Lexus IS200/Toyota Altezza

Updated: 09 Dec 2024

Hi guys, just wondering if you could answer some questions. Im dead set on getting a Lexus is200(altezza). End of discussion. but there’s a few I’ve seen with relatively high mileage. They range from 80,000 miles - 130,000 miles, would it really be worth getting one with high mileage? does this matter being a Toyota made engine?

Also, they’re cheaper with an auto… but obviously, I want a stick shift for the driftys (cringe) is it worth getting an auto? And what should I look out for when buying an is200?

Comments

Hight milage is not bad, there’s a Facebook group called IS200 where are a lot of high milage is200’s. Also some have rust in and near the wheelarches. My advice with a high milage is200 is to make sure the full history of the car exists and maybe you could ask this same question in that Facebook group

Thanks for the advice:)

I would recommend defiantly getting the manual if possible, better mpg’s and more fun. Never had the auto but I imagine it would have slow gear changes which isn’t great.
If you are going to be doing drifts, don’t even bother with the standard trim model is200 as the open diff will not be good with drifts and will end up spinning only 1 wheel. The sport model had an LSD standard and so much better for drifting and handling too.

My thoughts exactly with the manual. I will be going for the SE model as my insurance goes through the roof with the sport, I would love to have the sport but at 20 in the uk, it just won’t happen:/ what about a welded diff?

True, in terms of looks there isn’t any difference really between the se and the sport. Pretty much just the rear spoiler/lip. You can see on my profile. Welded diff would be perfect for drifting though, just need to be careful in normal driving so you don’t spin out.

I’ve always had a FWD car, at the moment I have a 1.0L 😐 is an is200 a good way to go starting with a rwd car? I would be using it to commute and drive on a daily basis as well, I would also consider a mx5 but I need back seats haha

Ahh right well you will love the power of the is200 coming from the 1.0L. I mean the is200 by no means is the fastest car but it certainly feels much faster than the specs suggest. I have owned my is200 for a few months now and am very pleased with it and was surprised how well it compared against a BMW 3 series, in many ways better. It is very comfortable and is fast when it needs to be. Only thing I will say is that it is not as light on fuel as my old 1.6 used to be but then that is expected I suppose. A tank lasts me just over a week around town and I get 350 miles. On the motorway though this would go up to about 450 I would assume.

I was also considering a 3 series maybe a 318i or 318ci, but I’ve seen a lexus-around £1500 with 67,000 miles and part service history. Personally I think it would be fine but need a second opinion, what do you think? And we’ll, my fuel economy isn’t brilliant at the moment but it’s not bad I’m expecting to spend a little more in fuel anyways just comes with a bigger engine I suppose:)

I would check out thatdudeinblue on YouTube, he made a great is300 review not too long ago

Thanks man I’ll check it out now

Yeah exactly that, bigger engine=more fuel but honestly not that bad. 318ci is also a very nice car, was looking at one myself but it’s the engine that put me off, it’s a 4 cylinder, so you just don’t get the noise that the Lexus gives!

67,000 miles is very low, I would jump at that deal, depending on price of course.

High mileage isn’t that abs but I also have 239k on mine and it’s auto. As long as you take care of it and don’t beat on it as it gets more miles on it. It spins the wheels really easy so the “drifty” part is still there