2000 Lexus IS200 SE from UK and Ireland - Comments

Persistent rattle from the engine bay.

Stained alloy wheels.

Corroded rear wheel hubs.

Possible oil leak.

Since I picked the car up, there has been a persistent rattle from the engine bay when under load at about 2500rpm. The car has now been back to the dealer four times. They now suspect that the problem is caused by rattling pipes that run along the bulkhead. However, no sign as yet of them actually fixing it.

Wax was left on the alloy wheels after delivery. Sorted out under warranty.

Corroded rear wheel hubs sorted under warranty.

Dealer unable to find the oil leak.

Overall, I still love my Lexus. It really is a great car, it's just a shame that the ownership experience has been ruined so far by the persistent rattle! The dealer has been as helpful as possible. They even got a Lexus GB technician down to drive the car. He said that he has never heard the noise before, so I am beginning to lose faith that they'll fix it. They are now going to insulate a load of pipes that run along the bulkhead.

If Lexus cars are SO reliable, and have so few problems, Lexus should just replace my car now as a goodwill gesture, rather than me continue to have all this hassle. That would redeem them in my estimations and would ensure that I buy my next car from them when this one is three years old. The loan IS200 I have is lovely! No rattle!

If Lexus want to push themselves as a premium car manufacturer, they should act like one. My car is not up to standard and should be FIXED or REPLACED. Promptly.

An update:

My Lexus dealer could not find the cause of the rattle that my car had. Lexus said they would continue to look for the problem until they found the cause. Thankfully, my dealer agreed to replace the car for a new one - for a price. However, the cost to me wasn't that great and was far below the value the car would have lost in the six months I owned it.

I picked up my new car a couple of days ago - with no rattle! I was really pleased!

Lexus, however, do need to beef up their PDI checks. I washed the car the day after I got it (so that I could check it over carefully) only to find that the paint was marked on the boot lid and the black surround on one of the doors was chipped.

I took the car back to the dealer and they fixed the paintwork. It seems that if water gets under the cover that the car is delivered to the dealer in, the paint gets marked. They got the marks out without any problems. They also put some touch up paint on the inside of the door. You can hardly notice the mark now.

So, all in all, I'm very happy with my new car and hope that it now serves me well. I'm very pleased that my local Lexus dealer agreed to change the car. In doing this, they have ensured that I will look at buying another Lexus in the future.

Overpriced toyota altezza. 0-60 in 10.5sec. shameful.