stevep

Spec level - agree the standard spec on IS is very impressive but the options available on the BM are more extensive (agreed for a more cash). Catherham - have been in several and it is a weekend car only or for track days. "taken in by the high spec and overall quality of the car" - I don't argue with the quality of Lexus and my point was re the high spec for the low price. Not sure I agree on the quality comment re BM - Lexus is hardly perfect (paint finish is as thin as that used by new house builders and the boot is that light weight it almost rips off if remotely opened in a breeze. Am not looking to argue here, just wanted to see what prices were on new IS which no-one has commented on. I agree BM's are not perfect but I do think the IS has had it's day and the replacement is well overdue. Still I am having a pop at lexus on a lexus owners forum so the criticism comes as no surprise :winky:

You have lost the plot if you are trying to say the IS200 out performs a 330d?! 204bhp and over 300 ft/lb torque at 1,800 rpm....

This is my point - people need to add a turbo to improve performance. Why doesn't Lexus recognise this and do something with the performance. They have never changed the engine in the current IS200 in all the time it has been out. Take a look at the Lexus magazine which they send out - there are more articles on cooking and art than any form of car review.

From reading that ....... you don't seem like a very happy IS owner. Why did you buy an IS then ? ......... or even still - why do you still own one ? :duh: ← I bought an new IS 2 yrs ago and was taken in by the high spec and overall quality of the car. With time I became v unhappy with the performance side of the car and fed up of having to thrash the engine for any kind of performance. Don't get me wrong, the IS is an excellent all round package but the performance side of things is lacking. I sold about 2 mths back and bought a 330d which has no issues re performance.

Hardly perfect - IS300 takes over 8 secs to 60 and produces rubbish mpg if you have a heavy right foot. As for IS200, close to 10 secs to 60 and zero performance under 4,500rpm which means mps also stuffed if you want any kind of performance. This is my point, I would not go near an order form until I had driven the new engine as there would need to be big improvements before I bought another lexus.

For those people who have already ordered a new IS250 or IS220d, what was the price for the car? Perhaps Lexus are not issuing prices yet but I just wondered if anyone knew yet. When I spoke to the salesman in Lexus Hull a few months back he reckoned they had loads of orders already. Pretty risky to order something without driving first as let's face it the current model is hardly perfect.

Stevet made the comment on the Audi - not me. The new lexus IS220d will still be slower than a 330d. I have to disagree on the drive front re Lexus as I thought mine was completely gutless, even in the 'power band'. Still, as you say, each to their own.

THe 330d is unbelievable for performance - the stats say it all. The car will pull at 80mph with no trouble and is faster than the 330 petrol for 50-75 etc. I paid 23k for a fully loaded car which is 14mth old and I am smiling everytime go out. The IS200 was good but this is in another league and still returns 39 mpg.

I have bought a BMW 330d sport which I collected on Saturday. No worries with performance now - still the Lexus was a good car and someone one will get a great deal who buys it (only 16k mileage).

Thought I would let all you people know I have sold out on the IS200 and switched car. I was fed up with the poor performance below 4500rpm and also being blown away by my wife's TDI Golf. Still, will be interested to see what the new IS is like and whether it really lives up to what Lexus are saying so far (i have my doubts). Cheers

I only hope that the new IS has some decent performance unlike my current IS200 which I find is gutless below 4,000 revs. I have become sick of constantly having to shift gears to get some decent power and if the new IS has the same problem I will keep well away. I drove the new BMW 330 (petrol) and 320d at a BMW track day last weekend and the 320d is a cracking engine - very smooth and happy to rev like a petrol. It will be interesting to see how Lexus can compare with this. I also reckon the IS250 will be v thirsty given that the car is heavily targeted to US market where petrol is so cheap. Hopefully I will be wrong but my current IS I find is harsh on MPG especially if you explore the +4,000 rev power band. I also think the mpg dial is rubbish as it swings all over the place and you can not get an average for your trip.

See pics here http://www.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=3395

Thanks for all the post people - not sure what to do now?! Not sure I trust myself with a drill against the bumper of my 2mth old IS200 so if I do decide on the sensors I think it will be a dealer fit. Cheers anyway.

Having bought my IS200 a couple of months back I have noticed and also been advised by the other half that the rear view is quite tricky when reversing. I am 6ft tall and can not see the top lip of the end of the boot through the rear view. I am considering having the parking sensors fitted and have been quoted £280 fitted by a local dealer. Do people think this is a decent price? Also, I wondered whether fitting the rear spoiler would help the problem as you may be able to see the top lip of the spoiler through the mirror - anyone found this who has had a spoiler fitted and also what are the costs of adding the spoiler? Comments much appreciated. Cheers Steve

Thanks for the info guys.

Only std on the auto I thought? I am buying a manual brand new, the dealer has just emailed me to say they can not do it.

I know there are a lot of threads on this topic but none of them mention whether people really think the final outcome is worth while. I also wanted to know whether people think that the armrest gets in the way when changing gears which is why Lexus may have chosen to only include on the auto cars? I am thinking of asking my dealer, Park Lane, to fit for me before I collect my car as I am not so keen on taking out the interior trim myself on a brand new car in fear of making a complete mess. Any advice much appreciated. Cheers Steve

Very sorry to hear of this crap news. I also had a similar experience a few years back and the Police told me that it is an offense if the other party does not report an accident within 24 hours. The guy who hit me went into the station a few hours after hitting me and then the Police gave me his address and phone number so that I could contact him and get insurance details (no mention of Data Protection). Maybe try pushing the Police further ot write a letter taking the matter further before you go ahead and claim on your insurance?

Enjoy the moment - I am sure you will. B) I envy both of you as I need to wait 4 weeks till I pick up mine. :(

I have also ordered a new 200 SE and will collect on 5 June. Most new car launches are always delayed and may not be launched in the UK straight away. Lexus may also play the BMW card and only launch the new 3 litre (or other engines higher than 2 litre) for the first 6 months before offering the full engine range. I only hope the next 5 weeks pass quickly for me! Steve

I had not really thought about this point and having read the comments above I think I will be asking my dealer to give me black mats instead of cream. The cream do look the dogs boll@#$s but I suspect for a short while only. The clear rubber mats sort of defeat the object of having carpet mats in the first place in my opinion and as pointed out the black will match with the rest of the black interior on the car. If you want to see how good the cream look, check out Javaboss' pictures of his new motor on his website - the interior is so immaculate it could be a showroom!

Great idea - this would leave you with the spare seats which were replaced with the purchased IS300 ones. These could then be used as an alternative seating arrangement in your living room or office to give maximum Lexus satisfaction even when you're not in it. :P

Thanks guys - and apologies for bringing up topics already covered.

Can anyone recommend/give advice on buying a radar detector? I have been looking on the web and in mags and see the 'Snooper' models are popular. I am looking to spend 100-250 quid and wanted to know whether this will buy something which is actually worth having. Also, are all these devices powered through the 12V cig lighter or can they run on batteries? I am keen to avoid having wires running up thr dash or having to attach some kind of mounting bracket. Cheers

Has anyone considered fitting a centre armrest (as in the IS300 and IS200 auto) on a manual IS200? I queried this when placing my order with the dealer and was told it is too much of a big job and they advise against it. The other thing that irritates me is that you can not opt for full leather on an IS200 even though it is possible in other countries - such as Hong Kong. Any comments? Cheers Steve