Saying goodbye to my first car.
Saying goodbye to my first car.
My IS200 had its rear end reorganised last week, the damage wasn't huge, but it was enough to tip the car past economical repair. It is due an MOT and needs money spending anyway. I'll be collecting a green IS300 tomorrow afternoon to replace the 200, and I have been reflecting on the times I've had because of the IS.
I bought the car in the summer of 2011 from Cornwall. It was a bog standard IS200 sport in granite sky, with beige interior. I'd found the car online and decided it was a good excuse to take a trip back to Perranporth; this had the added bonus of being able to hang out with my dad for a long weekend and catch some surf.
What I didn't know then, is the journey this car would take me on. The first show I went to was a few months later; JAE 2011. I'd signed up to the OJC about a month in advance and never met anyone from the club. I rocked up to the club stand, parked the car and was greeted by a slightly drunk DaveEdin, who immediately questioned my sexuality in a loud barrage Scottish sounding verbal abuse. This, it would seem, set the tone for my time with the OJC. That and Stav's launch control.
Fortunately, I learned very quickly that I was among friends:
![[Image: k8HePyW.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/k8HePyW.jpg)
After that weekend, I was hooked. Obviously the first thing that had to go was the beige:
![[Image: PFjBbWv.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/PFjBbWv.jpg)
![[Image: hTW1yNX.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/hTW1yNX.jpg)
Then I took a quick trip to an army base to meet LexusPat for the first time and swap our boot lids over:
![[Image: b4vkJDe.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/b4vkJDe.jpg)
A decision that I'm sure Pat regrets to this day, but a new friend was made.
After that, I'd got the modification bug. Naturally, I had to sort out that tractor spec ride height, so I got some MeisterR's and a set of TRD antiroll bars:
![[Image: RSmJGyr.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/RSmJGyr.jpg)
I fitted these with my dad, which was a laugh and a good memory.
While I was at it, I had a brief period as a drug dealer:
![[Image: alng1h0.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/alng1h0.jpg)
This had some unintended effects on the handling, at which point I took a trip to WIM, discovering that I needed new tyres in the process:
![[Image: DIutRyO.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/DIutRyO.jpg)
![[Image: KS5SNNj.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/KS5SNNj.jpg)
Tony asked me how I managed to get there without crashing, but I was very pleased with the results of his work.
I attempted to become JDM as F*ck yo by fitting a bride seat:
![[Image: 4gtpScY.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/4gtpScY.jpg)
This seat lasted all of 20 minutes, as it was ridiculously low and gave me cramp in both legs within minutes of driving. At this point, I decided to keep the Altezza seats that I'd acquired from Kevpr.
I then moved to Manchester. I took the car off the road for 4 months while I was a student again, as the tax and MOT ran out and I was being a pikey. At this point, I fitted the 4 pot UCF20 brakes. And by that, I mean MattLaw fitted them. This was my first introduction to Matt, but we had many adventures together:
![[Image: djNLGSi.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/djNLGSi.jpg)
![[Image: ZHOVujF.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/ZHOVujF.jpg)
![[Image: IoLR98u.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/IoLR98u.jpg)
![[Image: Chvqkhq.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/Chvqkhq.jpg)
![[Image: iOv1xjR.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/iOv1xjR.jpg)
I also replaced my drug dealer rims at this point:
![[Image: qVvEpFF.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/qVvEpFF.jpg)
After a while, I decided it was time for some ICE. I went back to another OJC member that I'd become very good friends with by this point; Toxo, master guru of all things stereo and keeper of the ratmouse.
We pimped out my cabin with an under seat sub:
![[Image: upyIo4e.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/upyIo4e.jpg)
That was the last mod I made to the IS200. I didn't know it at the time, but that's the nature of having cars as a hobby.
The point of this post, is to highlight that I've made a ton of friends thanks to this car and the places it's taken me. These are friends that span the country and people I will most likely be in touch with for the rest of my life. All of this was down to one car, a bit of enthusiasm and a fantastic community.
So thanks to you all, and I look forward to wherever the next car takes me.
To the IS200, we had some times together; farewell...
![[Image: Ku7YQzA.jpg]](http://i.imgur.com/Ku7YQzA.jpg)
el_bandido
13-06-2021, 01:57 PM #1Well, ladies and gents, the time has come;
My IS200 had its rear end reorganised last week, the damage wasn't huge, but it was enough to tip the car past economical repair. It is due an MOT and needs money spending anyway. I'll be collecting a green IS300 tomorrow afternoon to replace the 200, and I have been reflecting on the times I've had because of the IS.
I bought the car in the summer of 2011 from Cornwall. It was a bog standard IS200 sport in granite sky, with beige interior. I'd found the car online and decided it was a good excuse to take a trip back to Perranporth; this had the added bonus of being able to hang out with my dad for a long weekend and catch some surf.
What I didn't know then, is the journey this car would take me on. The first show I went to was a few months later; JAE 2011. I'd signed up to the OJC about a month in advance and never met anyone from the club. I rocked up to the club stand, parked the car and was greeted by a slightly drunk DaveEdin, who immediately questioned my sexuality in a loud barrage Scottish sounding verbal abuse. This, it would seem, set the tone for my time with the OJC. That and Stav's launch control.
Fortunately, I learned very quickly that I was among friends:
After that weekend, I was hooked. Obviously the first thing that had to go was the beige:
Then I took a quick trip to an army base to meet LexusPat for the first time and swap our boot lids over:
A decision that I'm sure Pat regrets to this day, but a new friend was made.
After that, I'd got the modification bug. Naturally, I had to sort out that tractor spec ride height, so I got some MeisterR's and a set of TRD antiroll bars:
I fitted these with my dad, which was a laugh and a good memory.
While I was at it, I had a brief period as a drug dealer:
This had some unintended effects on the handling, at which point I took a trip to WIM, discovering that I needed new tyres in the process:
Tony asked me how I managed to get there without crashing, but I was very pleased with the results of his work.
I attempted to become JDM as F*ck yo by fitting a bride seat:
This seat lasted all of 20 minutes, as it was ridiculously low and gave me cramp in both legs within minutes of driving. At this point, I decided to keep the Altezza seats that I'd acquired from Kevpr.
I then moved to Manchester. I took the car off the road for 4 months while I was a student again, as the tax and MOT ran out and I was being a pikey. At this point, I fitted the 4 pot UCF20 brakes. And by that, I mean MattLaw fitted them. This was my first introduction to Matt, but we had many adventures together:
I also replaced my drug dealer rims at this point:
After a while, I decided it was time for some ICE. I went back to another OJC member that I'd become very good friends with by this point; Toxo, master guru of all things stereo and keeper of the ratmouse.
We pimped out my cabin with an under seat sub:
That was the last mod I made to the IS200. I didn't know it at the time, but that's the nature of having cars as a hobby.
The point of this post, is to highlight that I've made a ton of friends thanks to this car and the places it's taken me. These are friends that span the country and people I will most likely be in touch with for the rest of my life. All of this was down to one car, a bit of enthusiasm and a fantastic community.
So thanks to you all, and I look forward to wherever the next car takes me.
To the IS200, we had some times together; farewell...
Here's to many more years of forging new memories with the new ride
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
![[Image: GS_Sig_zps36aacb27.jpg]](http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b388/datsun_laurel/GS_Sig_zps36aacb27.jpg)
Other rides: Datsun Laurel, Nissan X-Trail, Nissan Sunny
LexIS200Sport
13-06-2021, 08:07 PM #2Very well written and touching to read mate. RIP IS200 and congratulations on the IS300.
Here's to many more years of forging new memories with the new ride
Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
Other rides: Datsun Laurel, Nissan X-Trail, Nissan Sunny
![[Image: LexuS-Copy.jpg]](http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h204/Sparkystav/LexuS-Copy.jpg)
Read my thread here: The Evolution of my Turbo Lexus from NA-Supercharged-Twin Turbo-Massive Single
Please leave your comments.
Sparkystav
14-06-2021, 12:29 AM #3Sad day mate......I mean the day you arrived at jae.....only joking
Read my thread here: The Evolution of my Turbo Lexus from NA-Supercharged-Twin Turbo-Massive Single
Please leave your comments.
reganlives
16-06-2021, 04:03 AM #5Well written mate! Best of luck with the 300. I'll have to pop round sometime and have a look at it.
Rabster think of the fun you will have now you have learnt a thing or to from the 200 that served you well
Yep, the new car doesn't "feel" right yet, but I think that's because I haven't put my stamp on it. The most important thing I've learned is to keep things simple, which will be something carried forward when the 300 gets modified.
Edit: well, it's official; as of midnight the car will be off the road for good.
el_bandido
16-06-2021, 08:15 AM #7Rabster think of the fun you will have now you have learnt a thing or to from the 200 that served you well
Yep, the new car doesn't "feel" right yet, but I think that's because I haven't put my stamp on it. The most important thing I've learned is to keep things simple, which will be something carried forward when the 300 gets modified.
Edit: well, it's official; as of midnight the car will be off the road for good.
Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk
![[Image: FB_IMG_1474048273787_zpsnbfq6a3s.jpg]](http://i1227.photobucket.com/albums/ee440/davis5835/Mobile%20Uploads/FB_IMG_1474048273787_zpsnbfq6a3s.jpg)
Skyline mod
Stereo (done)
Coilovers
Sub.
Everything else is going.
el_bandido
20-06-2021, 03:21 AM #10So far, the only things to stay will be:
Skyline mod
Stereo (done)
Coilovers
Sub.
Everything else is going.
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