Thoughts on this GS please

[The-Acre]

4 minutes ago, AmbroseJohn said:

You already know the quality of Lexus, the Hybrid is that and then some. Good luck.

Just out of interest I've checked the insurance cost, £225 fully comp.  Not bad at all!

[Malachy]

Hi OP you will buy one in Ireland much cheaper, a 07 will cost about 5k euros..

[royoftherovers]

57 minutes ago, The-Acre said:

Just out of interest I've checked the insurance cost, £225 fully comp.  Not bad at all!

Mine is just a tad more......with full European Travel too.

Don`t tell everyone though as the increase in numbers, will lead to an increase in accidents, will lead to an increase in claims, will lead to an increase in  premiums. :):):)

[olliesgrandad]

I was concerned about hybrid Battery life and tackled the service manager at my dealer. He said in 11 years they had only replaced batteries in one vehicle due to wear and tear. Other replacements had all been caused by cars getting in flood water or rodent damage. 

He said they have several customers with cars exceeding 250,000 miles with healthy original batteries. 

He also made the point that replacement costs have dropped and you don't have to replace them all if their are problems. 

[The-Acre]

1 hour ago, Malachy said:

Hi OP you will buy one in Ireland much cheaper, a 07 will cost about 5k euros..

I've looked at buying a car from Ireland, especially as my wife is Irish so it'll be an excuse for a visit. The problem is distance just to view, and the paperwork plus tax (I think). It doesn't seem to be straightforward, unless it's from NI.

[AmbroseJohn]

1 hour ago, The-Acre said:

I've looked at buying a car from Ireland, especially as my wife is Irish so it'll be an excuse for a visit. The problem is distance just to view, and the paperwork plus tax (I think). It doesn't seem to be straightforward, unless it's from NI.

There will be a registration fee and maybe VAT but no import, duty as long as you buy it before we leave the EU. :)

[olliesgrandad]

10 hours ago, The-Acre said:

I've looked at buying a car from Ireland, especially as my wife is Irish so it'll be an excuse for a visit. The problem is distance just to view, and the paperwork plus tax (I think). It doesn't seem to be straightforward, unless it's from NI.

My Irish family come here for cars because they're far cheaper than in the Republic and also are generally in better condition than the local cars which have been subjected to 'the old bog roads'. 

I traded an Alfa Romeo in 4 years ago in Somerset and the subsequent buyer flew from Belfast to buy it. So even within the UK it appears cars are cheaper outside Ireland. 

 

[The-Acre]

I know we've discussed the hybrid, and I'm still giving it some thought (waiting for dealers reply)but what are your thoughts on this?  It's low mileage, not far to go, and lower tax.  And the MOT history is good.

https://www.autovillage.co.uk/used-car/lexus/gs/mtz_85923_45813649

[messi]

2 minutes ago, The-Acre said:

I know we've discussed the hybrid, and I'm still giving it some thought (waiting for dealers reply)but what are your thoughts on this?  It's low mileage, not far to go, and lower tax.  And the MOT history is good.

https://www.autovillage.co.uk/used-car/lexus/gs/mtz_85923_45813649

I like that. If i was in the market for one, that would be on my list 

[Guest]

Very nice and a great MOT history with very little in the way of advisories.

[The-Acre]

1 minute ago, messi said:

I like that. If i was in the market for one, that would be on my list 

Do you think the price is fair?  I could be there in 45mins.  I've emailed the seller of the hybrid asking if they would accept my offer, it's along way to go if not.

[messi]

Yes the price is about right. Lexus reading had one in 2 weeks ago, 2006 with 52000 miles which sold for £5700

[royoftherovers]

18 minutes ago, The-Acre said:

I know we've discussed the hybrid, and I'm still giving it some thought (waiting for dealers reply)but what are your thoughts on this?  It's low mileage, not far to go, and lower tax.  And the MOT history is good.

https://www.autovillage.co.uk/used-car/lexus/gs/mtz_85923_45813649

Try and speak with the last owner Phil soonest.

[The-Acre]

5 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

Try and speak with the last owner Phil soonest.

How do I do that?  I've just spoken to the seller of this one and it does sound very good.  But then dealers/estate agents!

[royoftherovers]

14 minutes ago, The-Acre said:

How do I do that?  I've just spoken to the seller of this one and it does sound very good.  But then dealers/estate agents!

They should hold the Form V5 which should contain details of the last owner Phil. 

[The-Acre]

11 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

They should hold the Form V5 which should contain details of the last owner Phil. 

Oh yes, of course.  I'm going to speak to him again in the morning to discuss it.

[Chris111]

Phil, can I ask if you have driven either a 300 or 450h GS? If you haven't I really think that you need to as only then will you find if you want to take the plunge into hybrid ownership or not. The 450h is incredibly fast, not just 0-60 but its ability to go from 30-50, 40-60, or 50-70 leaves a lot of specialist performance cars standing (making overtaking safer), but as John has pointed out, it is also cheaper to run. I understand that these traits are not what everyone looks for when purchasing a car but IMHO only after driving an example of each car will you know which model suits you and your needs. However, coming from a LS you might find neither model of GS is suitable .

From your posts I know you have reservations about the hybrid but from my personal experience I have had no problems. My 450h had its 11th annual service last summer and passed its hybrid health check and I was told the system is in good health.

Good luck with your search.

 

 

[messi]

Is a faster car better than a reliable car?  GS450h is nice, but if i was in the market for one I would want to make sure the batteries had been replaced before I purchased the car, so for me and my personally opinion , I would stick with a Gs300/430. 

[The-Acre]

4 minutes ago, Chris111 said:

Phil, can I ask if you have driven either a 300 or 450h GS? If you haven't I really think that you need to as only then will you find if you want to take the plunge into hybrid ownership or not. The 450h is incredibly fast, not just 0-60 but its ability to go from 30-50, 40-60, or 50-70 leaves a lot of specialist performance cars standing (making overtaking safer), but as John has pointed out, it is also cheaper to run. I understand that these traits are not what everyone looks for when purchasing a car but IMHO only after driving an example of each car will you know which model suits you and your needs. However, coming from a LS you might find neither model of GS is suitable .

From your posts I know you have reservations about the hybrid but from my personal experience I have had no problems. My 450h had its 11th annual service last summer and passed its hybrid health check and I was told the system is in good health.

Good luck with your search.

 

 

I haven't even sat in one yet!  I did go for a run in a friend's IS and loved it.  I won't rush, and I do think the acceleration with the hybrid could tempt me!

[Chris111]

10 minutes ago, messi said:

Is a faster car better than a reliable car?  GS450h is nice, but if i was in the market for one I would want to make sure the batteries had been replaced before I purchased the car, so for me and my personally opinion , I would stick with a Gs300/430. 

Were did I say it is better? I think you need to read what I wrote, not what you think I did!

[silvermkiv]

@The-Acre

Please before buy a GS300 do a Testdrive with a GS450h, after this you never buy a GS300

I am from Germany and buy in 10/2017 in GB a 2007 GS450h, in your Country a enough good cheap 450h  for selling.

 

 

[AmbroseJohn]

5 hours ago, messi said:

Is a faster car better than a reliable car?  GS450h is nice, but if i was in the market for one I would want to make sure the batteries had been replaced before I purchased the car, so for me and my personally opinion , I would stick with a Gs300/430. 

You'd have a hard time finding a car that's had the batteries replace because they rarely are.

[mrdoofa]

I had a GS450h briefly last year, the performance is absolutely phenomenal and with the CVT transmission acceleration is relentless and seamless never failing to make me grin from ear to ear. I averaged about 30mpg day to day and around 40mpg on a run, it was a short lived experience however as the hybrid system went kaput after 2 months, fortunately the dealer took the car back and gave me a full refund.

I’d say if I was looking to buy another hybrid and if it’s getting on for 100k miles or more I’d want the system fully health checked by Lexus and the certificate to prove it, that seems to be when they start to get problems according to what I’ve read on various forums and my own experience. Ultimately it’s a rechargeable Battery pack and all rechargeable batteries have a finite life and will lose capacity over time and will eventually fail. The power inverter can also be troublesome and is expensive. The engine is chain driven and the chain can sometimes rattle. Watch out for leaky shock absorbers too, these are incredibly expensive and a dealer only part AFAIK.

There does seem to be an above average amount of reliability problems with the hybrids when compared with other Lexus models so be careful!!!

I’ll see you on Wednesday Phil when I buy your LS430!!!

[stevet]

I test drove both GS300 and 450 but after considering that I would probably be keeping the car after the warranty had expired I went for the 300.

[The-Acre]

Not withstanding the good info from you hybrid fans, I am planning to see the GS300 in Chertsey on Saturday.  Two owners, full Lexus history and 63k, and lower tax.  I'm still open to whatever else may come along of course.