Want To Change Car

[SMW]

So . . . I start a new job in May and I want to change my car at the same time.

I can add about £5500 to my current car so I have around £12800 as a max budget.

I will be driving 58 miles a day (total) for work (with private mileage I will probably be doing about 15 000 miles a year). My new job involves starting very early in the morning so reliability / good starting is vital. I don't need a load of aggro at 4 in the morning in the middle of winter !

Some other things to consider - I'm 36 with max NCD so insurance isn't a great worry although I don't want to pay silly premiums. I won't be modding the car much - if anything it might just be a few cosmetic things - performance is not top of my shopping list but having said that I will be spending quite a bit of time on the motorway so I need something that can hold it's own and 'rise to the occasion' when needed.

I guess the only other 2 things to mention are that I am not particularly mechanically minded so I don't want something that I need to be working on myself every weekend to keep it running - I just want to put it into the dealer for servicing when needed. The other thing is that I have 2 kids aged 5 and 2 - very occasionally they need to be in my car - although it is not very often this does rule out 2 seaters.

My gut reactions are Celica GT / GT4 (well under budget) or IS200 SE. Maybe a high mile Celica G7 ?

Your thoughts / suggestions please . . .

[Fidgits]

*cough* IS200

[SMW]

*cough* IS200

Ha . . we've been here before haven't we (nearly bought an IS before the current Avensis).

It's certainly getting a lot of thought now

Only things that put me off really is Err3, flaky alloys, gear ratio and Mk2 2005.

Is Err3 still warranty (didn't they extend it). alloys can be fixed. Won't be able to to afford Mk2 anyway.

Mmmm . . what about an auto ?

[Fidgits]

Right, the alloys, warranty is extended, Lexus will refurb them, better than new.

Never had the ERR3, as long as you dont force a CD in it wont happen, and to be extra sure, get one with a CD player at the top (rather than the bottom), much better system.

The gear ratios are perfect...

As for an auto, slightly slower, but still a nice drive...

There a a few for sale on LOC at the moment BTW..

[SMW]

get one with a CD player at the top (rather than the bottom), much better system.

Hey didn't know this . . . is it a year thing i.e. 2000 onwards etc ?

Anyway thanks - I'll wander over to LOC - need a dealer though probably 'cus need P/X.

[jaxx]

personnaly id recommend the IS aswell!

lovely cars

[Fidgits]

get one with a CD player at the top (rather than the bottom), much better system.

Hey didn't know this . . . is it a year thing i.e. 2000 onwards etc ?

Anyway thanks - I'll wander over to LOC - need a dealer though probably 'cus need P/X.

Yeah mid-2000 they replaced them with the better stereo's.

2001 they added curtain airbags...

Personally, on your budget, I'd reccomend looking for a late 2000 model (thats what i have)..

As for the dealer, drop Lexus Edinburgh a line (i know its a distance, but they have done some great deals for LOC members!)

[Fidgits]

Okay, did a quick search for you:

How about this one:

SE X-reg Auto, 90K, 1 owner, TRD sports kit, 11,995 --> Lexus reading

or

SE X-reg Manual, 70k, 1 owner, 12,450 --> Woodford (essex)

or

SE V-reg Auto, 56K, TRD sports kit, 12,495 --> lexus Swindon

[Fidgits]

or

SE T-reg, Sat Nav, 48k, 11995 -->swindon (will have older stereo though possibly)

or

V-reg with sat nav, 41k, 13,250 -> Hatfield

[Fidgits]

Oh, and wrt to the 2005 version, as i mentioned at the time, this has probably been stretched out, and knowing Lexus as i do, the stock will be limited for a time...

Its worth getting an IS now, trust me on this, its the longest ive ever had a car, and im still not bored!

[Rash@R.A.Motors]

personally if i was going to get a an IS i'd go for the Sports model...... but that's just my opinion

what about a V/W reg Lexus GS300 Sports - luuuurvely cars

Rash

[jaxx]

stop it youve got me thinkin again now!

[Fidgits]

personally if i was going to get a an IS i'd go for the Sports model...... but that's just my opinion

what about a V/W reg Lexus GS300 Sports - luuuurvely cars

Rash

well, to be honest, the only difference between the SE and the sport is the following:

Limited Slip Diff

Chrome Pedals

Chrome sills

Two-tone steering wheel

Lip spoiler

Sport not available in Auto

(from 2001 onwards, the sport had 15mm lower springs)

Thats it, so the performance/toys are identical between the two...

I do like the GS, but it has to be the MkII sport, which i nearly bought, but wouldnt fit in the garage!

[Fidgits]

okay, now here is one for you:

its an 02 IS200 (yes, and IS not Tezza), auto box, and has the following:

Full Altezza Racing bodykit, full two-tone leather interor, remus exhaust, Altezza high level rear wing....

Click me

[jaxx]

ohhhh very nice!

[Fidgits]

thought you might like that, looks very nice in the flesh too!

[SMW]

Okay, did a quick search for you:

How about this one:

SE X-reg Auto, 90K, 1 owner, TRD sports kit, 11,995 --> Lexus reading

Thanks for all your work Ian !

This one is a bit high miles.

[SMW]

SE V-reg Auto, 56K, TRD sports kit, 12,495 --> lexus Swindon

yep nice . . . might be able to get a bit newer ?

[SMW]

or

SE T-reg, Sat Nav, 48k, 11995 -->swindon (will have older stereo though possibly)

or

V-reg with sat nav, 41k, 13,250 -> Hatfield

T reg bit old.

I like the Grey one - and it's about 10 miles from me . . . hmmmmm.

[SMW]

okay, now here is one for you:

its an 02 IS200 (yes, and IS not Tezza), auto box, and has the following:

Full Altezza Racing bodykit, full two-tone leather interor, remus exhaust, Altezza high level rear wing....

Click me

price to match though !

[SMW]

well, to be honest, the only difference between the SE and the sport is the following:

Limited Slip Diff

Chrome Pedals

Chrome sills

Two-tone steering wheel

Lip spoiler

Sport not available in Auto

(from 2001 onwards, the sport had 15mm lower springs)

Thats it, so the performance/toys are identical between the two...

Pretty much decided on SE if I go IS.

Quite keen on Auto and don't like the pedals or stiffer suspension of Sport.

[SMW]

Ah the Hatfield one is Oakham - much prefer Exmoor (fussy eh?)

[SMW]

SE V-reg Auto, 56K, TRD sports kit, 12,495 --> lexus Swindon

yep nice . . . might be able to get a bit newer ?

Right . . this is the current fav then.

[kimi]

a DOM would look good in a is200, or how about a mailstar 5gear?

very relieable at 4am

kimi

[Fidgits]

Ah the Hatfield one is Oakham - much prefer Exmoor (fussy eh?)

No exmoor is better, and it holds its value better than Oakham.

If your going to have a look at any in Swindon, let me know, i live down the road from there (its where i got mine from).

i tried to get a broad range for you in your price range, but for 12 grand your looking at a 2000 V or X model, may be able to get low miles..

I do like the current fave too!