Author Topic: Lexus IS 200 SE?  (Read 4499 times)

Lexus IS 200 SE?
on: February 21, 2012, 12:28:50 PM
Considering buying one of these for transport once my kid arrives. Its being sold by a friend of mine and I trust his assessment of the car.

Y reg Lexus IS 200 SE, 92k miles, full service and timing belt just done. 6 months MOT, 1 month tax. A dealer has told him the clutch is going and will likely need doing in the next 10k miles - I've been quoted £350 for the parts and work.  Faultless apart from the clutch.

I'll be driving it for the weekend to confirm all this, looking at about £1500.

Thoughts?


Formerly sexytw

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Re: Lexus IS 200 SE?
Reply #1 on: February 21, 2012, 12:36:22 PM
I've never driven one, but I understand they are overall pretty reliable and if it's just had a full service AND timing belt I think you can't go wrong for that money, 92k miles is nothing either. How much is tax for a year? Seems like a good deal to me.

Re: Lexus IS 200 SE?
Reply #2 on: February 21, 2012, 12:50:27 PM
Tax is £143 for 6 months which I assume is on the expensive side?

Insurance will likely be about a grand as well since I have zero no claims, live in East London and its a 2L petrol.

The price is what he's been offered as a trade in, certainly seems to be reasonable looking at others around, even including the new clutch cost.
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Re: Lexus IS 200 SE?
Reply #3 on: February 21, 2012, 12:50:51 PM
Nice to drive, the 2 litre is a little on the slow side to warrant it's MPG.

Is300 better all round, similar mpg and a smoother drive.

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Re: Lexus IS 200 SE?
Reply #4 on: February 21, 2012, 17:53:28 PM
Tax is £143 for 6 months which I assume is on the expensive side?

It is a bit, but 6 months is always more expensive when broken down than paying more for the full year.

Re: Lexus IS 200 SE?
Reply #5 on: February 21, 2012, 22:05:07 PM
They are great cars, very well screwed together and all top quality materials so will last for ever.

As soopa mentioned, they have very poor economy:performance ratio, but it is a silky smooth 6cyl.

if you can cope with 25mpg then you'll love it.

Re: Lexus IS 200 SE?
Reply #6 on: February 27, 2012, 10:44:58 AM
Nice to drive, the 2 litre is a little on the slow side to warrant it's MPG.

Is300 better all round, similar mpg and a smoother drive.

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Agreed those 20v builds from Lexus are pretty bad though a lad I know turned up at the unit the other night and has just supercharged his with an M60 I think and it goes like stink now.

Re: Lexus IS 200 SE?
Reply #7 on: February 27, 2012, 12:36:04 PM
Had it for the weekend. I found it slow off the mark, especially for a 2L but it seemed to have plenty of power higher up. Not efficient on fuel either, but it is immaculate and very comfortable to drive.

It's having a full service and the timing belt done this week, if it passes with no issues or major advisories then I'll probably buy it.

I don't think I can be bothered with the faff of buying from an unknown private seller.
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Re: Re: Lexus IS 200 SE?
Reply #8 on: February 27, 2012, 19:37:12 PM
Nice to drive, the 2 litre is a little on the slow side to warrant it's MPG.

Is300 better all round, similar mpg and a smoother drive.

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Agreed those 20v builds from Lexus are pretty bad though a lad I know turned up at the unit the other night and has just supercharged his with an M60 I think and it goes like stink now.
The toms ones are pretty rapid. Rs200 I think they are.

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