Lexus IS250

[rdb85]

I am looking to upgrade my car, currently I have a Mini, but I am looking for a 4 door. So I have seen Lexus IS250. I dont do enough mileage for a Diesel. I do about 6000 a year. I have £3500 to spend.

So I have some questions on this model, which spec would be the one to go for? Any know issues, points to check etc?

[kurt535]

Diesel definitely out; the 2.2 version is the worst engine I think Toyota ever made.

Petrols go on and on and on and on.

The IS300 is the engine that gets the mechanic's nod by all accounts. bomb-proof.

[Z28DUNC]

Rear calipers always seize, the slide pins needs regularly greasing. Other than that I'd say stick to an auto. We had the manual box and it needed a new clutch by 75k. Oh and the gears within the 6 cd player go and you can't get yor cd's out!

[rdb85]

Z28DUNC said:

Rear calipers always seize, the slide pins needs regularly greasing. Other than that I'd say stick to an auto. We had the manual box and it needed a new clutch by 75k. Oh and the gears within the 6 cd player go and you can't get yor cd's out!

Thanks for that. I am still on the hunt for a nice SE-L model. I may check out the 300 and see what the difference in cost is. I really like them, as I am after a reliable car.

[Super Slo Mo]

Is300 is the older shape model.

[nitrodave]

Been looking at these too and think they're really good value. From what I understand you want an auto as it suits the car much better and the manual is £505 tax, whereas the auto is £285.

Apparently the Mark Levinson audio system is brilliant and worth trying to get, full leather with heated/cooling seats too.

I've checked MOT histories for quite a few and the only things you ever see are advisories on tyres and bulbs out. They seem very reliable and capable of massive mileage. As with any modern car, buy on condition rather than mileage.

The only thing putting me off is that the back seats don't go down. I've also been considering the e90 BMW 325 or 330 at similar prices, but the Lexus looks like a much more reliable choice

[Super Slo Mo]

Something to bear in mind is that you can’t get pattern replacement exhausts for them so if they blow through your options are Lexus genuine (c£1700 I believe), or get a custom one made.
Certain other parts like struts are expensive too. They don’t fail often though, but it was a couple of things I factored into my last car purchase (didn’t get the Lexus in the end).

[craigjm]

automatic, petrol. 2.5 SE-L with the Nav and Levinson pack. Dont expect a rocket ship or amazing handling (although they dont embarrass themselves)

[rdb85]

Super Slo Mo said:

Something to bear in mind is that you can’t get pattern replacement exhausts for them so if they blow through your options are Lexus genuine (c£1700 I believe), or get a custom one made.
Certain other parts like struts are expensive too. They don’t fail often though, but it was a couple of things I factored into my last car purchase (didn’t get the Lexus in the end).

Thanks for that. I will be sure to check the car over.

[rdb85]

craigjm said:

automatic, petrol. 2.5 SE-L with the Nav and Levinson pack. Dont expect a rocket ship or amazing handling (although they dont embarrass themselves)

That the model I am trying to find. There a few on Autotrader and eBay. But I need to sell my Mini first.

[craigjm]

It’s a real shame they didn’t bring the 350 to the UK. The 250 to the F was a huge jump

[kurt535]

you need a IS300 Sportcross. Rare as rocking horse. Fabulous car. Yes, I have one :0.

[Heaveho]

kurt535 said:

you need a IS300 Sportcross. Rare as rocking horse. Fabulous car. Yes, I have one :0.

Me too. Great car for what we want from it. Had an IS250 auto, and the same goes. Our IS-F was truly memorable! I'm a serial Lexus freak, in case it wasn't obvious.

[kurt535]

Heaveho said:

kurt535 said:

you need a IS300 Sportcross. Rare as rocking horse. Fabulous car. Yes, I have one :0.

Me too. Great car for what we want from it. Had an IS250 auto, and the same goes. Our IS-F was truly memorable! I'm a serial Lexus freak, in case it wasn't obvious.

They can't be beaten! If you can swallow the 28mpg they are the muts! Im considering LPG'ing my one. Just spent £1000 getting its body work done as its only on 47,000 miles and im the 2nd owner. Sadly, bodywork was perfect when i got her but city life means people dont give a f*&k about other people's cars so all those little dings accumulate. Anyway, all sorted now

[rdb85]

I may go and look at this over the weekend. I have £8k to spend. It’s the nicest one I can find on AT with black leather.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[craigjm]

rdb85 said:

I may go and look at this over the weekend. I have £8k to spend. It’s the nicest one I can find on AT with black leather.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Looks good

[kurt535]

rdb85 said:

I may go and look at this over the weekend. I have £8k to spend. It’s the nicest one I can find on AT with black leather.

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

fancy an IS300 Sportcross with far less on the clock??

[Z28DUNC]

i thought you only have 3.5k to spend? I think £6k for that sort of mileage is expensive personally. Any reason you are looking for a IS specifically? For £8k you could get a really nice GS.

[rdb85]

Z28DUNC said:

i thought you only have 3.5k to spend? I think £6k for that sort of mileage is expensive personally. Any reason you are looking for a IS specifically? For £8k you could get a really nice GS.

Initially I did only have £3500. But I have decided that in order to get something that is nice and reliable, I would need to spend a little more. So I looked into finance and I can pay it off over 2 years which is okay with me. But if I can get something for less then that is even better.

No specific reason, I initially wanted something Japanese that was £3500, that was reliable, someone mentioned Lexus, Now there are IS that are around that price, but they have over 100k on them, so didnt want to take the risk really.

I do like the GS but I think they maybe a little too big, as I want something that is bigger than my Mini , but easy to park etc. But if you want to recommend anything else, that would be great.

[rdb85]

Z28DUNC said:

i thought you only have 3.5k to spend? I think £6k for that sort of mileage is expensive personally. Any reason you are looking for a IS specifically? For £8k you could get a really nice GS.

Do you mean £6k for that car is expensive or, do you mean to spend £6k and only do that mileage is expensive?