Back to Lexus after a sojourn with Audi.

[lockeyboy]

2 minutes ago, dougie175 said:

Atomised out of a gun is the only way to lay metallic paint down correctly.

£18 totally wasted then!

[dougie175]

4 minutes ago, lockeyboy said:

£18 totally wasted then!

It'll be reet I have touched hundreds of cars up over the years, but I have literally no idea what the "correct" direction is to lay the particles down? I'm intrigued by the answer too 

[rayaans]

1 hour ago, lockeyboy said:

What's the correct direction?

As above but if using touch up, pulling it in the direction in which it matches most closely. 

I've found it looks different when pulling the brush/toothpick in different ways so best to experiment and have a tar remover to hand 

[Ian M]

Just by way of update, I got my car yesterday (in the rain), but the sun came out this morning for a few photos.

So far, quite happy, lots to learn about how all the toys work and that manual is certainly a thick book.  The only disappointment is the sat-nav: the Audi system was very intuitive easy to use whereas this is much more reminiscent of the archaic system in my old IS, which is a bit of a surprise.  But I guess I will get used to it.

On the positive side, it's had 2 new Dunlop SportMaxx A1 tyres fitted on the front since I viewed the car (during the negotiation, I had agreed with the salesman that although they were worn, they were quite adequate and I would replace them myself in due course, but apparently, their condition failed the Lexus preparation standard so they had to be replaced) and it's got a 12 month MOT in place of the expected shorter one. 

Once the RX gets my personal plate on it, you'll never know it's a 4.5 year old car

As you can see, the drive is now a Toyota/Lexus zone again.

 

 

[Silversalmon]

Love the colour, oh, and a sunroof....... Enjoy it.

[Ian M]

7 minutes ago, Silversalmon said:

Love the colour, oh, and a sunroof....... Enjoy it.

Sunroof was an absolutely essential requirement, they really are a nice feature (as apposed to the glass panels which don't open and I don't see the point of) but these days not many makes and models offer them.  Maybe I just enjoyed being a Triumph Spitfire owner...... before it rusted away round me all those years ago!

[Silversalmon]

I had an Alfasud, I'll bet the house that it rusted faster than your Spitfire. Did love it though. It took me  a while to grow to love the RX but i do indeed, I bought mine in December, wouldn't swap it now. Hope you grow to love it too.

[dutchie01]

6 hours ago, Ian M said:

Just by way of update, I got my car yesterday (in the rain), but the sun came out this morning for a few photos.

So far, quite happy, lots to learn about how all the toys work and that manual is certainly a thick book.  The only disappointment is the sat-nav: the Audi system was very intuitive easy to use whereas this is much more reminiscent of the archaic system in my old IS, which is a bit of a surprise.  But I guess I will get used to it.

On the positive side, it's had 2 new Dunlop SportMaxx A1 tyres fitted on the front since I viewed the car (during the negotiation, I had agreed with the salesman that although they were worn, they were quite adequate and I would replace them myself in due course, but apparently, their condition failed the Lexus preparation standard so they had to be replaced) and it's got a 12 month MOT in place of the expected shorter one. 

Once the RX gets my personal plate on it, you'll never know it's a 4.5 year old car

As you can see, the drive is now a Toyota/Lexus zone again.

 

 

 

Hi Ian, that is an interesting combo. Here lives a man that knows itś cars!

I always admired the little IQ for itś package. position of gearbox, minimalist design. A car for people in the know.,,

And Edward, many moons ago i had an Alfa GT Junior which i drove to the beach every day in summer when i was a student. Fun was over when i had a puncture and tried to jack it up went straight through the chassis can still hear that ripping sound.  

 

 

 

[capese21]

On 04/08/2017 at 9:13 PM, OldTrout said:

My 2007 is red. The touch-up kit I have is Red Mica Chrystal Shine 3R1 and it is not a perfect match

AKA Mesa Red same as my previous IS300H.

[DanD]

Love the colour, and you do not see many around.

My car was running on Michelin Latitude Tour HP, and now runs on Latitude Sports. The Tour HP were very good to start with, but the Sports are better in many ways, except that, unfortunately, they are a little more noisy.

I hear the new Cross Climates are excellent.

[Nick W858]

Welcome back and I love the colour. Ours is black which is a pain to keep clean and shows every mark too. Tyres are all Michelin the latitude sports - they have been fine. BTW - what do you make of the IQ? I have a hankering for one as a second car which my wife and kids find amusing, I hope at 6ft 4 I'd fit in one ok and they seem to have good reviews - what's yours been like?

[Ian M]

2 hours ago, Nick W858 said:

Welcome back and I love the colour. Ours is black which is a pain to keep clean and shows every mark too. Tyres are all Michelin the latitude sports - they have been fine. BTW - what do you make of the IQ? I have a hankering for one as a second car which my wife and kids find amusing, I hope at 6ft 4 I'd fit in one ok and they seem to have good reviews - what's yours been like?

It's nice to be back, I have certainly missed Lexus ownership.

The IQ is brilliant at what it does.  That is a 60 plate IQ2, so it has got a pretty decent spec, with the 1.0 3 cylinder engine and a CVT box.  It is now at 47k miles, roughly 12k of which have been done in the 3 years we have owned it.  Totally reliable, oil change once a year and that is it.  Do not even think about it as more than a 2 seater, the back seats are pretty impractical but the front is spacious and comfortable (I reckon you'd be fine at 6ft 4, it is quite a high car and there's loads of shoulder room for 2 people in the front) with a half decent size boot which will take a week's shopping..... more than a Smart car can do!

Obviously, it is in its element in town and the turning circle is so tight you can park anywhere.  On a dual carriageway,  it will keep 75mph easily enough but it is not a quiet cruiser!  Go and test drive one (or pop over to Derby and have a look at this one), I don't think you'll be disappointed.

[Nick W858]

Thanks Ian, yes I need a drive in one, not fussed re 1.0 or the 1.3 and whilst I normally drive autos the manual may be more fun. Was hoping to use one of the seats in the back on occasions for the school run which is only 10 minutes, just wondering if my 8 yr old could fit behind my 11 year old in the front, I realise that nobody would be able to sit behind me. I was guessing they would be super reliable which you confirm. Thanks for the info. Nick

[Ian M]

28 minutes ago, Nick W858 said:

Thanks Ian, yes I need a drive in one, not fussed re 1.0 or the 1.3 and whilst I normally drive autos the manual may be more fun. Was hoping to use one of the seats in the back on occasions for the school run which is only 10 minutes, just wondering if my 8 yr old could fit behind my 11 year old in the front, I realise that nobody would be able to sit behind me. I was guessing they would be super reliable which you confirm. Thanks for the info. Nick

You'd probably be OK with the kids, but be warned that your visibility to the left is quite severely compromised by your front seat passenger sitting well forward to create space for the person behind.  That, to me, is the only significant issue with Toyota's otherwise clever seating arrangement in the IQ.  That said, it's not an issue here since the car has only been in 3 seater mode once.

  

[Nick W858]

Thanks Ian - sounds like I will have to put the 11 year old on 'lookout' duty - would only be occasional use anyway like yourself re the use of the three seats so probably not too much of an issue. Sensible side of me says an Aygo or Yaris might be a better alternative for a city runabout but there is something about the IQ which seems more fun and I guess quirky compared to those other two cars.

[Ian M]

The robotised manual gearbox which masquerades as an automatic in the Aygo is simply dreadful.  I did try one and it's just as horrible as the original Smart car automatic box.

My impression was that the (old shape) Aygo also felt narrower than the IQ and thus felt more claustrophobic in the front.

The Yaris, of course, is an entirely different sized car.

 

[Nick W858]

Thanks Ian - Aygo sounds like one to avoid. I did have a Yaris hybrid as a courtesy car a while back and it was fine, quite nippy around town and felt quite grown up - as you say though different kettle of fish to the IQ.

[Glover]

I have a RX450 and Yaris but mine is a 2001 and been in the family for over 13 years.  It's done just over 70,000 and serviced every year at a Toyota specialist.  I love the car; it's just a no-nonsense package and with the 1.3 engine is surprisingly lively.  Peanuts to run and there are plenty on the market.  But you can't really go wrong with any small Toyota as a second car.  What about a Mark 1 T-Sport?  Rare as hen's teeth now but a brilliant package.  You'd enjoy the drive in that almost Mark 1 Mini Cooper:-)

Having said you can't go wrong with any small Toyota I must admit I'm not a fan of any of the later (Mk 2 onwards) Yaris (Yarii?); like the VW Golf and Polo they've put on weight and size.  And like VW, Toyota then had to put a car in (the Aygo) to fill the space.  Why do manufacturers always have to increase the size and complexity of their cars?

[Ian M]

A week and a half in, I am definitely pleased with the RX.  A motorway trip last weekend was certainly a comfortable experience.

This morning, the postman has been so my coffee mug has been upgraded, although the coaster is an old one which I dug out of a draw when I got this Lexus.

 

[Nick W858]

Yes you will find comfort on every journey, lovely seats and along with the refinement makes it a very pleasant experience. Love the mug!

[Ian M]

5 or so weeks in, I am loving the RX.  

Today, it's in the office car park between and black X5 and a white Q5.  It's definitely the best looking car!

   

[Nick W858]

It will be in the beautiful colour you have got, plus it's a lot less common than the other two as well!

[Ian M]

Yesterday, the RX and I had a long day, roughly 550 miles from my dad's in North Yorkshire to Loch Lomond and then back to my home in Derby.  Apart from the first 15 miles out to the A1 & some bits of the A66 which are single carriageway,  the trip was all motorway or dual carriageway and the weather was pretty horrible.   But the trip was great, the RX is perfect with the cruise control set and took the wind and rain in its stride.  I am so pleased with this car!

Given that a steady cruise on the motorway is not ideal hybrid territory, I don't think 28.9mpg brim to brim on 2 tankfuls is bad at all.  The on board computer measured a slightly pessimistic 28.4 but an average speed of 61 shows that I had a pretty good run despite the miles and miles of 50 limit roadworks on the M6 in Cheshire.

 

[Silversalmon]

You had a really poor day to come to Loch Lomond! Wild night but now breezy and very sunny. Glad you're enjoying the Lexus, I love it for road trips

[Ian M]

On 8/3/2017 at 8:34 PM, Glover said:

Hi Ian

I changed to Cross Climates when the original fit Dunlops needed replacing.  Brilliant tyres, excellent grip and very quiet.  I see you're in Derbyshire.  If you're not too far from Nottingham I can recommend Extragrip they invariably beat internet prices (not by price matching that's just their usual quote) they'll supply any tyre and their advice and fitting is first class.  I've been using them and their predecessor company since 1982!  Website is http://extragriptyres.co.uk/.  I hope it's ok to provide a company's details on the forum but if not, sorry. 

Thanks for the recommendation.  I was at Extra Grip Tyres this afternoon to get 4 Cross Climates fitted.  As you say, very good pricing and it was nice to deal with an old fashioned local firm.  My only slight reservation was that they didn't seem too impressed by my request to refit the wheel nuts with a torque wrench rather than the windy gun.  But to be fair, they did do as I asked.

As to the tyres, well I have only done the trip back to Derby via the A52 and they certainly seem quieter than the Dunlops which were on before.