Not quick, not economical, but they are lovely to drive, handling is superb, quiet, smooth, refined, nimble and agile for what is a pretty heavy car, well specced, and very comfortable. Granted, they could do with another 40 or 50 horses, but they aren't that slow; just not quick off the line. There's also an IS300, which is same as the 200 Sport, but with a 3L n/a 2JZ engine, making 211bhp, but only comes with a 5speed autobox, with tiptronic controls.

I've the 200 Sport; slightly lowered and stiffened suspension compared to the S and SE, only came with manual (6sp) box. Love it, best car I've ever owned.

Reverse isn't THAT hard to find - it's just got a pressure gate (it's next to first, so you have to forcefully push it over to the left to get into reverse). The 6sp box is the nicest manual box I've ever used; tight, precise, and positive.

CD player is a common fault, because people don't know how to use it and just try and force CD's in without loading them. It's an in-dash 6 disc changer, and doesn't use a cartridge, so you need to load each one individually. Never had a problem with mine though.

Cam belts need doing on them, or risk loosing the engine. Lexus say 10years/100k, in reality, 60-80k is better. Water pump can leak (look for pink furring underneath it), and if you're having the belt done, might aswell do the pump (it's not belt driven, but you need to take the cam belt off to get to it, so for an extra £40, might as well do it at the same time). Calipers are reported to stick (never had any problems with mine), so refurb kit or recon calipers are common.

Lexus build quality is legendary, and they are pretty bomb proof, provided they are serviced and looked after. Mines ~90k, FSH, loads of reciepts, and it really does drive almost like new. Very tight, grips like fuck - it's actually hard to unstick it and push the arse out with grippy tyres and TRC on; even with TRC off, you have to beans it to get it stepping out - and is soooooo much fun through the twistys!