USED Lexus IS200 (1st-gen) - Common problems and should you buy one? | ReDriven used car review

[@electronforce611]

I'm 17, bought a base model manual IS200 as my first car for 6.5k a year ago and I genuinely could not be happier with it, yes it lacks power but it more than makes up for it any time you take a corner.

[@madrx2]

To be honest it doesn't really make up for it around a corner either.

[@pedrodias2562]

@@madrx2yes it does, u just cant drive

[@Sam-go3mb]

@@madrx2 if you compare it to a 2 door car, no. but name one 4 door car in a similar price range that handles better, aside from a 3 series which is basically the same depending on subjective preference

[@Blondul11]

@@pedrodias2562Lexus is not known for driving dynamics. You saying that makes me think you never tried a proper drivers car. Not to say Lexus doesn’t have many other qualities, but let’s not kid ourselves.

[@stockie6]

@@madrx2 only a bad tradesmen blames his tools... seen some around nasho and they go quite hectically around the bends.

[@ChemicalCalifornia]

this kind of car (first gen Lexus IS, BMW E46 etc) are perfect size for young singles or couples with no kids (20s - 30s maybe teens) - it’s not too serious so you don’t feel like in your parents car, it’s kinda sporty (depends of engine ofc), it’s not too big so its ok in city, but it has 4 doors so you can bring friends and go for weekend or party.

[@itsgerardchin]

Size wise, maybe, but E46, as much as I love them, they tend to break though... so, unfortunately, I don't think anyone who aims for financial stability should get an E46 as a first car

[@benjaminthomson]

I’ve got a baby seat in mine, fits fine

[@nutmeg9846]

I own a white 2001 IS300 with 300k on the clock which I have owned for 15yrs and It has been pretty much flawless. I'm really struggling to find something as reliable, cheap and fun to drive. I also replaced the very outdated clear taillights with red lens lights the day I bought it. It still has near perfect interior and has been my daily for about 170k over the years and I still enjoy every drive.

[@malehousecat]

So let me get this straight. Ur car has over 470k on the clock?

[@vantaaax]

@@malehousecathe got the car with 130k and has put 170k over the time period of him owning it

[@malehousecat]

Bought a 2001 Altezza RS200 with the Beams 3S engine back in 2011 as a young teacher. What he said about it being a hidden jem is very true. The car brought out the animal in me. Remember in a class one morning and a boy raised his hand and said sir I saw you drifting on your way to school this morning😂. Wasn't like that. Just made the tail hang out a bit when I was exiting my street at an intersection 😂. Would definitely buy another one.

[@TwistedDonners]

I personally think I'd go the wagon version you mentioned Adam as it'd be a bigger sleeper for fun, it'd be practical and relatively affordable to maintain. Only thing that's a negative against it is the fuel consumption but even then it's still leagues better than the M2 from Friday you guys reviewed so that's something. I'll admit a decent base speaker system does speak to me for my music lol 😆 Over all gents another solid review and as always l look forward too next week's videos and stay safe and take care 👍.

[@PostMortemor]

I had four IS200 till now. Always reliable. Let me tell you a few curious things about them. It has a 1G-FE engine which is the N/A version of the Supra mk3 engine which was the 1G-GTE. It has the Aisin AZ-6 gearbox which is the same as the Silvia S15, Mazda MX5, Mazda RX8 and Toyota GT86 gearbox. It has the Lexus GS430 and SC430 brake calipers and rotors. Those are heavy and powerful cars which means brakes are pretty good for such a small car. Many people will say the engine is underpowered and they are right but I challenge you to find another 2.0L N/A in-line 6 engine that makes more than 155hp. Suspension wise it's pretty much the same as the bigger and more powerful Toyota Chaser, Lexus GS430, meaning it's strong and overbuild. Same thing about the differential. Nothing will break up to 400Nm of power. If you compare it to the same era BMW 320 then Lexus has more power, bigger brakes, stronger suspension, better suspension grometry, stronger diff, better audio system, bigger wheels and it was available with LSD from the factory.

[@hamzahlubega1637]

i had this ride 5 years back and still think about till today! it was great…really appreciated its ‘cockpit’ feel

[@Rikiflash99]

I'm 24 and like a lot of young people I alway desired to own a JDM sports car, but they are becoming unattainable. I bought four years ago for 2100€ an IS200 and i still drive it every day. A true car enthusiast only crave the enjoyment of driving, to build fond memories with the machine you drive and share those moments with the people close to you regardless the car you drive. This is the lesson I learned driving it. The car itself is very easy to drift around, has good handling, it's practical and very reliable. Fuel economy is the only low point, but it's not terrible if you're careful.

[@timw2083]

I bought the IS300 Sportcross a few months ago. I freaking love it. I love the analog feel from the steering. I've changed the gaskets and timing chain. My next move is suspension parts. I plan to keep it for years to come. My biggest concern is replacement parts for the wagon. Other than that, its been an excellent daily driver. 🎉🎉🎉

[@Thisonegoestoeleven666]

Go the wagons!

[@PostMortemor]

It doesn't have a chain but a timing belt

[@timw2083]

Fortune Auto coilovers and Figs Engineering front refresh kit were installed this week. I can't wait to get the wagon on some backroads.

[@jose_s_bam7938]

just don't hit anything with the rear end and you'll be fine. haha

[@timw2083]

@@jose_s_bam7938 LOL, I didn't realize only ~3k came to the US. And that number decreases every time there's an accident. I'll get a 2GS if something happens to this

[@lummox1212]

I had an is200 about 10 years ago. It was a beautiful car. I thought it was a bit gutless when I bought it. Got it home and it was only running on 5 cylinders! Changed a coil pack and it was a completely different car. It actually went alright. He is right about the seats being a little narrow...that's why I sold it. I still love them though. I would love another one. Or a gs300? They're nice too!

[@caseyhopkins6299]

I have always loved these I think the dash cluster looks amazing. It’s a shame it never came as GTE or GZE but the engine was truly outdated by the the time the IS was made. The only car sold in Australia that came with a JZ or 1G makes them unique.

[@alexjapanski6806]

1G in a GZE ? Good coffee table... the SC adds 30hp and weighs close to 200kg ... one of the least desirable Toyota engines , 170 hp supercharged ... 210 twin turbo. Next to no tuning options or potential as GE or FE that makes any financial sense VS buying a 1JZGTE or the Altezza 3sge Beams with the 6speed and ECU for less if you are happy with 300hp with little NA tuning

[@paulsz6194]

The import Altezza with the BEAMS engine is the way to go! Lighter front end makes it fun to throw onto corners…

[@Vinoisthename]

I don't always make the right decisions. But when I do, it's subscribing to this channel

[@ReDriven]

You're too kind!

[@Vinoisthename]

grow up mate@@drsrsv8884

[@ReDriven]

What?

[@denikec]

I still have mine, absolutely loving it. Took it for an MOT test and the mechanic was actually impressed how they didn't find any faults with it.

[@markburnett7451]

I've had an IS200 for 4 years, fantastic car to drive and totally reliable. One thing I don't agree with in the assessment here ("kinda plain looking") is about how this car looks. It has absolutely perfect proportions and looks great from any angle.

[@paulmac8639]

I had 3 of these as my company vehicle. Loved everyone of them. So absolutely well built, better than anything else I have ever driven in the same class. Straight line performance was average but the handling, ride and quietness were amazing for their time.

[@mahcooharper9577]

My dad and sister bought one new and I bought one with 400000km on it many years later and they were a delight. Personally I wouldn't touch an auto because the manual is so much more fun but overall I think they are a fantastic little car. Altezza lights look good on the real thing, but absolutely shit on a VT Commodore. I always thought the Wurlitzer instruments were a bit much but they have their place :) And a great review as always. Love your content.

[@mahcooharper9577]

And the interior even in my old one with galactic mileage was still great, something must have happened to that one lol And yes keep the finger, it's superb.

[@loucry8190]

@mahcooharper9577 dude i'm so thankful for your comment, next week i'm gonna look at a used is200 with 300.000km which i really like (it has already been modified and painted, things i would have done anyways). i've been researching the is200 for weeks now and i find good comments on it everywhere. still, i was kind of worried how long the car will last because it'll be my first car and therefore be a daily but if you say you bought one with 400k km then i'm a bit relieved

[@Tyloxkipper]

Seeing older cars getting reviewed i feel like i can relate more to, since most of the older cars r pretty affordable. Could u do a early model Toyota Aurion one day? That'll be great i got me one n i really enjoy it, was a upgrade from my old corolla

[@mrbaird007]

I had a black 99 RS200 Beams with 6 speed. I loved that car! I ended up trading it in for a nice car for my then new wife.. happy wife, happy life as they say. I still miss that car. I have recently picked up an 08 Mitsubishi 380 VRX which has put a smile on my face again. Would love to see you a Jim review one of these.

[@benjaminthomson]

I went and bought one after watching this vid and I am stoked. Absolute nugget of a car

[@dummekuh1212]

I bought a IS200 last week and am just validating my decision now lol. Absolutely love the car.

[@ProductofNZ]

My dad's owned his Altezza Gita (2JZ wagon) for almost 2 decades. It's been an awesome runner. Near on 400,000kms on the clock.

[@rossgoodwin2700]

Great review guys 💪, could you do an IS250/IS350 review ( I know you did the ISF but would be fantastic if you did)

[@playwme3]

Great cars. Bought one for the P-plater in the family, then ended up with a second one while looking for parts. Spent less than the cost of a clapped out Yaris for 2 running cars. Nice and solid and safe, and even with 350k km everything still feels tight. Vvti solenoid can be a common issue, and causes some weird symptoms. Not the biggest fan of the taillights either, but both mine are silver so they dont stand out as much as they do on the dark coloured cars. All in all, possibly one of the most well put together cheap cars around these days.

[@Kacpa2]

Manual IS200 would be a better example for the car. Also rubberized coating was not on 2001 cars, it also can be easily cleared off and just painted.

[@pete3198]

Which models had the rubberised coating? I had a 2003 model and mind had it. Horrible stuff..

[@RuiSousa46]

I own one from 2001, bought new by my father, than i "took" it from him. 400k km, everything OEM except LPG. No ratles, no plastic degradation, i did repaint the bonnet, becaus, well... Age. Awesome car, not fast, not that slow, but, fun to drive!

[@truetierra]

many thanks for making this sunday arvo a good one 👍 far out these were such a sought after car back in the day - agree. that tail light style belongs in the bin with ace of bass cds would love to see an alfa 157 or 159 vid. might need a few days to film the what goes wrong segment though 🔥 especially with that selespeed gearbox

[@harared831]

Best car ever owned. Only issue in 6 year ownership was a faulty battery and a leaking thermostat gasket. Mine had 30mm TTE loweringsprings and made the ride very good. To get the auto flushed is a must after some km. The interior wear on this one comes from the sun and heat I think.

[@sneakiepete3805]

Hey Adam - did you get the idea to review this, from me? 😄 This was the car (Altezza) I mentioned to you, that I wanted to get after the Polo Gti. Either way, thanks for reviewing. Now I know it will be a fun, reliable RWD manual sedan, that will easily fit a baby seat 👌. This review has brought me even closer to pulling the trigger 😛

[@dreaminofthedrive5343]

I have always liked the look of these.. A lady came into my work a few days driving one of these. It was in immaculate condition. Very Red and shiny 😍 I almost said to her. " She should call me if she ever wanted to sell it "

[@lukeclifton4392]

Those tail lights, were the masterpiece when these came out. The body didn’t have much else going for it and the fact that everyone else imitated the taillight design only means one thing… it was cool! 😎 BMW had the angle eyes, that was cool but no one really cared. Then Audi introduced DRL’s… the market inhaled it like crack. It was better from the “angle eyes” from a safety aspect, for which it was developed… but that didn’t stop manufacturers fitting them in unintuitive ways.

[@a.m.9357]

IS-200 basically started the trend of clear tail light clusters and everyone else copied it later i.e. Mazda 6, BMW (as you mentioned)... etc.

[@vikashjina2202]

Was gonna buy one but was pretty gutless so went with a 2012 IS250 F Sport instead..love your channel mate, keep up the good work 👍

[@lavishmctavish4905]

Great review. I have an IS 200 myself at 290something kilometers. And I have to say from the start, interiors are mostly in a better state. I don't have damaged plastic or steeringwheel, my interior is a bit damaged, but since its half leather, it still holds up well. 150k kms is also something that would worry me a bit, that's not a lot of kms per year which means it could not be used for a while, which is bad news for a car. I bought my IS 200 for 3k euros, 246000 kms at the time and a remarkable state, guy before me really put in work to bringing it back to a better state. Wonderful car. Nice to drive, like you said. Around 300 euros per year for maintenance if nothing big breaks, and there are still lots of garages (even Lexus dealers) that accept this old model. I love how the review is done, as a IS 200 owner I have to say you are spot on. I also don't like the rear lights and I am about to break Lexus fans hearts and fit cleaner looking after market lights. Liked and subbed.

[@shanehopper100]

Do u need premium fuel ?

[@TheGrifCannon00]

Thinking of either one of these or the GS300, and I'm leaning towards the GS purely on the space front, its just a bit roomier. That being said, if an affordable altezza wagon shows up, I know what I'm getting...

[@skaixx1864]

used to own one of these things, great car. had a fun tenandancy for the rear end to get a bit tail happy on rainy days, so great!

[@menguardingtheirownwallets6791]

In Canada, the road salt that we use on our snow-covered roads totally EATS up the steel of a typical car in just 12 to 15 years. After 16 years, the frame/body is full of holes, and you see many old cars on the side of the road with a wheel that has fallen right off of the car. The suspension parts just give way.

[@awareofvacuity4238]

Would love to get an IS300 one day, when I don't have a mortgage. But for now my Corolla hybrid is serving me v well. Keep up the great content on this channel. I always have a good laugh at the 'What goes wrong with it' section on ostentatious European cars 😂

[@paulklp8262]

The Corolla hybrid is probably more luxurious and fun to drive.

[@awareofvacuity4238]

​@@paulklp8262I know, but for thrills you can't beat a straight six

[@playwme3]

Great cars. Bought one for the P-plater in the family, then ended up with a second one while looking for parts. Spent less than the cost of a clapped out Yaris for 2 running cars. Nice and solid and safe, and even with 350k km everything still feels tight. Vvti solenoid can be a common issue, and causes some weird symptoms. Not the biggest fan of the taillights either, but both mine are silver so they dont stand out as much as they do on the dark coloured cars.

[@laureus31]

FYI, Altezza RS200 (the JDM equivalent-ish) can be imported since they are more than 25 years old now.

[@murrieteacher]

Lexus is the goto brand for me. They are really very reliable cars and the service and support from dealers is superior to the 3 prong. There are turbo kits available that really do bolt on if you need more power, but as Jim mentioned that will bring your reliability down. The build quality shows in a car that is 20 years old and is still a good car,

[@DriftaholiC]

It's very common for the 2JZ to need a new crank pulley at this age. The rubber in the harmonic dampener goes bad and it will either spin and make noise when you use the A/C or it will fly off completely.

[@MINIMOTOMADNESS]

mate i owned a manual is200se y544trd reg plate,owned it for 8 yrs other than servicing and a cambelt ,bullet proof,your right about the alloys mine had a recall from lexus,they swapped the wheels for free,6 years later they looked crap again,and they do leak a bit,

[@RandallSlick]

Great vid. In the UK these were as cheap as chips a few years back. Now they've mostly been scrapped. A great shame but their thirst, expensive insurance and local obsession with BMWs killed them. Shame. Hope they faired better in Oz.

[@owenhughes2653]

There's still a few around, but they're increasingly expensive and non-shitters are getting very rare. It's also a bit like buying a NA or NB MX-5. You know that it's just a matter of time with the rust. I dunno. Seems far easier to get a passable E46 for the money, right?

[@RandallSlick]

@@owenhughes2653 Masochists will be masochists though. You know the sort. 7 days straight on Japanese parts sites looking for a door latch surround in that special beigey-grey. Good luck to the buggers. I have a V6 Alfa I'd like to sell to them.

[@Mrmark154]

Had one of these back in around 2009. Loved it, but it was pretty gutless. Quiet, comfortable and great to drive.

[@DavidChambers-p8j]

I'd really like to hear more from Jim in relation to how the fuel economy is effected over time with these older models.

[@RaageSauce]

Had a is300 for 4 years i college, best car ive ever owned. 70k miles only major issue I had to change the brake booster. Interior held up very well but had typical toyota paint which was trash. Over all best $4000 ive ever spent

[@1969Risky]

If you're a young driver & after a 1st car, this is in my top 3. It's a very forgiving car but if well looked after, certainly one of the best. Parts are easy, cheap to get & if you're into learning about cars this is one of them. Yes avoid the modded ones & yes buy one that's been well looked after. Mechanically they're pretty bullet proof but still require servicing at the required intervals. A friend of mines wife drives one & she's had it for 8 years & it's going strong. Body repair wise, they are easy. Another great video as I always look forward to the next one.

[@BrianGon89]

its wild they are still a good 1st car in 2023, I mean they were a good 1st car option in my time as well.

[@21stcg17]

I know a guy who owns 2 of this amazing car. 1 has a 1JZ GTE swap for motorsports purposes, while the other remained stock as his daily diver.

[@adamcako5281]

Do yourself a favour and buy the manual. I can only speak for the 1G-FE, but even the low power version is pretty fun, honestly one of the best feeling transmission; If I were critical about the car, dare I say, it is its saving grace.

[@KnallenN]

If you live in a place where rust usually is an issue, look out for it on the rear of the rocker panels.

[@tettoriffic]

Hahaha maybe one of the best voice-overs, really awesome! Even brought up some nostalgia😂

[@evanlaw3596]

The design of the xe10 described the power of the car as just enough and that’s right, it is enough but not too much. It’s a well balanced sedan

[@con9412]

I have a silver is200 manual with the full leather interior, I love it, such a nice driving car nice gearbox OK power which can be improved on with mods lots of people go the turbo route, as for the interior it's perfect mines quite well maintained with over 200,000ks on the clock most people are surprised, for the infotainment system mines the stock one with a Bluetooth mod which means I can use Bluetooth, CD, Radio and tape deck which is quite unique, ride quality is really good handling is great, engine sounds really cool imo, I've owned it for around a year and I've had no trouble with it been dailying it and no issues, if you can get one for a good price I couldn't recommend it enough

[@MrXACR]

Ive had my 1st gen is300 for about a year and half now and its a reliable car. My boy sold it to me for 2k and he treated her very well. Practically new everything. But now I gotta replace the oil pan 😭😭😭 iykyk

[@NorthernStare]

had a black Is200 about 16 years ago. Only problem with them was the VVTi only kicked in way, way up the rev range. On a motorway it would pull pretty good if you were accelerating from 60km to 100km apart from that, very reliable comfortable car, they look sick with the body-kits, a bit bland without.

[@downundermtb4744]

A video on the IS 250 and 350 I would love to see. I tried buying several of these in the recent days and missed out every time.

[@richardcharlton8259]

Bought one in the year 2000 got invited to a Lexus golf day 2 months later at every hole there were Lexus cars on show on the 18 hole there was a 1998 GS 300 black with 20” wheels got on the piss with the manger of Canberra Lexus 2 days later I was driving the GS didn’t lose on the IS they were a great car back then and I can understand why there is still a lot on the road today

[@markmcgrath9098]

Remember seeing one that had 1UZ + manual gearbox swapped in. Looked good, sounded good and went hard.

[@secretwpn]

Had one of these briefly. Things that stood out were comfortable front seats and really good sounding speakers. The head unit was barely alive though and quite crap. Interior quality in general was rather underwhelming too. Never missed it, but it was interesting to try.

[@NinjaExcessive.]

loving all the content!

[@ReDriven]

Cheers!

[@toobasaurus23]

I always liked these as a teenager in the late 90's. You could modify them so much.

[@pernchua5646]

Can you do a review on a Saab 93? Always loved these, but no idea if they’re worth buying. Thanks! Love the channel. Keep up the good work! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@loucry8190]

14:17 - 14:39 ayo you just perfectly described me and what i want to do with the is200 lmaooo

[@lyimoej7198]

I love the aggressive looking of the tezza

[@marknelson5929]

Yes one of the biggest drawbacks with these cars and the 3-litre model is how the plastics in the centre console and dash have worn (which frankly should never have happened) something Toyota didn't seem to address or explain as there are issues with the same trim in the later IS250 etc (which extends to the door trim!) and I've even seen it on the later Aurion TRD dash. Which is a huge shame as all these cars would have to be some of the best on the secondhand market in regard to reliability etc.

[@oospah]

Bro I love the instrument cluster so much I’m going to go to all the effort to put one and make it function in my Honda prelude

[@mosesgaegopolwe7016]

Things that go wrong (1G and 3S) -VVTI solenoid failure -Timing Belt snapping and Ignition Coil failure (TONS of counterfeit parts that don't last)

[@s.baldrick3807]

A fellow Seiko man of culture

[@YungHunnna]

These cars are amazing, but you HAVE to get one that wasn't beat and abused like most of them are. if you get one that hasn't been maintained well, you're gonna be working on it more than enjoying it. and that comes from someone that bought one that was used and abused. but when they work as they're supposed to, they're a blast to drive!

[@hussainpatwary9385]

Bought an unmodified 2004 Is300 6 years ago for 6k with 150k and sold it recently on 200k for 12k to get an A4. Miss it very much. Not fast but so nimble and easy throw around and obviously thelow running costs on 91 and 2JZ engine which is almost indestructible. Great car if you can find one rarely see 300s anymore. As quick/fun as a Toyota 86 at half the cost.

[@exquisitedark]

i have this as my first car, and i feel like it'll heavily bring up any standards I've got for other cars, as many of my friends cars feel, and, are objectively inferior i definitely do not regret not getting an e46

[@MrWilliam.Stewart]

"Mr Drifta" that's absolute gold.

[@AndreiGrozea]

I'd buy one in a heartbeat. I know it's another model, but I saw a 2008 IS250 (V6 model) and it made me fall in love with it. The worst thing about these cars is some of the owners unfortunately.

[@jamescheung3258]

After seeing the gauges of the Bugatti Tourbillon, it made me come back to this video 😂 That Altezza instrutment cluster really is the next best thing lol

[@nathanaw7334]

this video just cropped up for me, thought I'd watch it for a laugh as my parents have owned a manual IS200 for the past 4 years, they're not wrong about the oil leaks, my parent's has a weeping Power Steering pump and the cam cover gasket is shot, it's never given us any issues outside of wear and tear items, it's in rough shape though sadly... needs a decent bit of rust repair and good bit of TLC

[@damilolaakanni]

The SportCross is very rare, and was only available with an automatic transmission. And the IS300 was the only one you could get in most markets.

[@gooo1762]

Thanks for the video!

[@TheLeewi98]

I have an Altezza with the 3S-GE and auto box. The engine is the party piece of that thing. It pulls really well and sounds good in my opinion. Of course it would be better with the manual but good condition manuals are too expensive these days. And the auto is good in daily use. Its crazy to me Lexus did not sell the car with the 3S oitside of the Japan its so much better than the 1G. I think even better than the 2J because it weights a lot less and uses less fuel while delivering similar power.

[@rtt987]

I'm looking at an auto 3S-GE. You'd recommend it? I hear it's got long gears. Not a big deal for a daily?

[@TheLeewi98]

@@rtt987 Well its a five speed box, in my opinion the gears are not super long. I honestly think that gearbox is really good for daily driving. Mine is very smooth and if you want to drive quick its actually quite responsive. I actually expected a lot worse before I bought it. The best thing by far is the price, manual RS200 in good condition are way overpriced in my humble opinion. Afterall its a 20 year old Toyota I dont think the manual prices are worth it atm.

[@mikebrenner5864]

The tiny, pointing hand is hilarious

[@ReDriven]

We'll have to keep it around in that case!

[@cshep1531]

You have been watching Sarah N Tuned@@ReDriven

[@Carguy101-b4q]

I loved mine and it was manual with a sports wing. Slow as hell though and it's back would slide out easy in the wet but was a great car to own.

[@TalesFromTheBlahSide]

I guess the 3.0 was a longer heavier engine and I wouldn't say the car was a handler. Felt very nose heavy in turns, roundabouts weren't that much fun, and you found yourself making corrections in bends to get it back on line.

[@FrancePhil44]

I own the grand daughter of that IS and it's the best car I've ever owned.

[@johnperry7534]

This is a really good video good job .

[@alek493]

I bought one. Bloody good car. Bloody good. I'd buy one more if I could.

[@ChristopherNeilF]

You guys should review the Granturismo…

[@exhibitD79]

Nice work boys!

[@adamgilesconcoursdelegance9302]

I have the best one in Australia..I’ve owned it since new ..only 85,000kms and it’s the manual.. 1 of 100 yellow sold here .. only cost me $12,500 including tyres in 23 1/2 years.. happily sits aside my other 8 cars!!

[@simcard027]

i agree that shape of this car is nearly spot on but its it's the upward curved front indicator and the to far forwards slope of the front wheel arch on the bumper that i think make this car look odd

[@wesleyrichards8027]

Nice Seiko! I have a Seiko as well.

[@AnnatarTheMaia]

Those taillights are gorgeous. The IS 220d diesel with a manual transmission is the holy grail of these.

[@owenhughes2653]

The 220d was the 2nd gen and that 2AD engine was actually kinda notorious for problems. Toyota wound up replacing loads of these.

[@AnnatarTheMaia]

@@owenhughes2653 as far as I know, the 220d sports the D-4D engine, and I've yet to see one of those fail.

[@Hellacop6]

Nobody wants an diesel Lexus, hence why you shoud avoid these 220d and go for the is250 or 350

[@AnnatarTheMaia]

​@@Hellacop6 you're spewing nonsense. A manual transmission IS220d is the unicorn. One can always tell people who don't know anything about cars.

[@gms03sbd3]

I have a manual is200 sportcross, ir is a cheap really fun really useful car! It drinks lots of petrol tho.

[@lokiiddqd]

still got my ye olde trusty is300 for close to 12 yrs now, had multiple other cars the same time but always sold them and kept the is300 😅

[@MrFannzi]

I want to add in country´s where we have a lot of salt and snow the rear upper control arms are going to rust trough. i´ve had 3 of these that these control arms have left the stage

[@gregnoble8799]

Have had 2005 2ltr is200 sport lux manual from new. Yes it has led a pampered life (regular factory service, garaged and with dust cover) and has less than 92k on clock but everything still works and it has run like a Swiss watch or should I say a Seiko. Beautifully smooth. Great interior and std sound system outstanding materials quality, fit and finish. This car still gets comments. Hardly any modern BS features that annoy. What it lacks in power is countered by magic turn in, ride and balance. You just need to drive like you stole it. 😂

[@mrmcgraw3706]

I had the altezza with the 3gse engine in auto. One of the best cars. I ever had

[@mikex8254]

Your much better off with the is250 now as newer and it looks pretty similar

[@startup1442]

Aah man, remember buying this car for £1100 back in 2010 and selling for £1500. Was a good car, just very thirsty on petrol.

[@38skippers]

Great channel

[@vladionescul]

I really like the car but unfortunately the back seats don't fold down :( It's very hard to put anything inside this car

[@CrapTrapSlap]

Was my first car in Australia absolutly loved it. Super slow but was pretty alright as a daily ( 400-500 kms/week). Brakes were quite good, driving position is excellent pretty low,comfortable ride despite a stiff chassis( felt like it at low speeds 😂) but was UNFORGIVING on wet surfaces. Understeers like a twat and the lack of power really doesn’t help had few close calls. Knew someone who put a Mercedes supercharger to fix that issue but was still slow Did around 120 in 3yrs ish sold it for 900 before covid ceebs to change the timing belt and gaskets…

[@pete3198]

This is the perfect example of how "on paper" doesnt alwasy translate to real world. People love to go on about FR layout, the perfect 50:50 weight balance, etc. But I owned one of these cars, and in reality is that isn't really anything exciting about how they drive. They dont have especially responsive handling, the steering isn't all that quick, precise or communicative. The rear end is skittish and unpredictable, which isn't helped by the fact that there's very little feel through the car letting you know when it's going to break traction. The brakes are horribly fade prone and need to be slammed to the floor to do anything, even after having the pads and fluids replaced - worst brakes posibly in any car I've owned. The throttle response is also laggy, adding further unpleasantry to a drivetrain that's painfully inadeque to propel a car of this size/weight. It is pitched as a sports sedan, and it certainly looks he part - but unfortunately doesn't do much to back that up on the road. There are also a few common issues people should be aware of. 1. The keyfobs are made of paper thin plastic - they are so weak that they snap in half just from the force of turning. When I bought mine the previous owner had already broken one key, and the other two broke while I had the car. The only one that you can trust to not break is the master key. 2. The CD players are known to swallow CDs, forcing you to find tricks to maually forcibly eject them. I replaced mind with an aftermarket unit to save me the pain. 3. The cars are known for having rear end stabllity issues. Before I bought my IS200 I read multiple owner reviews complaining that the rear end of the car slid out on them in the wet without provocation. I thought this was probably just nonsense from some people who either didn't know how to drive, or just liked to drive with a heavy foot - until it happened to me, and then to my brother on another day. Neither of us have ever had this happen to us with any other RWD car. 4. The 'soft touch' finish on the dash feels nice when its fresh, but it scratches off from the faintest touch - leaving a horrible looking dash that looks like it's peeling off (as can be seen on the car in this video). Apparently it's pretty much impossible to fix too without replacing the dash. 5. The chrome ball gearknob looks cool at first, but it's made of plastic and uses a cheap chrome paint that wears off incredibly easily. It ends up leaving patches of exposed beige plastic which looks horrible. The car in this review has likely suffered from this, as I can see the owner has replaced the knob. 6. The cloth seats in my Sports/Luxury variant were extremely uncomfortable on long drives, leaving me with back pains any time I drive for more then about 35-40 minutes. I've never had this issue with any other car i've owned, and my brother had the same complain when he borrowed the car (so it's not just me), 7. There was a thing in the news around the mid/late 2000s about some people having accidents or near accidents in Toyotas as a result of throttles getting stuck wide open. I believe there may have been a recall for this, I'm not 100% sure. Unfortunately this seems to have also impacted the IS200, because it happened to me in city driving - thank god I had a green light with no cars in my lane. I was had to hold my foot to the floor ont he brake pedal just to keep the car from gaining too much speed, then first quiet left hand street I saw I had to hook it at about 40km/h, turn off the ignition, and pull up the handbrake. I managed to suggessfully pull over to the side of the road without hitting anything, thank god. If there had been cars in the lane in front of me I would have had an accident, and if the traffic light had changed red my only option would have been to turn off the engine, pull up the handbrake and pray. God only knows if I would still be here today. It was the scariest experience I've ever had on the road. Thankfully it never happened to me again after that. The Pros: * Great looking car - mine was pearl white and it had a really stunning iridescent effect in the light, plus the paint quality was top notch. * The car was very quiet inside and did a great job of insulating from outside noise. * The interior design is a bit controversial, but I actually really liked it - I thought the watch style speedometer was a really cool and unique idea that gave the car genuine character. * The 2L / 4 spd auto conbo was gutless and woefully inadequate for a car that big/heavy. But the encine itself was a peach - smooth, free revving, with a nice rorthy exaust note. * Exremely tight turning circle, and with the relatively square body shape and fairly large glass area it was extremely easy to park * Build quality (other then previously mentioned issues) was excellent, with no rattles or squeaks to speak of.