Lexus IS220d Executive or alternative

deepimpact

Hey guys, need to get a car to replace my current driver (N47 BMW e60, nothing more to say).

I'm looking for a decent saloon sized car roughly the same size as the e60, preferably as high spec interior as possible and decent power. Ride comfort isn't as important, I'm used to the lower suspension in the M-Sport. I don't think I can justify a diesel any more, I've done only 20k km so far this year and I probably won't do much more coming up to the end of year. Budget up to €10k, but could stretch a little if the car is right.

The local garage where I'm based has a 2007 Lexus IS220d Executive model. I know it's diesel, but it has a fairly decent spec. They have FSH themselves (Hyundai garage). Not too concerned about tax, reliability is more important to me.

What's the engine like on the IS220d? I've read it's a bit unrefined. I'd also rather not have another disaster like the N47 on my hands.

Chemical Brother

Go for a Yaris

colm_mcm

Is220 is roughly the same size as a corolla. The engine is horrid and not especially reliable.
Get an Is250. It feels like a proper Lexus. It is still smaller than your e60 by a good way though but it's got a lovely smooth 6 pot. Auto is the way to go on these.

Mark Levinson sound system is a must apparently.

deepimpact

Thanks.
I definitely don't have my heart set on that particular Lexus.
Lots of models to choose from, just trying to find one that hasn't been engineered horribly.
I don't have a car atm, just a loaner so I'm looking to get something sorted in the next couple of weeks. No brand loyalty, looking at an Octavia VRS tomorrow so at least I'll have a couple of options.

bazz26

Out of the fire and into the furnace OP. :pac:

KwackerJack

I had a 2006 IS250 2.5 V6

Very nice auto gearbox with steering paddle shift and very quick. Really comfy and great spec, handles very well.

I did drive the diesel version and was pretty bored!

I consider the IS250 so good I actually missed it when I traded her for a 2.7 Porsche Boxster.........still cried when I sold the boxter however!!

bazz26

Merc C Class OP?



http://www.driving.ie/used-cars/Mercedes-Benz/C-Class/200-AUTOMATIC,AMG/2357391194862002213/

Oafley Jones

I miss my 250. Superb reliability. Bit crap in terms of space. Don't go near the manual or the 220d.

Soarer

There's a 08 GS450h on DoneDeal with a while for €12k. Tax is only €720pa or something. He might bite at €10k.

All the car you'll ever need.

James Bond Junior

colm_mcm wrote: »

Mark Levinson sound system is a must apparently.

And a Ford Focus tailgating you.

Rackstar

James Bond Junior wrote: »

And a Ford Focus tailgating you.

My favourite boards post ever.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=96443825&postcount=768

BobBobBobBob

http://www.autostadt.ie/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=19522

Looks straight and decent.

colm_mcm

BobBobBobBob wrote: »

http://www.autostadt.ie/phpbb3/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=19522

Looks straight and decent.

Members only.

BobBobBobBob

colm_mcm wrote: »

Members only.

Oooh.

She's a 2006 vRS TSFI manual for 6500 snots.

bazz26

Seems a bit expensive to me for a 10 year old petrol vRS. You'd surly buy a 07 Golf GTi for that sort of money?

grogi

bazz26 wrote: »

Seems a bit expensive to me for a 10 year old petrol vRS. You'd surly buy a 07 Golf GTi for that sort of money?

At that vintage I'd stop looking at the age, condition is much more important. vRS or GTi is not a car that was bought to only be driven gently...

deepimpact

Thanks for the advice. I've been looking at a few options. Have a car sorted for the meantime, so I'm not in a hurry to buy this side of December.

Going to have a look at that Merc at the weekend hopefully bazz, looks like a clean car.
Soarer, is this the one you mean?

ShadowHearth

scanlant wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. I've been looking at a few options. Have a car sorted for the meantime, so I'm not in a hurry to buy this side of December.

Going to have a look at that Merc at the weekend hopefully bazz, looks like a clean car.
Soarer, is this the one you mean?

That one is lovely, but 12k eu. you could buy some clean ones 06-07 for 6k and pretty much have left over money to pay tax for 6 years ( if you take in to account 750eu for the 08 one )
Then again, in few years 06 one will have a value of pretty much zero and 08 one will still keep some of its value due to lower tax. All those maths hehe, as I was looking at gs 450h myself.

Soarer

scanlant wrote: »

Thanks for the advice. I've been looking at a few options. Have a car sorted for the meantime, so I'm not in a hurry to buy this side of December.

Going to have a look at that Merc at the weekend hopefully bazz, looks like a clean car.
Soarer, is this the one you mean?

Aye, that's the one. She's been up for a while.

ShadowHearth wrote: »

That one is lovely, but 12k eu. you could buy some clean ones 06-07 for 6k and pretty much have left over money to pay tax for 6 years ( if you take in to account 750eu for the 08 one )
Then again, in few years 06 one will have a value of pretty much zero and 08 one will still keep some of its value due to lower tax. All those maths hehe, as I was looking at gs 450h myself.

That the quandary everyone has with them. A 07 would be literally half the price, which would pay a lot of road tax. But then, stumping up €1800pa for tax would be a right kick in the balls.

ShadowHearth

Soarer wrote: »

Aye, that's the one. She's been up for a while.



That the quandary everyone has with them. A 07 would be literally half the price, which would pay a lot of road tax. But then, stumping up €1800pa for tax would be a right kick in the balls.

Just little maths I did:

12k Car + (5x750eu tax) = 15.750eu 5 years ownership "value after 5 years maybe 5k eu due to low tax)
6k car + ( 5x1800eu tax) = 15000eu 5 years ownership "value after 5 years FECK ALL"

So looks like you are better off buying 08 actually if you do plan keeping car for 5 years. If you keeping it for 1-2 years, you better off going for 06-07, but I still think that 6k for 450h is a bit steep. You way better off going gs300.

3k car + (5x1500eu tax) = 8.5k "value after 5 years FECK ALL"

450h is nice and 350hp freaking gives explosive boners, but I dont think that gs300 would be worse buy and its still very nice economical engine with 250hp. Though it does not have that awesome needle that shows how much power you use.