2001 Lexus IS200 SE from UK and Ireland - Comments

All alloy wheels have had some corrosion and have been replaced once. They are still corroding!

CD player occasionally gets stuck so that it doesn't recognize a CD and it gets jammed inside the player.

I have an annoying little rattle from somewhere in the drivers side dash.

I do 20-25k miles per year and most of this on motorways. The paint across the front of the bonnet is not holding up too well.

I lover the car, it's just a shame that the things which have gone wrong are annoying little niggles rather than showstoppers.

The car seats are very comfortable, but I feel they would benefit from lumbar support also.

Having driven it for nearly two years, I am now finding it a little underpowered in the lower gears and so low pressutre turbo wouldn't go amiss.

Tires have lasted well. I'm still on my first set. Good for a low profile tire despite what I read before I bought it.

Rear leg room is good compared with others in its class. I tested BMW 3 series and didn't find that as comfortable as the Lexus.

I would definitely consider another IS200 for my next car if it were a little more economical. I struggle to get more than 30 mpg, whereas I have colleagues with BMW 320 who gets 34+ mpg regularly and drives his car harder than I drive mine.

I also own an IS200 SE, Oct 2001 registered (new 2002 model with curtain airbags and some other cosmetic touches) and have corrosion on all 4 alloy wheels. Initially I thought it was run of the mill as a few I've seen have the same problem. I will ask the dealer to look at them and replace them at the next service.

I too have a Lexus IS200 SE. I don't see the corrosion problems other have seen. However, I definitely seem to be burning rubber on the front inside of the tyre and the service dept tell me this is normal. After 25,000 miles I have already replaced two front Bridgestone RE040Z tyres, and now I'm ready to change all four. At over £150 a tyre I feel they should last a fair bit longer.

Tyre problem is a know fault, in that the active camber of the suspension is not set correctly. It has two settings, unloaded / loaded and is a balancing act by Lexus on ride quality versus handling. Some Lexus dealers have been known to swap the tyres of cars at service without charging owner on return of the car.

Otherwise check out web suppliers of tyres, you can get Avon ZZ3's for 60-80GBP delivered (then pay about 10GBP to garage to fit them or the Lexus Is specific Dunlop's or Michelin's for 100, not 150-180 as per main dealer mark up.

Most important, note mileages when fitting and get the camber checked, if in doubt visit www.lexusownersclub.co.uk for hints. Why let this spoil a perfectly good car, eg my sisters has the prob, mine doesn't - both identical IS200 of same year.

Give up and buy a 3 series! You all know you want one!! I would think that 25,000 from as set of tyres is fair enough.

I own a Lexus IS200 which I bought 3 months ago. I test drove a BMW 3 Series a number of times before buying the Lexus.

The BMW may have slightly better handling and look that little bit more stylish, but these cars are so common on the road it put me off the idea of owning one.

In all departments with the exception of the two mentioned the lexus is equal to the Beemer in every respect. In fact the IS200 is more comfortable on poor roads and sounds better.

BMWs seem to be driven by people who aren't concerned about what they are designed for. Driving.