2000 Lexus IS200 Sport from UK and Ireland - Comments

No faults whatsoever.

BMW should be very worried. Apart from a slight lack of power and lack of engine choice, my own experience with both cars tells me the IS200 is better built, looks nicer (in my opinion), handles better and has better dealers than the 3 series.

The funky swiss-watch style dash is superb and a welcome change from the BMW-style Teutonic slab of plastic that graces most interiors of these kind of cars. The Mark Levinson stereo is an example to everyone (and a welcome sight for hi-fi buffs), engine is sweet and chassis and build are first class. Dealers also bend over backwards to help, but don't charge the earth for the privilege. Could we just have a larger engine option please - stretch that lovely straight six to about 2.8 litres and 200 bhp, and my only real criticism of the car - it's relative lack of performance and flexibility - would be addressed.

Badge snobs who plump for a 318i are missing out big time, but then we wouldn't want the IS200 to become as common as the 3 series, would we?

I purchased an Lexus IS200 Sport new in June 2003. It has been with the dealer for 7 weeks (6 weeks continuous) to try to rectify a knocking noise from the front wheels when you go over a pot-hole or speed bump. Lexus have said it is because of the 18" wheels and low profile tyres and it is a "characteristic" of the car. This is a "characteristic" I don't want in a car. If so, don't put 18" wheels on the car. The IS200 has been nothing, but a headache to me. 4 months of ownership is, for me, 4 months too long.

This review is bang on, I couldn't have put it better myself. My only two gripes are that the fuel economy is only 29mpg on the combined cycle, whereas most family 2.0 cars, ie Mondeo return close to 36mpg (and performance figures don't tend to differ much). That said the 6 cylinder engine sounds awesome. Other gripe is the cabin space.

To the first comment stop comparing lexus with the bmw you only have to look in your car dealers and you will probably find more second hand lexus, s than you see on the road. OK they have a nice sounding straight 6 mpg about 22 around town 30ish on the motorway a 3ltr bm does that and besides if I seen 1 lexus on the road and 10 bmw, s I think questions would be raised as to why there is only 1 lexus on the road think about resale value.

Resale value is a lot better on a Lexus than on a BMW and you get a lot more for your money in terms of equipment. Lexus has also just came top of the national dealer survey.

P.S Why are you reading Lexus reviews if you have a beamer, are you thinking of swapping? If so do it.

I am tired reading these reviews and references to BMW badge snobbery. The plain fact is that BMW are possibly the best cars on the road in terms of engineering, quality and solidity. The IS200 is a rebadged Toyota Alteeza and the benchmark car used by Lexus when developing the IS was the 3 series - hence the 6 cylinder engine and rear wheel drive. The 3 series offers a much wider range of models than the IS200. Personally I found the IS200 to be very cramped inside and I thought the fit and finish of the dashboard was cheap and tacky - awful in fact. In addition the exterior styling is nothing to write home about and it has hardly been a sales success. The new model is in a different league altogether and possibly a worthy alternative to the 3 series - the old model was a nice alternative to a Toyota Avensis or Honda Accord but certainly not a 3 series, A4 or C class.

"The plain fact is that BMW are possibly the best cars on the road in terms of engineering, quality and solidity"

Not according to JD Power, Which? and various other surveys measuring reliability and owner satisfaction. The Japanese companies walk this every year.

Of course, BMW engineering, quality and solidity is extremely impressive, and they are generally great to drive. However, you cannot dismiss the engineering and sheer effort in terms of R&D that goes into the more expensive Japanese cars, which is more than a match for the Germans. The E46 3 series also has a number of "common" faults and failures documented by various organisations and experts. These include turbo failures on diesels, suspension problems, injector problems, engine sensor failures, coil failures, water getting into the light clusters etc etc. The list goes on.

But please don't take my word for it. Look at:

reliabilityindex.co.uk

honestjohn.co.uk

parkers.co.uk

peachorlemon.co.uk

which.co.uk

These issues are documented in detail between these sites.

Usedcarexpert.co.uk also say the BMW has twice as many "common faults" as the Lexus.

A strong suggestion that your comment about BMW's all conquering quality and engineering is in fact nonsense.

Your point about the range of models is valid however, and I believe that I covered this in my original review.

Good heavens, if I wanted a boring, reliable Japanese tin box I would buy a Nissan Primera. I have owned several BMW 3 series cars and I have had very few problems - in fact nothing worth talking about. I cover almost 20,000 miles per annum and am not 'easy' on a car. Other reviews here on the IS200, would suggest that they too have their fair share of problems. In terms of a well rounded, supremely capable and satisfying car, the latest BMW 3 series is really hard to beat. The only aspect of the car I dislike is the exterior design. I did consider the new IS220d, but ultimately it left me cold and the turbo lag was annoying. It is just not as good as the 3 series - though it looks much better.

Your argument was that BMW's were the best cars on the road for engineering, quality and solidity. I still argue they are not, but what does the unanimous agreement of the used car experts matter? Common faults and quality engineering make uneasy bedfellows, surely.

Your other comments are nothing more than personal opinion, and mine disagrees with yours. My IS200, certainly in comparison to the E36 320i that was on sale at the same time (although the 318iSE would have been more comparable on price) was a better car. It wasn't a sleep depriving decision, for me anyway.

The fact that BMW sell more 3-series in the UK than Ford sell Mondeos suggest many agree with you, and good luck to them. Unfortunately with cars, one size does not fit all, and following the herd is not always the right thing to do for everyone. And I still have to be convinced that the Japanese are not the world's best engineers.

Got my dream motor, is200 Ltd, Superb in every way. Owned 14 cars inc BMW, Ford, Honda, MG, Mitsubishi, Vauxhall and Austin! (yes the one I would forget!)

So far I cannot fault the Lexus, it's like any car, drive it right and this straight six coupled with the handling will thrill you and excite you. BMW WHO? M series yes, I had a M5 when I was 19! That's the motor!