Help needed to find a IS 250C in UK

[JustJules]

Hi all

Seeking your guidance in finding a replacement for my beloved Lexus IS 250 convertible, my faithful companion for the past 6 years. A dream vehicle with its sleek silver shell and luxurious cream interior, boasting under 44K miles and driving perfectly, until a recent London storm brought havoc. Roof slates and debris fell, leaving it marred with scratches and dents, and unfortunately, insurers said it was too expensive to repair and it is a write off. While the damage appeared minor, attempting to operate the roof was a risk I was not willing to take. It's a loss and short term inconvenience, but I'm relieved there were no injuries at the time of the incident.

I'm on the hunt for a vehicle of similar or superior specs, steering clear of black leather or exteriors, which appears to be the most common option available. Any advice, tips, or contacts would be immensely valued.

Thanks in advance

[LenT]

8 hours ago, JustJules said:

insurers said it was too expensive to repair and it is a write off.

Just a thought, Jules…

I suspect that the insured value of a car of that age is so low that any repair estimate would exceed it.  That may well make it a write off - but that doesn’t mean it should be written off!

By the sound of it, it’s predominantly superficial body damage - which can be repaired, just not economically by an Insurance Company.

It might be worth you investigating the possibility of receiving payment for your insured loss while retaining the actual car from the Insurers.  Maybe have a good body shop give you an estimate for its repair - which will almost certainly be considerably less than the total cost  of a claim to the Insurers.

I might add that if the Insurers write it off, it might well end up in a body shop being repaired anyway - or being broken up for spares.

[geller1968]

20 hours ago, JustJules said:

Hi all

Seeking your guidance in finding a replacement for my beloved Lexus IS 250 convertible, my faithful companion for the past 6 years. A dream vehicle with its sleek silver shell and luxurious cream interior, boasting under 44K miles and driving perfectly, until a recent London storm brought havoc. Roof slates and debris fell, leaving it marred with scratches and dents, and unfortunately, insurers said it was too expensive to repair and it is a write off. While the damage appeared minor, attempting to operate the roof was a risk I was not willing to take. It's a loss and short term inconvenience, but I'm relieved there were no injuries at the time of the incident.

I'm on the hunt for a vehicle of similar or superior specs, steering clear of black leather or exteriors, which appears to be the most common option available. Any advice, tips, or contacts would be immensely valued.

Thanks in advance

 

[geller1968]

My is 250 c is for sale email me is you are interested 

gjr300sl@aol.com

Full Lexus service 

top MOT history and in stunning condition.

[Mr Vlad]

That's awful news Jules. However take on board what Len said. Buy the car back and with what's left of the insurance money which I'm guessing will be a couple grand you'll just need to find a good body shop. OR you could take the car to your Lexus dealer to see what they thought and get a quote. Get the quote in writing and itemised items that may need to be bought. Then if it's reasonable let them do it or take your list to a good recommend body shop. Either way it'll be cheaper than  buying another unknown car.

I got just under £5k for my 2007 SE-L is250 last August when I wrote it off.

[The-Acre]

51 minutes ago, Mr Vlad said:

That's awful news Jules. However take on board what Len said. Buy the car back and with what's left of the insurance money which I'm guessing will be a couple grand you'll just need to find a good body shop. OR you could take the car to your Lexus dealer to see what they thought and get a quote. Get the quote in writing and itemised items that may need to be bought. Then if it's reasonable let them do it or take your list to a good recommend body shop. Either way it'll be cheaper than  buying another unknown car.

I got just under £5k for my 2007 SE-L is250 last August when I wrote it off.

That's what I would do. I had a Vauxhall estate written off some years ago, bought it back, had the bodywork done as good as new and had a grand left in my pocket. At least it wasn't an accident causing chassis damage.

[JustJules]

On 5/30/2024 at 11:14 AM, Mr Vlad said:

That's awful news Jules. However take on board what Len said. Buy the car back and with what's left of the insurance money which I'm guessing will be a couple grand you'll just need to find a good body shop. OR you could take the car to your Lexus dealer to see what they thought and get a quote. Get the quote in writing and itemised items that may need to be bought. Then if it's reasonable let them do it or take your list to a good recommend body shop. Either way it'll be cheaper than  buying another unknown car.

I got just under £5k for my 2007 SE-L is250 last August when I wrote it off.

Thanks Mr Vlad - have taken it on board will follow through what Len advised

.  

[JustJules]

On 5/29/2024 at 7:36 AM, LenT said:

Just a thought, Jules…

I suspect that the insured value of a car of that age is so low that any repair estimate would exceed it.  That may well make it a write off - but that doesn’t mean it should be written off!

By the sound of it, it’s predominantly superficial body damage - which can be repaired, just not economically by an Insurance Company.

It might be worth you investigating the possibility of receiving payment for your insured loss while retaining the actual car from the Insurers.  Maybe have a good body shop give you an estimate for its repair - which will almost certainly be considerably less than the total cost  of a claim to the Insurers.

I might add that if the Insurers write it off, it might well end up in a body shop being repaired anyway - or being broken up for spares.

Hi Len

Brilliant and appreciated advice.  I have accepted insurers reduced offer of £9,111k to £6,924k.  Should go a good way towards repairs. 

Jules

 

[JustJules]

On 5/29/2024 at 7:55 PM, geller1968 said:

My is 250 c is for sale email me is you are interested 

gjr300sl@aol.com

Full Lexus service 

top MOT history and in stunning condition.

Thanks for the offer - stunning car - but have decided to buy back the car and keep an eye open for another silver one down the line.

Jules

 

[JustJules]

On 5/30/2024 at 12:09 PM, The-Acre said:

That's what I would do. I had a Vauxhall estate written off some years ago, bought it back, had the bodywork done as good as new and had a grand left in my pocket. At least it wasn't an accident causing chassis damage.

Yep - car still drives like a dream - cosmetic damage for most part, just concerned about the roof opening and closing with minor dents.  Have been advised to trial this in a controlled environment (certainly don't need telling twice)🤣

[LenT]

4 hours ago, JustJules said:

Hi Len

Brilliant and appreciated advice.  I have accepted insurers reduced offer of £9,111k to £6,924k.  Should go a good way towards repairs. 

Jules

 

Well I’ll be interested to know what others think, but a £7K payment  for a 14 year-old car - plus you get to keep the car - sounds like a fair result.  After all, under the skin it’s still the same faithful companion that you’ve enjoyed so much for the last six years!

I don’t know whereabouts you are in London, but in view of the body damage you’ve described, I feel you might be better off with old fashioned panel beaters rather than having entire panels replaced - which is probably what the Insurers would have based their repair estimate on.

I’m sure we’ll all be interested to know how you get on, Jules.