- #SQUIRT SPEED READER REVIEWS DRIVERS#
- #SQUIRT SPEED READER REVIEWS MANUAL#
- #SQUIRT SPEED READER REVIEWS PLUS#
In a set of tight bends, it is beautifully balanced, responds immediately to the tiniest tweak of the wheel - indeed some drivers may find the steering a bit too direct - and easily carries very high cornering speeds thanks to great grip and finely tuned suspension. Racer with headlights is a more appropriate description. The usual adjectives - sharp, agile, responsive - don't quite do justice to the IS200's handling and steering abilities. Driving the Lexus smoothly requires more of a conscious effort than should be the case.
#SQUIRT SPEED READER REVIEWS MANUAL#
The manual IS200 covers the 0-100 km/h sprint in 11.2 seconds the Alfa takes 9.1.Ī weak link in the test car, the six-speed gearbox occasionally became lost between the 2 and 3 gates, was notchy in action and displayed some gear lash as well. The small six is incredibly smooth, makes the right noises when running hard, and is fun to feed with revs, but in outright performance the IS200 is well beaten by the 2.0-litre four-cylinder Alfa 156, which also has a 100 kg weight advantage. At suburban speeds in the higher gears, acceleration is sluggish. Despite variable valve timing and intakes, features designed to improve mid-range pulling power, the 24-valve IS200 engine only really starts to deliver beyond 4,000 rpm. Packing six cylinders into only 2.0 litres is usually a recipe for peaky performance. Smaller than the 3 Series, the IS200 is no lightweight either with the six-cylinder engine, rear-drive and an extremely rigid, solid body it weighs in at 1,348 kg, comparable with the four-cylinder 318i. The Luxury Option pack adds power adjustable driver's seat and leather/fake suede upholstery to take the price to $58,100 (manual) or $59,400 (auto). This includes four airbags, air-conditioning, anti-lock brakes, traction control, six-stack CD player, power windows and mirrors and alarm-immobiliser security.
#SQUIRT SPEED READER REVIEWS PLUS#
The options - sports suspension (on the manual), 17-inch alloys with even sportier Bridgestones, alloy pedals and scuff plates plus a carbon fibre body kit - make the baby Lexus the closest factory-built device yet to a "Cabin Boy" special, the customised Japanese hatch favoured by Chinatown hipsters.Įquipment levels are high and prices are sharp the manual IS200 costs $51,900, the four-speed auto $53,900. The IS200's basic specifications give plenty of clues as to its intent: a 2.0-litre straight six, rear-drive, a six-speed manual gearbox, double wishbone independent suspension all round and 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/55 Bridgestone tyres. Japan's premium badge meanwhile steps up to the plate with one of the purest sports sedans for many years, the IS200.
Now a larger, heavier, more refined car, the 3 Series has traded away some of its former sports feel, and it is now much closer in character to its luxury 5 and 7 Series big brothers. The Lexus delivers two out of three.Ĭhanges to BMW's 3 Series, which has long epitomised the smallish, sporty Euro sedan, could not have come at a better time for Lexus. VERDICT: A great sporting sedan should go, stop and handle. Engine is dull below 4,000 rpm, and performance is only average. Great brakes.ĪGAINST: Six-speed manual gearbox needs more work. Good ride comfort by sports machine standards.
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