mmarshall

Would anybody out there be interested in the IS200 here in America? It is the same car as the IS300 but with a 2.0 L 153 HP four instead of the 3.0 215 HP six in the 300. The 300 is a gas hog (17-18 MPG) for a car its size, and for those of us who are not speed freaks, it has more power (and a higher price) than it really needs. This car is marketed overseas as either the Lexus IS200 or the Toyota Altezza depending on what country you're in....but NOT currently offered here at home.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

nop, i would never be interested in that at all. 153 is so freaking little and the car is so slow.... heck to be frank i think my is3 5 speed isn't all that fast to begin with anyway. hp and tq aren't all about speed, it's about pickup as well. when i want to pass a car quick on the freeway, i need tq, and speed, and with the is200 it's beyond ridiculous.

reviews in hong kong and taiwan they all have very bad recommendations on the is300. they'd better off just get the altezza

flipside909

The Altezza's or the IS200's powerplants would never do well here for American tastes. If you aren't a speed freak, don't mash the pedal..it's that simple or probably the IS300 isn't the right vehicle for you?

rominl

iTrader: (4)

well if they can import the altezza at a reduced price, i am sure people would crash and get this car, that car could be very fast when modded. but then i don't want it to come though, coz' i don't want civic people to all go to lexus group...

LexFather

There is also a high revving 200hp IS 200 6-speed that is an animal.

Lexus research indicated a 4-cylinder Lexus would be not well recieved and people DO NOT consider 4-cylinders in America Luxury cars. It would have hurt the Lexus image and brand.

You don't buy a Lexus for gas mileage

Well, not until 2005 when the hybrids start coming with V-8 performance and 4 cylinder economy!

rominl

iTrader: (4)

which is200 has 200hp 6 speed?!

mmarshall

Thanks...I appreciate all your opinions on the IS200/Altezza coming to the U.S. As far as Lexus's research showing that a 4-cyl. luxury car would not be well received here, it will be interesting to see how the just-introduced 4-cyl. Acura TSX sedan ( A prime IS300 competitor) does in the long run. Currently there are waiting lists and price markups at the dealers for it . The 4-cyl. Acura Integra sedan sold well but not as well as the coupe. The 4-cyl. Infiniti G20 did not sell well at all.....both times they introduced it.

LexFather

The TSX will be imported to sell 15k units. They are on pace to sell all 15k. You do realize the cars u mentioned are not considered luxury cars and Acura is having a helluva time convincing the public it makes luxury cars.The G20 did nothing to help Infiniti's image too. Lexus did the right thing in America by not offering a 4. Look at the 318 hatchback, BMW has dropped I-4s from it's lineup.

LexFather

Here is info on the different IS300s/Altezzas.
Europe

1. IS200 (http://www.lexus.co.uk/specificatio...a=specification)
1G-FE: 2.0L inline 6 VVTi - 153 hp
a) 4 speed auto RWD
b) 6 speed manual RWD

2. IS200 Sportcross (http://www.lexus.co.uk/specificatio...a=specification)
1G-FE: 2.0L inline 6 VVTi - 153 hp
a) 6 speed manual RWD

3. IS300 (http://www.lexus.co.uk/modelrange.p...;area=modelhome)
2JZ-GE: 3.0L inline 6 VVTi - 211 hp
a) 5 speed auto RWD

4. IS300 SportCross (http://www.lexus.co.uk/specificatio...a=specification)
2JZ-GE: 3.0L inline 6 VVTi - 211 hp
a) 5 speed auto RWD


Japan (http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/Al...ezza/index.html)

1. Altezza AS200
1G-FE: 2.0L inline 6 VVTi - 160 hp
a) 4 speed auto RWD
b) 6 speed manual RWD

2. Altezza RS200
3S-GE: 2.0L inline 4 Dual VVTi - 210/200 hp
a) 4 speed auto (200hp) RWD
b) 6 speed manual (210hp) RWD

3. Altezza Gita AS200
1G-FE: 2.0L inline 6 VVTi - 160 hp
a) 4 speed auto RWD
b) 4 speed auto 4WD

4. Altezza Gita AS300
2JZ-GE: 3.0L inline 6 VVTi - 220 hp
a) 5 speed auto RWD
b) 4 speed auto 4WD


North America

1. IS300
2JZ-GE: 3.0L inline 6 VVTi - 215 hp
a) 5 speed auto RWD
b) 5 speed manual RWD

1. IS300 Sportcross
2JZ-GE: 3.0L inline 6 VVTi - 215 hp
a) 5 speed auto RWD

So pretty much, you could say the best model is...

1. in Japan (if you like the high-revving and 2975 lbs almost 50-50 Altezza RS200 3S-GE 6-speed)
or

2. in America (if you like the supra-derived and 3255 lbs and 54-46 IS300 2JZ-GE 5-speed stick)

rominl

iTrader: (4)

ah sick, gotcha now. altezza rs200 isn't an is200, that's where the confusion was. is200 only refers to those with 2.0liter i6. all i4 are called altezza and only available in japan

flipside909

Exactly. IS the 3.5RL a competitor for the GS or need I say LS line? Acura is no where in the league of prestige like Lexus is. The first thing when i think the name Acura are old Integras and new RSX's with engine swaps and cheap aftermarket parts. Acura/Honda makes fine cars but is no where in the league that Toyota has done with Lexus. The TSX is nothing in comparison to the IS300.

kobebeef

I guess for North America, an IS200 would be impractical given the competitor's offerings in terms of engines and displacements (Acura, BMW, Infiniti, and Mercedes). Plus, I lived in Vancouver before and the roads are well paved and traffic is seldom.

Out here in the Philippines, my is200 seems to be enough in terms of power and acceleration. While the inline 6 does eat more gas as compared to the 4 cylinder Camrys and Accords out here, I'm still quite pleased with the smoothness and power of the engine. I wouldn't have any other car out here in the Philippines over my IS200 be it for a BMW or Mercedes. Infiniti G35.... hmmm maybe...

LexFather

kobebeef, good info. And flipside, I agree. The Acura Legend is STILL the best sedan/coupe they every made.

gs400998

No I won't be interested in the IS200 but I am hoping Lexus would build the IS430 and send them here

flipside909

Yup! Not bad for a elongated wheelbase Accord. LOL