Lexus IS200

ZANKOU

Hi all, first let me say this is a great site, I pop in from time to time but never post so this is my first time.
I'm thinking about buying a 99/2000 IS200 Lexus sport and I'm going looking at one tonight. When I was talking to the fella on the phone I don't think he was sure if the car was a sport model. My question is: are there much differances between the SE model and a sport model and what should I be looking out for when buying one?
Any advice will be great help. Thanks in advance.:)

PADRAIC.M

the main diffence was the 17 inch wheels and the limited slip differential and a few chrome bits inside, the SE came with 16s (all above are for the lrish ones, think some of the english se came with 17s)

Some suspension components are prone to wear, they are a common replacment on the IS200, the main concern is the relative thirst of the 6cyl engine, they are a far from frugal unit.

ZANKOU

Thanks lads, I did hear that the ball joints do wear but that wouldn't put me off. I drove a 200sx for a while and that car was like there was a hole in the petrol tank so I would hope the IS200 should be better. :cool:

Buford T Justice

The Sport one I had came with Semi Leather interior (cream) A/C and tinted rear windows, boot spoiler & Sunroof. I don't think that the SE model has all of them

ZANKOU

He did say it had half leather seats , tinted back windows & a sun roof so I'm a bit more confadent. It's just when I asked him what model it was he really didn't sound too sure. He just said he didn't have it long and needs to get rid as he's out of work now. I've heard of a lot of private car dealers saying that now.

aristo

ZANKOU wrote: »

Thanks lads, I did hear that the ball joints do wear but that wouldn't put me off. I drove a 200sx for a while and that car was like there was a hole in the petrol tank so I would hope the IS200 should be better. :cool:

I had an IS200 before the 200sx i have now and the IS200 was alot thirstier due to its weight, they are terribly underpowered, very comfy though

Mr Benevolent

OP are you buying the car based on it's looks or performance? Be warned, it doesn't have any performance, and it'll fly through the petrol.

Atomic Pineapple

aristo wrote: »

I had an IS200 before the 200sx i have now and the IS200 was alot thirstier due to its weight, they are terribly underpowered, very comfy though

As above an IS200 will be even thirstier than a 200sx!

bmw535d

i think the sport model had 150bhp and the se had 130. im open to correction though

bazz26

The 2.0 litre VVTi engine in the IS200 had 153bhp. The different trim levels all had the same engine with the same bhp. The only other engine offered was the 3.0 litre 211bhp offered in the very rare IS300.

Atomic Pineapple

bazz26 wrote: »

The 2.0 litre VVTi engine in the IS200 had 153bhp. The different trim levels all had the same engine with the same bhp. The only other engine offered was the 3.0 litre 211bhp offered in the very rare IS300.

Except if you go for a Japanese variant Toyota Altezza which is essentially the same car but with a 200bhp beams engine and a bodykit.

draffodx

draffodx wrote: »

Except if you go for a Japanese variant Toyota Altezza which is essentially the same car but with a 200bhp beams engine and a bodykit.

3SGE Toyota engine with dual VVTi

ZANKOU

Confab wrote: »

OP are you buying the car based on it's looks or performance? Be warned, it doesn't have any performance, and it'll fly through the petrol.

A bit of both. I love the look of the car and having the LSD is pulling me in even more. I saw one at a scuttong session once and I thought if was one of the best cars at it. Looks and proformance. I know there not very fast but I'm nit a fast driver. As long as it has the power to pass out a Sunday driver with out getting caught.

colm_mcm

I think the Sport ones also have massive rear speakers too.

Atomic Pineapple

ZANKOU wrote: »

As long as it has the power to pass out a Sunday driver with out getting caught.

Thats debatable!

What do you want from a car and whats your budget?

Are you restricted by insurance or anything?

ZANKOU

Well I was looking at a 99 Lexus. It's going for about 3k. I'm not limited by insurance. I'd like something rwd with a lsd for the fun.

ShadowHearth

ZANKOU wrote: »

Well I was looking at a 99 Lexus. It's going for about 3k. I'm not limited by insurance. I'd like something rwd with a lsd for the fun.

i whanted to buy one myself, even test drove one. honestly, i loved the driving experience, it feels so heavy and solid. Even when you open or close doors it feels like it would stand out a nuclear blast! :pac:

i newer bought it thought... Its very very heavy on petrol, not even considering performance!

You wount have much fun in underpowered heavy RWD m8. Thought you could go for altezza, same looks ( even better) and a nice beams 4 cyl engine. Dont expect 220hp of them, but it will be way more fun then is200.