Looking at buying a CT200h

[-Rich-]

Hi all :)

I'm looking at replacing my missus Civic with a CT. She does alot of town driving throughout the day so I think a hybrid is the way to go and the CT is the best looking one out of all of them IMO  

We've not actually looked at a CT properly yet but I have a few questions if anyone can help me:

1. Is there any difference in comfort between the seats in the SE-I and SE-L with one being suede (?) and the other leather? Also is this the only difference in spec between the 2 models? One of the main problems with the Civic interior is the leather seats are too cold in the winter (until they've heated up) and too hot in the summer, is this the same in the CT?

2. I've read the ride is a little harsh on the 17s so will hopefully get one with 16s but would also like winter wheels, would 15s fit or is the minimum 16? What options are available for winter rims, can you get steel ones?

3. We'll be using the car for when we go away, mainly weekends, but the boot size is a concern. In the Civic we have a dog guard that fixes to the headrests but it has left indentations on the leather from long term use so I'm reluctant to use it on a nice car. Does the CT come with a luggage guard/net so we can pile the boot high? All I've seen for accessories is the dog guard.

4. This will be the first expensive car I've bought, usually I pay no more than £2.5k and I'm looking at spending up to £10k. I do all my own servicing and I'll be reluctant to pay Lexus prices for something I can do myself, bar the hybrid system. We'll be keeping the car for at least 5 years I'd imagine, so I don't think full service history would be too important as we'd be looking for a 2011/12 model. Does anyone here service their own car and do Lexus check the hybrid system separately or does it have to be part of a service? I may consider a local independent garage for a couple of years to keep the history abit more updated but I know alot won't touch the hybrid system.

Thanks

[200h]

when i had my ct it had 17" wheels the ride was firm but not uncomfortable ,my se-L had heated leather seats

with regards to the dog guard putting dents in the leather this wont be an issue in the ct due to the fact the boot

in my opinion is too small to have a dog in there you will get a couple of suit cases in there and thats about all

you really need to go an look and test drive one.

[Wass]

Doing your own servicing it ok but there are a number of foibles which you must look out for. The first is engine oil. Use the O/20 oil which is specified and nothing else or your fuel economy will suffer and I would hazard a guess that the engine internals would also be in a less than optimal environment too. Lexus say that 5/30 is ok to use if nothing else is available but you will lose some economy.

The other thing to look out for are the brakes. Because the hybrid can switch its own engine off whilst moving, it doesnt have conventional vacuum operated servo on the brakes, it has a pump which operates to act as a servo. The same pump likes to operate and charge up the system as you get near to the car, open the door, switch on the engine....almost do anything you care to think of which the car can detect that you are there. So if you are changing brake pads and the servo kicks in, the car thinks that there is something wrong with the brakes and you  find you cant move the damn thing or have a pedal like you are standing on a house brick! The solution is easily at hand but involves a lot of money and faffing about  with having the car carried away to the dealer. An american youtuber recommends you unlock the car, wind down the front windows, disconnect the 12 volt Battery, leave the boot wide open and keep the key well away from the car from then onwards until you finish tinkering with the brakes. 

Hybrid system isn't all that dangerous when dealt with correctly. It is just a bit more easy for it to to kill you as household electrics. The trick is to learn how to unplug it first before tinkering with any of the electrical traction stuff. When all is said and done, if you are changing a socket at home, you disconnect the electrical supply first and then prove to yourself that it is indeed disconnected. Working on the hybrid system is no more complex than that; although what the DiYer would want to do with the hybrid system is beyond me since these systems are incredibly reliable and guaranteed for a gazillion years ( well...er ..10 actually)

 A few mechanics got fried  because they treated the Battery traction system in the same way as if it were just 12 volt. It isnt. It will kill you if you let it. Remember, ac volts electrocution , you might stand a chance of becoming disconnected, DC electrics just burn relentlessly until the Battery goes flat.

[-Rich-]

On 22/01/2016 at 4:02 PM, 200h said:

when i had my ct it had 17" wheels the ride was firm but not uncomfortable ,my se-L had heated leather seats

with regards to the dog guard putting dents in the leather this wont be an issue in the ct due to the fact the boot

in my opinion is too small to have a dog in there you will get a couple of suit cases in there and thats about all

you really need to go an look and test drive one.

Yes we were going to look at one last week but both got the flu! Hopefully we'll get to see one this week.

I won't be putting a dog in the boot neither, I was asking if there is a luggage guard available so you can have it above the headrests without it falling onto the passengers. If there isn't then a dog guard is a good alternative, which is what we already use but they do cause damage.

On 22/01/2016 at 7:13 PM, Wass said:

Doing your own servicing it ok but there are a number of foibles which you must look out for. The first is engine oil. Use the O/20 oil which is specified and nothing else or your fuel economy will suffer and I would hazard a guess that the engine internals would also be in a less than optimal environment too. Lexus say that 5/30 is ok to use if nothing else is available but you will lose some economy.

The other thing to look out for are the brakes. Because the hybrid can switch its own engine off whilst moving, it doesnt have conventional vacuum operated servo on the brakes, it has a pump which operates to act as a servo. The same pump likes to operate and charge up the system as you get near to the car, open the door, switch on the engine....almost do anything you care to think of which the car can detect that you are there. So if you are changing brake pads and the servo kicks in, the car thinks that there is something wrong with the brakes and you  find you cant move the damn thing or have a pedal like you are standing on a house brick! The solution is easily at hand but involves a lot of money and faffing about  with having the car carried away to the dealer. An american youtuber recommends you unlock the car, wind down the front windows, disconnect the 12 volt battery, leave the boot wide open and keep the key well away from the car from then onwards until you finish tinkering with the brakes. 

Hybrid system isn't all that dangerous when dealt with correctly. It is just a bit more easy for it to to kill you as household electrics. The trick is to learn how to unplug it first before tinkering with any of the electrical traction stuff. When all is said and done, if you are changing a socket at home, you disconnect the electrical supply first and then prove to yourself that it is indeed disconnected. Working on the hybrid system is no more complex than that; although what the DiYer would want to do with the hybrid system is beyond me since these systems are incredibly reliable and guaranteed for a gazillion years ( well...er ..10 actually)

 A few mechanics got fried  because they treated the battery traction system in the same way as if it were just 12 volt. It isnt. It will kill you if you let it. Remember, ac volts electrocution , you might stand a chance of becoming disconnected, DC electrics just burn relentlessly until the battery goes flat.

Thanks, that's been really helpful.

This is why I like doing my own oil changes so I know what's been used. It would depend on the mileage of the car as to whether I do it myself or not, I'm just wondering if keeping the service history up would help with the value when we come to sell it on. I've always bought cheap cars and run them until they're dying/have died, so while I do service them I don't bother collecting the stamps and keep costs down going DIY.

The brakes and electrics isn't something I had thought of so if we get one I will look into that before attempting to change them. I've done plenty of disc/pad/caliper changes and I'm assume it's not that much different? I have no intention of messing with any of the electrics and if something did need doing I would pay someone who knows what they're doing. I'm thinking more along the lines of oil, brakes, drop links etc.

The early CTs are probably getting close to being added to Lexus's servicing for cars over 5 years so I'd have to see what the prices would be. I think getting one that has had it's 60k miles service done, which I think is a major one would be a good idea as the next one is at 100k. It would take us at least 5 years to reach that point, I could then just get the basic one done every year.

Reading abit more about the car I noticed it has a foot operated handbrake, which probably takes a while to get used to?

Hopefully we'll see one soon and I can come back with my thoughts :)

[Steve ( West Mids )]

There is a warning light if you don't turn the handbrake off before moving. Can't remember if it beeped when I had my test drive.

[Wass]

Foot operated parking brake has never been any problem at all to me since I have driven plenty of manual cars and using my left foot on a pedal isn't an issue. I would imagine that a few people with no experience of using their left foot might struggle a bit with it. Yes there is a warning beeper and an idiot lamp which tell you that  you are moving and the parking brake is wholly or partially engaged.

[Ian J. Parsley]

Are you absolutely sure you can't go new, btw?

My wife bought one today - superb deal.

[200h]

2 hours ago, Ian J. Parsley said:

Are you absolutely sure you can't go new, btw?

My wife bought one today - superb deal.

could you say what the deal was,it could help rich choose a new / newer car than he thought.

[Ian J. Parsley]

Basically it's a buyer's market and it's January, when no one is buying. 

So you should be looking around £2500 off (in various ways) and under 4% APR. 

I suspect they are slightly overstocked currently too. 

[DanD]

Make sure you do your homework before you launch yourself into servicing it yourself. This is no Ford Escort. If you mess something up, it will end up being far more costly than if you'd got a dealer or reputable independent garage to do all the services for you!

Incidentally, brakes need far less work than on a non-hybrid car because they last a lot longer:. Lexus only use the discs and pads below a certain speed... the rest of the time they use the electric systems to brake.

You really need to take a proper look and take a demo for a drive.

[-Rich-]

Sorry for the late reply! We stopped looking for a while but have started again and hoping to get a car within a few weeks subject to a proper test drive on the road.

We had a look at an SE-L last week and spent a long time going around it. Unfortunately the trader wouldn't let us test drive it on the road without a deposit but we tried it around the yard and it was very nice. We really need a road test to see what the suspension and comfort is like cos the missus suffers with sciatic. I have seen a good deal on an F Sport so I'm hoping to test drive that model as I believe the suspension is a little firmer?

Looking around I can get a newer car for the money with less miles than 9 months a go. I was looking at an SE-L but have seen some Advance ones too, are these essentially the same trim level with the same features?

[200h]

i have only known of 1 dealer that wanted a deposit and that was our local honda dealer this was only

when the late teens wanted a test drive of the new civic type r

[rayaans]

15 hours ago, -Rich- said:

Sorry for the late reply! We stopped looking for a while but have started again and hoping to get a car within a few weeks subject to a proper test drive on the road.

We had a look at an SE-L last week and spent a long time going around it. Unfortunately the trader wouldn't let us test drive it on the road without a deposit but we tried it around the yard and it was very nice. We really need a road test to see what the suspension and comfort is like cos the missus suffers with sciatic. I have seen a good deal on an F Sport so I'm hoping to test drive that model as I believe the suspension is a little firmer?

Looking around I can get a newer car for the money with less miles than 9 months a go. I was looking at an SE-L but have seen some Advance ones too, are these essentially the same trim level with the same features?

Id avoid the F-Sport, it rides like a flint stone car. Awful ride.

[-Rich-]

20 hours ago, 200h said:

i have only known of 1 dealer that wanted a deposit and that was our local honda dealer this was only

when the late teens wanted a test drive of the new civic type r

This wasn't a main dealer but even so it's the first time I've been asked to pay a deposit for a test drive. He said I can only do that if I actually want to buy it!

12 hours ago, rayaans said:

Id avoid the F-Sport, it rides like a flint stone car. Awful ride.

Is the ride really that different to the SE-L? I thought if we test drive an F Sport and like it then the SE-L would be fine.

[rayaans]

10 hours ago, -Rich- said:

This wasn't a main dealer but even so it's the first time I've been asked to pay a deposit for a test drive. He said I can only do that if I actually want to buy it!

Is the ride really that different to the SE-L? I thought if we test drive an F Sport and like it then the SE-L would be fine.

Well you can test drive the F-Sport and see what you think! The SE-L is smoother but still they're all pretty rough!

[stormchaser]

I've got the SE L Premier and yes as said it's quite a firm ride. The F Sport is harder still. I think the Advance has a slightly lower trim level. Mine has leather,Sat Nav and a Mark Levinson sound system.

Sent from my Iphone using Tapatalk

[-Rich-]

I had a test drive yesterday in an Advance and I thought the ride was ok. It was slightly firmer than my Accord Tourer on 225/45/17 tyres but certainly not as bad as I was expecting. Based on that we won't be getting the F Sport.

It was my first time in a hybrid and I thought it was ok. The only thing I noticed was I could feel the driveshafts or CVT rotating under my left foot, is this normal?

We didn't like the Advance trim or seat material, so going for an SE-L. The Premier would be nice but over budget for me. Living inside the M25 means there aren't many cars within my budget and I've found one about 2.5-3 hours away but can't really get there to view it. It's from a Lexus dealer and they've been very helpful with replying to my questions and it has full service history. I'm thinking of buying it and getting it delivered, they will do it for free. It'll have 12 months warranty so I think I should be ok. I'd inspect the car before accepting the delivery.

[stormchaser]

Glad you liked it. I get that feeling when I drive mine too. There is quite a bit of feel coming through the steering wheel. I take it it's normal?

Could be the 17" wheels.

Sent from my Iphone using Tapatalk

[rayaans]

On 16/09/2016 at 8:51 PM, -Rich- said:

I had a test drive yesterday in an Advance and I thought the ride was ok. It was slightly firmer than my Accord Tourer on 225/45/17 tyres but certainly not as bad as I was expecting. Based on that we won't be getting the F Sport.

It was my first time in a hybrid and I thought it was ok. The only thing I noticed was I could feel the driveshafts or CVT rotating under my left foot, is this normal?

We didn't like the Advance trim or seat material, so going for an SE-L. The Premier would be nice but over budget for me. Living inside the M25 means there aren't many cars within my budget and I've found one about 2.5-3 hours away but can't really get there to view it. It's from a Lexus dealer and they've been very helpful with replying to my questions and it has full service history. I'm thinking of buying it and getting it delivered, they will do it for free. It'll have 12 months warranty so I think I should be ok. I'd inspect the car before accepting the delivery.

The hybrid system is boxed off and needs no maintenance apart from the Hybrid health check to keep the warranty in place.

Every other serviceable item you should be able to do it yourself if you feel competent enough to do so.

[200h]

On 16/09/2016 at 8:51 PM, -Rich- said:

I had a test drive yesterday in an Advance and I thought the ride was ok. It was slightly firmer than my Accord Tourer on 225/45/17 tyres but certainly not as bad as I was expecting. Based on that we won't be getting the F Sport.

It was my first time in a hybrid and I thought it was ok. The only thing I noticed was I could feel the driveshafts or CVT rotating under my left foot, is this normal?

We didn't like the Advance trim or seat material, so going for an SE-L. The Premier would be nice but over budget for me. Living inside the M25 means there aren't many cars within my budget and I've found one about 2.5-3 hours away but can't really get there to view it. It's from a Lexus dealer and they've been very helpful with replying to my questions and it has full service history. I'm thinking of buying it and getting it delivered, they will do it for free. It'll have 12 months warranty so I think I should be ok. I'd inspect the car before accepting the delivery.

ask them to do a video of the car showing all panels and the interior so you can see the condition of the car before you decide to buy it

and ask them to highlight any bad areas of the car ,you can then ask them to put right anything you dont like the look of.

[-Rich-]

Well after a lot of emailing to a Lexus dealer I have put down a deposit (subject to viewing) on a 2011 SE-L in Ultra Blue with black leather.

They made me a video and sent lots of photos. I think I've got a good deal and will be making the 2.5 hour trip to Stoke on Thursday. I'll be checking it over thoroughly and test driving it before coming home.

I'm looking forward to it :)

[200h]

stoke have just had a major refit it took 2 months for the renovation work to be caried out

it be interesting to hear your views on the showroom now.

i bought my IS from there in August 2015 i dealt with George,Joe & Mike great dealership to buy from

no pressure and take as long as you like to make your mind up,my opinion is stoke is one of the best

dealerships to buy from.

[-Rich-]

4 hours ago, 200h said:

stoke have just had a major refit it took 2 months for the renovation work to be caried out

it be interesting to hear your views on the showroom now.

i bought my IS from there in August 2015 i dealt with George,Joe & Mike great dealership to buy from

no pressure and take as long as you like to make your mind up,my opinion is stoke is one of the best

dealerships to buy from.

I've only been in one other Lexus showroom and that was Edgware in NW London, it was quite posh there, I did feel a little out of place! 

So far I would agree with your opinion of them, I've been dealing with Michael via email, apart from a phone call to pay the deposit and he's been bending over backwards to help and make sure I'm happy. Considering a couple of dealers (not Lexus) I've emailed didn't even reply I am actually in shock. This is the first time I've bought from a dealer before so I've been pleasantly surprised 

[Steve ( West Mids )]

Buying a Lexus is an experience ( good and different ), been there four times so far  ..........

[-Rich-]

16 minutes ago, Steve ( West Mids ) said:

Buying a Lexus is an experience ( good and different ), been there four times so far  ..........

I'm sure once we have had the car for a while and experienced the Lexus brand we won't want to go back to anything else! 

Are you still looking to buy one Steve?