Lexus IS200 SE - Winner

Advantages: Looks, Engine, Specs
Disadvantages: Fuel Consumption, Tyre Wear

...I bought my Lexus IS200 SE in January 2006 and it's safe to say it is the best car I've ever had. The build quality is rock solid, it handles brilliantly and as for the cabin, it is an extremely pleasant place to be. The car is aimed squarely at the BMW 3-series, and just like it's main rival, it is a beautifully balanced, rear-wheel drive sports saloon. The engine is a 6-pot peach and this is it's main advantage over the BMW, which in it's 2 litre variant, only comes with 4 cylinders. The engine is smooth, refined and has VVT-i so at 4500 rpm, you get a kick in the back and the car surges forward even faster. With 153bhp, the engine is quite good for a 2 litre and has a little more power then the BMW rival. Obviously it's not a pocket rocket like a Civic VTR or Toyota Celica but the engine is more relaxed and a lot less fizzy then...

barnardo64 08.03.2007 · Read review
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Review of Lexus IS 200 2.0 24v

Lexus IS200 better than a BMW 323

Advantages: Lexus is good looking, jam packed with extras as standard, quite exclusive
Disadvantages: Not as fast as a BMW323, doesn't have quite the Snob Factor

...,000 and does not need any extras. - It's extras are second to none (auto headlights, in-dash multiplay cd, 17inch allows, climate control, the list goes on and on). - It has a 2.0 v6 VVTI engine which is very good (but the 0-60 speed is not brilliant). - It is still quite exclusive. To conclude, I now own a W Reg Black Lexus IS 200 Sport - it is a fantastic car, very comfortable! For those who want a bit more speed, Lexus are releasing an IS300 in June 2001 which has the GS300's engine and has a 0-60 of just over 7secs retailing around GBP27,000 - If only I could've waited 1.5yrs, hehe!...

lud 15.08.2000 · Read review
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Review of Lexus IS 200 2.0 24v

Wouldnt swap IS200 for anything else in class

Advantages: Excellent Service, Smooth ride, luxurious interior
Disadvantages: Alloy Wheels and CD Changer

...I worked for a Japanese firm some years ago and saw a Lexus for the first time being chaffeur driven and my first impressions were of the brand being a Japanese Volvo both in styling and performance with little extras. I was therefore a little hesitant when purchasing my Is200 from a friend last year but the price was too tempting and I felt I should give the brand a chance. I am glad that I did. Having owned a number of "Top Name, Performance" cars in my time I was somewhat surprised by the performance given by the Is200 overall. The drive is smooth and the steering incredibly responsive. I love the driving position and feel very comfortable and secure. There are other sedan's on the market which feel like driving rollerskates at high speed but the Is200 feels robust. I had an accident last summer on the M1 at about 80 miles an hour...

scottle77 21.07.2004 · Read review
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Review of Lexus IS 200 2.0 24v

Alan Partridge Eat Your Heart Out

Advantages: Good level of equipment, comfortable, sporty
Disadvantages: Slightly sluggish with auto, cramped interior, poor boot space

...responsible for it for the next three years. I couldn't wait. I wanted rear wheel drive. I wanted that sweet-sounding straight six-cylinder engine. I wanted climate control and cruise control, toys galore. I wanted a BMW 320SE. Sadly, a trip to the BMW dealership revealed my worst fears: a 320 of any description was outside of my budget, especially as I was looking for an automatic gearbox as well. Even a 318 was pushing my luck. It was time to reset my goals once again (after all, I was only 27, three more years to go til I was 30). Lexus, on the other hand, had just released their new executive saloon challenger: the IS200. Available in three flavours, S, SE and Sport, the IS200 offered rear wheel drive, a sweet-sounding straight six-cylinder engine and by an amazing fluke of Japanese ingenuity even the entry level S model...

markd_uk 27.09.2004 · Read review
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Review of Lexus IS 200 2.0 24v

Having owned one for a year what do I think?

Advantages: Customer Service, Build Quality, Value for Money
Disadvantages: Alloy Wheel Salt Erosion Pitting

...I purchased my Lexus IS 200 SE Auto in October 2003. Having owned and Audi, a Mercedes and a BMW I was immediately struck by the professionalism and keenness of the staff at the dealership. A sort of eagerness to please I had not seen in many years. That feeling is something I still get now whenever I deal with them. The IS 200 is not an uncommon car. You see lots of them around, rather like the ubiquitous 3 series BMW. However, the point is that they are that bit different both in looks and in substance. On my first drive two things struck me, apart from the instrument cluster which in spite of its unusual design (copying a sports watch in design) is surprisingly easy to get used to and read. First was the total lack of rattles, creaks or squeaks. Second was the smoothness of the drivetrain and mechanics. The engine is...

FantasticMrFox 12.08.2004 · Read review
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Review of Lexus IS 200 2.0 24v

Beautiful Car ... but with very irritating flaw.

Advantages: Features, Build Quality, Safety, Looks, Reliable
Disadvantages: Painfully Under-Powered at Low Revs

...equipment (Gee-Whiz!! perhaps, .... Gasp!! .... even, air-con if I was lucky!?!!) or for a shade under £20,000 (at the time in 2001) I could get a 'Fully-Loaded' as Standard Lexus IS200 with the following spec: Air Conditioning with Climate Control, Heated Leather Seats, Totally Electrically Adjustable 6 Speaker Sound System with 6-Disc Autochanger Built-in, Elec Windows, Elec Folding and heated Wing Mirrors, 2-Litre 6 Cylinder 153BHP Variable Valve Timing 24-Valve All Alloy Engine 6 Speed Manual Close Ratio Gearbox 17" 5-Spoke Alloys Electronically Managed Traction Control, Stability Control and ABS 4 Airbags (Front Driver and Passenger + Side Driver and Passenger) Front Windscreen De-Icer (as well as rear of course) Electric Sunroof Rear Boot/Trunk That opens remotely (i.e without you having to physically touch it) State...

Whinger 05.08.2004 (25.08.2004) · Read review
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Review of Lexus IS 200 2.0 24v

Pleasure seekers apply here.

Advantages: Stylish, bullet proof build, tons of equipment and not a BMW.
Disadvantages: Poor fuel consumption and performance for it's class and not a BMW.

...to impress European snob values. Years later it is regarded as a fine car, but people still can?t get past the fact that it isn?t a German limo. In 1999, Lexus launched the IS200 ? aimed at the executive sports saloon market. King of the sports saloons was, and still is, the BMW 3 series. Fine engines, great driving experience, bags of driveway kudos and built so solidly that you would think it was carved out of granite. Nobody in Europe has been able to shift the 3 series from the top of every thrusting exec?s wish list (who said yuppies were a thing of the past) but Lexus were undaunted and decided to clone this winning formula. Just like the 3 series, the IS200 got a straight six 2.0 litre engine, rear wheel drive, sporty, and aggressive styling. Everything, in fact, to make it look like a strong contender ? on paper...

eduardob 29.01.2004 · Read review
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Review of Lexus IS 200 2.0 24v

Be different & turn heads

Advantages: Lexus quality
Disadvantages: none

...Placed my order 18 months before delivery. If it has the Lexus name on it, you can be sure that it is of the highest quality. Lexus, "The relentless pusuit of excellence". 100% correct. This car out performs all in its class. What Car? wont even test it against the average 3 series BMW, C class Merc, Audi A4 or Alfa 155 in a latest test. They know the IS200 beats them all. Superb engine performance, power when you need it, even in 6th gear. Handles like a 4 wheel drive and as confortable as your favorite arm chair and a stereo system that is better than at home. Test drive one and I dare you not to place an order. 40000 miles, not one problem. Can't wait till they bring out the Mark two version!...

InspectorGadget 02.08.2000 · Read review
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Review of Lexus IS 200 2.0 24v

Going somewhere

Advantages: Good looks and sporty appearance
Disadvantages: Lack of performance / power

...there can be hard work. The IS200 comes with traction control as standard. A simple push of a button disables this feature. Which in turn this makes it a bit more fun to drive!!!!! Now for the embarrassing thing. While out on my jollies I came to some road works out in a remote country lane. Sat in front of me was a MKII golf Gti. As the lights turned to green the golf accelerated away. Now’s my chance, lets get these six cylinders singing. YER RIGHT. The old golf completely destroyed the IS200, accelerating away as if I had left the handbrake on!!!!!!!!! After returning the car I can’t say that I was disappointed to get back into my own car. On the whole the car has potential, but Toyota / Lexus have for some reason decided not to release it. The latest billboards for the IS200 ask: Going somewhere?? My...

Slideways 31.03.2001 · Read review
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Review of Lexus IS 200 2.0 24v

A Delight to Own "This cant be yours, son"

Advantages: Rare, Stylish, Sporty, Good Handling, Smooth Automatic
Disadvantages: Fuel Economy

...The words of the police my very first night driving (passed on the 23rd of May 2005)... as I mentioned, I'm 18 and drive one of these. Now I don't own it, it is a company car since 2002 and it has served myself and my dad well. Our previous car was also a Lexus IS200 so really, we have had one of these for 6 years. Firstly, the looks of the car are brilliant for such an old design. This car was released in 1998 and has not had a yearly facelift like the BMWs and Audis you see... this is either Lexus being lazy (very doubtful from the Japanese) or the fact that the design is timeless and always admired. Don't forget that this car started the whole "lexus lights" craze with boy racers which you may or may not like but it means that you always get people looking at your car as it is seen as a bit of an icon by younger people. From...

HBarton 05.09.2005 · Read review
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Review of Lexus IS 200 2.0 24v