Maybe Time To Move On...

randyreindeer · August 20, 2010

Coming up to 10 years of Lex ownership now. Its not unbroken ownership. I had a short but memorable foray back into Nissan Z cars for about 8 months but couldn't wait to get back into a Lex. This time though could be the beginning of the end. I love my LS. It keeps a Triumph Stag, Eunos Roadster, VW T4 camper and a works vehicle company. It gets very little use but when it does its just like slipping into an old pair of shoes.

The reason im thinkin of selling is because i have just had the insurance renewnal through and its nearly doubled from last year. Nothing has changed. No claims or anything. I have the other vehicles on a classic policy and the prices are fine but this Lex renewal wants not only an arm and a leg but a Kidney as well.

Does anyone specialise in big Jap Barge insurance out there or is it time to walk away? I dont even think I could go back to an GS now after having this magic carpet ride.

kpnuts · August 20, 2010

i have same problem with insurance, rang lexus and they wont cover my old girl 94 she is sad she was too old.

shame the insurances are so high i feel your pain.

DaveEdin · August 20, 2010

You get an additional discount from sky insurance (check the traders subforum) for being a GOLD member - give them a call?

Malc · August 21, 2010

You get an additional discount from sky insurance (check the traders subforum) for being a GOLD member - give them a call?

I've used the NFU for a few years now, LS400 and a classic and one other .......... the premiums seem OK to me.

Malc

Swindon Andy · August 21, 2010

Sky were my choice for a few years but they have crept above some others now. Companies do vary from year to year. A Plan did a good deal for me this year. Try their Thatcham branch, they specialise in imports, not that yours is, and seem to be Japanese friendly.

ROYT · August 21, 2010

Keep shopping around, insurance companies seem to be making it up as they go along.

Always try a different co. each year, get the best price then go back to the company you like best

they will usually better the price quoted.

They want your business, play one against the other!

John Lawley · August 23, 2010

try to get sky to match adrian flux etc, switching to 3rd party can save a few bob too, i'm paying £290 TPFT on a LPG (+£100 fire excess) MK3 LS400 with a CAT 1 alarm with Sky, they give a discount for being a member of the owners vlub (not just GOLD).

madasafish · August 26, 2010

I always use price comparison sites and reduced my insurance costs 30% this year using Saga..

Your insurance company think you are a rich idiot so they treat you like one.

MJM444 · August 26, 2010

I always use price comparison sites and reduced my insurance costs 30% this year using Saga..

Your insurance company think you are a rich idiot so they treat you like one.

I agree my renewal premium from RAC this year was £565.00 nearly £200.00 increase from last year and Saga quoted me £370.00 fully conprehensive for my 1998 LS400 nearly 40% reduction

Nitmoi · August 26, 2010

Sky tried but were not able to do too much and the 3rd party came out even higher than other's comps. I'll have a go at SAGA again after a few years off.

JellyBean · August 26, 2010

There are two things that are good about getting older (but not infirm):

1) Something I cannot mention here

2) Cheaper car insurance

I currently pay £185, of which the optional Motor Legal Protection accounts for £26. I am with Direct Line and this is fully comp for a Mk III LS400, 1996.

The trick is to decline the No Claims Discount Protection which many people now realize is a bit of a fiddle.

Nitmoi · August 26, 2010

Well Jellybean, I'm no spring chicken and I got nowhere near that I'm being rushed at around £350.....If I can't do much better the barge will have to go! Sad but true!!

NMac · August 27, 2010

Have you tryed www.frankpickles.co.uk or Carole Nash or Swift cover :winky:

Nitmoi · August 27, 2010

£787 with home and roadside without protected NCB £150 excess on value of £1000. For that I could just about buy another! That's Directline with their new customer 15% discount presumably.

Nitmoi · August 27, 2010

Thanks NMac,

For info all round:

Frank Pickles will only cover over 15 years old and don't mention Lexus on their list it may be considered a Toyota though

Carole Nash not classic with v.good extras come in at £453.

Apparently all premiums have increased by 31% minimum due to flood claims in the last year. Also there has been a complete re-appraisal of post codes and mine has leapt up compared with last year having been one of the lowest previously!

Swift cover refused to quote!

Malc · August 27, 2010

Thanks NMac,

For info all round:

Frank Pickles will only cover over 15 years old and don't mention Lexus on their list it may be considered a Toyota though

Carole Nash not classic with v.good extras come in at £453.

Apparently all premiums have increased by 31% minimum due to flood claims in the last year. Also there has been a complete re-appraisal of post codes and mine has leapt up compared with last year having been one of the lowest previously!

Hi, as ever I guess it's your age and postcode and garaging etc. As I said before, I find the NFU good for the past 4 years and being a Mutual a Policyholder gets year on year benefits from the company profits .......... reflected in maybe reduced premiums !

Also I would always go for fully comprehensive, mainly coz of the windscreen cover. £25 xcs with the NFU. Can't begin to imagine what a new windscreen would cost on a LS400 !

Malc

Nitmoi · August 27, 2010

Malc I agree NFU best all round so far but still v.High at £440. Their windscreen excess is £50 on w/s btw.

Malc · August 27, 2010

Malc I agree NFU best all round so far but still v.High at £440. Their windscreen excess is £50 on w/s btw.

Hi, for me and the missus from Feb2010 I paid £447 + tax and with a £100 xcs. The windscreen cover xcs is quoted at £25 for their approved company ( £40 otherwise ) and that is the xcs I paid for a replacement w/s on another of my cars this year with the NFU. But it was back in Februaury !

Malc

Nitmoi · August 29, 2010

KPnuts you could go for the classic policy with some of the brokers. It may have to be a second vehicle though.

kpnuts · August 29, 2010

KPnuts you could go for the classic policy with some of the brokers. It may have to be a second vehicle though.

yp done that £370 so better than some :)

Nitmoi · August 30, 2010

Age Concern (you have to be joking) £1248:00 what concern is that except to get hold of our scarce cash!!

randyreindeer · September 6, 2010

I did a lot of homework and did quite a lot of haggling and got it cheaper than last year with the same old extras. I love the way some of the prices come up on comparison sites.

LeeC · September 6, 2010

My insurance is up for renual in a month and all the quotes I have had so far are for over £1000. That is with 6 years NCB, never made a claim, clean licence and now reached another age milestone of 30 (I like to think of it as 29 and 12 months though)

I don't understand why these cars are so expensive to insure, they might have a big engine but its hardly a boy racers car. My bike on the other hand is very powerful (R1) and that was £108 to insure.

GEN · September 7, 2010

My insurance is up for renual in a month and all the quotes I have had so far are for over £1000. That is with 6 years NCB, never made a claim, clean licence and now reached another age milestone of 30 (I like to think of it as 29 and 12 months though)

I don't understand why these cars are so expensive to insure, they might have a big engine but its hardly a boy racers car. My bike on the other hand is very powerful (R1) and that was £108 to insure.

Just had a browse and Endsleigh (no I am not a student!) came in cheapest! Tried many others - even tried the AA third party, etc. only and had a wonderful quote - £2845 which was followed by an email suggesting that they could improve on that quote! Not hard to do. But I am told by a friend with a smaller car (Ford) that premiums have gone up all around because of the economic downturn!

Nitmoi · September 7, 2010

Right enough about the increases. 31-50% according to one operator.

Reasons given for increases were non-insured drivers, flood damaged cars last year, car smashing insurance scams, reassessment of post codes re. crime.

Endsleigh came out lowest on the comparison sites but NFU came out best on the like for like. Its easy to come in low when the excess is £400 plus.

The Lexus is expensive because of the perceived cost of repairs vs. value. Cost of Lexus workshops and body parts. Top speed and engine size every time.

The post 2004 Ford Fiesta is supposed to be the best all round value used car at the mo, around £4000, cheap parts, easy to work on, any garage can service and repair, but even its ins. is in the C band for a 1.25 petrol!