New To Lexus Cars.... Some Buying Questions

sercombe · January 26, 2006

After some time of looking around at the different cars on the market I have came to a final decision on the car i wish to buy which is a an IS200 (99 to 2001 plate). I have done quite a bit of research and read alot of the information on this site. I have also been and seen a couple of cars and test drove them. I have a a couple of questions i need to ask to help me in making a good purchase of a used car.

Audio

1. Alot of the cars I am looking at on T - Y Plates have the Bottom CD Player that is known for this Err3 message. How can i test for this when I go and look at cars? is there any reported problems with the cassette player?

2. Does the CD Player in the IS200 play Copied CD's and MP3 CD's?

3. Also what are the best options for connecting mp3 players to the unit for best sound quality such as an IPOD. (ive heard of these FM transmitter things - they any good?)

Lights

4. Apparently the IS200 has light sensors where the light auto come on. how does this all work? can it be turned off and are the sensors the ones on the right hand side of the dash under the window?

General

5. I looked a 2001 lexus the other day and when i checked the spare wheel i noticed in the well at the left corner there was water. is it common to have a leak on the boot on an IS200?

6. Also a car I had test driven struggled to start like the Battery was flat and once i got it going and warmed up the engine it appeared to start fine everytime after that first attempt from cold. is this common or was it a one off on this car? (a local mechanic mentions they puff blue smoke out on a cold mornings on IS200's as a common fault.)

7. Last of all, the motorway test of an IS200 shows the cars have a shake on the when when you brake. there are many different views on this. Id call it warped discs, am i right? how much are these for an IS200?

Thanks in advance for your help! let me know if there is anything else you can point out for me to check when looking at the cars. eg: air con problems, mirrors. mechanical, leaks, anything....

MacRS200 · January 27, 2006

To answer your questions

1. It either has ERR3 or hasn't if not it probably will in the future.

2. It will play copied CD's but suspected to contribute to ERR3, won't play MP3's

3. Prolex do an Aux in adaptor that will do the trick

4. Light sensors are on the dash where you say, it works OK and you can control manually if you want

5. Not that I know of and neither my IS or Tezza suffer from that

6. Cold starting has never been a problem with me and don't know anyone who has that problem. If it puffs out blue smoke on starting it has probably got knackered valve stem oil seals, not a "common fault" AFAIK just a worn engine.

7. Yup probably warped disks not a feature of the IS.

Sounds like the one you test drove is to be avoided

sercombe · January 27, 2006

Thanks, How do i test for CD players having the Err 3 problem?

swfcdan · January 27, 2006

3) im having this fitted on monday :

http://www.e-bowl.co.uk/products/4760.html

i shall report back and let you know how it goes

*note to all, im am selling my psp to pay for this, anyone interested pm me £150*

6) i have a 99 IS200 sport. The same thing happend with me when starting, but it was simply down the the Battery being due for replacement, as the stock ones are not up to much. Ive since changed it and had no problems since.

javadude · January 27, 2006

3. The prolex adapter only works for SE and Sport. If you get an S like me then you're stuck with tape adapter or fm modulator.

sercombe · January 27, 2006

3. The prolex adapter only works for SE and Sport. If you get an S like me then you're stuck with tape adapter or fm modulator.

So there are three ways connecting an mp3 player to the head unit? Tape Adapter, FM Transmitters and this connector cable?

Is the sound quality any good using the tape adapters or FM transmitters? anyone use them? anyone got a link for this prolex adapter?

scott · January 28, 2006

3. The prolex adapter only works for SE and Sport. If you get an S like me then you're stuck with tape adapter or fm modulator.

So there are three ways connecting an mp3 player to the head unit? Tape Adapter, FM Transmitters and this connector cable?

Is the sound quality any good using the tape adapters or FM transmitters? anyone use them? anyone got a link for this prolex adapter?

The sound quality on the stereo is pretty good to start with. I used a good quality cassette adaptor and never had any problems.

sercombe · January 28, 2006

Is it me or does no one directly answer questions properly????

Not to be rude scott, i appreciate you making a comment. I am after someones opinion/experience on sound quality of connecting MP3 players to the standard head unit via one of the many connections.

Parthiban · January 28, 2006

Is it me or does no one directly answer questions properly????
Not to be rude scott, i appreciate you making a comment. I am after someones opinion/experience on sound quality of connecting MP3 players to the standard head unit via one of the many connections.

Errr, I think he did mate, he said he used a cassette adaptor, and didn't have any problems....

I think it comes down to how much quality you like from your audio. I used a cassette adaptor for a bit, but after a while got fed up with it because the quality wasn't good enough for me