1999 Lexus IS200 SE from UK and Ireland - Comments

Battery went flat 7000k after buying, but not sure how old it was anyway.

Condensation keeps building up in front lights.

Wheels flaking a bit, but not too bad,

Overall this is the best car I've owned.

I use to be a German car fan my last car was a vw golf 2l gti 8v, and before that a beamer 320 so to jump ship to a Japanese was bit of gamble, but one that has seriously payed off.

The IS200 oozes quality the interior is classy, feels solid with no cracks or creaks, the steering wheel is chunky and the dash at night looks like a jet fighter.

The performance is very good for a car of this genre,0-60 8.5 sec top speed 140,

has enough grunt to push you back in the seat to.

Fuel is as I would expect from this sort of car not great 35 on a run 29 around town about the same as a vw gti, if you can't afford the fuel then don't buy this car.

BMW owners hate the lexus cause they know it's a all round better car.

"Class of the field" - I guess it depends on which field you're in! "BMW drivers hate Lexus"! Interesting comment. As I BMW driver I have nothing against Lexus and have considered and test driven one each time I have been buying a car. Presently I drive a '06 320d SE, purchased because it was simply, without doubt, the best car in its class by a considerable margin. I think most, if not all, motoring publications have the same view. I'm glad you like your Lexus, but make no mistake the 3 series is the better car and the one Lexus would like their IS to catch up with!

You can bicker on about it till the cows come home, but the simple fact is lexus or bmw for that matter is only bought by the image concious and furthermore the quality of both marques is gone downhill recently with lightweight fibreless suspension components and easy recalibrated digital odometers pity the fool.

I'm back...! my original message is now a year old and I still have my IS. The car is still in the same condition as I bought it running perfectly it has now covered 52k, the only quibble I have is that about three months ago my central locking stopped working when I took it back to Lexus they said my remote receiver had broken and would cost £500 to fix, after picking myself up of the floor I decided not to go ahead with the repair and have to lock and unlock the car with the key, this is a inconvenience and I am looking into buying a remote locking alarm system instead at about £200. interesting to see the comments keep them coming thanks.

Hi.

I don't know if you ever got your key fixed. But if it is just your key, get an original Lexus key off of eBay and tune it in yourself. They are very cheap and you can do it yourself. If it is the key and another component, take it to a car mechanic and ask them to do it, it will still be a lot cheaper then Lexus.

Well I have a 2006 BMW 320d and a 1999 Lexus is200 Sport. I must admit I love the Lexus. I find it more comfortable and easier to drive around town, and the standard spec on these cars are amazing, and the stereo is fantastic. Even the fuel economy is pretty good too. The BMW handles brilliantly though, and I find it is better to drive on long runs. It just feels a bit more solid. The stereo is rubbish though, which has disappointed me a lot.

Overall I can't pick a winner between them... p.s, had same problem with key fob, you can program it yourself for free, it only takes 2 minutes.