Well i've come to a part in my life where im not to sure what to do.. (hence the title:P)

I'm currently 19 (just) and i drive supra. I got caught speeding just over 2 months ago now and i dunno if its just my perspective has changed but i've kind of grown a liking to the luxury/cruiser/sleeper look. But i still love my supra but i'm just not sure if its really worth the trouble (insurance,speeding fines,unwanted attention cop and other).

So i'm in a pickle, keep the supra and keep modding it OR sell the supra and buy and IS200.

Main mods i would be thinking is some nice 19" wheels lower it a bit. would be about it...

So im just wondering what do you guys think?

Also a few questions i will search the forum cos i know some people can get angry about that sort of stuff lol but

1) What sort of milage do you get out of a tank?
2) Whats maintenance cost like?
3) Those who have chosen the luxury style, Do you get much cop attention?
4) Because the IS200 is rear wheel drive, is it easy to loose the back end?(as i found the supra is after i bought it, scary stuff!)
5) Whats the stock sound system like?
6) How much power can the stock 6 speed box (J160??) handle?

Sorry about the n00bish questions i am searching the forum so ive got a ground base of knowledge just looking for bits and bobs lol...

Cheers,

Phil

1) What sort of milage do you get out of a tank? about 600k/tank
2) Whats maintenance cost like? oil change plugs etc not too bad VIP's get discounts !!
3) Those who have chosen the luxury style, Do you get much cop attention?
4) Because the IS200 is rear wheel drive, is it easy to loose the back end?(as i found the supra is after i bought it, scary stuff!) no problems with "TRC" unless you want to break loose
5) Whats the stock sound system like? one phrase EER3, other wise not too bad
6) How much power can the stock 6 speed box (J160??) handle?


I hope some of the above helps
Stereo/headunit swap over is not a major depending if you end up with the superlive system or not.
There are a couple of exceptional examples of IS200's around on the forums, a few for sale as i recall. If you haven't already, pay up and become a VIP member, this will give you access to the members garage. There are build pics and examples/stories that members have kindly provided.
....and it supports the club :D

Firstly, welcome!

I deffo recommend getting an IS200, or an Altezza with the 3SGE if you can find one!
IS200 - 1GFE = 114KW @ Flywheel
RS200 Altezza - 3SGE = 154KW @ Flywheel
IS300 - 2JZGE = 162KW @ Flywheel
Sourced from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_IS

1) What sort of milage do you get out of a tank?
Stock IS200s should see approx 450-550km per tank (60L) depending on what kind of driving you do and how heavy your right foot is.

2) Whats maintenance cost like?
Cheap, just normal servicing would cost same or less then the Supra (although it's a Lexus, the parts are still Toyota parts)

3) Those who have chosen the luxury style, Do you get much cop attention?
I'm sure if you follow all rules and regulations, "Sex Spec" IS200s would still get a little more attention then a stocko roller.

4) Because the IS200 is rear wheel drive, is it easy to loose the back end?(as i found the supra is after i bought it, scary stuff!)
Because of the near 50:50 weight bias, it actually handles very very well! I could hit corners @ the same or higher speed on a track with my stock Altezza then my mate in his GC8 Version 6 STI Imprezza!

5) Whats the stock sound system like?
Not too bad either TBH, headunit will need to go though as your might get the dreadful "ERR 3" bug, speakers are fairly good too, but as always, spending some $$$ will get you better SQ and SPL

6) How much power can the stock 6 speed box (J160??) handle?uy and IS200.
As long as you treat them right, they should see about 400-500HP.
Keep in mind they are the same gearboxes as:
S15 Silvia, S2000s, RX-8s.

cheers mate and oh! i was wondering where the members ride sections was lol

Yeh with the sound system i'd prob just get like a dvd head-unit a nice set of splits up front (if they fit) and replace the rears speakers and just get a nice single 10" sub or something, just for nice sound quality with a bit of bass.(Pretty much the set up ive got in my supra at the moment.


Cheers,

Phil

1) What sort of milage do you get out of a tank?
Around 500-550km/tank, city + 80km/h highway, careful driving with occasional heavy foot

2) Whats maintenance cost like?
Not bad, tho some parts are expensive cause Lexus tends to overcharge on stuff that's not performance based

3) Those who have chosen the luxury style, Do you get much cop attention?
Hmm, for now, I only have a aftermarket front sport grill, never been pull over yet
But if you have not to hide, a RBT wont do you harm :)

4) Because the IS200 is rear wheel drive, is it easy to loose the back end?(as i found the supra is after i bought it, scary stuff!)
Wet, yes.
Dry, I found it understeers (it can be my tires tho)

5) Whats the stock sound system like?
Great, better than more stock systems

6) How much power can the stock 6 speed box (J160??) handle?
Can't help you there, I have an auto :D :) :) :rolleyes:

Excuse the plug but I have an RS200 Altezza for sale. It is currently turboed but this will be removed to let "P" platers drive it.
If your'e interested have a look at the for sale forum at turbo altezza in Sydney.

how much were you looking at selling it once the turbo is off?

I'm lookin g for $20,000 ono. If you read my post you will see that it has a lot of extras already on it so you wouldn't really have to do anything more to it.

It's tempting but even if i sell my supra i still wont have enough $$ :(

I did the same thing, had my little "girl racer" mitsi, which I absolutely loved but bought when I was 18 so after a few years I kinda grew out of it and wanted a "grown ups car" I went with a teza cause they are a good size, alright to drive and I got the L spec so nice comfy leather seats and extra airbags for safty :)

Not to much help with the questions though..

1) It's really not to bad, I am not sure of exact miles but I so quite a bit of driving and it doesn't seem to expensive to run.
2) So far touch wood it's all good. Only done 40,000km's so I should be ok, dog and lemon guide give it the thumbs up for reliability to, which was a factor in me deciding to get one.
3) Cops do look, but I am one so stick to the rules.
4) Yeah, I find the rear end doesn't stick so well, but thats more my driving, I am used to pulling out of tight intersections fast in my mitsi, the tez does tend to fishtail a bit, mostly in the wet.
5) Radio is a bit shit, has a pretty good stock sound with CD's though
6) Can I just be a girl and say it seems fine as far as manuals go?? :P

The car does have power and handles well but I do find them pretty slow to get going, not the biggest engine for such a heavy car and you notice it doing hill starts. But again i'm used to my old car which was light and very quick.

Haha yeh that pretty much sums it up! bought my supra when i was 18 had it nearly a year and im knda just over it and want a nice luxury car with leather seats and what not.

I would consider auto but i dunno i prefer driving manual over auto, i just find auto too ....boring, after driving a auto camry for a year onmy red p's then getting my greens buying a manual i find it more fun and proper driving :P lol

But thanks everyone for the help im still torn between the two i think ive just got to wait till i get my licence back and test drive a few IS200 and see if i like the feel of it.

Phil

I had a manual IS200 before the Altezza. I don't want to upset anyone but in stock form the manual IS200 is no performance car, possibly on the track where the handling comes into it they're good but just straight line acceleration they are ordinary. If you are thinking of going auto then maybe look at an IS300. Then again if performance is not an issue for you then an IS200 Sports Luxury would be the car.

Welcome to the club :)

I have an RS200 6 speed manual and its one of the best cars I have owned. I also have a baby and even tho they are pretty mean looking they work well as a family car aswell.....well a family car with a big bore exhaust and a fair bit of grunt hahaha :lol:

1) What sort of milage do you get out of a tank?
Normally around 500-550km.

2) Whats maintenance cost like?
I have owned mine since July 07 and I have only had one problem with it....Thanks to the help of my fellow club buddies I managed to fix it without spending a cent!

3) Those who have chosen the luxury style, Do you get much cop attention?
Mine is fairly stock standard apart from the big bore. I have been pulled up once (an hour and a half afer buying the car) because I wasnt used to the car and I managed to hit 62km in a 50km area when I took off from an intersection. Easy mistake but if you drive sensibly the cops have no reason to stop you.

4) Because the IS200 is rear wheel drive, is it easy to loose the back end?(as i found the supra is after i bought it, scary stuff!)
In the rain if you push it the back end can come loose but if the road is dry they handle really well. Can depend on your tyres aswell.

5) Whats the stock sound system like?
Stock sound system is pretty good. I changed mine to an aftermarket HU but im still running it through the factory speakers. I can still make the rearview mirror vibrate with that :)

6) How much power can the stock 6 speed box (J160??) handle?
Dunno about how much it can handle but I know that if I put my foot down and race through the gears it seems to pull it off :lol:

:skid:

o ok yeah well im not after a slow POS im really just after a 4 door car with just a bit of power and obviously some L spec to :P and after owning a supra i know most cars will feel that way but maybe like i could get an IS200 one and then wait till im off my P's and do the 2JZ-GTE conversion... Which was why i asked the question how much power can the stock 6 speed take. because if i do, do the 2JZ-GTE swap and jsut keep in in stock TT form would the stock gearbox cope? only because i kno the getrag is hella expensive.

Hi Phil. Welcome to the club. I have a 6 speed manual RS200Z. Definitely the best car I have owned. Had a couple of rice burners before (V-tec Integra , 20-valve Levin), and I too decided it was time to get something a little more grown up B)

1) What sort of milage do you get out of a tank?
I do a fair amount of open road driving and also around town. Tend to get around the 550km per tank.

2) Whats maintenance cost like?
Quite cheap to maintain. Plus being a popular sports/luxury car, parts are pretty easy to come by.

3) Those who have chosen the luxury style, Do you get much cop attention?
Well like a lot of us on here, mine isn't exactly stock anymore. It depends how far you go I guess. Mines lowered with Tein coil-overs on 18's. Full body-kit and full tints (RS200Z come with all windows except drivers and passengers tinted).

4) Because the IS200 is rear wheel drive, is it easy to loose the back end?(as i found the supra is after i bought it, scary stuff!)
Like Caveman said, quite a few models (not sure which ones don't) come with Traction-control button (and a Snow one too) which can be turned on or off from the cabin.

5) Whats the stock sound system like?
The speakers are actually pretty good (though I opted to replace the lot as I had some decent after-market ones lying around). The factory head unit is also pretty good .... if it goes. The ERR3 problem is fairly common. But there are HEAPS of din kits around for these cars to put an after-market unit in. The dash DIN kits are cheap as.

6) How much power can the stock 6 speed box (J160??) handle?
XNickX can field that one. I find the 6-speed box great to drive with, but have only done the stainless headers/exhaust and replace the air-filter with a better flowing one. From what Nick said, they can handle a fair bit.

Hope this helps. They really are a great car, and there are lots of after-market add ons out there. Plus the guys and girls here on the forums are a great source of information and ideas :D

Hey mate and welcome!

1) What sort of milage do you get out of a tank?
I have a heavy foot and a is300 so quite a bit, i average 15L/Km
2) Whats maintenance cost like?
Good.. really good, (actually same as your supra)
3) Those who have chosen the luxury style, Do you get much cop attention?
Never been pulled over in it and i and have dropped the car 3 inches not sure how much camber im running but it looks atleast 3deg maybe 4, a exhaust, and pearl white wheels lol! BUT i have a silver car, one of the guys on here has a black one and gets pulled all the time
4) Because the IS200 is rear wheel drive, is it easy to loose the back end?(as i found the supra is after i bought it, scary stuff!)
Hard to say, in the wet the can be a bit lose especially when you get stiffer suspension / swaybars but stock i never lost it
5) Whats the stock sound system like?
Good except the headunit has issues (search error3 and error1)
6) How much power can the stock 6 speed box (J160??) handle?
Not sure on this but it is hard to make alot more power out of the is200, even turbocharging it i dont thing you would get to a point where you would blow gearboxs, but this is just speculation

fixed you blue colour :D

holy thread revival :P

Thanks for all your help guys, well after getting my licence back for a few weeks now and driving the supra i think it is time to let her go, i find its just too much power and just wants to be sped in and its just going to get me into trouble again and again and again and i really dont need that. I think ive just got to come to the hard reality that its time to sell her :( it was my first car i bought so thats why im havin a hard time deciding but i think it will be better in the long run.

Just another question, what is better to get in the IS200 the manual or the auto? or is it just a personal preference? Just wondering what you guys feel is better?

Cheers,

Phil

Usually just boils down to personal preference, just when looking at a prospective car check the gear changes, second is often rather clunky in these cars.

Personally i would say manual, its a good bit of fun :P

It always comes down to personal preference and what type of driving you do. I drive in peak hour daily and cannot be bothered with manual after a long day at work! Also, I can let my mates, who only drive auto, drive the car after I've had one too many drinks. And another plus is that I dont have to face the costs of changing gear box when the time comes =]

yeh this is true plus the cost of a new clutch as well :/ this is what ive been thinking but i do like manual, ive only been driving it for like 6 months :P but everytime i hop into an auto i kinda of i dunno dont think and concentrate as much and its much more cruisier i guess cos theres only 2 pedals :P but yeh i guess id have to test drive a few of them an see which i prefer i guess.

Most my mates do prefer manual as they see it as something they want to master once they've started. But i dont share the same sentiment. If you ever want to drive a 2001 is200 sports luxury auto, completely stock and serviced with the best parts (oils, spark plugs, regular engine flushes etc.), then you are welcome to give mine a test drive. I'm located in the inner-west.

o ok cool yeh that would be good im looking at prob a 99 model only cos they are a bit in my price range :P but id say they are the same really lol but yeh thanks \, im from the central coast so id have to make a day out of it or something.

alrighty well instead of making a new thread i thought id just keep it isolated in here. I know this is from SA but im prepared to go interstate for the right car. Well what do you guys think about this car like did the IS200 come stock with the tan interior as this is the 1st one ive seen and i really like the black exterior and tan interior after this one :P
Black IS200 in SA

Cheers,

Phil

Car looks nice but i would not buy it. It has way too many kms on it for that price plus its a 4 speed auto??? :wacko: I'm into manual :woot:

Even having a HKS (police magnet) sticker on the back I haven't been pulled up once in the 2 months I have owned my Altezza. Driven it about 3500kms in those 2 months and half of it would be at night. Although the car is all standard except for that so maybe they dont think they need to pull me up. Also accidentally (when I first started driving it) I wasn't used to RWD and in the wet I spun out in front of a cop... Thought that was the end of it but being 10 minutes to 10pm I think the cop was just heading back to the station (spun out on the block of the cop station) and couldn't be bothered with anymore paperwork :S

If you see any IS's in Adelaide send me a PM if you want me to go have a sus out of it, think i've seen a couple of blacks with tan interior, i know my mums RX330 is black/tan and it does work quite nicely.

yeh but to kms matter that much if its got logbook of being service regularly it should be fien yeh? how long are these engines tend to last? and yeh i know its auto but at the moment im quite lazy :P so im looking for a cruisy car so auto is the way to go. Plus in the future if i decide on keeping the car for a while and once im off my P's i may just do a manual 2j convert.

and JTMILLER cheers man that would be awesome ill keep that in mind thanks

I don't think cops give Altezzas much attention... if they did they'd fill up there quota in no time with the amount of Altezzas on the road :P

Even with a lowered turbo Altezza I get no attention from the cops here.