JZS147

That's why I went for that one - right colour for my car so no painting bills.

Just scored the blue one - bargain !! Cheers for the heads up mate

I'm sticking with styling and creature comfort mods, TTE bumper, nice set of 18's and hopefully find a sat nav housing to put an android pad into (needs more research) to start with. The engine will be staying stock as I've got a mildly tuned Aristo for "playtime" I must admit the IS has got right under my skin very quickly and the bog std daily driver idea has departed already.

Very often a diff bearing noise will change between under load (foot down accelerating) and coasting, try getting up to speed so you can hear the noise and dip the clutch and knock it into neutral (assuming it's a manual) if the noise changes it's USUALLY the diff if not it's USUALLY the wheel bearing. This isn't definative but is a good pointer. HTH

Picked up my IS sport this week, thanks to all that gave advice. Blue near mint 2001 sport with 57k and full lexus history but short MOT for less than a grand because a "kiss" on the NSF corner pushed the light back 10mm at the bottom, bargain or what !!! The bumper came off yesterday and within 20 mins I had the light pointing where it should again although the strengthening bar below it isn't quite the shape is was :D and the headlight does have an ickle crack at the back All back toghther now and ready for MOT tomorrow, I've had a good look round and can't see anything drastic it's going to fail on. The problem is it was ment to be just a standard daily driver to and from work but thoughts of TTE this and TRD that have already started and being as the std bumper has to come off again to replace these parts I may as well see if I can find a TTE one to replace it with (see thats that justified). Does it always start this way and where will it end ????????? Will do pictures when it stops bloody raining. Take it easy.

Picked up mine last night and same as the rest sat one notch under normal all the way home, motorway town and country roads. Hope that helps.

Well I'm now the proud owner of "51" plate blue sport manual 57k with lexus history. Even came in under budget because of a tiny knock thats slightly damaged the front bumper and pushed the headlamp back by 10mm but at that milage and history I'm more than happy to sort that. It even came with refurbed wheels, 3 keys, all the handbooks all the tool kit and a working head unit. Be ready for the stoopid newbie questions and thanks again for everyone's help and input.

I hear what you're saying and agree to a point but the Audi's FWD so definately out and the BMW diesel is a pig of an engine to work on and common so is out too. You just get more for your money with an IS I think and after 17mpg from the rangie the IS will be relatively cheap to run.

Many thanks for the quick response, It was what I hoped to hear. I'm just going to find the best car for the money and not get hung up on spec. I think an Altezza is out as I much prefer a smooth 6 pot to a revvy frantic 4 pot. Oh well the search continues................... Thanks again all.

Hi all, Newbie user here although have been reading the forum for quite a while. I'm in need of some advice from IS200 drivers on choosing a new daily driver. I've just got rid of a V8 range rover to make way for something more sensible and being as my "weekend warrior" is a Mk1 Aristo it seems an IS200 is a reasonable choice. My limited (by the Mrs) budget £1200 - £1400 will stretch to a low milage 1 owner tidy 2001ish "S" or a not so clean older SE or sport. I've read the difference in spec but thats all just words, which way would you go in my position as actual drivers of the cars ? Tidy "pauper spec" or an SE or sport in need of some sorting. Or as an odball thought how about an Altezza? Thanks for reading this far and any advice offered.