deloco7

Cheers for the tips about alcantara. I did see that the F-Sports had that type of seats with the leather combined. I guess I'll go and check out what's available in Glasgow and Edinburgh and choose something then. Going 'down South' is not a very viable option unfortunately to view cars. The cost of hotel's and overnight stays makes Scotland and maybe the NE/NW England my preferred options. Does anyone have anyone have any particular favourites when it comes to winter tyres? My current IS is terrible in the slightest covering of snow and although I personally have had no real issues, my wife has felt the car go on her a few times. She's a good driver and wasn't doing any kind of great speed but there was just zero grip. Now I used to love the snow with old MK2 escorts but it's not quite so funny with the Lexus.

Hi guys, Just on for another night shift, opened the forum and see that I have more info than I could have found searching t'internet. Many thanks for the advice and heads up regarding specs etc. It would certainly appear that the SE-L has all the toys - more than the Advance - and it's an older version. I think I will start hunting online to see what's available. As darkoracle said, some of the features are probably irrelevant but it's always nice to have them anyway. Have any of you had experience of the F-Sport? I know F.A. has had some as courtesy cars, but has anyone had one long term? Reason I ask is that they don't have leather interiors - I like leather but my wife rather's fabric and as she will be driving most of the time, I've learned that it's easier to keep her happy (as with all things in life :-)

Thanks Bluenose and Normski, I read through the thread and it was very interesting, and certainly all things point to the 250 as the one to go for. Due to my location (Western Isles) my nearest dealers are Glasgow and Edinburgh. Both have a variety of 250 Advance and also 250 F-Sport The 250 SEL seems harder to find. Is there much difference in specs - to me it seems that both models have everything I would want or need. Bear in mind that I have a basic 220d. Has the Advance replaced the SEL? By the way Normski, the car looks stunning in that colour - bet it's a right ball ache to keep clean? Mine is Velvet Black and I swore I would not have another black car. The wife really wants a white car, and I must admit they do look better. I've never seen a Cadoxton Slate version in the flesh but from pics on Autotrader they also look really smart. I may probably keep the 220d as a second car. Its only got 42k on the clock and I feel that the price I'm getting offered as a part exchange is too low - £5k from a Lexus dealer. I reckon it's worth keeping and just sticking on some winter tyres and carry on using it over the winter.

Hi F.A., Thanks for your reply and opinion. I am inclined towards the 250 as well - whether its the Advance or F-Sport, I'm not too sure. I like the idea of an auto box (again, must be an age thing), but I have never tested one of the petrol models. The 220d that I have is really comfortable so I was unsure as to the lowered suspension on the F-Sport would be really noticeable. I work away for 6 months of the year so my wife does most of the driving and she really likes the Lexus and doesn't want to lose the reliability factor. Thanks again Del

Hello folks, New member here and after some opinions please. I currently have a 2007 IS220d. It's a great motor and we have had no reliability issues but it's time to change cars - probably for another Lexus. Question is - Although the new IS200d has the same 2.2 engine it produces less BHP than my own car - 148 vs 175. In the real world, is this drop in power noticeable? I am also tempted by the IS250 - is the 250 a noticeably better drive than the 200? I would be looking at a 2011/12 model of either car so there is quite a lot of options in that price bracket. Finally - the 250/200 F-Sport - is it a much firmer ride than the standard 250/200? Please bear in mind that the roads where I live are pretty bumpy overall. I like the look of the F-Sport but I dont want to sacrifice comfort for looks. Must be an age thing!!!:-) Running costs are not too important to me as we don't really do a lot of mileage - 8k a year. Any advice or opinions gratefully accepted. Thanks in advance Del