Gruntfuggly

Looks OK, but definitely not my cup of tea. :) Have you thought about swapping your heated seat and traction control buttons around? I did mine when I fitted the stereo and it just seems to make so much more sense - it looked really odd when I saw it in your pic!

Took a gamble and got mine of eBay for a bit less than that - looking forwards to the drive home to see what they're like...

Just replaced my bulbs at lunchtime. It might be worth mentioning - especially for the passenger side - it's easier to remove the bulb with the connector still in place. You can then use a small screwdriver to release the connector. I spent a while trying to remove the connector before the bulb before it dawned on me...

I knew that the 'auto' setting on the fan controls the fan so that if it needs warming or cooling to get to the 'required' temperature, it adjusts the speed. I assumed that it would blindly put the fan on max until it got to the desired temperature, but I found out a couple of days ago that it doesn't increase the fan speed until the engine temperature has warmed up enough for it to be worth it. In other words, start from cold, with it on auto and the fan doesn't come on. Once the engine is starting to produce heat, the fan speed gradually increases to max until it gets to the requested temperature and then slows down to keep it at that temp. Awesome - just one more reason why I actually look forward to getting into my car in the mornings. :)

Seems a bit harsh that Pete got the flak as I thought it was me that made the comment !? I just can't see why you'd need a 7-10 inch screen for 'audio', and TV/DVD is illegal for the front of the car in the UK. Sat Nav/Reversing camera maybe, but even then I'm not a fan of reversing cameras - another reason for drivers to be less attentive of the real world (in my opinion). I learnt to reverse a car before I passed my test, and if I can't see enough behind me, I tend to get out and have a look... As Pete said, not trying to start an argument, just sticking up for the humble single DIN head unit 8-)

Not sure why, but I hate double DIN head units - I think they look ridiculous in these days and times. The CD player's days must surely be numbered - an in-car head unit only needs to be about 1x2 inches these days - a display and a USB socket is all you really need - controls should all be on the steering wheel...

The normal antenna should pop out of the back of the standard head unit and go straight into the new one. You will probably have to connect the remote power switch from the new head unit to the power cable for the old antenna because it has a signal amplifier (some info here: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/83938-aerial-amplifier-wire/). If you've got the amp, you'll need an amp bypass cable - there are various available on eBay, some people have had problems with the cheaper ones, but mine has been fine. Here's another thread with some details of fitting in: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/83463-single-din-head-unit-adaptor-problems/ The DAB antenna came from dabonwheels (http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/) who have always been very good for me. I used a Kinetic 4001 (http://www.dabonwheels.co.uk/Kinetic_DEGA-4001_glass_mount_DAB_car_aerial.html ). I have a spare single DIN adaptor kit (like this) that I don't need. If you want it, PM me your address and I can stick it in the post for you...

I think the sound quality is good if not better. The standard Lexus unit must be a 15-20 year old design now - I would imagine anything recent would be better. I get FM/AM from standard aerial and also DAB (digital) from an extra antenna that I mounted on the rear screen. I'd say that the IS200 is also the easiest car I've ever installed audio in - the head unit comes out very easily - there's no stuffing wires into a single DIN slot and then forcing the head unit in. The only difficult part is the the amp bypass cable, but there are ways of doing that too...

Not sure I can really answer your questions, but I have a Pioneer DEH-X6500-DAB in mine. I used a single DIN adaptor kit (which are not the best quality) but just about do the job - if you want one I have a spare. If you remove your glovebox, the amplifier will be behind it to the left, if you have one. Mine is just by-passed - the head unit has enough power not to need it. This set up was the least effort (apart from attaching the amp bypass cable to the back of the amp, which I still have scars on the back of my hand from!). The head unit plays mp3s from CD or from a USB stick slot on the front - I bought a tiny 8GB stick for peanuts off ebuyer, which gives me stacks of space, but is also extremely convenient for taking indoors and putting new stuff on it. The head unit even remembers what it was playing when you put it back in which is cool.

Don't forget you're much more likely to read about peoples problems in forums like this one - you're never going to get thread after thread of people telling you how they drove to work and back without any problems! I've had my 2002 Sport for 6 months and it's been faultless - I'm doing 70 miles a day. I have an almost imperceptible wobble under breaking which I'm putting down to a slightly warped disc, but I'll change them at the next service. I know the feeling of dread when you get a new (old) car and you're expecting things to go wrong, but I think you're probably better off not worrying until something does go wrong, and by all accounts, the IS200 is less likely to go wrong than anything else. BTW - I was slightly disappointed that the photos are no longer attached to this thread - I would have like to have seen what the bodge job looked like!

Sounds like you've covered everything! I really wish the LCD didn't say "Outside Temp" with the implication that somehow there's a way to display the "Inside Temp". It would make it an awful lot easier to compare temperatures!

Have you checked the thermostat? If it's stuck open that might stop the temperature warming up enough - does it get hot when idling? Don't be paranoid - it's annoying when something doesn't behave how you know it should...

How hot are you expecting it? (if it's possible to descibe ) Mine is only what I'd call hot when it's turned fully clockwise. Less than that and it's more 'warm', but I've put that down to the climate control... Have you checked how much water is in the cooling system? If you're low on water, that sometimes (ironically) causes a lack of heater temperature...

I've just checked google maps, and it's saying the distance is 1.4m (5 mins). It's probably not 'hot' by then but it's definitely warm and the temp gauge will be well on it's way to the centre line...

Interesting question - mine warms up a lot quicker than my last car. The first couple of miles of my journey to work are a bit stop start, but it probably takes 3-4 mins, or about 2 miles, in my estimation. The heated seats warm up quicker, which is nice...

That's very generous - thank you! PM on it's way...

I hadn't meant that to sound like the AA didn't do anything - the service was excellent. :D It was more my own embarrassment at having called them out for something so trivial... @Ian - thanks for the offer - I'll let you know if it happens again...

Just went to start my car and it turned over for about 2 seconds, almost caught but didn't start. Tried again and it felt like there was no fuel getting through, just turning over. I thought it might just be flooded so I left it for 10 minutes and tried again, but it was still the same. I thought something must have busted, so I didn't want to keep trying in case it caused further damage, and called the AA. Unfortunately I didn't have home-start, so they were going to charge me a call out, until I pointed out I'd been a member for 13 years and never called them out. So they've added home start for nothing (until my next renewal) and turned up within 20 minutes. Turned out it was just flooded - he kept it cranking for a while and it eventually started - to my huge relief. I was starting to worry about timing belts, etc. Anyway, the point of the post is that he said that it if does it again, it might be a faulty air temperature sensor causing too much fuel to be delivered, which wouldn't likely show up as an 'engine light' fault. Does this sound plausible? Is it something I can change fairly easily myself? Anyway, thumbs up to the AA, even if they didn't have anything to really do.

That's quite a neat little coin holder! If you don't want it, I'll take it off you...

Thanks guys - I'll check the door seal and the sunroof drains... other drain holes appear to be ok ;)

Got in the car this morning after the driving rain last night and my drivers seat is wet on the right hand side of the cushion. Is this likely to be water getting in through the door seal? or is there anywhere else I should check? Thanks in advance - now off to try and dry my trousers...

I've just bought a set of Night Breakers off eBay for £15 - seems like a good start. If they aren't much of an improvement, I think I'll go for an HID kit - I had 6000k on my old car, which I was quite happy with (for lighting, not necessarily appearance)...

Hmm - that's a fair outlay. Think I'll try some bulbs first...

Ah makes sense - I must have not been concentrating and not noticed it move! I'll look out for it next time. You're right about the surprises - I'm wondering what's going to turn up next!

Just topped up my washer fluid and noticed there is a sponge thing in there? Whats it for? I thought it might pop up and seal it when it was full or something? Or does it somehow indicate when the level it low?