cfoster

As above I'm in 2 minds whether to buy one or not! Got a fair few people lined up to buy the 200sx this week and want something a bit more comfy / quieter than it. At the mo its a toss up between an is200 and a mk4 golf gti (1.8t one). I love the look of the is200 but have heard etc they are shite slow. I'm not expecting it to be a rocket ship by any means but are they really 'that' bad???! Ideally would prefer one over a golf! Or if anyone can think of anything around the 5k/5.5k mark to tickle my fancy??!!

Chris

S1rst

I used to own a 2002 IS200 Sport and i couldnt fault it at all. There not what id call fast but i wouldnt call them slow either. I would say theres not much difference between an IS200 and a golf 1.8t performance wise, although the golf may marginally have the edge and 'feel' slightly 'quicker' due to being a bit lighter.

They need to be revved to get them going in my opinion, but once your in the right power band, about 4500rpm upwards then there pretty good for a big car with only 154 bhp. They are pretty sluggish lower down the rev range though, but thats why you need to rev them and make use of the VVt-i.

Look out for crunchy gearboxes, juddery clutches, ball joints on higher mileage cars, corroded alloys and faulty stereos. Other than that their pretty bullet proof. The wheels and stereos have an extended warrenty of 5 years in total that not many owners know about.

To sum it up id have another without a doubt. I only sold mine as prices started to drop rapidly due to the IS250 coming out, so decided to sell at the right time before losing a few grand.

cfoster

Ah cool so not as bad as some say. Was a bit dubious as they seem to have a good following / owners club etc. Would prefer it over a Golf as I think they look lovely! Not really toooo fussed if they are slow but just didnt want a complete poo wagon!!!

Chris

S1rst

I think if you drive one for yourself, you wont be dissapointed, as long as you dont expect too much performance wise (which it seems you dont). I think alot of people say there slow because their expecting too much, and have either 'beat' one where the owner doesnt know how to get the best from it, or assume there faster than what they are, or are just basing the whole performance on the 9.5 0-60 time.

In my opinion its first gear that makes it look slower than what they are on paper, as its so short and does seem resticted in some way, but once rolling they pick up nicely and smoothly. Obviously if it were 5 speed it would have one less gear change as it could achieve 60 in 2nd, then would probably be in the high 8's to 60, so its a bit of a false figure in my opinion.

They certainly 'look' fast, but some seem to forget they only have 154bhp, and were developed to compete with the 320 BMW, and is in my opinion a MUCH better car than the BMW, in every way. Much better spec, much better looking and drive much better too.

furry

having worked at lexus for 4 years there a lovely car i just felt under powered, 153bhp out of a straight 6 is poor imo
saying that they make up for in syle and comfort.

BigMouthBillyBass

All the ones i have ever seen have been automatics, are the manuals pretty rare?

_SpeedX_

iTrader: (1)

yep as above the import 1 is alot better, i seen a few with 280bhp not sure if thts a standard power either.

S1rst

Yeah the Altezza is another option, but what you gain in performance, you lose in spec and refinement. Depends what you value more i suppose.

BigMouthBillyBass, manuals are more popular mate. I actually prefer the auto to the manual in the IS200's. Its just you cant get a Sport with the auto box. All sports were manual with LSD. Plus my Sport came at a very good price.

S1rst

That wont be standard. They'll probably have the tte supercharger fitted.

James

think not far from a mk2 xr2 in good nick and you won't be to dissappointed, maybe

lovely car that sounds ace though.

abdr500

iTrader: (1)

brakes are common to judder bad and never ending abs fault witch mulfuction your traction control way to much problems even bottom ball joint wear quick and they cost nerly 250 each good luck your going to need it if you get the is200 i have worked on so many of them with the same fault

S1rst

Ive heard of the abs/traction issues if there lowered but never heard of problems with a standard car. As regards ball joints, i was advised to check them on higher mileage cars as they can go after about 40k-50k.

abdr500, i think to say your going to need good luck with an IS200 seems a bit ott to me and way off the mark. They havnt won awards for customer satisfaction and reliability for nothing mate.

Apart from a faulty cd player and 2 pitted wheels (which were replaced free under warrenty), mine never gave me ANY problems in 2 years and 25,000 miles. Saying that though, i suppose there are bad examples of every car if there abused and neglected.

S1rst

Rossco

Cracking cars IMO, but defo under powered, even the new ones dont go that well.

Old shape ones do have plenty of room under the bonet for a super charger or maybe a Supra engine transplant Chris

phill2400

I have one as a day to day car and havent been able to fault it yet, if you want speed buy a cosworth, if you want make shure you get there and back buy a lexus,

saff_cossie

Yes, dont bother! Owned one for a year and my g/f's dad has the tiptronic IS300. Get the 300, much better, much quicker. They are coming down in price now too.

200 is a point and shoot car. Gets you there on time everytime but is boring as all hell to drive.

Better still, buy that damn Evo back mate

cfoster

yeah if I could buy the evo back i would (actually I wouldnt as apparantly the guy and stashed it into another car since!!!! ). Plus the missus wont be able to get insured on it!!

Rossco - only want a slow cheap to run car so no Supra transplants !!

Phill2400 - Deffo aint buying another cosworth!!

I think ill test drive one of them and a Golf. Seems like a can get a mint low miler Golf for better money!

Chris

James

Chris, test drive a tdi golf, trust me you won't be disappointed, i know youre mega anti-diesel but test drive one, you'll be impressed i'm sure.

1.9 110 passat/a4/golf is what you want.