Nothing (except for some idiot smashing a tail light).
Smooooth as silk.
Kickin' sound system.
Some of the best looking standard alloys I've seen on any car.
Car jerks while making quick starts from traffic lights though. It's also too sluggish at lower revs... hit 4500rpm and it flies!! Redline comes up all too quickly though.
Got mine 1 month ago - granite sky metallic, manual box. Love it to death! You have to paddle it a bit through the gears (but hey - isn't that what 6 gears is all about??!!) Get up through the rev range - it takes off. Superb car... and I have had a few BMW and Mercs in my time. No contest - all round winner.
Just bought mine. Fantastic car. Sure it doesn't have the power of a 323, 5 or 8, but I don't think that's the general idea. Judging by its price it's supposed to compete against 318's, C180's, C200's and maybe the new 320's. Even then it's still cheaper than all of these at an equivalent spec level and much faster (except the 320). If you want raw power from your Lexus then it's the IS300 you should wait for.
I was looking out for a new car after the sale of my beloved MX5. My driving experience of the IS200 is that it certainly feels like an MX5 with 4 doors. Pin sharp steering, high cornering limits, silky smooth engine. My only complain is the overly fussy looking interior and the lack of low down torque.
Feedback and some research from 3/3 of my mechanics here in Melbourne, Australia recommended this car over any other for mechanically reliability and affordable maintenance.
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Overpriced toyota altezza.
I've just purchased a black 200 se manual.
Reading the renowned critisims of the power output I thought about what could be possible.
The air intake tubes are as thin as a straw. I’m sure that with a performance air box and custom exhaust you could get a LOT more power/torque out of this engine. The poor fuel economy is probably related to the engine running slightly rich because of air starvation.
It seems to me that Lexus have intentionally choked this engine in the interests of refinement.
Toyota make the same model in Japan in a 2.0 litre 4 cylinder and its got around 200bhp.
Nice car though. I'm looking forward to getting it.
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