Lexus IS250, any good?

zweton

Hi Folks,

I am looking for a new car, have 10k to spend and recently the lexus has been pleasing my eye, whats the deal with them? are they reliable enough?
i like the one in the link below. What do ya think:)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/lexus/is250/used-2008-lexus-is250-very-low-dublin-fpa-200714382573802290

Squidgy Black

Uh oh.

zweton

haha

drunkmonkey

Used to own the diesel version had to be one of the worst feeling gearboxes ever in a car, it was also a complete pig on fuel. I presume the petrol is nicer to drive as they gearbox isn't so badly geared but I wouldn't like to be keeping fuel in it.
It's also very small in the back seats.

Saying that I loved the car, it's very comfortable and had loads of toys.
Don't think I could buy the petrol version at that money, it would be a very hard car to move on again mainly due to the high tax.

Don't want to put you off there a very nice car. I'd look for one with all the extras, heated and vented seats, etc there's a few poverty models out there. Also there's 2 taxes an early 08 I think is cheaper to text than a late 08.

Supergurrier

Really ?

Gavman84

I would have to have leather in a car like that. I would think they are fairly reliable. Auto would suit it too

drunkmonkey

Gavman84 wrote: »

I would have to have leather in a car like that. I would think they are fairly reliable. Auto would suit it too

Vented leather is a gift in them...saves your shirt being stuck to the seat..

Gumbo

Nice cars to honest.
If I was paying the 2.5 tax, would I buy one, no. There's better cars in that tax field in my personal opinion.

JBokeh

They are good cars,nothing more, nothing less. Make sure the usual faults have either been fixed or aren't there. Look on parkers for tips on what goes commonly, and user experiences. Either get the one with the Marc Levinson or Ali G sound system, otherwise you're wasting your time

Stheno

Is this a windup after recent events?

crasy dash

Ssssh he who can't be named might not see this haha

Stheno

crasy dash wrote: »

Ssssh he who can't be named might not see this haha

Not a fooking chance.

He'll be on it like a dog in heat.

Señor Fancy Pants

*subscribed

biko

On topic gentlemen.

zweton

i will give it a miss so, what would you recommend for around the 10 k mark? i also like the volvo s60 r design but may be a nice bit over 10k.
like the bmws too just not sure which one:) would i get a nice 3 series for that money?

drunkmonkey

530d or 535d if you don't mind the tax, the se is a lot more comfortable to drive than the msport. Loads in your budget, not much on the road can touch them.

zweton

nice but the tax would kill me, anything nice with low road tax.

colm_mcm

But you were considering a 2.5l?

zweton

my bad, i thought 08 + was low road tax.

ShaunieVW

zweton wrote: »

my bad, i thought 08 + was low road tax.

Not on a petrol only on the diesel because they emit low amounts of co2. Which we all know is an arseways way of measuring emissions!

Hachiko

Stheno wrote: »

Not a fooking chance.

He'll be on it like a dog in heat.

Hachiko

zweton wrote: »

Hi Folks,

I am looking for a new car, have 10k to spend and recently the lexus has been pleasing my eye, whats the deal with them? are they reliable enough?
i like the one in the link below. What do ya think:)

http://www.carzone.ie/used-cars/lexus/is250/used-2008-lexus-is250-very-low-dublin-fpa-200714382573802290

Best car I have had to date tbh, ignore 90% of people here as they will tell you buy a diesel tractor of sorts.

The IS250 Is a fantastic car, it's also not short of pace. 205hp is quite a bit more than that Audi A6 lump mentioned here.

At the end of the day its one of the most reliable petrol cars you can buy and at that mileage it is basically a brand new car, Specification on Irish cars is pretty rubbish compared to UK ones but you still get a fairly well kitted out yoke and all that reliability and comfort is standard.

The build quality is very good, rear legroom very bad. Economy is perfectly acceptable for a 204hp 2.5V6 and ignore anyone telling you buy a diesel, the v6 in this is far more refined. I had to put an induction kit on my own car as the car simply too quiet without it.

My next car is pretty certain going to be another Lexus after owning this one, can't see how I can get something else. Every man and his dog has a German car and they are not exactly the most reliable.

drunkmonkey

zweton wrote: »

nice but the tax would kill me, anything nice with low road tax.

An E-Class Mercedes 2008 with the 1.8 petrol engine is in Budget. (184bhp)

If 6 cylinders isn't on what makes a car nice list, it might suit you.
Probably not on your radar but an automatic gearbox in a luxury car is a must, and an absolute necessity in a Mercedes.

Hachiko

zweton wrote: »

my bad, i thought 08 + was low road tax.

moving on so, but please dont get a IS220d, its a nightmare going by the problems people have with them on Lexus owners uk.

Hachiko

drunkmonkey wrote: »

An E-Class Mercedes 2008 with the 1.8 petrol engine is in Budget. (184bhp)

If 6 cylinders isn't on what makes a car nice list, it might suit you.
Probably not on your radar but an automatic gearbox in a luxury car is a must, and an absolute necessity in a Mercedes.

1.8 Merc, think I will pass on that one.

The IS250 is not really that much of a Luxury car, hence them being in Manuals. Manual IS250s are more common in the USA, as you can tell from the orientation of the hand brake.
All the LS rage of course fall into Auto transmissions.

zweton

Any other ideas with something that would have low roadtax.

colm_mcm

For 10k you won't really get a low road tax reliable premium brand in good condition.

Hachiko

6 pot n/a BMWs? are they any lower cheap tax ?

Gumbo

Hachiko wrote: »

Best car I have had to date tbh, ignore 90% of people here

So ignore us if we say anything bad about the IS, but listen to is if we say anything good about it. Not sure how that works?

OP, I'd have an E60 525i or 530i over the IS anyway but it's personal choice. Drive them all and see what you like.

zweton wrote: »

Any other ideas with something that would have low roadtax.

With the budget, I'd rule out most premium brands including the IS I would have thought.

Hachiko

how much exactly is road tax on a 2.5 litre and what is the highest tax band? just trying to figure out how bad it is.

too bad you are snubbing that is250, can tell from the calipers it has not had much use. Why not enquire about it, maybe you can get it cheaper than the listed price and use the extra 'money' to tax it?

could at least take it for a drive, it's not like you have to buy it.

johnny osbourne

get a ford

Gumbo

Hachiko wrote: »

how much exactly is road tax on a 2.5 litre and what is the highest tax band? just trying to figure out how bad it is.

2.5 = €1080
3.0 or more = €1809

Both of those are for pre 2008 cars.
From 2008 the bands increase to €2200~ but the larger cars tend to drop into the lower bracket as CO2 improved.

zweton

The Mazda 6 is a nice looking car also. Don't know much about them though, seen a few 09/10 within price range.

Gumbo

zweton wrote: »

The Mazda 6 is a nice looking car also. Don't know much about them though, seen a few 09/10 within price range.

How can you go from looking at IS 250's to a Mazda 6?
What type of car are you actually looking for?

Hachiko

guys, tax is brutal.

That Lexus is a different league to a Mazda 6, If the OP got it for 8k it would be a bargain, spec is not great but he wont get Mark Levinson and leather and all that for 8k. He can at least make a call about it or take it for a drive, at that mileage is practically a new car.

blade1

What about a 2.0 Volvo S80.
I don't know much about them but seem very reasonably priced.

colm_mcm

What about a Laguna coupe?


http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-laguna-2-0-dci-150/9616791?offset=1

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/renault-laguna-2-0-dci-180-gt-mint-con/9922806?offset=4
Type stuff

Supergurrier

blade1 wrote: »

What about a 2.0 Volvo S80.
I don't know much about them but seem very reasonably priced.

There is good reason

Hachiko

colm_mcm wrote: »

What about a Laguna coupe?

renault laguna? seriously.

going from probably the most reliable petrol car you can get to a laguna.?

Volvo S80 might be worth a shot, wouldn't go near a laguna.

blade1

Supergurrier wrote: »

There is good reason

What is it?

colm_mcm

Hachiko wrote: »

renault laguna? seriously.

going from probably the most reliable petrol car you can get to a laguna.?

Volvo S80 might be worth a shot, wouldn't go near a laguna.

Yes a Laguna coupe. Low tax, decent reliability, not that common, good looks. Good standard equipment.

Not a premium brand, but may give the OP the bit of flash they desire.

OP has already ruled out the IS250 themselves.

I'm amused that you'd rule out a Renault - seemingly based on perceived reliability, but would consider an S80

zweton

Volvo s80 too bland looking, wouldn't fancy Laguna at all. Are is250 available in diesel at all?

Gumbo

zweton wrote: »

Are is250 available in diesel at all?

They are called an IS220d

colm_mcm

Is 220d is the diesel equivelant of the IS250. Uses an engine from a Massey Ferguson 165 though, which is grand for drawing bales but not that good for an aspirational premium junior saloon.

crasy dash

Always liked the look of the laguna you linked to Colm classy looking motor and rare nearly bought one but couldnt get a good price for a crappy auris i had at the time

colm_mcm

I'd have one in a heartbeat only I really need back doors.
I wouldn't really be interested in the normal Laguna though.

zweton

kceire wrote: »

They are called an IS220d

Ah ok canthey be recommended in general. As good as the is250 ?

Gumbo

zweton wrote: »

Ah ok canthey be recommended in general. As good as the is250 ?

Totally different cars.
Like comparing a BMW 325i with a BMW 320d.

Different performance, mpg and driving charteristics.

Hachiko

zweton wrote: »

Volvo s80 too bland looking, wouldn't fancy Laguna at all. Are is250 available in diesel at all?

if you read my post above I said avoid the is220, its the looks like but is not like version of the is250.

the title of the thread is is250 any good? answer is yes, very good.

If tax is too high why not make an enquiry, perhaps you can get it for less than you expect.

People telling you buy diesels is rubbish, I own a is250 and can verify how smooth and reliable it is, I am pretty sure I am the only poster here with one currently. I also think that one you linked is very good purely on the very low milage. Not many own them also so it will be good to drive something different.

Squidgy Black

I'd much rather pay the high tax on an IS250 than have an IS220

colm_mcm

The 220d is not to be recommended,
For a relative large engine, with a good PEAK power figure (177bhp) it is a pain to drive. There is no low down torque, you have to rev the engine high enough to get any bit of power. Then you have the oddly chosen gearbox with weird ratios and an unusable (below 90mph) 6th gear.
Next you get the not-so-good fuel consumption, the overly noisy engine, and the below-average reliability and the interior - which doesn't take the miles well.

kceire wrote: »

Totally different cars.
Like comparing a BMW 325i with a BMW 320d.

Different performance, mpg and driving charteristics.

The 320d is quite good for a diesel though.

More like comparing an e36 323i and a 318tds