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

...Whilst looking for a new Company car it resulted in a 'two horse race' - a Lexus IS200 Sport or a BMW 323SE... I Test Drove both cars for a weekend, this is my opinion of the two cars: BMW 323SE - Very nice looking car. - Well constructed and feels solid. - It has more standard extras than you would normally expect for a BMW (though this might be the SE badge that is wears). - It has a good engine (v6 2.5) and a fair level of power/speed. - You still need to buy additional optional extras in order to bring it up to specification of a standard Ford/Vauxhall/VW. - It is quiet expensive when you see what you get for your money (GBP24,000). - It is very common car. - It doesn't stand out from the crowd! Lexus IS200 Sport - a very attractive looking car. - It is well built. - Very well priced - the Sport is GBP23...

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

The Sound of Silence Lexus LS430

Advantages: Class. Just sheer class.
Disadvantages: Nothing

...When I write a car review, I generally try to give as balanced an opinion as possible in regard to a cars? relative merits or failings. The problem I faced when sitting down to write this review of the new model Lexus LS430, from Japanese manufacturers Toyota, was to find ANYTHING bad, or even slightly negative, to say about it. I have a friend in the limousine business, which explains how I found myself invited along for the morning as he put one of these beauties through its paces on an extended test drive. To be driven in a car of this refinement and luxury is a rare experience, to be savoured and relived for months afterwards. This car is an upgraded version of the ?old? Lexus LS400. The first thing that strikes you about the Lexus is the noise. Or rather, the absolute lack of it! Passengers and driver quite literally glide...

the_mad_cabbie 20.12.2000 · Read review
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Review of Lexus LS 400

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

The Lexus of Soarer Forums

Advantages: friendly, helpful, free, full of advice, parts for sale section, cars for sale section
Disadvantages: none

...A great place for Soarer (lexus/Toyota Soarer / SC400) owners to exchange information on some of the most underrated cars ever made. The Soarer club is a font of information about mechanical, electrical, bodywork and all such aspects. You quickly get help from the regulars and its a great place to pick up parts in the unlikely event your Soarer goes wrong. I joined just before I bought my Soarer and actually bought it from a member on there. I find it much friendlier than comparative places in the UK. The members are friendly and there is no membership fee. Once registered, you have access to the variety of forums including General, Mechanical, Electrical, Bodywork, Ask the Members, Parts for Sale and Meetings and Events. There is a for sale section on the site where people can sell their Soarers which is well worth a look...

fightgear 12.07.2007 · Read review
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Review of Lexus Soarer Owners' Club (UK)

Lexus 470 incarnate of Toyota Land Cruiser

Advantages: Sophisticate and more modern feature
Disadvantages: Price

...and more masculine. Feature : A new rear view camera is the only major addition to the LX 470. Standard side airbags, a new 5-speed transmission, and a newly available night-vision system highlight for Lexus's senior SUV. The V8 engine also got an additional 5 horsepower. A navigation system was standard instead of optional on Lexus's full-size SUV. The navigation system got revisions including multi route calculation, simplified graphics, and route preview, along with a faster computer and the ability to play DVD movies on its dashboard screen. Conclusion : Lexus 470 is a sophisticate car of luxurious division of Toyota that it has price about $150,000. Price can give and present a quality, it cannot be lie....

ifulhasef 01.12.2007 · Read review
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Review of Lexus LX 470

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

Purrrfection

Advantages: Beautiful styling, smooth engine
Disadvantages: None!

...I consider myself to be lucky in many respects. I have a house, I have a beautiful cat, I can walk in a straight line, and get drunk on two pints (a cheap date am I). However, I feel lucky to be able to own an IS200. However, I can see that you are already confused, as this is a review for an IS300! Lexus are very kind people and look after their customers, and, once a year, in many parts of the country, hold an ‘Open Road’ event, where customers and non customers alike are able to drive the whole Lexus range without a sales droid sat in the back (Not that Lexus have sales droids… Even the sales staff feel honoured to work for Lexus!). This gives us mere mortals the chance to Lord it up, and look great in cars that cost more than a years wage! So, having attended a few of these events, I thought I’d...

pefidler 13.04.2005 · Read review
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Review of Lexus IS 300 3.0 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.

...The Japanese, apparently, are fantastic at developing existing ideas into something new but seldom create something original. Invent a calculator, the Japanese will make it smaller. Make a television, they come back with a 42 inch plasma screen that you hang on the wall. All of this is brilliant for cold, functional devices, but how well does it work when they put their minds to something with a bit of soul, a little passion? like a sports saloon. Lexus is the luxury division of Toyota, formed several years ago when Toyota realised that nobody was going to buy one of their cars instead of a BMW 7 series or Mercedes S Class, no matter how good it was. They needed to create a premium brand car, which normally takes decades, with an immediate presence. This led to the Lexus LS400, which was superb but did not have the brand impact...

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