smw

After what seems like a lifetime of waiting I get the new 200 SE manual next Friday 17/9. This one is granite - I've moved away from black due to terrible chipping and swirl marks - is the grey likely to be better ? Looking forward to switching from auto to manual but will miss cruise control. Anyway . . the countdown has begun . . . .

You are right - he no longer has the car but he has kindly given me some info on it - ''My IS200 was fitted with the Lexus front bar (neo customise) and SARD side skirts and rear bumper. TRD carbon b pillar inserts, carbon fibre mirrors. The wheels were AVS model 7 18" The car was also fitted with a tubo kit produced by AVO (www.avoturbo.com) and their custom exhaust''.

Anyone know who this tezza belongs to please - would like some details about what has been done to it -

If that's all you have to complain about then the car must be good :D :P Fair point - but I did say 'little things'. You would think that it would be just as easy to make them fold at the same rate - unless mine just needs lubrication in one or something - they are about 1 second apart ? ?

Have to say pretty common place where I am. Mine plus one more IS in my road. 1 IS and 1 RX in the next street. 2 more IS in my work car park. Usually see at least 3 or 4 other IS a day - SC430 more rare but probably see 2 a week.

I think the overall IS package is excellent, remember that for a sub 20 k car you are getting straight 6, rear wheel drive, traction, multi CD, leather, electric roof, climate, heated seats . . . the list goes on. Good residuals to boot. Also great reliability and build quality and that road presence with the flared arches and bonnet bump. The big downers for me are fuel ecomomy and really poor service from Lex dealers. Also it's the little things that let the IS down - 1. The spare is fitted upside down so you can't check the pressure without taking the whole wheel out 2. The boot hinges intrude into the storage space so you have to leave those 2 areas clear when loading 3. The mirrors fold in at different rates 4. Petrol guage is from a Starlet

I get around 31 mpg and I drive 90% motorway at cruise control around 80. Mines an auto and I like the air so expect I would get around 35 in a manual. Here is a simple tool to calculate mpg for all those who don't know how to or just can't be bothered to work it out ! ! http://www.geocities.com/mpgcalc/

I'm p/x mine with main dealer and getting £11 000. 2001 x black auto se exmoor 48K FLSH.

Loads of info here - oh and one of the coolest site intros you'll see - GT4 Owners Club

Save me ploughing through 270 pages in the gallery - can anyone point me towards a pic of a Granite with styling kit ? Thanx.

No chance I'm afraid - it's being offered by Lexus not the dealers - I've already got a good deal anyway - they haven't got the margin to do much more for me.

Ah right . . yep just the standard non illuminated ones I was thinking about. Thanks. So . . body kit or 3 services ?

didn't realise they were made of platinum. Black plastic it is then

Lex currently offering first 3 services free or a body kit on new IS. It's not the Aero package i.e.you don't get 18 rims just the kit. Will having a kit improve or harm it's future value ? What would you go for ? Whats the value of each ? Thanks. PS What do those chrome scuff plates cost ?

I think the 2 tone dash (which I have) looks a bit 'disco' and dated - much prefer the single colour. However I agree with the speaker trim being a bit naff in 'chrome' (plastic). I think the new wheels are great but only on Granite or Black cars - the old 5 spokes suited all the colours better (until they corrode) ! Undecided on the tinted lenses - to me the clear lights are a sort of trade mark and to tint them just seems to be 'change for change sake'. The arm rest is a plus point. I notice the intrusive boot hinges remain, the spare is still upside down and still no basic trip computer. Still can't have everything can we

Oh BTW best deal I've got is my car + £8850. Mine is 2 owner Jan 2001 X 47k black SE auto with spoiler and FLSH. Needs wing respray (minor parking knock from previous owner poorly repaired, paint fading and clear coat cracked). New MOT. Refurb alloys, good tyres - v clean (apart from wing and misted front fog).

Want a new 200 SE manual Granite / Exmoor. All dealers I have contacted are quoting a 9 week lead time which means I can't get the 3 years servicing currently being offered for new IS registered this month ? Any ideas ?.

So reading through posts on here it seems the IS suffers with soft paint. Mine is black and it chips very easily and shows every swirl and minor scratch. Trouble is I think black really suits the car and looks nice when all clean and gleaming. Are some colours better than others i.e more resistant to marking ? I might go for Granite next time if it's a lot tougher or the new Antinomy (spelling ?). Are mets better than base paints ?

Well this is just from memory and not a definitive list but . . . SE: New 11 spoke alloy wheels Tinted headlamps / rear clusters Redesign headlights Full Leather upholstery fitted as standard Chrome effect trim to door speakers Dash compartment lid Arm rest New colour Antinomy available IS200 Sport Grade Changes: As SE + new short shift gear lever

I don't like the new wheels either - do you think Lex actually asked anyone before they changed the wheel design - don't know anyone who prefers the new ones. Also the smoke effect rear clusters - hmmmmm . . not sure but 'clear corners' are a sort of trade mark - tinting them takes off the edge (IMO). I do like the new colour (Antinomy) - can anyone link / post pics of IS in this colour ?

Just a word of caution - I'm having a hell of a problem getting them to take my Approved car back under this scheme (I found out it has been accident damaged and repaired). I'm currently in a civil action to try to get them to honour the 30 day rule.

Hmmm . . . JC + Lex = Alan Partridge. You have been warned

On the wheels - if you run your finger along each spoke face - if it is slightly rough (and if you have good eyesight you might even see fine lines) then they are untouched. If smooth to the touch the refurb man has been busy. Hope this make sense. PS I actually prefer the refurb. PPS The spare is probably original and won't have been done even if the 4 on the car have - so check it for differences.

The spoiler is a genuine Lex one with the intergrated brake light. Mine has it and I didn't like it at first but it has grown on me. The genuine sport spolier is much more discrete and is more of a raise trim effect on the boot lip rather than a 'shopping trolley handle'. Also just to point out that the rear brake light in the back screen won't work as they connect the spoiler light up instead.

BTW - any point getting Lexus involved or will they just say it's between me and dealer ?