Hello from newbie RX400h owner.

[Herbie]

43 minutes ago, Farnham Dave said:

Well it's on its way to the trader's preferred repairer tomorrow morning. I would imagine he'd have to admit it's literally a non starter.

I asked Lexus dealership, and they don't do pre purchase inspections. Not quite sure how to get things checked properly next time.

Get the same sort of inspection done that you did with this one which will cover the 'standard' parts, but make the sale conditional on the car passing a 'Hybrid Health Check' done at a Lexus dealership.

I believe that the hybrid health check can be done for about £60 as a 'stand-alone' item.

[Farnham Dave]

I asked Lexus dealer if they do pre purchase inspection...nope. I will find someone who can, even if it means the seller booking it in for a Lexus service!

[The-Acre]

42 minutes ago, Farnham Dave said:

I asked Lexus dealer if they do pre purchase inspection...nope. I will find someone who can, even if it means the seller booking it in for a Lexus service!

Was that with the hybrid health check as a stand alone item as Herbs suggests?  They may not do a general check on the rest of the car but the hybrid system is something else.

[Farnham Dave]

Yeah, hybrid health check can be bought separately, but normally once you own the car.

On 10/26/2018 at 5:30 PM, Herbie said:

Get the same sort of inspection done that you did with this one which will cover the 'standard' parts, but make the sale conditional on the car passing a 'Hybrid Health Check' done at a Lexus dealership.

I believe that the hybrid health check can be done for about £60 as a 'stand-alone' item.

 

On 10/26/2018 at 6:36 PM, The-Acre said:

Was that with the hybrid health check as a stand alone item as Herbs suggests?  They may not do a general check on the rest of the car but the hybrid system is something else.

 

[Farnham Dave]

Well, I've received a full refund for this car. I'm seeing another one tomorrow, one year younger and the SE-L. So I'm hoping it's a good one. We'll probably use someone like the RAC to do the inspection this time... Might be more expensive, but probably worth it!

[The-Acre]

10 hours ago, Farnham Dave said:

Well, I've received a full refund for this car. I'm seeing another one tomorrow, one year younger and the SE-L. So I'm hoping it's a good one. We'll probably use someone like the RAC to do the inspection this time... Might be more expensive, but probably worth it!

Well done, and better luck next time!

[rich1068]

10 hours ago, Farnham Dave said:

SE-L.

Air suspension so check everything is working as it should.

[Farnham Dave]

Ok. Thanks for the tip. Life should be a bit easier now... I might have only driven one for about 40 minutes, but I do have a better feel for the car now.

On a related note, I was looking for garages that can do hybrid servicing (my usual can do everything bar the hybrid system). My local hybrid specialist appears to be Halfords. Anyone had any experience? I've used them before for number plate (they screwed up) and windscreen wipers (just because it was a free service that day).

[Rutlandlex]

On 11/4/2018 at 9:18 AM, rich1068 said:

Air suspension so check everything is working as it should.

I thought that the hybrids didn't have air suspension.

On 11/4/2018 at 10:05 AM, Farnham Dave said:

Ok. Thanks for the tip. Life should be a bit easier now... I might have only driven one for about 40 minutes, but I do have a better feel for the car now.

On a related note, I was looking for garages that can do hybrid servicing (my usual can do everything bar the hybrid system). My local hybrid specialist appears to be Halfords. Anyone had any experience? I've used them before for number plate (they screwed up) and windscreen wipers (just because it was a free service that day).

No-one does hybrid servicing because the hybrid system doesn't need servicing.  I would avoid Halfords like the plague because another user on here wanted a new 12 volt Battery and they refused to fit it "because it's a hybrid"!  Not the words I would expect from a "hybrid specialist".  If you have a good relationship with your local garage then they will be fine to service it.

I would also avoid taking out an extended warranty from Lexus because I've seen too many posts on here that would put me off.  For starters it's almost a grand for 3 years I believe and you have to take it to them for all servicing and repairs.  The servicing costs are quite reasonable but the non-warranty repairs are eye-watering and according to the T&C's you have no choice but to pay it.

Well done for getting the refund.  I once bought a duff car from a dealer and he was the most obnoxious, obstructive and unhelpful C word going.

[rich1068]

20 minutes ago, Rutlandlex said:

I thought that the hybrids didn't have air suspension.

Oh you know, I think you're right. It's just the 300 and 350 SE-L that have the air suspension.

 

[Farnham Dave]

Well this 400h SE-L definitely doesn't have air suspension.

It also seems to be a particularly good example. It's a private seller... I'm getting the full RAC inspection done, including engine oil analysis. Fingers crossed.

[Farnham Dave]

.

[Farnham Dave]

3 hours ago, Rutlandlex said:

I thought that the hybrids didn't have air suspension.

No-one does hybrid servicing because the hybrid system doesn't need servicing.  I would avoid Halfords like the plague because another user on here wanted a new 12 volt battery and they refused to fit it "because it's a hybrid"!  Not the words I would expect from a "hybrid specialist".  If you have a good relationship with your local garage then they will be fine to service it.

I would also avoid taking out an extended warranty from Lexus because I've seen too many posts on here that would put me off.  For starters it's almost a grand for 3 years I believe and you have to take it to them for all servicing and repairs.  The servicing costs are quite reasonable but the non-warranty repairs are eye-watering and according to the T&C's you have no choice but to pay it.

Well done for getting the refund.  I once bought a duff car from a dealer and he was the most obnoxious, obstructive and unhelpful C word going.

Up till now I've had nothing but bad experiences from dealers!

I see your point about the hybrid aspects not needing servicing... The moving parts are probably working or failed, and the non moving parts don't move. There are air vents and cooling, though... Not sure if those are things that can need a service

[Farnham Dave]

I now have a pretty good 2006 RX400h. A few odds and ends to sort. Just had two new tyres fitted. Next job is the front brake disks and cruise control... I'm hoping the latter is just the switch, since there are no fault codes registered for the cc.

Everything else is more or less cosmetic... Like the alloys... Tyre man recommended a refurbisher on request, so that's on my list.

Thanks for all the advice... Most helpful

[rich1068]

👍

[BachelorDays]

Great news on the refund, as well as this one. 

Saw your first post too - I'm sure the Crown counts - I had a SuperSaloon in the '80s and it was serious enjoyment!

[Arharh]

The cruise control on my rx stopped working it was the clock spring (a big coil of cable hidden at the top of the steering column) not the switch. I bought a cheep one from eBay for about £20 easy to fit and still working 30k miles later.

[Farnham Dave]

12 hours ago, BachelorDays said:

Great news on the refund, as well as this one. 

Saw your first post too - I'm sure the Crown counts - I had a SuperSaloon in the '80s and it was serious enjoyment!

Yep .. Supersaloon. 2.8. I never saw one other than mine, then moved house... New next door neighbour had one too!

[Farnham Dave]

11 hours ago, Arharh said:

The cruise control on my rx stopped working it was the clock spring (a big coil of cable hidden at the top of the steering column) not the switch. I bought a cheep one from eBay for about £20 easy to fit and still working 30k miles later.

That's the great thing about cc... Components that don't seem to make any sense at all 😁