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From the disappointing number of replies, it would appear that there is nobody in the B.R. running one of these models, which seems odd when one considers their peerless reliability.
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From the disappointing number of replies, it would appear that there is nobody in the B.R. running one of these models, which seems odd when one considers their peerless reliability. I for one will be definitely interested, if they bring out a decent chain cam diesel version. Does anybody know if such a model is scheduled for production or not ????
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I have owned a Lexus IS 200 for the past 3 years and the car has been great in almost every respect. That being said, the performance is not earth shattering and you are right in assuming that fuel consumption is not great. You will be lucky to average anything over 30 mpg. The dealers and reliability are second to none though !
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Why not look at a Toyota Camry - similar high reliability and its badged as a Lexus in some markets. A real bargain s/hand.
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As the preferred mode of transport for one Alan Partridge,I fear the Lexus has very little street cred left.
My only experience is as a passenger of a former bosses car. It was refined and comfortable but a bit gutless. He said compared to his previous Pug 406 2.0 Litre light turbo it had a serious lack of mid-range.
I don\'t see the point of this car. If you want to spend that much money get a BM or Audi. If you want a reliable Japanese sporty/geeky car get a Mazda 6.
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Woody,
I'm driving my second IS200 Sport. If you don't see the point of this car or your opinion of it is tainted by some second rate, once funny comedian then you should wake up and smell the coffee. Using your same argument, you wouldn't buy a Mini because Mr Bean drove one or a Ferrari Enzo because one was used in Charlie's Angels?
Why buy a Lexus instead of a BMW or Audi? I'm in my fourth year of trouble-free motoring. I haven't been ripped off buying the cars or when I get them serviced. I leave home knowing that I'll get back without having to wait on the hard shoulder for someone to rescue me when it breaks down.
Gutless? I think not. Keep the engine above 4,000 revs and anything's possible. If you want a reference, ask the driver of the Audi A4 2.4 who tried to have go head to head with me yesterday along the A47. He'll have more respect in future.
As for comparing an IS200 with a Mazda 6 - are you joking? Dear oh dear....
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What do you mean by "respect" exactly, Alan?
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Despite the visual cues, the IS200 ain't a sports saloon. A small six without much low-down torque means downchanges, high revs and a heavy foot are required for decent progress.
Friend gets around 30mpg from his, which is no better or worse than my 4-cyl, 2.0 Accord with similar power. Which has to be driven just as hard. The conclusion being that these days 150bhp is only barely adequate for the weight of a modern mid-sized saloon car - at least in petrol engine terms.
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Despite the visual cues, the IS200 ain't a sports saloon. A small six without much low-down torque means downchanges, high revs and a heavy foot are required for decent progress. Friend gets around 30mpg from his, which is no better or worse than my 4-cyl, 2.0 Accord with similar power. Which has to be driven just as hard. The conclusion being that these days 150bhp is only barely adequate for the weight of a modern mid-sized saloon car - at least in petrol engine terms.
Yeah that used to drive me mad in my Accord. On paper a 2 litre engine delivering 150bhp sounds pretty good, but that daft VTEC thing and the size and weight of modern saloons means you need to rag the thing stupid to get it to do anything.
I've never actually been in an IS200, although if it's got the same sort of performance as the Accord it'd probably get annoying quite quickly, unless you like being overtaken by old Fiesta XR2s worth £1.60p.
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I've been running an IS200 for 18 months from new. I chose it over the (new) A4 and the S60 (Mrsb ruled out Mercedes and B*W).
It has a fabulous interior, great specification, excellent RWD handling and a brilliant gearbox. It also (to my eye) looks the part and is less common than the ubiquitous 3 Series.
Performance is fine IF YOUR REV IT. Also, bear in mind that they loosen-up with miles, so the demonstrater may feel a little short of power. As someone else said, keep it above 4000 revs and there's plenty of grunt. If you want low-down pull, buy a diesel (and some ear plugs).
It does use more fuel than most 2 litre cars: that's the extra couple of cylinders! But then the extra cylinders do wonders for the soundtrack.....
The only downside for me is the noise from those low profile tyres and the wind.
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The IS200 is undoubtedly a stylish, refined, well made and relible car but...
Quick? I think not.
Performance is, of course, relative and a driver's subjective impression of his car's acceleration is heavily influenced by the breadth of his exposure to performance cars.
Only someone who has never driven a real performance car could boast about the performance of a IS200 sized car with 150bhp...
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have had 200 auto for nearly 2 years .. well screwed together product, but too often a sluggish performance and does no beter than 27mpg locally and 31 on long run. I´l just add¨this,
for car of this quality, it has no trip computer, reach adjustable steering, poor man´s horn sound and worst of all, no spectacles holder. As I´ve posted before, I miss fwd and hatchback, so it´ll be Toyota or Audi 3 next time, me thinks!
In fact, anyone wanna buy a ´51 SE in silver with 10K...?
El Hacko
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I rather like the IS200; very well built and a smooth engine and auto gearbox. Handling is rather nice (if you like RWD, that is). I wouldn't have thought that fuel consumption was much of an issue unless you are doing high mileage. 10k in two years means that additional fuel used will be 'loose change' in comparison to all the other costs.
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Extra fuel cost will be covered by lower depreciation compared to repmobile.
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No offence to anyone but the lexus IS200 is very often a repmobile (especially in the IT industry). It's a very stylish car (in the right colours), but I was put off by the over-stylised instruments. The lack of power is no problem for me and they would make a good second-hand buy as the main dealers seem to have them at reasonable prices - 3yr old one for around ten grand.
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Agree with bartycrouch, and echo his comments.
I work in the IT industry, and along with the Three Series and A4, the IS200 is indeed a modern day Cavvy. We have so many of these three models in our car park, all in the same predictable colours of the moment, that I don't know how people find the right one to take home! ;-)
Quite a nice looking bodyshell in the right colour (I much prefer it to the A4, which I dislike, and the Three Series, which I find ordinary), and the 'chronograph' instruments are a nice try to be different, but come across as tacky placky looking, unfortunately.
Both IS200 drivers I have spoken to say that the engine is torque shy at low and middle revs, and even when wound right up isn't exactly quick. (Their boss's 320D leaves them for dead)Both are fashion victims when it comes to dress sense, and admit that they chose the car for the pose that goes with this, but they do however also like the noise that the straight six makes when wound up, too.
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Thanks for all the replies but my main reason for starting this thread was to gain some feedback into the fuel economy of this model.
My interest was drawn to this subject, after a colleague of my son, who admittedly has a very heavy right boot, reported that he does drive to maximise the power band (4000 rpm +) and was only averaging 23 mpg. !!!!
I know this will not be typical, but wondered if any other users were getting anywhere near this figure ?? ( I guess it would only be Company drivers that would thrash their motor in this manner)!!!!
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I was getting 30-ish mpg when it was new.
I haven't measured it recently but it's probably gone up a little since.
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It is a surprise to me that Toyota/Lexus have allowed what would otherwise be an excellent product by underpowering it. It looks great, it is brilliantly screwed together, it has the right image and is a real alternative to a 3 series. Surely they can tweak it to give it a bit more torque? How hard can it be?
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Agree with that Joe, the other bits that spoil it IMO are the cheap looking (I know they cost) rear light clusters.
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Agree with that Joe, the other bits that spoil it IMO are the cheap looking (I know they cost) rear light clusters.
They may be cheap looking but they seem to be catching on with other marques too...
Chad.
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