The Lexus is200

[Terreto]

What are ppls's thoughts on the Lexus is200?

I was thinking of getting one as daily drivers cos they are getting moderately cheapish nowdays for what's still a current model car.

I mean they are local, cheap to insure and I imagine reliablel and they don't burn much fuel. Plus they are still the current model lexus that retails for 60k new. Plus they look alrite and must have something going for them if every lancer you see rips off the is200 taillights.

Anyway, they seem nice other than when I look at the stats they are incredibly slow. Still, for being stuck in rush hour I don't think that the performance will matter THAT much.

But yeah otherwise, yay or nay?

(and yes I know it's a Toyota whateveritscalled in Japan).

[55Nat]

Take a look at RayHalls lexus.

www.turbofast.com.au

he's done a 2jz a coversion with signle turbo set-up and it goes very well (430hp at rear wheels). I've been for a spin in it before

Just some Idea's for you !

N

[pentae]

sluggish.. very sluggish.

The americans get all the good stuff,

A good friend of mine in Florida has an is400. its a 4 litre v8 with 400hp from the factory. Does 14 second quarters stock

Sigh. If only we got those here..

Maybe an engine conversion?

[foznice]

is200's are sexy if ya ask me. Especially when they're lowered with nice rims and a racing spoiler..

[foznice]

is200's are sexy if ya ask me. Especially when they're lowered with nice rims and a racing spoiler..

but yeah if your not worried about performance too much then it would probably be a great daily driver..

[Veilside R33]

on a side note your doing very well if you can afford one as your daily, i cant afford my R33 as my only car, then again.......im only 19

[funkymonkey]

Did you know that the Altezza Wagon was never sold locally, and its structurally different enough to the locally sold Altezza? meaning that its eligible for import under SEVS? Altezza wagons are dirt cheap in japan (compared to Altezza's here) and they are available in variants that are a LOT more powerful than local ones. So it'd be wise to contact your local compliance center and volunteer to bring one in as a test vehicle. That way, you get free compliance and they get a 100 compliance plates for Altezza Wagons. Everyone benefits.

[R32Skyliner]

sluggish.. very sluggish.

The americans get all the good stuff,  

A good friend of mine in Florida has an is400. its a 4 litre v8 with 400hp from the factory. Does 14 second quarters stock  

Sigh. If only we got those here..

Maybe an engine conversion?

I didn't realise they actually made these. I saw one in a MOTOR magazine, but i thought it was only a prototype. Seemed like a nice car, they're good looking and with 400hp would go alright too. A stocky as a daily driver would be alright though, nice comfy car.

[dojobi]

Did you know that the Altezza Wagon was never sold locally, and its structurally different enough to the locally sold Altezza? meaning that its eligible for import under SEVS? Altezza wagons are dirt cheap in japan (compared to Altezza's here) and they are available in variants that are a LOT more powerful than local ones. So it'd be wise to contact your local compliance center and volunteer to bring one in as a test vehicle. That way, you get free compliance and they get a 100 compliance plates for Altezza Wagons. Everyone benefits.

Funky, are you sure they're different enough structurally? Isn't it just a wagon version of the sedan? I was seriously considering this myself a while back, but then I read this in the SEVS Register Application info:

2.2.6 The following variations by themselves, DO NOT constitute a different Model:

(a) trim or optional specification variations;

(B) body variants, such as Sedan, Hatchback, Station-Wagon or Single and Double Cab, or with Sleeper-Cab, of the same basic Model;

© wheelbase or wheeltrack variations;

(d) goods carrying bodies, plant and/or equipment added to a vehicle, usually a chassis-cab that has minimal effect on ADR compliance;

(e) variations in profile being a result of the addition, or modification of Air Dams, Skirts, Spoilers, Wheel-Arches and similar;

(f) different engines and/or transmissions, including petrol or diesel, manual or automatic, or 2WD, 4WD or AWD, turbo-charged, supercharged, variations of fuel injection technique (eg GDI) or Traction control.

Personally, I reckon that rulings b and f suck, cos I'd love an IS300 wagon with 4WD.

[GTS_DUY]

one of my mates who worked for canberra toyota took me for a drive in an is200. i don't follow lexus all that much, so whether or not there are variants in the 200 range, i'm not sure but...

i was highly impressed with the interior - leather, the driver's console area looked great. as for power, the car pulled itself very well, plenty of balls. handling was great, so were the brakes, i love the shape, and thought the car was great, and wouldn't hesistate to buy one if i had the moullah

[funkymonkey]

Oh well, bugger that off for a stroke of genius then

[T0nyGTSt]

So you definitely cannot import any of the Altezza wagons?

Wouldn't mind me a 3SGE powered IS200 - sedan or wagon.

GTE or 3.0 or 4.0 litre models will defeat the purpose of 'cheap'

T.

[Evo_Lee]

Do the States really have a IS400? Is it a production model?

I've only ever heard of about a European TTE IS430 S/C version non-production model.

[usuckpoo]

dont think there was ever an is400

if im not wrong the IS series only ever came with

1g fe (2 litre 6 cylinder 150bhp)

3s ge (2 litre 4 cylinder 210bhp)

2jz ge (3 litre 6 cylinder which makes the IS300)

TTE does make supercharger kits for the 1g fe but it costs abt 7k brand new for the kit for a 30bhp increase...not worth it imho.

If u r chasing power in an IS the best route is to go for an engine conversion to a 1jz gte or 2jz gte as ray hall did....

[Evo_Lee]

Yes that is correct which is all I know of as well...

IIRC Blitz and Tom's here in Japan also makes bolt on S/C for the 3S...as for the 2J there is already a mountain of tuning resource.

Oh now that I mention there were also IIRC 100 Tom's Altezza 280T

Also the Altezza Gita (wagon), while the 4WD is great to have only the 1GFE comes in 5MT/4AT and the 2JZGE only comes in 4AT/5AT...they only looks great in Black or as long as you can cover that ugly looking Euro clear rear lights.

The JDM 1GFE VVTi is actually 160ps compared to the Aust delivered model, still nothing exciting and the 3SGE Beans to '97 is VVTi and '98 after is Dual VVTi.

If you get an Altezza, first thing is swap the 1GFE for a more performing engine. If you wanna keep it NA go for a Beams 3SGE plus TRD setup it will make close to 280ps in NA version. For turbo the 1J or 2J no questions...also on both change the gearshift to a short throw setup...the factory setup is just too long.

[funkymonkey]

Wouldn't mind gettin my hands on the Beams 3SGTE version of the Altezza wagon myself.