1999 Lexus IS 200 2.0
Summary:
Best lexus yet
Faults:
Alloy wheels do not live up to the quality of the overall car. Continually rusting despite regular attention. One set replaced by Lexus free of charge already. Another set of wheels likely to be needed very soon.
General Comments:
An excellent drive, very comfortable.
Beats BMW man hands down.
Everything you need comes as standard. No hidden extras unlike our German friends.
You feel like you are driving something different.
A better handler than BMW or Mercedez and more nifty than its bigger brothers.
A bit hungry on the petrol, but this could be down to my driving.
I will buy again if Lexus can give me guarantees about the alloy wheels.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th March, 2002
16th Jul 2005, 16:35
Get real, bound to have more torque and mpg if it's a diesel. if you want to drive round in a taxi, your choice, feel sorry for you!
6th Jan 2006, 06:37
The Lexus is a better car all round, infact Lexus probably make the best cars out there.
7th Dec 2006, 20:09
Lexus are a very reliable car - they are, after all made by Toyota - it is their single most attractive attribute - the reliability that is - not the Toyota parentage! However in comparison to a 3 series BMW (the benchmark car used by Lexus when developing the IS, hence the rear wheel drive and straight six engine) the range is woefully narrow, there was no diesel version available and the quality of the interior...well, lets just say it was not great. I have driven the IS200 and the engine, while wonderfully smooth is completely gutless. The car also feels cramped and the cabin is narrow. I have had a few 3series' and it feels like a much more substantial car, heavier on the road and the diesels are very refined, very quick and very economical. It is also, by general consensus the benchmark for handling in the compact exec class. The diesels are not as refined as a straight six petrol, obviously, but they are as refined as the new IS 220D!
24th Feb 2005, 13:27
It's not the way you drive your Lexus. It is crap on petrol, period. 21 around town, 35 on the motorway.
As far as beating BMW man; I have a BMW 320d with a top speed of 134, the same as yours, economy of 35/62/50 MPG, a lot of difference, and pulling power of 340ft torque, against your 144ft pounds of torque; a bit crap for a 2 litre straight 6.
As far as handling goes, well I had the IS Sport, and got rid as quick as I got it; the cabin is very noisy, terrible tyre roar. The only good thing about a Lex is its exhaust note is nearly as good as a Beemer (nearly).