Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? | Motoring discussion | Back Room Forum

Wed 29 Mar 2017 11:17

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - Dazl1212

Hi would either of these cars be a good buy and reasonalbly reliable with them basically being a toyota?

I like the way diesels drive but I dont necccersarily need one as my daily commute is only around 15-20 miles.

I do go on the motorway occasionally but if I were to get a diesel i would obviously make sure I do more often.

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20170309309...1

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20170328375...1

Thanks

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Wed 29 Mar 2017 11:46

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - RobJP

Well, the first one (KV06GUX) - the petrol.

The advert says 'MOT till Sept 2017 with no advisories'. Go on the MOT website, and you find 2 advisories. So the person can't even tell the truth on something you can check up !

The second one (the diesel) has advisories for both front discs 'worn, pitted or scored, but not seriously weakened' at the last MOT - so you'd need to find out if those had been replaced, and if not, assume you're going to have to foot the bill for it sooner rather than later, and find out how much it's going to cost you to get it done. However, it didn't do much mileage from 2015-2016, so that might be the reason for rusty discs. A bit of decent use, and they might be perfectly fine.

All in all, they both look perfectly reasonable cars though. But obviously you'd need to ask about what the service histories include, have a good look at them.

Expect the diesel to do 40mpg. The petrol to do 30. So if you're driving 40 miles a day (I'm assuming your commute is each way), then the petrol would cost roughly £2 per day in fuel extra.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Wed 29 Mar 2017 11:49

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - SLO76

Wouldn't rush into any premium brand cars on this sort of budget but the small Lexus IS generally pretty robust in petrol form. I'd keep well clear of the diesel though, the 2.2 Toyota unit is known for trouble and isn't worthy of the badge.

The V6 petrol will be very thirsty though with realistically 25-28mpg on day to day use. I'd personally be looking at more mundane less complex cars such as the Toyota Avensis or Mazda 6 both in petrol form. Both of which will be comfortable and spacious yet even the petrol models will come close to 40mpg without too much effort.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Wed 29 Mar 2017 14:31

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - Dazl1212

Thanks for the replies guys? What are the Mazda diesels like?

I'm not necessarily after a large saloon. I was in a crash (not my fault) and I am driving an Astra SRI ecoflex, I love the way the car drives and how comfortable it is. So I wont rule out a Mazda 3 or Toyota Auris.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Wed 29 Mar 2017 14:54

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - RobJP

You do NOT want one of the Mazda diesels of that era. Don't even think about going there.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Wed 29 Mar 2017 15:14

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - SLO76

The Mk I Mazda 6 diesel uses the same Puma diesel unit from the Mk III and is known for plenty of woe, the later Mk II uses the PSA 2.0 16v again shared with the Mk IV Mondeo. It's a good engine, nowhere near as tough as the earlier 8v HDi it's based on but is certainly capable enough. Proublem is they were all fitted with a DPF if I remember right which is something you want to avoid plus you won't find a good low mileage example for £3k.

If you're happy with the size of the Astra then they're excellent value used. The 1.6 petrol will exceed 40mpg easy enough and you'll get a very nice low mileage example for £3k. The Isuzu 1.7 diesel is good news too if you can find a well cared for example. Avoid like the plague the Fiat 1.3 and 1.9 diesels though which are again more bother than they're worth.

I'd avoid the 1.8 VVT petrol also which is a bit greedy and has a habit of VVT pulley's failing which can throw the timing belt destroying the engine. I had this on a punters motor recently, which I fortunately got to before the belt shredded. Still cost me the guts of £600 for both pulleys, a timing belt, tensioner and water pump.

Mazda 3 is a belter of a used buy. Bombproof chain driven petrol engines and it shares its floorpan and suspension architecture with the Mk II Ford Focus which is also a brilliant thing to drive. Again avoid the PSA 1.6 diesel which is notoriously fragile.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Wed 29 Mar 2017 18:06

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - Dazl1212

I have had a look at the Mazda3 MPI they look really nice but the running costs maybe a little out of my league. If I can find an 2.0 3 that looks like the MPI id be well on board with that.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Wed 29 Mar 2017 18:43

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - Engineer Andy

I have had a look at the Mazda3 MPI they look really nice but the running costs maybe a little out of my league. If I can find an 2.0 3 that looks like the MPI id be well on board with that.

MPI? What is that? You don't mean the fire-breathing 2.2 ltr petrol turbo (Focus-RS-chasing) MPS? No need for that if you did. Until recently (I just quit my job), I was doing about 17-18 miles each way to work in my 2006 Mazda3 mk1 1.6 petrol. About 50/50 in terms of motorway/urban driving, getting about 40mpg over the year, slightly less than I used to, but not bad. Engine still as sweet as a nut, a few parts having been replaced in recent years, but that's to be expected of an 11yo car - no major problems over that time.

The mk2 is essentially a warmed over version of the mk1 - the same very good drive, just different looks. Mine averages about £270pa on servicing at the main dealership and hasn't (yet) failed its MOT. Older Mazdas do suffer from rust, but normally is easy to spot (see the reviews and especially the good and bad section) - mine's been ok on that score. Like most Japanese cars, they get looked after far better than Euromakes - a combination of owner as well as dealers.

If I were you, I would look long and hard at what you actually need from the car - do you actually need the larger space (including boot space) and luxury of the cars you originally described? Older luxury cars are, even with Japanese makes, a big hole in your pocket waiting to happen - that's why they were expensive to start with - all those gadgets and electronic gizmos on them just waiting to go wrong in a big way.

As others have said, better to find a reliable, decent handling/riding car that is a bit newer that you can live with that has a proven full service history (prefereably from a main dealer) and not a long list of MOT fails and advisories that haven't been attended to. In my view, if you ever see advisories or fails of things like bald tyres or other obvious (to the owner) safety-related items, then avoid the car like the plague - a sure sign of neglect. Better to pay out a bit more in fuel for a reliable car than an older diesel or luxury car than has a far higher chance of letting you down.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Wed 29 Mar 2017 20:30

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - Dazl1212

Yeah man, sorry I meant the MPS, Mazda's haven't really been on my radar.

I don't really need a large car. Ideally something focus or Astra sized. My round trip to work is only 14 miles and its rare I go too far.

I had an Octavia vrs 2001 plate and it was on the garage every month usually to the tune of 300 a time. So I could do without that.

I've got a courtesy car at the moment a 16 plate 1.6 sri cdti Astra, its comfy and nippy enough for me, think its the low end torque I'm in love with. I'd keep it of I could as I love the torque, the gizmos and the comfort.

What do you mean by no need for that in regards to the mps? I hope I haven't offended you.

But I want something a little different and a Mazda or Toyota kind of fits the bill, maybe a Honda as well.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Wed 29 Mar 2017 20:23

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - SLO76

The 2.3 MPS is a bit of a performance bargain with 256bhp and four wheel drive, it's hard to go faster for less but no way is it a wise budget buy, it's way too complex and road tax is £500 a year on pre facelift cars, £295 on post.

The 1.6 is all you really need but the 2.0 Sport is fun for no more money. Not as common as the run of the mill models but it's a favourite of mine even with a 1600 under the hood. To me joy on the roads comes from handling finesse and feelsome steering combined with a slick gearchange rather than brute power or a prestige badge and trust me I've driven most including some heavy duty metal. Biggest disappointment was believe it or not an Aston Martin V8 Vantage. The wee Mazda just feels right from the first turn of the wheel.

Edited by SLO76 on 29/03/2017 at 20:24

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Wed 29 Mar 2017 21:09

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - Dazl1212

Its insurance as well, my cars just been written off, the other party has come out and said it was her fault but I know it will stll affect the insurance.

Also my car rolled into someone about two weeks before that because my foot slipped off the brake and although I wasnt going fast enough for it to register on my speedo hes still claiming for personal injury.

The 2.0 looks like it would be a nice balance of what im after TBH and if I can get one that has similar looks to the MPS I'd be very happy I think.

Is their a MPS lite that you know of? You know similar to SRI Astras that you can get with a1.4 engine in but still looks the business?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Wed 29 Mar 2017 21:18

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - daveyK_UK

The Astra is a bargain compared to the rest.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Wed 29 Mar 2017 21:51

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - Dazl1212

They do look it tbh just 2 of my mates have them both have the 1.8 sri and I don't want to copy them lol

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Thu 30 Mar 2017 09:17

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - Dazl1212

Impress 2.0 non turbo or are the parts etc too expensive?

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Thu 30 Mar 2017 09:38

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - SLO76

Impress 2.0 non turbo or are the parts etc too expensive?

Nice things to drive but greedy and some parts are very costly. Again not something I'd be running on a budget. You'll be lucky to get 28mpg from one.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Thu 30 Mar 2017 10:06

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - Dazl1212

Its not so much my budget monthly its the fact that I can get finance at the moment. Obviously I cant afford another one like my VRS that was setting me back a few thousand a year to keep on the road. Ive a few garages near me that have "warranties available" adverts.

Maybe a case of going round garages and not having a make and model in mind and find something I like that's tidy in my price range and with a warranty.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Thu 30 Mar 2017 10:42

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - SLO76

Warranties on sub £3k cars are often next to worthless so read the terms and conditions. Look out for small claims limits, some are only £200 per claim which wouldn't go far on any major repair. On a car over ten years old with in excess of 70k it's really not possible to offer a decent warranty on to be honest, almost everything can be classed as reasonable wear and tear so don't put much faith in one. Thus the reason why I'd buy privately at this end of the market. You avoid any profit motive and get to meet the last owner face to face. You can tell a lot from the house they own too. Riskier but the rewards are there to be had so it's worth looking and even bribing your mechanic to look it over for you.

But yes I'd suggest not having any fixed make and model in mind when shopping on a tight budget. Get on Gumtree and Autotrader daily and go view anything that takes your fancy. But again you need to reign in your ambitions a little and stick to mainstream mass produced models that are in abundance and have cheap parts as a result. Forget premium brands and as much as I like Subaru they are more complex and parts are costly. We once had to scrap a nice low mileage Legacy because we couldn't source an exhaust for less than £1,000. Was way back in the late 90's though.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Thu 30 Mar 2017 11:38

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - Dazl1212

Thanks for the advice. A lot of that makes sense.

So dont worry too much about the make and model etc and more the history and how well looked after it has been and try and avoid diesels.

With Saab and Volvo being part Vauxhall does that make them a worse or better buy?

Thanks

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Thu 30 Mar 2017 13:37

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - SLO76

There's no link between Volvo and Vauxhall. Ford did own the firm for a while but it's currently owned by Chinese firm Geely.

I'd leave Saab alone too. GM/Vauxhall ruined it by neglect. Instead of investing to develop a proper range of premium models they starved the firm of money and forced them to use hand me down GM technology that was already dated. The firms final products were a poor shadow of their earlier models and many parts are becoming difficult to get. Build quality is poor compared to even basic mainstream manufacturers, strangely even Vauxhall themselves were built better.

Volvo are fine with a petrol engine but many S/V40's use the same PSA diesel we often warn folk against. It is based on the Mk II Focus same as the Mazda 3 but tuned more for comfort than fun.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Thu 30 Mar 2017 16:43

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - Dazl1212

Thanks again, Ive always really like the new shape Volvos. Would be quite happy with a 1.8 or 2 litre version.

I reckon it will hit my comfort and spec levels as well.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 31 Mar 2017 10:26

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - Dazl1212

Just a quick question, there seem to be a lot tof late model Renaults, Peugeot and Citroen and Fiat cars for decent money near me. Plenty of Petrols are these brands to be avoided at all costs? Are they much worse than a ford or Vauxhall if they have a decent history

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 31 Mar 2017 11:31

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - SLO76

Just a quick question, there seem to be a lot tof late model Renaults, Peugeot and Citroen and Fiat cars for decent money near me. Plenty of Petrols are these brands to be avoided at all costs? Are they much worse than a ford or Vauxhall if they have a decent history

The normally asperated petrol engines are largely reliable assuming they're maintained correctly but electrical faults are more commonplace than with the likes of Ford and Vauxhall and trim issues including irritating rattles and squeaks are to be expected. They may be cheap to buy but they're hard work to sell on again and will only do so on price so you will usually find it cheaper in the longterm to pay more upfront for a good Japanese model that will sell for stronger money later on. Petrol 307/308's are next to worthless past 8yrs of age but I see the temptation. The 1.6 Megane is quite comfortable and shares its floorpan and running gear with the Nissan Qashqai but again no one wants them at 8yrs plus. I'd leave the Fiat Bravo, the turbocharged engines are trouble later in life and the basic 1.4 is sluggish plus I found the ride quality overfirm for a family car. They are quite good looking wee motors though.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 31 Mar 2017 11:33

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - RaineMan

Personally I would rate Ford at the top of the list here, Renault second and Vauxhall at the bottom! If you are not going Japanese my suggestion would be a Focus 1600 or a Mondeo 2litre with full history.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Fri 31 Mar 2017 11:51

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price? - pd

I honestly can't say I ever find the electrical systems of PSA stuff any worse and frankly often better than others.

For example, the Volvo S40/V50, which isn't an overall bad car in particular, I've seen loads of crashing CAN bus systems, non operaiton doors, windows, power steering and all sorts of malaky due to electrical errors. The Ford Focus (on the same platform) also can suffer mainly due to poor positioning of some key components.

The Volvo has a wonderful issue (which there was a recall for but in most cases too late) where by of all things the washer pump leaks and even though on the other side of the car by capillary action water enters the power cable to the pump and after a few years works its way all the way down tiny wires until it eventually meets the central ECU and fries it rendering the entire car dead. Mercedes suffered a similar issue on cam sensotrs and gearbox ECUs with oil, not water.

Renault certainly went through a bad patch in 2000-2006 ish and I would avoid those cars but really any old car is a gamble and I really don't find the French electrics any worse than anythng else.

Reply | Report as offensive | Link

Ask Honest John

Sell Your Car

Real MPG

Fuel Calculator

Lexus IS - Good buys for the price?

10 warranty myths exposed