Skymera

I'm extremely cautious when buying cars as I've had very little luck in the past. In 2011 I knew nothing about cars at all. Even the basics. I bought a R reg 1.3 Fiesta that had a head gasket gone (major derp)... Sold that a few months after paying to get it fixed and bought a 1.1 Peugeot 106 private sale (Sigh, I know). Fairly cheap but extremely good condition and just had a major service including cambelt. Bargain. Anyway, whoever did the cambelt didn't tension it properly. 60miles later the belt slipped and the engine was a write off. In desperation I bought a Micra which has served me well with no troubles for almost 25,000 miles :)

There's a blue one for sale in my town. Up for £1000, 130k miles and he says it has had a cambelt done. Trying to contact him again to find exactly when and also if he has receipts. Should have been done around 110-120k? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201311189976340/sort/default/usedcars/model/is/postcode/rg127jj/make/lexus/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/page/2/radius/60?logcode=p Private sale so the safety net of warranty is gone.

I'm stuck with a sucky insurer and I can't get anything over 2.0 RWD :( I'm just out of the cool off period too. They seemed really good to start with. But I'm paying well over the odds once the interest and "admin" fees were added on top! Yes it's a Micra. Yes it's a 1.3 on a 1.0 g/box with a light flywheel. However being lightweight with a smaller rolling radius it can reach 0-60 in about 10.5 seconds. Impressive. Just had a look and the stock 0-60 is 12 seconds. smart move Incredibly underrated cars. Not for everyone but a decent first car or winter runner no doubt :) So anyway, what do you guys make of this? Seems fair. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201312050349049/sort/default/usedcars/radius/40/onesearchad/used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew/make/lexus/model/is/quicksearch/true/page/2/postcode/rg127jj?logcode=p Cambelt doesn't seem to have been done, might be worth seeing if they can do it as a deal? And it's also pre 2001 which means the cheaper tax bracket. Big plus!

Not yet found one to buy. Money is there, insurance money is aside. Just finding the right one.

:) No real offence taken. Get comments like that everyday. I'm not expecting it to be quick. For quick, I was looking at getting a 1.6 VTi VTEC Civic. But the money they go for is ridiculous and the lack of torque is just a joke. 160HP at 7,600rpm and the redline is 8,000... Fun to drive but to really drive you need to nail it. Not worth my time. The Lexus seems to have twice the torque and HP as my Micra...but then almost twice the weight! I'd like to strip it to save some weight but you can't have VIP style with no back seats eh. HSD coilovers seem to be my choice and they will be my first investment. Get it on the ground. Wheels will be no doubt last as fitment and size is a tough one. 17x9/10 with some negative camber will be likely. Offset > spacers any day. I'm a bit of a Jap/"stance" whore. Poke, camber, shotgun style exhaust. :hocus-pokus:

I kinda liked you until I read the last bit. Like most, extremely narrow minded. Yes it's a Micra. Yes it's a 1.3 on a 1.0 g/box with a light flywheel. However being lightweight with a smaller rolling radius it can reach 0-60 in about 10.5 seconds. My friend's 160HP 1.3 turbo can do it in under 7 seconds. It's comments like yours that will put people off.

Hi all, My name is Scott. I'm 22 and currently an electronics engineer for Zetes UK. I'm looking at getting a new car and an IS200 seems to be it. I was originally looking at EK Civic VTI but the money they seem to go for and the fact they all have been raced about has put me right off. I'm fed up of driving around in £500 1.0/1.1 sheds and a VIP style IS200 seems just the ticket! :) This is my current car which will be sold once I've acquired a new car. I've had it since Dec 2011 and will be very sad to see it go! Won't be tinkering with the IS200's engine much, I'm not much of a mechanic...more of a geek eh :) HSD MonoPro Coilovers will be my first choice, expensive but I've had cheap coilovers before and they're awful! http://www.driftworks.com/hsd-coilovers-lexus-is200-and-gs300-dualtech-monopro-sxe10-jzs141-and-jzs161.html I'm going to have a browse around the forum now, but if you have any tips for buying or tuning just let me know! Thanks all, Scott