The Mark X Sports Package

[skoty]

Been awhile since I've posted on here but anyway I've sold my RS200 Altezza and am considering buying a first generation Mark X 250/300 Sports version or possibly a Lexus IS250/350. With regards to the Mark X however, what are your general thoughts on these in terms of performance, comfort, reliability etc? Looking for something that still has a bit of power but is nice commuting in Auckland traffic! Keen on hearing feedback from people who own one of these.

[Al]

My folks have a IS250 Ltd. They aren't a big car by any imagination inside. I would assume the Mk X would be similar.

Handling is amazing. Drove it to Nelson a few weeks back over SH6 and it was bliss around the Rai Saddle and Whangamoas. The 4GR-FSE is adequately powered, however coming from a 2GR powered Blade Master it's a little underwhelming. I suspect it would still be better than a peaky Beams 3SGE though.

Maybe look at the equivalent car with the 2GR-FE or FSE.

[steroidcontaskie]

I agree with Al, if your budget allows I would go for something with a 2gr, in particularly the 2gr-fse.

The 2gr-fse is a great engine, it doesn't suffer from carbon build up like the 4gr does (direct vs port and direct injection issue, there is a TSB for top engine cleaning due to the build up) and it has fewer issues with the vvti oil supply lines.

I looked at getting a mark x, I loved the second generation, but I wasn't so keen on the first. I would have a look at the IS350, a 3.5 crown athlete (that's what I have) and even a GS350. You could probably look at a blade master G if you want something smaller, although they seem to be more expensive than the larger cars.

The 2GRs have a good reputation (aside from the oil line issues) and, if it is well looked after, you could go for a higher Ks one.

Cheers
Edward

[skoty]

Thanks for the feedback, I'm not after anything super quick but something that has reasonable power for everyday commutes. I still prefer the RWD sedan platform so I think I'd leave the Blade Master. What is the 3GR (3L) engine like? Does that have similar issues to the 4GR? Asides from the carbon build up issue what exactly are these VVTI oil feed issues you guys speak of? Any other issues to look out for? Must say the Crown you mentioned does look quite nice too.

[Al]

On the 2gr engines there is a VVTi oil line around the brake master. On early cars pre 2009 it is metal - rubber - metal. The rubber perishes over time and spurts oil everywhere. Either look for a car where the line has been replaced, or budget for it. KiwiCorolla wrote about it in the Blade Master thread. Other than that, they are bulletproof engines. Love how the 2gr and U660E trans just idles around town at the speed limit, 1300rpm or something doing 50ish. I get around 12l/100km in town, 8l/100km open road.

Go drive some of the sedans you are looking at, it will give you a chance to try between the 2GR and the 4GR powered cars. There should be plenty in Auckland to pick from. I think my next car will be an IS350 or ISF. Just drove the Blade to Blenheim via Nelson and the Blade while being very powerful, was no where near the delight to sling around the Whangamoas and Rai Saddle that the IS250 was.

[steroidcontaskie]

If you are still looking for a car then there is a very inexpensive 2gr-fse crown athlete at too cheap cars....it might be worth a look.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/motors/used-ca ... 207914.htm

it does have 150K on the clock, but it is only 7K + on roads.

Cheers
Edward

[skoty]

Thanks for the input guys. I think I'm more leaning towards the IS350 but got to try and find a tidy and reasonably priced one first...

[skoty]

Sorry for dragging out this thread but in regards to the Crown Athlete, what is that like? Appears to be a nice car but what are your general thoughts on these for those who own them? Pros and cons? Do they share the same driveline as the IS350? I see the Athlete is more sports orientated so it has a TRC switch and a sports function switch for the suspension. Does this model have a limited slip diff as well or just one of those pre-torque type ones?

[steroidcontaskie]

No lsd, don't think any of the standard cars have them. But you could probably put one in for a couple of grand. That's about how much you would save by getting the crown.

Crown is bigger than the is350 so probably less sporty, but also probably more so than a gs350.

There are a few around, I reckon you should make a day of it and go 2gr test driving. '

Cheers Edward