Is200 - Reasonable Lifespan

[Alex-SC]

Hello all,

I have a 2003 IS200 Sportcross:

It has a few dings, bumper scrapes and like all ISs the alloys are a bit of a mess. The inside needs a good clean. All in all its probably worth a grand, so not a lot and I'm very tempted to keep it. I know its a very different beast but I was once tempted to keep a Golf MK2 GTI and it suddenly started to cost me a fortune.

The Sportcross has a full main dealer history from new. I bought it five years ago and took out a five year plan (a moment of madness probably). It has done 90,000 miles give or take. It has had very few advisories, brakes which I sorted and a 'leaking ball joint' that I've done nothing about and occasionally but not always gets advised. The screen wash pump hardly works but I changed the actual water pump when I bought it. It has one main dealer service left in the current plan.

So, I'm seeking advice and reassurance. Given that the engine will probably last longer than me, what might be the usual expensive problems down the road and how likely are they to happen - gearbox, clutch, aircon, exhaust, suspension that sort of thing? Many thanks for any pointers. I've done a bit of a search but thought I might as well start a thread.

Another option is to get rid but I don't fancy any newer Lexus that I could afford, so it would mean a change of brand. The Sportcross really emphasises the 'lifestyle' part of 'estate' so I'd probably have done with it and buy a Suzuki Swift Sport as a replacement; different if nothing else.

[Gruntfuggly]

Keep it.

It's a good looking, reliable car. If you've had it five years, you must know it pretty well. IMO, it's definitely better to keep a car you know well than to take a gamble on another.

The only downside is the road tax. :(

I had an Astra estate which had 100,000 on the clock when I bought it - I did another 90,000 and started to get cold feet, because it was making a clunking noise. So I agreed a PX for something else, but the guy wanted me to get the clunking checked out before he took it. Turned out it was just an exhaust mount (cost about 5 quid). I really regretted selling changing it in the end...

[Alex-SC]

Thank you. It does seem to be worth a whole lot more to me than its market value. You're right, I know the car pretty well - Its never made a single knock, judder, anything... Even the CD player works! I'll probably fix the dents/scuffs, refurb the alloys and keep it, at least until the service in June when I'll ask the dealer to take a good look.

[clifton 94]

Hi my is200 is fourteen years old and still looks good as you say for what there worth just look after it and keep it

[janet]

My sportcross is a 2002, it will go on for many years yet, without depreciation and I anticipate no problems. Sadly (very) we have little need for her now after many years of ownership, and she may be destined for a new owner in the New Year. These are not troublesome expensive cars to own. The discussions on the forum tend still to revolve around the 'old chestnuts'. Remarkable for a model designed maybe 17 years ago! Fuel costs mean nothing when compared to depreciation or a troublesome car...QED.

[HoodRich]

Mine is going to be 15 years old next month and doesn't miss a beat (touch wood)

I'd say keep it......I'm sure it has lots of life left in it.

[Alex-SC]

Thanks all, decision made to keep it.

[clifton 94]

The right choice

[Algebra]

I hope this aged like fine wine, you still got it?