Lexus IS (1999 – 2005) Review

Lexus IS (1999 – 2005) At A Glance

Well equipped, reliable and rated highly by owners. Controlled rear-drive handling, rewarding manual gearshift and decent ride.

Fuel consumption is nothing to email home about. The straight six has to be worked hard to perform. Used prices stayed quite high for a while.

Satisfaction Index

Reviews for Lexus IS (1999 – 2005)'s top 3 rivals

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Stunning looks, good handling. Five-star crash test rating. 2.4 JTDM is a great diesel. 200PS 1750 TBi...

Ask Honest John

Is the Lexus IS 300 a future classic?

"My elderly father-in-law owns a 2003 Lexus IS300 Auto Limited Edition. He purchased it from the first owner who had done 17k miles in 2003. He has now clocked up 80k miles. It has a FSH. We think it might be worth keeping rather than selling as it may have classic potential. What do you advise please?"

It does indeed have classic potential, but only to a limited audience. Many Japanases car fans seem to favour either the high-performance models like the Toyota Supra or the quirkier/mundane models. The problem facing this car is its low market value versus its high running and repair costs. There is a chance that enthusiasts will get bored of BMW/Audi/Mercedes saloons and cast out for something a bit different to drive... but that could be a few years away. So rather than focus on what it's future might hold, just focus on enjoying this lovely example.

Answered by Keith Moody

Is a 2003 Lexus IS 200 good value at £2000?

"Is a Lexus IS 200 a good buy at £1999? It is a 2003 model with 93,000 miles and 4 former owners. Very minor bodywork dent on rear bumper but otherwise it looks intact."

Very smooth straight six, but is timing belt and that may need replacing. And it's 14 years old, so use a magnet to search for rust and filler under any repainted bits. Big wheels with low profile tyres may have led to suspension damage.

Answered by Honest John

Should I replace my car?

"I have a 2006 IS220 Lexus - 105,000 miles and just had to have the dual mass flywheel and clutch replaced at £1450 plus VAT - should I stick with the otherwise excellent Lexus or is it time to change? Was thinking second hand Jaguar XF - I do about 18,000 miles annually, and am tempted to go back to petrol."

Won't be as reliable as the Lexus. But XF diesels do like to be used. They don't like short runs from cold.

Answered by Honest John

Which tyres for a Lexus IS?

"I need to renew (or refurbish) the wheels and fit new tyres to my 2002 Lexus IS200. Existing ones are low profile. Would ride and tyre life be improved by fitting different wheels? If so what size? "

Yes, ride would be improved by going down to 16" wheels with 205/55 R16 tyres.

Answered by Honest John

More Questions

Inside of the Lexus IS (1999 – 2005)

The interior is a pleasant place to be, too. The chronograph instruments are nicer to look at than they are to read in a hurry. (If you want an ideal instrument display, buy a Prius II). The chrome gearknob operates the short-throw six-speed gearbox like a classic rifle bolt. And instead of a range of four and six cylinder engines, you get just one: a smooth 155PS two-litre twin belt-cam six. True, you can now also choose a 215PS three-litre IS300, and you can have either engine in the aesthetically challenged Sportcross body. But the essence of the IS200 saloon remains as the original 1998 Motor Show cars. And used values reflect how right that always was.

You also get a lot of kit, and now more in the ‘enhanced specification' from April 2004. Even the base model at a far from unreasonable £18,850 comes with a 6-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual gearbox, 6-disk in-dash CD multiplayer + cassette RDS radio with 6 speakers, climate control, electric windows, electric folding mirrors and a lot more. Some 2.0 litre rep's cars list at more money for much the same goody level. Move up to the SE and you get a lot more, including sports suspension, leather upholstery and new 11 spoke 17" alloy wheels. Automatics come with cruise control. But more important than any of that is the sheer quality of the car. Fit and finish is excellent. Paint perfect. Plastic fantastic. And that as well as the looks is probably why IS200s hold their money so well. You'll be really pushed to find even a high mileage 5 year old SE at auction for less than £8,000. As far as I can see they hang on to their money even better than a BMW 3-Series.

Child seats that fit a Lexus IS (1999 – 2005)

Our unique Car Seat Chooser shows you which child car seats will fit this car and which seat positions that they will fit, so that you don't have to check every car seat manufacturer's website for compatibility.

Which car seat will suit you?

Driving Lexus IS (1999 – 2005)

The driving doesn't disappoint. It isn't overgeared, so 6th corresponds to about 22 mph per 1,000rpm and makes the most of the power and torque. No complaints about the radio signal, which held Magic further up the M40 than any other car I've taken there. Handling and roadholding is fine, well controlled, traditional, rear drive with no dodgy quirks and traction control you can switch off if you really want to. The steering is a bit lighter than a 3-Series, but far from over-light and still gives decent ‘feel'. Seats are excellent with a full range of adjustment. Even the back is a nice place to be, though centre rear is strictly for children. The only downside is fuel consumption of around 30mpg.

Finally, the JD Power survey results. No car has ever done as well as consistently as the Lexus IS200. It carries the status of a 3-Series and a C-Class. But it has proven to be more satisfying to its owners than either.

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What to watch out for

Model History

• January 0001