hunnybear

Guys, Thank you for your help. I really appreciate it. I rang the Lexus dealer this morning. They confirmed it is a belt which should be changed at 100k, although sometimes best to do it earlier. Quoted me £250 for that. Also quoted me £500 for an 80k service. The dealer insists on servicing the car himself which will spoil the full Lexus history, and won't include a cambelt as part of the deal. He wants £6795, which is quite steep for a 99V. I'd pay that if he included the cambelt and a recent Lexus service but he won't. So, I'll look elsewhere for one. I might find a slightly newer one. I'm encouraged by the advice and enthusiasm on here though, and I'll keep you posted on what I do end up with!

Thanks Aido. That's helpful. I wasn't aware of the cambelt issue: the used car magazine I read at the weekend said it has a chain so no need to worry about cambelt changes. I'll make sure the dealer gets it done before I agree to buy!

Thanks guys, really appreciate your help.

Hi there, I wasn't particularly looking for a Lexus but I stumbled across a nice IS200SE auto at a trader near where I live. It is a 99V, has had 2 owners and 78000 on the clock. Fully stamped history and I can't find anything wrong with it other than he wants £6795 for it I was intending buying something newer and am nervous about going for something this old. I read in a magazine that these are durable cars, so I am thinking it might be ok? I can't really afford a newer one of these, but I could get a much newer Corolla, Almera, or something for the same money. Are they really that good? Should I go for it? He also has a 00X IS200 SE manual (91000 miles and £6995) but I would prefer an auto - I am getting lazier as I get older. Are autos less reliable than manuals? Thanks for your help.

Hi there, I wasn't particularly looking for a Lexus but I stumbled across a nice IS200SE auto at a trader near where I live. It is a 99V, has had 2 owners and 78000 on the clock. Fully stamped history and I can't find anything wrong with it other than he wants £6795 for it I was intending buying something newer and am nervous about going for something this old. I read in a magazine that these are durable cars, so I am thinking it might be ok? I can't really afford a newer one of these, but I could get a much newer Corolla, Almera, or something for the same money. Are they really that good? Should I go for it? He also has a 00X IS200 SE manual (91000 miles and £6995) but I would prefer an auto - I am getting lazier as I get older. Are autos less reliable than manuals? Thanks for your help.