Recently traded-in my 1998 BMW 318i with a 2003 IS200. I was getting fed-up with the maintenance problems of the Bimmer (overheated twice in a month in the middle of the road)... and it was a choice between Audi A3 and Lexus IS200. Considering that both are priced pretty much the same... the IS200 won face down. So finally, I've joined the club of Lexus owners last Saturday.

Took the IS for a spin this weekend.... involving urban roads, highways, mountain roads... and WOW !!! The driving pleasure given by IS200 is really just as good as the 3-series !!! Can't say better.... but have to say... just as good. Excellent handling, decent acceleration, very quiet, good sound system, excellent air-con.... the Lexus is just amazing.

Anyways, as a first time IS owner. I've got a few "Strange Observations" which I hope folks here could shed a bit of light.... Maybe I'm a bit over-sensitive, so it might be nothing.

1. There seems to be a rather noisy "Fan" noise coming from the hood. It's doesn't sound like engine noise. Sounds more like the cooling fan or air-con fan. It's not exactly alarmingly noisy, but it sounds like some fan rotating at very very high speed. Maybe it's a Lexus design..... never had this sound in my BMW (and BMW's are not quiet).

2. When starting the car in the morning, there are "knocking" sounds (audible even with the radio on) in the car cabin. Lasts for about 10 minutes, then it disappears. I don't think the car cabin metals need warming up.... but can't figure it out otherwise.....

3. The Reverse Radar is downright annoying. It beeps like crazy even if there's nothing in the vicinity !!!


Apart from that.... after 2 days and 200km of driving.... the Lexus IS200 is truly amazing !!! Glad to join the club ^_^

Cheers,

Henry

 

Welcome! It does drive nicely.

 

congrats on your new car, seems like you are already having tons of fun with it

not sure about the radar, since we don't have it here in the US and about the fan, are you saying you can hear it from inside the cabin (windows up)? that's strange, i don't recall hearing loud fan noise. about the knocking noise, didn't recall too, could it have anything to do with weather, like cold or hot, humid or dry?

 

I think your problems are unique to the IS200 we never had them here so we cant really tell what it is. Welcome aboard though.

 

Welcome to CL!!! Congrats on the new IS!

 

Can't hear the fan noise from inside the cabin.. but quite noisy when standing outside next to the hood. As for the reverse radar, seems to be better when i reverse very slowly...(maybe i warns me if i reverse too quickly)...

Anyways, think i'm just a bit too picky with the new Lex... Happens when you get a new car. Thanks a lot folks !!!