Bombsquad

For months and months i've struggled trying to make a decision about what should join my Es300. I love the GS as is and the potential..but are the running costs considerably higher than a similar age IS200? Over here IS200 outnumber GS's by about 20 to 1 so there isn't really a used parts supply to speak of. It just seems that maybe car guys (like myself) prefer the GS where as the IS200 is more a car to suit all tastes? Pros and Cons?

LexFather

I'm confused but I think I am going to straighten this out.
IS 200 does exist, however in Europe only.

We got the IS 300 and it was sold 2001-2005.

I've had both and both have pluses but the GS, IMO is the best of both worlds.

swat1727

iTrader: (2)

we dont have that car here in the us. but 2.0 l6 is a bit too weak for me... and it's not as comfortable. since it's old, mpg is probably not as good. i say go with the gs. at least it's bigger, more comfortable, faster and probable give u the same mpg as that is200

4ntvings

iTrader: (6)

if i'm not mistaken, i saw an IS200 in asia during my last trip.

Bombsquad

Sorry to clarify, i'm in Australia we have RHD IS200's. (with the 2.0 six) They were introduced n 1999 here. We also got the IS300 later but they are all out of my price range. But I think ya'll answered my query pretty well. GS should be as fuel efficient, a little bigger and just as well built? Plus over here they are a lot rarer than the IS, which incidentally was the car that really popularized LEXUS as a major luxury brand in Australia.

natnut

In Singapore, we had the IS200 and the 2nd Gen GS300.

If your priority is handling, then the IS200 is the way to go. Straight from the factory, it's going to spank the GS round the corner and through curves.

It's possible to mod the GS to approach stock IS200 handling but it will cost time and money. The 1st Gen IS has endless and cheap after-market handling mods which will allow it to not only beat any Lexus, it will give BMW M3's a headache.

Things against the IS200: it's anemic engine. I find my GS a bit slow but the IS200 has a 0-62 of about 12s!! Solution : get an IS300 or a JDM RS200(altezza) which has a Yamaha engine with 200hp stock and again has many engine mods to boost the power.It comes with an LSD too(don't quote me on that). TTE also developed a supercharger for the IS200 which boosts power to around IS300 levels.
Second: the build quality lags behind GS for the simple reason that only the GS and LS were made in the flagship Toyota factory of Tahara.Panel gaps are huge compared to the GS.

Third : GS has more road presence by far and is definitely more comfortable.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i think we are talking about engines here more than anything else
the is300 is inline 6, same as the engine in gs300
in japan, the altezza is a inline 4 i think, that's one great machine
everywhere else in the world with is200, that's a 2L inline 6, that engine is very weak, no tq

handling of course the IS is better. however imho, i think the 3L inline 6 is already as weak as it is already, i can't imagine the 2L

LexFather

lol, when I saw "Queensland" I thought of where I'm from, Queens, NY not Australia, my apologies

Bombsquad

Ha, I wish I was in Queens right now, at least I could drive over to MA to watch the Celtics. Not much doing in Queensland i'm afraid.

Thanks to everyone for the advise, it really confirms what I already suspected. I brought up a quick comparison on www.redbook.com.au Which gives used car values but also specs for all models. That IS200 is actually slower than my Golf! So i'll pass...

I'll post up the candidates when i find them..

Thanks again.