ხომარა ნეიტრალში გახალასტოებულია კარობკა ზეწოლა არ ადგება არანაირი და რატო უნდა ენძრეოდეს ეგ ვერ გავიგე.
in this review, I’m covering mainly Lexus IS200. In Japan’s the European IS200’s known as the Altezza AS200. The AS200 is mechanically the same as the UK Lexus IS200, using the same engine and gearboxes. In addition, I'd like to add my own review on Altezza RS200 BEAMS DUAL VVTI.
Why I review this model? It’s because of the ROCK SOLID Resale value pricing in Malaysia. A year 1999 Altezza RS200's up for RM80,000, while a 2000 model Altezza RS200 still fetching RM88,000. A 2001 model’s up for RM98,000. AN Unregistered 2002 model (from Japan): RM120,000. Why is it so? It's all due to the supply and demand thingy. Grey importers brought in Limited units to Malaysia. But the demand's there for Toyota Altezza RS200.
It's all due to the state of the art engine and gearbox. Check it out: Maximum Power 210ps @ 7,600 rpm, Torque: 216Nm @ 6,400 rpm. What the... why so high revving? It's TUNED BY YAMAHA that's why. Gearbox: 6 speed manual or 5 speed Sport-shift (tiptronic) automatic (something Toyota forgotten installing it in todays' cars). Eg. The New Estima 2.4, New Camry and the newly launched RM120,000 Corolla Altis still powered by 4 speed Automatic(!).
However the basic specification of Altezza is lower than the equivalent Lexus IS200 but with many options available.
My Toyota Altezza RS200 brief review:
I got a chance to drive a year 2000 Altezza RS200 for a short 20 minutes. The dashboard quality's still akin new with nice to touch plastics. The Dash meter's like a Breitling watch (see picture somewhere in this review). The car's fitted with Electric Sunroof, powered seats, climate control, high quality leather.
In every car there's a downside. For the Altezza's interior, it's the rear seat legroom - it's cramped (I'm only 5 feet 9). It's as bad as BMW E36 3 series.
The Japanese Domestic version of the Lexus IS200, the Altezza RS200's 3S-GE engine was specially tuned by Yamaha to produce 210 PS @ 7,600rpm. It is also the first Toyota to be equipped with BEAMS Dual VVT-i which is only recently available for the newer range of Lexus.
DRIVE TIME
The RS200 gives out an explosion of power, almost comparable to the Honda BIG VTEC (DOHC), feeling and sounding like a race car as the variable valve gear starts. The Toyota Altezza is very enjoyable to drive with a race-feel engine GROWL (when you REV it past 6000rpm) and great build quality. If you are looking for an automatic, the Japanese version has the 5 Speed F1-Style gearshift which is also great fun to drive. Performance of the RS200 is much much greater than the AS200 and there are many after market performance parts available which are lacking on the AS200/Lexus IS200.
Now, the ride and handling: This car handles very very well (My friend's car's fitted with 17" OZ Rims & a set of Continental ContiSport Contact II shoes)! It's one of the better handling cars which was pleasure to drive. It corners like rails with no hint of oversteer cornering at 100km/h (it's a rear drive car remember?), A real driver's car; awesome steering feel and response. Best appreciated on twisty roads. Again, the downside: Due to the hard suspension, the ride was jittery over Malaysian rough roads. The engine's smooth (typical Toyota) when you drive sanely (NOT REVVING IT) but spoiled by my friend's aftermarket Loud 2" Exhaust system.
END OF RS200 review. That's all I can comments, can't review the car properly as I just spent 20 minutes with the car. All is not lost, again, I dished out a detailed Lexus IS200 (Toyota Altezza AS200) "Supertest" by GoAuto Australia topped with NINE OWNER'S Review from Belgium, Canada, US, UK, Sweden, Australia and Ireland.
i)Carsurvey.org (owner's review 1 to 7) and ii) autos.msn.com (owner's review 8 and 9).
CREDITS also given to LEXUS OWNER’S Club UK for some of the Specifications. ALSO, Bonsaicars.com for Top speed & Acceleration times. Here’s the "Go Auto Australia" review. Enjoy!:
Overview (SUPER TEST)
Model release dates: March 1999 - October 2005
LEXUS has always been a brand to be feared in the luxury class and now, with the IS200, it tackles BMW's heartland where the 3 Series has reigned seemingly forever. The IS200 has a balanced chassis, outstanding handling and a sweet six-cylinder, 2.0-litre engine, whereas its similarly priced competition only offers four cylinders. The IS200's only real problem is it lacks a clear sense of identity. And that's rather important at this end of the market. In certain markets, the IS200’s also available in Sportscross wagon (Altezza Gita in Japan). Picture below.
The Car
THERE'S no doubting Lexus' intention with the IS200; claim the small sports crown from the 3 Series BMW. Under the skin it adopts the same front-engine rear-drive philosophy as the BMW, but the exterior and interior design states bluntly that this is a sports sedan rather than a sports tourer. Check out the wedge-shaped side-profile, the aggressive trapezoidal headlights and the large alloy wheels.
Seat Plan
THE IS200'S interior and boot space is optimised by placing the fuel tank ahead of the rear wheels. The compact multi-link rear suspension aids space utilisation as well. There's a lockable flock-lined glovebox with lamp and an upper and centre console, front and rear door pockets and front and rear-centre mounted cup holders.
The Car - Seats
THE IS200's interior speaks of its sporting intent and the marque's luxury heritage. The seat trim is Chenille fabric with metal-fibre highlights, the driver's seat eight-way adjustable and the front passenger's seat four-way adjustable. There are separate headrests for all passengers with the front headrests being four-way adjustable; the rear headrests are two-way adjustable. There are seat back pockets on the front seats.
The Car - Dash
THE IS200 has unique chronograph-style instruments and round air vents. Instrumentation includes speedometer, tachometer, instantaneous fuel consumption meter, fuel level gauge, coolant temperature gauge, voltage meter and automatic transmission shift indicator. The dash is a two-tone design, with a metallic colour highlight running across the centre of the crash pad. There's an electronic odometer and twin trip meter to complete the package.
The Car - Controls
THE IS200's leather steering wheel has perforated leather inserts, accentuating its sporting intent. There are chrome highlights on the gearshift, air vents, doorhandles and handbrake lever button. Electronic cruise control with resume and coast function is available only with the optional automatic transmission. There's a centre mounted digital clock and front centre console bin. Power window functions are mounted in the driver's door.
The Car - Wheels/tyres
LEXUS says the tyre choice for the IS200 was specifically developed to match local conditions and driving tastes. So what do we get? Quite a choice actually. While the standard offering is a 16-inch x 6.5-inch alloy wheel mated to the 205/55R16 V-rated Bridgestone RE030, the Luxury Option offers a machine-finished 17-inch x 7-inch alloy wheel combined with a 215/45 17R Z-speed rated Bridgestone RE040. Two accessory 17-inch wheels are offered: one from Japan the other from OZ Racing in Italy.
The Car - Luggage
THERE'S no split-fold rear seat, but there is a "Trunk-through" capacity which adds to the IS200's flexibility. A sports ski port bag, which can hold four snow skis or two snowboards, is an accessory. A safety triangle and a comprehensive first-aid kit are located in the boot. The kit includes items for communicable disease protection. There are chromed luggage tie-down hooks in the boot.
The Car - Stand out features
THE IS200 reeks of individuality, thanks to its bespoke exterior and interior, including the striking chronograph instruments. The performance of the chassis is outstanding, backing up the sports look, and the gearbox is exceptional. Its equipment levels are high and the pricing is attractive. There are also plenty of options and accessories to customise your car.
The Car - Climate control
CLIMATE control air-conditioning is standard in the IS200, and includes a pollen filter which keeps pollutants to a minimum. Rotary type heater/air-conditioning controls are used. There are also rear seat passenger ventilation ducts. An external ambient temperature gauge is part of the package.
The Car - Sound system
THE Australian Spec IS200's stereo is a premium-grade Fujitsu Ten audio system with 220 watts of power and eight speakers spread around the cabin. The sound system include a six-disc in-dash CD player with controls that includes random and repeat functions. The tape deck includes full logic controls and metal tape facility. The radio has 12 FM station presets and six AM presets. The IS200 has a roof-mounted pole antenna for the radio.
The Car - Security
LEXUS claimed the IS200 anti-theft system was the most sophisticated ever offered in a Lexus when it launched the car. The security system is designed to protect contents as well the car. Keys are laser-milled; theft-preventing radar intrusion sensor detects movement inside the vehicle; a transponder-type engine immobiliser is standard and a self-powered siren is located in boot. The IS200 is also fitted with specially-strengthened door locks (pictured).
We like (+ve): Delightful chassis, smooth, melodic engine, Lexus quality
We don’t like (-ve): Melodic engine lacks punch, car lacks identity
GOAuto's Opinion
By TIM BRITTEN 30/07/99
"THE IS200 is probably the most hyped Lexus since the original LS400 was launched in 1990.
Neither the ES300 - which shares its basics with the Toyota Camry and poses the question of why it should be necessary to spend a lot more money merely to get a supposedly more prestigious badge and a little extra equipment - nor the muscle-bound GS300 that came during 1998, stirred the industry as much as this blatant attempt at claiming a plot in BMW's heartland.
And blatant it surely is, because it is not necessary to dig too deep into the IS200's styling, pricing or mechanical layout to see signs of the 3 Series BMW - or even Mercedes-Benz C-class - peeking through.
The little Lexus apes 3 Series dimensions in all directions, except it is a smidgin smaller, and runs an inline, six-cylinder engine of modest capacity and a liking for high rpm.
It uses short overhangs front and rear, and is styled to appeal to prestige buyers with its sporting lines overlaid by a certain conservatism.
Toyota obviously squeezed every drop of expertise from its suspension engineers because the rear-drive IS200 is undoubtedly the best balanced, neatest handling Lexus yet.
It adopts double wishbones and coil springs at the front, and a multi-link double-wishbone system at the rear, all contrived to give an exquisite ride/handling compromise.
Mate this with the clean revving, twin camshaft, multi-valve six - along with BMW-style variable (inlet) camshaft timing - and there you have it: the magic ingredients that should result in a car no prestige buyer can resist.
And, without doubt, the Lexus scores on every point - with the exception of one significant flaw.
The standard of finish is pure Lexus - tight panel fit and deep, glossy paint - but a few aberrations exist.
And the surprisingly messy under-bonnet layout looks like an amalgam of early Mercedes and Iveco truck with its essentially black treatment, while a conglomeration of plastic component covers keep the viewer guessing as to what sort of engine lies underneath.
The dash, with its ribbed upper surfaces and uninspiring centre console, is not readily warmed to - although the radio controls are large and user-friendly - while the seats, at first well-shaped and supportive, can tend to create a little discomfort after more than two hours at the wheel. And the wheel has only a primitive, one-way adjustment.
The front seats are available with electric adjustment but only on the driver's side; front passengers must be content with normal, manual operation, right down to a primitive lever-style ratchet backrest adjuster and no seat height control.
The back seat caters well enough for its passengers with reasonable legroom although there is no split/fold backrest to make the most of luggage space. A ski port behind the central armrest is at least provided.
But the driving experience is something well above the ordinary. The little inline six, wound out to its red line of around 6300rpm, does not mind a bit and it emits a nice, muted throaty tone at the same time.
But the acceleration is about what you would expect of a 155hp, 2.0-litre engine being asked to propel a 1.3-tonne body - it provides rapid forward motion but needs to be revved hard, just like the six-cylinder 320i BMW in its previous E36 guise - not surprising when you consider maximum torque in the Lexus appears at a high 4600rpm.
All that said, the chassis balance and ride quality are outstanding. Few cars come to mind that cope so well with (optional) low-profile 17-inch 215/45 tyres in terms of ride quality, while the handling is pin-sharp and secure with only minimal suggestions of the bump-steer that comes as standard when wheel offset exceeds certain margins.
The Lexus is thus a nice car in which to go in search of fast, winding, traffic-free roads, especially in the six-speed manual version which offers a polished metal, quick-throw lever and well matched gear ratios.
So, overall, the IS200 is a thoroughly refined competitor in the compact prestige class and a real threat, in terms of what it offers buyers (such as the various after-purchase benefits offered with the Lexus package) and in terms of its unquestioned capabilities. It is also very well priced.
The baby Lexus is a carefully contrived offering in the prestige class that loses nothing to its European competition except a clear sense of identity."
END OF GOAUTO Australia's opinions
Mechanical - Plan views
DOES this sound familiar? A small capacity inline six-cylinder engine mounted longitudinally and driving the rear wheels. BMW? No, Lexus IS200 - a most sincere form of flattery.
Mechanical - Engine
THE IS200 is powered by a straight six engine developing 155hp @ 6200rpm and 195Nm of torque at 4600rpm. The engine is mounted longitudinally and powers the rear wheels. It is a sophisticated engine, with power and torque spread aided by intelligent variable valve timing and variable-length induction tracts.
THE IS200'S front suspension is by double wishbones, controlled by coil springs and two-stage gas-filled dampers. The rear suspension is a double wishbone, true multi-link system with a toe control arm for improved rear wheel directional stability under hard braking.
SIX computers control all the major systems of the car. The engine features fully sequential fuel injection. The transmission is electronically controlled, as is the throttle. The electronic throttle is networked to the engine computer to provide idle speed control, shift-shock reduction control, cruise control (with auto only), traction control and snow mode.
Mechanical - Transmission
THE standard transmission in the IS200 is a six-speed manual. A four-speed automatic is optional. The new manual transmission was developed by Aisin-Warner, a Toyota subsidiary, and the IS200 is its first application outside Japan. The auto is intelligent, adaptive and electronically-controlled.
Mechanical - Brakes & steering
THE braking system is vacuum-boosted dual circuit hydraulic with four-wheel discs. The front brake hardware for the IS200 is 296mm x 32mm ventilated discs with twin-piston, floating callipers. The rear brakes are 307mm x 12mm solid rear discs with single opposed piston callipers. The anti-lock braking system is a four-sensor, three-channel type.
THE rack and pinion power steering system is engine-speed sensitive. The overall steering ratio is 15.7, with 3.25 turns lock-to-lock and minimum turning circle of 10.2m.
Safety
AIRBAGS are mounted in the IS200's steering wheel, passenger dash and front seats. The front seats are designed to reduce whiplash injury, through careful placement of the upper section and the head restraint. Lap-sash seatbelts are standard all-round and the front seatbelts have pretensioners. The steering column is energy-absorbing and four-way collapsible. The optional skiport bag was crash tested to ensure it remains in place in an accident. A traction control system is standard on IS200.
END OF REVIEW BY GO AUTO AUSTRALIA.
SPECIFICATIONS:
ENGINE:
1) LEXUS IS200 @ Altezza AS200
* In-line 6, 24v, longitudinally mounted REAR WHEEL DRIVE
* Capacity: 1998cc
* Induction: Twin overhead camshafts, four valves per cylinder, electronically-controlled variable inlet camshaft timing. Multi- point fuel injection
2) ALTEZZA RS200: As above except in-line 4, 16v BEAMS DUAL VVTi, Yamaha tuned
1) * Bore/Stroke: 75.0mm x 75.0mm
* Compression ratio: 10:1
2) ALTEZZA RS200: 11.5:1
MAX POWER/TORQUE:
1) Lexus IS200 @ Altezza AS200
* Power: 114kw (155hp) at 6200rpm
* Torque: 195nm at 4600rpm
2) ALTEZZA RS200: 1998 4 Cyl 3S-GE
210ps @ 7,600 rpm
216Nm @ 6,400 rpm
TRANSMISSION:
1) * Six-speed manual, Four-speed automatic
2)*6 speed manual, 5 SPEED SEQUENTIAL SHIFT AUTOMATIC
SUSPENSION:
* Front: Independent double wishbone with lower coil
* Rear: Independent multi-link double wishbone with lower coil
STEERING:
* Power-assisted rack and pinion
* Turns lock to lock: 3.25
* Turning circle: 10.2m
BRAKES:
*Vacuum-boosted dual circuit hydraulic with four-wheel discs.
*Front brake: 296mm x 32mm ventilated discs with twin-piston, floating callipers.
*Rear brake: 307mm x 12mm solid rear discs with single opposed piston callipers.
*Anti-lock braking system: four-sensor, three-channel type.
*TCS (Traction Control)
DIMENSIONS:
*Length 4400 mm
*Ground clearance 150 mm
*Width 1725 mm
*Height 1420 mm
*Total (curb) weight 1360 kg / 2998 lb
*Wheelbase 2670 mm
*Track front 1495 mm
*Track rear 1475 mm
Both 1) and 2) IDENTICAL
AVERAGE FUEL CONSUMPTION:
1) FC: 11.6km/l
2) FC: 11.0km/l
*Fuel tank: 60L
PERFORMANCE:
1)* Top speed: 215km/h (Top speed: 207km/h - Auto)
*0-100km/h: 8.5 secs (11.2 secs Auto)
2) *Top speed 233km/h if unrestricted (JDM limited to 180km/h)
0-100km/h: 7.2 secs (MANUAL)
*Top speed 230km/h if unrestricted (JDM limited to 180km/h)
0-100km/h: 8.0secs (AUTO)
http://www.bonsaicars.com/Altezza/Top speed and 0-100km/h source)
COLOUR CHOICES (All colours can be seen in this Blog, in “Owners’ review”: Silver, Super WHite, Pearl White, Bright Yellow, Super Red, Met. Black, Met. Grey, Dark Green Mica, Dark Blue Mica
STANDARD EQUIPMENT:
* Driver and passenger airbags
* Side front airbags
* Anti-lock brakes
* Climate control air-conditioning
* Alloy wheels
* Six-stack CD player
* Limited slip differential
* Traction control
* Trip computer
*Leather seats with front driver seat 8 way electronically adjustable
- END OF SPECIFICATIONS -
OWNER’S REVIEW (1 to 7). Source: www.carsurvey.org
OWNER'S REVIEW 1) from Belgium
1999 Lexus IS200 SE review from Belgium
"Superb car, real alternative to German competition"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Nothing yet.
General comments?
Bought this car with approximately 120000 kms on the counter, took a bit of a risk I thought. But the car has proven to be wonderfully reliable, it really still feels like a new car.
Handling is great, sportscar-like, but hardly uncomfortable. Engine has plenty of power, but a bit more torque would be welcome. Mileage is on the higher side, could be the combination sporty driving and automatic gearbox (11 l/100km). Interior is very comfortable, not too much room in the back for grownups though. Shame the rear seats can't be folded down. People admire this car, it is definately considered more of a luxury car than a C-Class Benz of 3-series BMW, at only a fraction of the cost (second hand). Superior japanese build quality deserves our respect. But it comes at a price, as spare parts are quite expensive.
OWNER'S REVIEW 2:
1999 Lexus IS200 SE review from UK
"It is the class of the field"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Battery went flat 7000k after buying, but not sure how old it was anyway.
Condensation keeps building up in front lights.
Wheels flaking a bit, but not too bad,
General comments?
Overall this is the best car I've owned.
I use to be a German car fan my last car was a vw golf 2l gti 8v, and before that a beamer 320 so to jump ship to a Japanese was bit of gamble, but one that has seriously payed off.
The IS200 oozes quality the interior is classy, feels solid with no cracks or creaks, the steering wheel is chunky and the dash at night looks like a jet fighter.
The performance is very good for a car of this genre,0-60 8.5 sec top speed 140,
has enough grunt to push you back in the seat to.
Fuel is as I would expect from this sort of car not great 35 on a run 29 around town about the same as a vw gti, if you can't afford the fuel then don't buy this car.
23rd Feb 2007, 14:18
I'm back...! my original message is now a year old and I still have my IS. The car is still in the same condition as I bought it running perfectly it has now covered 52k, the only quibble I have is that about three months ago my central locking stopped working when I took it back to Lexus they said my remote receiver had broken and would cost £500 to fix, after picking myself up of the floor I decided not to go ahead with the repair and have to lock and unlock the car with the key, this is a inconvenience and I am looking into buying a remote locking alarm system instead at about £200. interesting to see the comments keep them coming thanks.
OWNER 3: 2002 Lexus IS200 SportCross 6 sp manual review from Sweden
"Great buy, look for a used, total quality"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Nothing!
Not even a light bulb.
Fantastic reliability.
Total quality.
General comments?
This is how a car should be. Just fill it up and drive. No problems. The handling is great, very safe in snow and ice. The brakes are strong, but smooth, no vibrations. The gear box is click-click-click. Very efficient AC, but also good heating in winter. Great sound system. Good looks, my SportCross is a bit like Jensen Interceptor. Also, the SportCross is much more practical then the sedan. Comfy seats.
The nags? Well, the car handles so well that another say 50 horsepower would be fine. Quite thirsty. The paint job is too thin and scratches easily. Weak and yellowish headlights. The controls and buttons are too small for my clumsy hands. But really, I had to think hard to come up with any nags at all.
OWNER 4: 2002 Lexus IS200 Sport review from Ireland
"Nice, but...."
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Nothing.
General comments?
A nice car in many ways, but I have some reservations.
The gearing does not seem ideal, but I can live with that.
My real problem is with the ride. It is very nice on a smooth motorway, but the car seems to fidget and fret all the time on country roads that are anything less than perfect. I don't sense any problem with the way in which the tyres grip the road, but I have never felt so aware of surface undulations, even when driving a 1995 Celica GT with fat tyres and a very firm suspension.
I have carefully adjusted tyre pressures to 33 psi, and experimented with 32.5 and 34, but it seems to make little difference.
The car is still under warranty and came with full RAC check etc. Should I ask the dealers to look again at the shock absorbers, for example? Or is this how all IS200s ride on poor surfaces? Should I just learn to live with it?
11th Apr 2004, 09:04
As the author of the original 'nice, but' comment, I can now say (5,000 more miles down the road) that my original criticisms or reservations were mostly unfair. Some of the roads round here have dire surfaces and I have found that other cars do no better on them, while some fare a lot worse. More to the point, the Lexus 200 is not supposed to be a 'magic carpet' limo, but a swift sports saloon, and is much more satisfying when driven with a bit of zest, as I have found.
It has been wholly reliable, the paintwork has been durable and chip-free and getting it serviced at Lexus Leicester was the equivalent of travelling 'first premier' class instead of economy. You pay for that I suppose...
OWNER'S REVIEW 5 from UK:
2001 Lexus IS200 Sport review from UK
"An excellent all-rounder; comfortable, well-built and a joy to drive"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Nothing so far, in the first 7 months of ownership.
General comments?
This is an extremely well-built, comfortable car.
I previously had a BMW 523 SE; the new company car tax rules meant that when I came to replace it, it was going to cost more in tax that I was prepared to pay. I spent about 8 months looking at alternatives, and test drove the BMW 320i, the Saab 9-3, the Audi A3 and A4 (both 1.8T), and the Mercedes C class (2.3 litre CDi) and C class coupe (2 litre kompressor).
I eventually chose the IS 200 Sport, and am entirely happy with my decision. It turns heads wherever it goes, as it is still a rather unusual sight on UK roads (though rapidly becoming more popular).
The build quality is excellent; the instrument cluster comes in for some stick, but all I can say is that I rapidly got used to its unusual design, and every passenger I have ever had in the car has commented favourably on it.
A somewhat contentious issue with car is whether or not it is underpowered in 2 litre guise. I have found that it has all the power I need (though I do notice the difference from a BMW 2.5 litre engine!) and the road handling is noticeably better than the beamer. My one and only gripe would be that, with a six speed box, the frequent gear changes on winding roads can be tiresome, but this is the price you pay for the better acceleration and overall performance you get with a six-speed box.
I was really keen to ensure build quality was good, as we have to keep our company cars for 4 years. From what I have seen so far, it is on a par with the BMW and better than the Mercedes E class I previously had.
OWNER'S REVIEW 6:
2001 Lexus IS300 review from North America
"This car is phenomenal!"
What things have gone wrong with the car?
Wrong? Nothing wrong. If loving this car is wrong, I don't want to be right. This car is everything any other car could be, including the Americans. I usually bought American until my Mountaineer started its anticipated descent into garbage. This is my second Lexus and fully anticipate it to be as incredible as my first. Also my wife insisted on the IS300 while I leaned towards the Acura TL as better value. I am happy to say that I finally listened to my wife. She does know something about cars. Go figure.
General comments?
Love the car. Love the deal. Love the service. Wanted a free Lexus watch in the deal but didn't get it. Didn't love that.
As for handling, I think it handles better than my late 80' Mustangs. This car cooks. My wife even said that I look good in this car.
Performance marks 9/10
Reliability marks 10/10
Comfort marks 10/10
Dealer Service marks 10/10
OWNER"S REVIEW 7:
2002 Lexus IS300 Sports Luxury review from Australia and New Zealand
in one!!! Mid size luxury, sporty feeling, brilliant handling.."
What things have gone wrong with the car?
I have had the car for two months, so nothing so far. Hopefully it stays that way.
At 100K kilometres, this car still drives like new, and is immaculate!
General comments?
This car handles very very well! One of the better handling cars I have had a pleasure to drive. A real driver's car; awesome steering feel and response. Best appreciated on twisty roads!
Performance is very good for what the car is. It is not that fast in straight line, but will match and beat most average cars on the road. My previous car was a twin turbo Soarer, so it is a bit of a step down in performance, however the average person won't be disappointed.
The 2JZ-GE engine is the atmo version of the Supra 2JZ-GTE engine. Essentially the same engine, but without turbos strapped on the side. It is possible to turbocharge this engine for only a few thousand dollars, which will make it a very fast car! Not only in straight line, but also on corners!
Comfort level is quite good. The seats are very supportive, and a bit firm, although they lack adjustable lumbar support. Surprising given the seats are electric (forward, back, up, down, bottom tilt, and back tilt). That is perhaps an oversight by Lexus, and it bothered me for a little while, but am used to it now. The lumbar support in the seats is quite good mind you, but you cannot adjust it.
Rear leg room is quite small, however this is a baby Lexus, so don't expect a limo.
The interior is styled in a way which suggests performance, rather than comfort. It is not a plush ride, but it is comfortable over bumps and uneven roads.
At 100K kays, the alcantara leather shows hardly any wear, which is good. Steering wheel and gear knob leather also show hardly any wear. The dash looks like brand new. No gaps between panels; everything sits in place.
Something that I noticed very quickly was that there is very minimal noise in the cabin. Not only from the outside, but also the interior trim is very well put together, and makes no rattles or any other noises at all, even over heavy bumps. The build quality of this car is just outstanding!
Boot space is not too big; one big suit case and few smaller bags will fit alright. I had trouble fitting a bigger box once; I had to resort to putting it on the back seats. The actual boot lid is quite short.
Fuel economy is reasonable for a 6 cyl 3 litre engine. In the city I can cover about 550 kilometres on a 65 litre tank. That is 50% driving in heavy peak hour traffic too. The little economy gauge on the dash shows consumption at about 7-8 litres per 100 kays on the freeway at 100 km/h. I use the premium 98 octane fuel (BP Ultimate).
The IS300 is very classy, reliable, and comfortable. I am very happy with this car, and I would certainly recommend it to anyone (who doesn't need space for 3 kids and a dog of course) who appreciates attention to detail.
Daniel.
The following were sourced from MSN Auto US website:
http://autos.msn.com/research/userreviews/...x?modelid=10618MSN Auto (US) User Reviews
9.1 Overall Rating
9.4 Styling
9.1 Performance
8.8 Interior
9.2 Quality
9.1 Recommendation
OWNER REVIEW 8 from USA
""The Dream Car""
2001 Lexus IS 300
08/07/2006
By: Jacky from Reno
Owned: Less than 1 year
Review ID: #496277
10.0 Overall Rating
10 Styling
10 Performance
10 Interior
10 Quality
10 Recommendation
Pros:
I love how stylish it is. I've always been in love with the Lexus IS 300. It runs smooth and looks great! For me it's one of the best and most reliable car there is. It runs fast and it's easy to maintain. It performs at top level.
Cons:
I don't dislike anything about it. It's the dream car!
Overall Review:
I recommend the Lexus IS 300 because it's fast, smooth, realiable, easy to maitain, has a great look and it's more affordable than BMW's. You gotta love them!!!
OWNER REVIEW 9 from Canada
"The Best Car I've ever owned."
Lexus IS 300 5-Speed Sedan
01/21/2004
By: AW
Owned: 1 year
Review ID: #405278
9.9 Overall Rating
10 Styling
9 Performance
10 Interior
10 Quality
10 Recommendation
Pros:
Very high quality fit & finish, silky engine, sharp handling, great ergonomics, faultless reliability, & great styling.
Cons:
The lack of an AWD option, and not being able to opt for the stability control with the manual transmission.
Overall Review:
The Best Car I've ever owned.
End of OWNER’S REVIEW.
» სპოილერის ნახვისთვის დააწკაპუნეთ აქ «
This post has been edited by Faniack on 22 Mar 2012, 00:13 
· 
TOYOTA CLUB GEORGIA PART V, Mowing Forward 
