kenfoxy

255/40/18 - Vredestein Ultra Sessantas (made in Holland, excellent tyres) - £166 on the net but delivered and fitted at a tyre fitter near you.

I have had my IS200 from new in 2001 (Y) - 56K miles. It is still on its original battery. Starts first time except when it didn't move for 2 weeks during our arctic spell. The battery was completely flat. Since then it has been fine with volt guage reading 13V whilst driving. Am I living dangerously and should I replace it before it embarrases me. No intention of selling soon.

Thanks, will have a closer look. The whole system looks rock solid and the car has only done 55K.

Just noticed, as my wife was reversing out of the drive, that the exhaust was slightly noisier on her IS200 (Y). It is a nice sound that can't be heard whilst driving. Had a look at the back box and can't see a leak. Funny thing is that the car is going really well, in fact the best I have known it. Could it be that one of the baffles has gone and made the system less restrictive. Has anybody else had this situation?

I have used Wynns Airco fresh with excellent results. It's an aerosol with a narrow tube which you squirt into the fresh air intake at the bottom of the screen. Don't forget to remove the pollen filter first. Could be yours didn't work because you haven't treated the vents from the intake to the pollen filter. Hope this helps.

My hope is that the next government (whatever colour) may leave the current structure alone because, by then, cars like the band K IS200/300 will be 4 - 10 years old. As such they could be seen as owned by drivers who can't afford newer cars. To victimise them would be seen as unjust. Also it couldn't be used as "removing an anomoly" because pre 2000 cars and new cars where there are no CO2 figures are also anomolies. Don't forget that band K goes up to £245 at some stage. The government might also remember the role that gas guzzling 4 x4 vehicles played this winter. I think you are right to hang on. If the rate shoots up you could get a bigger bargain. Even if it doesn't no worries because the car market at the dealers is governed by supply and demand not speculation. Best of luck.

I am just wondering whether my 2001 IS200 is incorrectly wired for TRC ON/OFF. I went out today (cold and damp) and turned left under power on to the main road with TRC OFF. Even with poor back tyres P6000/Wanlis, it just turned without wheelspin and skiddy car sign. With TRC ON it would have spun up with the skiddy car sign going mental. Most of the previous posts seem to back this up. Interesting to know if other members have found this, only when it is safe of course. Could be that it "year related".

If I am not mistaken, a water pump on the way out is quite loud and can be heard from inside the car, even at tick over. You also get a coolant leak. I had a squeel from the engine area which only occured whilst turning and could only be heard from outside. Deduced it was the PAS but found the belt to be tight and in good condition. I wiped the inside of the pulleys and the inside of the belt and the noise went away.

I can see the IS300 holding its value even better than the IS200. Rarity, compactness, smooth strong power, automatic, reliability.

May not be buckled. I had a slow puncture and the tyre fit place could not find a leak. Turned out to be minor corrosion where the tyre seals against the rim. The guy rubbed the rim and the tyre is fine. My IS200 is a 2001. Apparently it is problem with old alloys.

Another problem with exchanging a high polluter for a low polluter is that you get a bad price for the high polluter (assuming not covered by scrappage) and you will pay through the nose for the low polluter. Most people will never recover the exchange cost with lower fuel and road tax.

As yours is a 2002 model you are in band "K" which, at the moment is £215, so still not too bad. Better than £415 which it should be for the CO2 level.

My/Wife's IS200 is now 8 years old and apart from a replacement shock absorber has been fault free. It is still a superb car to drive, doesn't squeek/rattle, no rust. It's negative points, MPG and wayward back end if pushed in wet or even driven on snow/ice need to be considered. The bad MPG is cancelled out by the mammoth cost of changing it and, of what I have read, I will change the back tyres to Rainsport 2's ASAP. There is therefore no compelling reason to change it. I think that it will be many years before it becomes a classic. There are simply too many of them.

We've had very heavy snow all day in Liverpool. The result, complete gridlock in the City Centre and in the Mersey Tunnel because cars were gridlocked on the other side of the river. Gritters have been out (bus routes only) but it was completely inadequate for the snow fall. All I can say to those in the South is if you can possibly avoid going out tomorrow, don't go especially in an IS200.

As I understand it, summer tyres are not recommended below 7oC, they are too hard. Another option to winter tyres would be those which are rated better than average in the snow. Tyre Reviews website might help.

Sorry mate, I just meant the 3 external drive belts on the front of the engine. You have to remove 2 to get at the power steering belt so the labour should be about the same for 1 or 3.

If the power steering belt is tight enough and in good nick then try cleaning the thing because they get covered in muck and slip on full load. Might work. If you need to change it, full set of belts is advised. They come in a set from the usual suspects and the labour should be the same.

My bonnet clip broke at 6 years old. Got a replacement from Lexus Liverpool. They had it IN STOCK so I guess it is a common fault. Didn't cost much and easy to fit. My advice is if yours hasn't been replaced be very careful with it by easing the stay out and visa versa.

At one time it was just worth travelling a distance to get a car at a good price. Now it is worth travelling for a service! Fortunately with Lexus they are usually accommodating on courtesy cars or while you wait.

I think that this subject is best not discussed on a forum but referred to a Lexus dealer. "Tea-leafs" would love to learn more.

Monsterped, From what reg are IS220d OK.

Doesn't surprise me about the Audi. Same can be said for BMW. Trouble is, whilst you may be able to accept an Audi or BMW without the "goodies", the second hand market won't. Have you noticed that when someone says they have a "new" car they always tell you about the "goodies" first. Not all those other less tangible things which will be the real reason they bought it.

Whatever you get, they must be the best you can get in the wet. An IS200 on a wet/greasy roundabout can be quite an experience especially if you haven't driven a RWD for long. Any saving you make on that inferior tyre could cost you a lot more in body damage etc.

Baffling Lexus starting problems seems to be quite an issue judging by forums. My Is200 greatly improved when I changed to Total fuel. The performance/economy also got better. Worth a try because you have to buy fuel anyway. Slightly dearer than usual but worth it. Could be the additives in it. Best of Luck with Lexus.

My advise is to measure them and get the flat type from www.wiperblades.co.uk. They are superb and cheap. I paid £14.50 for a pair, delivered. Tesco Direct also sell flat ones but I don't know about quality. Could be the same make.