The buy
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I purchased my IS200 from a local garage. I was looking for a working car and when I saw this particular car black and goldbadged, a real headturner, I requested a test drive. It was an automatic with a 2.0L engine and the speedometer showed that I could do a possible 140mph. In fact on motorway speeds upto 110mph were possible very easily. Comfortable bucket seats. good looking and easily accessible controls in black matched the cream beige coloured leather upholstery. This car was visually pleasing. It had traction control and ABS as standard with the option of switching off the ABS, for that exciting skid cornering or handbrake turn spins, on a speed track. There was also a POWER BUTTON! when this is switched on you can accelerate from standing if you are awaiting your turn at a roundabout or if you are trying to overtake, it gives a power boost to help matters.
Practicality
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Is this , therefore a young man’s toy and was I facing a midlife crisis? I decided to take the plunge and buy the vehicle. This used vehicle which had done just over 17000 miles and had extras like a 6 CD changer, alloy wheels, was automatic and had satnav cost about18, 500 pounds 2 years ago. 1 pound is about Rs 80. Remember that Lexus took over from where the Camry range finished so it is the luxury end of the Toyota market and now independently marketed. Its ads in the past were simplistic, a glass of water placed on the bonnet of a running engine, to show that there was minimal disturbance of the water level. One of the other reviews mentions the silence of the engine which makes one turn the ignition on while the engine is running, this has happened several times to me, too. It has a vast tank and can be quite expensive to fill. I got factory fitted satellite navigation with my vehicle. A very pleasing display which adjusts light during nightime to provide a different view. A woman with a BBC newsreader type accent giving me directions. mileage about 18 to 24 miles per litre, which I thought was good going for a 2.0 L vehicle.
Satisfaction
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I’m very happy with this vehicle. I do a lot of driving and visit many of my patients at home. A useful feature is that you can open the boot with the key remote. so there is no fumbling in the rain especially if you are carrying a heavy bag. The boot is space is adequate and thats surprising considering the visually pleasing lines.
Lights come on automatically at dusk on the Auto setting.
Negative points
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Its practically impossible to negotiate in ice and snow, but this is a feature of all rear wheel drive sporty vehicles.