kam05

Just get some 16" alloys off a "S" model IS200- job done.

IS300? It's no more thirster than a IS200...

That's looks quite good!

Does the armrest get in the way when you pull the handbrake?

Yep, change the pollen filter, its behind the glovebox.

If the smell is still there, then you might need the help of a/c specialist.

Erm...Autotrader, Pistonheads, Gumtree? Here (as long as you a gold member)...

I believe that the specs for the IS200 were different for different countries.

Stuff like the chrome tip, 2 tone steering wheel etc could have been added by the last owner of your car?

Nice write up! Enjoyed reading that :)

Lexus Birmingham eBay shop- cost about £42.

Visit these boards now and again...sold the IS200...now driving a Merc C220CDI Sport.

You should be ok to leave the cambelt for a few months (pop the top timing cover off and check the condition of the belt...its only a few 10mm bolts).

Just don't the leave cambelt change say any longer than 3 months. The cambelt needs changing at 60k/6 years (whichever comes first).

Sold my 2000/X plate IS200 for £1k back in Feburary...

There's another Japanese car forum (mainly set up by some IS200 owners) that was set up a few years ago, so I guess that's where you'll find most of the knowledge and answers to your questions.

Looks like a nice example you got there. I'd paint the calipers as well.

Grom ipod adapter- check out eBay

Get a B&M short shifter- I had one on my old IS200 and it made changing gears so much better.

What colour was the fluid? If it red then it could be coolant, so if then check the radiator, pipework and also the waterpump as well for signs of leaks.

I ran my 10 year old IS200 from 40k (when I got it) to 144k (when I sold it recently). Other than general wear and tear it was one reliable car.

70k is the minor service, an oil and oil filter change. I'd take it to the 2nd Toyota garage.

Welcome to LOC!

I've recently traded in my IS200 for a Mercedes C220CDI Sport (with COMMAND and the AMG pack). Glad you are liking the IS220d- I test drove one and it wasn't for me, hence I went for the C220CDI.

I see you pretty local to me as well?

Your timing is out (probably by 1 tooth). Get the garage to pop off the timing belt, re-align the timing then put the belt back on.

Get it to a garage and get them to plug it into a code reader.

From the sounds of it, you have at least one failed coil pack?

Think the IS200 cost between £20k-£22k when new.

Have the wheel nuts been torqued properly and in the right order?

Price of the IS200's are dropping like a lead ballon.

I wouldn't pay more than £1000-£1250 for the car you are looking at- service history/invoices is a must regardless of age IMHO, they tell you how a car has been treated in the past by previous owners.

IS200's don't fetch much money nowadays, I traded my 10 year old IS200 in at a Merc Dealer (for a C220cdi Sport) on the weekend- best I could get for it was £1k- that had Lexus service history up to 90,000 miles and the rest was a stack of invoices for servicing carried out at independent garages.

As said, there are better IS200's out there.

Meguiars do a good range of polishes and waxes IMHO.