going to look at one tomorrow on a 51 plate, just wanting to know if there are any problem areas to look out for and if anybody has owned one if they are as good as people say?

 

Great cars! I had a 2002 IS200 sport and it was probably the best car i ever owned. Never missed a beat at all! Some say a bit under powered but you have to consider its in competition with the 320 which is not exactly quick either. In my opinion, its more than enough power once you get them going.

Things to look for are sticking cd players, corroded wheels, ball joints on hgiher mileage cars, make sure the timing belts been done at 100k, and check the little water pipe near the water pump fpr a pink crust (anti-freeze leaking) as these are prone to corroding after time. Other than that you cant go wrong mate. Oh, also check for uneven tyre wear, that would indicate worn ball joints with the geometry being out, crutial to the handling of these, which provided the geometry is set up right, is second to none!

 

brilliant, thanks for the water pipe advice, its got full lexus history with it and all the bills so i should be able to check for timing belts/balljoints etc, whats the performance difference between a sport and the lesser models? the 2 i have seen both have a six pot 24v vvti driving a 6 speed manual box, as does the se im viewing tomorrow

 

Cosmetic - trim, wheels and suspension. Engine performance is the same. S SE or Sport.

 

i have the sports cross and its a real nice car apart from the wheels have gone a bit iffy,i would do summat about it but the rest of the car is so good its not important.

exactly as above though really matey.