lexus - talk to me
lexus - talk to me
the legnum is too much of a money pit so i am looking for a cheap runaround to last me up to 18 months while i save for a fresh import but i dont want a noddy car. i have seen an IS200 for under a grand so they may be a possibility but i dont know anything about them as a marque. what variants are available with a lexus badge and what should i be looking out for in terms of weak points? its a runaround so im not looking at spending more than £1000 on whatever i pick up
just out of interest, what is the stud pattern on them? the reason i am asking is that i have a set of very rare lightweight alloys that i cant use on my car as they dont clear brembos but rather than sell them, they might fit a lexus. they are 5 x 114.3 multifit (i think they also fit 5 x 100) 18 x 8 wedssport SA55BBMs
With the is200 mate all the engines are the same.
S, SE, and Sport models. Basically differing trim levels, S being the lowest.
Sport gets an LSD and slightly lower suspension.
The rims will fit, may be a bit snug but will go on.
In terms of weak points, water in drivers footwell electrics if it's had a new screen. Make sure cam belt has been done or do it ASAP after 60k.
Lol 90% of the forum is about IS200's - there is nothing to learn other than the pages of info and owners observations here
They will cost you a bomb to run and are not very quick unless you spend your entire time about 4000rpm, but they are very comfortable. Definitely entry level to luxury though, you might be able to pick up a similar age GS300 for not much more but it will be auto.
i lvoe the is200 but again listening to owners some say they are exspensive to run.why not try a gs300 i have a gs300 sport they are a 3 litre non turbo straight six engine same as the mk4 supra.ive had mine since 2009 good cars very comportable mine not to bad to run.only things to watch out for are top and bottom front ball joints which are common ive had mine done when i bought it in 2009.ive had a staineless steel exhaust fitted.you can pick these car up on ebay for under £1000 pound no problem.look after them and they look after you.
in what sense are they expensive to run? i get around 200 miles to a tank of premium petrol so if we are talking fuel consumption, they cant be that bad can they?
i am thinking of another galant V6. i have one as a donor car now which needs to go to make room for the VR4 which will be a donor car eventually but i need a cheap runaround to save up for a fresh import VR4 so the current one can donate all its goodies
I get about 300 miles from a tank on mine which is fairly average consumption I think, unless you're hooning it about that a good estimate to work on. The tax is high at £265/12 months.
If you do a lot of urban driving the LSD will increase rear tyre wear more than a stock model, and the insurance is high for what is a relatively slow car.
But they are lovely cars to be in, and very reliable too.
im probably looking at around a 1999 car so it will be the old tax system. fuel wont be as bad as the legnum. insurance will be cheaper too.
on the other hand i have a shedload (literally a garden shed full) of spares for a galant plus the old car still on the drive with even more bits in and on it. plus a legnum which will become a donor car next time it needs a 3 figure sum spending on it. sticking with a galant does make more sense
I get just over 300 miles to a tank, which is either 60 or 70L I can't remember. They are not very good on fuel at all.
70 litre tanks in the 200 and 300