange backlight, black, fits by the cigarette lighter) - Completely reliable modem, is built into the unit, rather than an external (Blue i) - Display VERY clear and easy to read There are two versions. The S6 Neo (GPS) and the S6-R Neo. One has the radar/laser engine, the other doesn't. Either way, there are some good discounts to be had for gold members. I've had mine for about 6 months now, and it's been utterly reliable. Which is more than I can say for the Blue-i I tried.... Regards A

I think all they can really do is make the IS the same quality (or better) as the GS, RX, LS and SC cars. Let's face it - the IS is still very much standard toyota inside. I'd like to see: - Decent quality leather seats - A classier quality dashboard - Quality trip computer (in the main binnacle, notably with avg fuel consumption, distance to empty, remote radio display, and the arrow display from the satnav) - Auto locking on pull away - Ability to only unlock the drivers door with the remote - One touch deadlocking (why oh why did that go?!?!) - Folding rear seats - A range of alloys - Heated seats with a bit more predictability to them - Lumbar adjustment - 5 year warranty - Better paint - A range of colours not available on a Yaris I'd hate to lose: - The motorised pop-up/high level satnav screen. It's *so* much easier to read than the low down one on the GS. It's also cool :P - Folding mirrors. Where are they on the GS? I wouldn't get it in the garage without them. - Central arm rest - In dash CD changer (not the current model particularly, but the concept!) - Good looks (not a nissan-esque blob, or toyota barge, or bmw/audi pretty but dull look) - Decent standard equipment (I use the sunroof!) - The chunky rotary a/c controls (my mates with the pretty Saab, BMW, Audi button controls all prefer mine) I'm not all that fussed about: - Memory seats - Additional interior lighting - Other interior colour schemes - Diesel options - Reach adjust steering wheel - Dual zone aircon .... just my humble opinions, obviously :D

The only issue I have with mine is the time it takes to re-acquire your position after starting. The old CD based system seemed to know immediately (I'm guessing because it used the various guess-timator sensors on the car more while it acquired a GPS lock) but the new DVD system takes a couple of minutes. Once it's acquired a GPS lock tho, it seems to be pretty reliable (even going under bridges, flyovers etc)

Sure - I used a company called Security World(for which mattj takes the credit) in Surrey. Speak to Liz on 01252315812. They're a Nokia expert, but didn't have any problems with Ericsson.

This is a bit of an old one, but it can be done. I have an Ericsson P800 kit fitted which mutes my stereo, and uses the car speaker (passenger side only, I didn't want to mute the satnav announcements). It's amazingly clear, and I'm very happy with it. I've used one of the dashmount consoles, to avoid drilling anything, and I have to admit I did get a company to do all the cabling. I'm told "it's not hard, we just have to make the cable up". Either way, I didn't have to spend two hours in the rainy carpark sorting it out ;)

I leave mine in e-shift all the time (in preference to drive, I do use reverse and park occasionally too!) The steering buttons are great for a gentle kickdown, without needing all out acceleration, or when you want slightly tighter handling to take that motorway exit slip at a decent speed. I don't use them for standard day-to-day shifting, but they're a great aid to a an "anticipated" kickdown. The 5 speed box is smoother than the IS200's 4, and partners the engine well. It's a more rounded machine, as it has the power that the 200 looks like it should have. The leather isn't as hot quality as it could be, but the xenon lights are great, and the auto-dipping mirrors are suprisingly useful too.

It took me a while to sort the sunroof thing too ;) As for the petrol, I find that putting it in "upside down" works best. Hold the nozzle so that the grip is at "11 'o' clock" (ie bashing against the fuel door). I can usually get to 58 litres or so before it starts kicking back. The other way round.... you get to fill in about 2 quid blocks.... which takes ages <G>

I had a 320 as a company car for a while. I hated it. I find the 3 series cabin claustrophobic, and under equipped. I like the 5 series, but I'm not old enough to have a 5. I bought an IS300. I bought this having driven an Audi TT, a BMW 320, 330d, Saab 9-3 Aero, Volvo T4, Volvo S60, and others. Yes, the Lexus doesn't have as much car park kudos as a BM. The IS in particular holds its value extremely well, not so much the IS300, but particularly the IS200 sport. You're going to find that many of the people in this group bought a Lexus despite having the opportunity to buy a BMW, so you're not going to find a great deal of support for implication that BMW is better. It's not. Both cars and marques have values and technologies that are better in some areas, not so in others. It's an informed decision, and I believe that you're trying to support this view. The downside is that (as dazzab69 says) the IS300 is auto only. I wanted an auto. If I were going for a manual, I'd have bought the TT. Just my 10 cents.... euros.... yen.....

Definately. I drive mine in e-shift mode most of the time, and put ECT PWR on when I'm feeling "aggressive" :) ECT PWR changes the shift pattern of the gearbox. E-Shift lets you override the current gear selection - they basically do different things. If you've used E-Shift to lock the gearbox selection in 4th and below, the gearbox will hold onto the ratios for longer. I often find that if you drop into 4 or 3 for a hard overtake, and have ECT PWR on, the gearbox will drop another gear for a few rpm too. It's a fantastic car to drive with ECT PWR on. Now that the weather is warming up for those early morning runs (less risk of rear wheel slide) , and the car is run in a bit better, I'm having great fun pushing mine harder along all the lovely A43 roundabouts en-route to the M40.

Likes - Different from the rest of the crowd - Cheap(ish) to buy, service, and run - Holds its value fairly well - More toys than you can shake a stick at - Fabulous dealer service (in comparison with "the others") - Distinctive looks - can be an exec, "young", "serious", and "aggressive" all in one... but without being "boy racer" :) - Utterly reliable - No penny pinching (things like spare full size alloy as standard) - Satnav display best placed one I've come upon (no need to look away from road) - Basically fantastic car. My current one is my 2nd, and I'm working on the basis that my 3rd will be the next gen IS model. Dislikes - Abject lack of trip computer (ideally to include remote radio display) - Interior not quite as "special" as some of the others (esp. the newer Volvos) - Infuriating speed lockout on satnav - No option of folding rear seats - No option for a decent integrated carphone - Dealer network a bit too spaced out (distance wise, not drug induced!) - Still has that "but its a posh toyota" tag (but then again, Aston, Jag and Volvo are posh fords, Saab is a posh Vauxhall, and Rolls is a posh volkswagen!) I had a Volvo T4 for a while.... it was great, but the local dealer network were such mindnumbing idiots, that it wasn't replaced with another volvo. Shame really, cos the S60 is a pretty good car... but not as exclusive as a Lexus.