Lexus IS (1999 – 2005) Review
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=640&height=426&rmode=crop)
Lexus IS (1999 – 2005) At A Glance
Well equipped, reliable and rated highly by owners. Controlled rear-drive handling, rewarding manual gearshift and decent ride.
Fuel consumption is nothing to email home about. The straight six has to be worked hard to perform. Used prices stayed quite high for a while.
I remember the launch of the Lexus IS200 at the 1998 Motor Show. There was a lot to feast your eyes on because the same show also saw UK launches of the Jaguar S Type, the Rover 75 and the E46 BMW 3-Series.
The Rover 75 and the Jaguar S Type seemed satisfyingly retro (the Rover more so than the Jag) and, while the E46 3-Series was a pre-Bangled evolution of the E36, the one car that stood out as clean, fresh and new was the exquisite IS200.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with it from any angle. And, thankfully, after this year's enhancements, there is still nothing to offend the purist. The Audi A4 B6 and the new Volvo S40 get very close. But neither quite match the neatness of the IS200.
Reviews for Lexus IS (1999 – 2005)'s top 3 rivals
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
.jpg?width=240&height=160&rmode=crop)
Lexus IS (1999 – 2005) handling and engines
The driving doesn't disappoint. It isn't overgeared, so 6th corresponds to about 22 mph per 1,000rpm and makes the most of the power and torque. No complaints about the radio signal, which held Magic further up the M40 than any other car I've taken there. Handling and roadholding is fine, well controlled, traditional, rear drive with no dodgy quirks and traction control you can switch off if you really want to. The steering is a bit lighter than a 3-Series, but far from over-light and still gives decent ‘feel'. Seats are excellent with a full range of adjustment. Even the back is a nice place to be, though centre rear is strictly for children. The only downside is fuel consumption of around 30mpg.
Finally, the JD Power survey results. No car has ever done as well as consistently as the Lexus IS200. It carries the status of a 3-Series and a C-Class. But it has proven to be more satisfying to its owners than either.
Lexus IS (1999 – 2005) interior
The interior is a pleasant place to be, too. The chronograph instruments are nicer to look at than they are to read in a hurry. (If you want an ideal instrument display, buy a Prius II). The chrome gearknob operates the short-throw six-speed gearbox like a classic rifle bolt. And instead of a range of four and six cylinder engines, you get just one: a smooth 155PS two-litre twin belt-cam six. True, you can now also choose a 215PS three-litre IS300, and you can have either engine in the aesthetically challenged Sportcross body. But the essence of the IS200 saloon remains as the original 1998 Motor Show cars. And used values reflect how right that always was.
You also get a lot of kit, and now more in the ‘enhanced specification' from April 2004. Even the base model at a far from unreasonable £18,850 comes with a 6-cylinder engine, 6-speed manual gearbox, 6-disk in-dash CD multiplayer + cassette RDS radio with 6 speakers, climate control, electric windows, electric folding mirrors and a lot more. Some 2.0 litre rep's cars list at more money for much the same goody level. Move up to the SE and you get a lot more, including sports suspension, leather upholstery and new 11 spoke 17" alloy wheels. Automatics come with cruise control. But more important than any of that is the sheer quality of the car. Fit and finish is excellent. Paint perfect. Plastic fantastic. And that as well as the looks is probably why IS200s hold their money so well. You'll be really pushed to find even a high mileage 5 year old SE at auction for less than £8,000. As far as I can see they hang on to their money even better than a BMW 3-Series.
Model History
January 0001
14' 5" long by 5' 8" wide and from 1,350kg.
153 bhp twin-cam (but belt cam) 24v 2.0 litre straight six. Six-speed manual gearbox has rifle-bolt precision (four speed auto optional). Rear-wheel-drive with proper rear drive handling. Interesting instruments. Much sharper steering than other Lexus models.
Sport has traction control, which is a mixed blessing for keen drivers. Three three-point rear seatbelts. Prices originally started at £20,500.
LE models from November 2003 have 11 spoke 17" alloys, High Intensity Discharge headlights, full leather interior, front, side and curtain airbags, electric multi-adjustable fron seats, 8 speaker sound system with in dash 6CD autochanger, sunroof, automatic anti-glare mirrors, cruise control on automatic, Kodiak Sky dark metallic paint. Prices 6-speed manual £20,795; 4-speed auto £22,025. 4th top car out of 137 in 2003 Top Gear survey.
Satnav standard on SE from February 2005.
What to watch out for
See above problem areas. Check gearbox and clutch action carefully before buying a manual. Check radios on independent imports.
03-02-2011:Seem to suffer from severe tyre wear because soft bushes in the front suspension deteriorate and while the alignment may read okay static, once the car is on the road the front tyres toe out excessively and wear their inner edges. Happens with standard 215/45 R17s. Worse with bigger, lower profile aftermarket wheel and tyre combinations.
16-11-2011:On 2000-2003 4-speed Toyota and Lexus auto boxes with overdrive there is a fault that can appear of the ecu causing rough changes that damages the gearbox and eventually breaks it. USA Toyota helped owners out with repairs no such help apparent here. ECU are £1,000. Transmissions much more.
