How Long Will You Keep It

[tinka]

Maybe a pointless thread, but I’ll start it anyway. Mainly for private owners really, how long do you aim to keep your car for, I’ve just extended the warranty, so I hope to keep it for at least 4 years, the longest I’ve had a car has been 3.5 years.

[DJP]

Hmmm. Good question. If I like the NX then I can see the 300 going inside the next 12 months. If I don't I've another couple of years from now on the finance with a balloon payment. I've already set that money to one side but, knowing myself as I do, can't see me wanting to pay it off and keep the car. More likely I'll end up in another new or nearly new one.

That said, the best laid plans and all that....

Sent from my Iphone using Lexus OC

[Habu]

My neighbour collected his new NX Premier yesterday and it does look very nice especially in Sonic Titanium. I'm going to see how much the RC 300h is when it's unveiled and go from there. If it's affordable I'll probably change in Spring next year when my IS will be 12 months old. Failing that I will probably go for a used GS. I usually change cars between 9 months (!) and 3.5 years depending on finances and whether I modify the car.

[royoftherovers]

Had the E Class estate for 12 years and 190,000 miles. Will keep it as it owes me nothing.

Had the GS 450H for 12 months and have taken out long term Warranties and Service Plans as I intend it to be my last purchase.

I do not understand the need to keep changing vehicles, so I suppose it must be an age thing as I `m approaching 70!

Regards

john

[North west beast]

I would like to keep mine as long as poss

[tinka]

I try to forget about the balloon at the end, but I may just pay some of that off, and finance the rest when the time comes, I guess 6-7 years for the next IS (just saying).

[C Mclean]

Thinking about extending the warranty to 5 years and then looking at trading it in around then, that's is unless some super dooper offer comes along..

[tonyricha]

Far from a pointless thread!

Up to now I have always avoided monthly payments but liked a nice car so searched Autotrader for a " depreciation disaster" ie let someone else take the big hit over the first 18 months and use the saved cash to buy a extended warranty but after Lexus total un helpfulness when problems set in just months after the extended warranty expired my opinion has changed to leasing a new car.

After totalling up outright purchase price, extended warranty and Lexus service costs I realised I can have a brand new Merecedes E Class including service plan for far less with no worries as when the warranty expires I just return the car, OK I will have nothing in the car but then when Lexus bid me £900 for my GS450h SE L it made me realise what poor value I was suffering. Also no cash outlay meaning my savings are still available ( to pay the lease in times get hard)

I feel modern cars are just too complicated to risk owning especially with the dealers attitude of replace whole units rather than repair and so specialised nobody else wishes to get involved.

[normski2]

I'm planning on keeping mine as long as practically possible. Pushing towards 59...and also pondering a lifestyle/semi retirement move to France. So shovelling money into cars is very low on the horizon for me at this point.

Mind you, I am incredibly pleased with this car on so many levels. Folding rear seats would be good as the boot space can be a tad restrictive on occasions. Insurance (£200 protected fully comp), road tax and fuel costs I am happy with.

As Tony says above.."I have always avoided monthly payments but liked a nice car so searched Autotrader for a " depreciation disaster" ie let someone else take the big hit over the first 18/30 months". I'd extended my search up to 30 months but did not take any extended warranty on the vehicle.....did not deem it necessary. I'd rather save the expenditure but have it there if needed. Nowt in nearly two years...so £800 saved.

[DJP]

This thread could indeed run forever! I test drove the NX yesterday (posted my thoughts in that section of the forum) and asked for a p/x on mine. In rough figures £37k paid Sept '13, £25k value today. Guaranteed residual is £14k March '17. As with all things car related it's a bit of a trade off. Normski's saved £800 but that could be gone in a flash, or not, who knows.

I sold my IS250 to a colleague when I bought the 300h. He's had a years completely trouble free motoring (which I'm very pleased about too!) and long may that continue. It's an '07 SE MM with 60k on the clock and will probably run forever. I'd had it 5 years and was bored with it.

I've set aside the balloon payment and may just keep the car. Or I may buy a year old IS/NX and try to get the best of both worlds. Prudent financial management with a depreciating asset that's nice and shiny with lots of toys is a difficult balance to achieve. Unless your my wife who doesn't really care as long as it starts and doesn't break down.

[C Mclean]

For those looking to change once their present cars are few years old, but not wanting to go for brand new, it may be worthwhile keeping a lookout in the future for sales such as this one from Lexus Scotland.

http://www.lexusscotland.co.uk/demo-sale/

[North west beast]

Bargains

[bluenose1940]

WOW!!!! Those are exactly the sort of deals that I will be hoping will be available when I come to change my car early next year.

[rayaans]

WOW!!!! Those are exactly the sort of deals that I will be hoping will be available when I come to change my car early next year.

Cant really see how those deals are different to any other dealer in the UK? They all have the 3.9% finance on the 300h's and £1000 contribution and the prices seem pretty similiar to others too?

[Richard1200]

I am with John and Normski on this. My past record is not good as I has 3 IS250's between 2007 and 2013. The first one was bought after a lottery win. Also bought both daughters a car, not a life changing amount but enough to enjoy. I will be 66 in January and the need for new cars is diminishing. Always paid cash, never borrowed money, apart from one IS I had a £2000 contribution if finance was taken out but I paid the balance after 2 months.

Did not go to the NX launch as I can still be week willed at times. Also SWMBO said no.

Might have one more new Ducati before I hang up my leathers though.

The other reason that I hope to keep this IS for a while is because it is a very good car. Luxury cars are not normally cheap to run but this one is. The last reason is I am frightened to ask what mine is worth as it was one the first last July so paid top dollar for the privilege.

Great car. Great Ducati.

[bluenose1940]

Can't say that I have seen any adverts for those 'WOW' prices down this way. I am always looking at the local dealers offers and haven't seen anything like 'em.

The local dealers are starting a used car event tomorrow, they have sent me an invite and so I might just go and take a look see at what's on offer.

[ColinBarber]

Can't say that I have seen any adverts for those 'WOW' prices down this way. I am always looking at the local dealers offers and haven't seen anything like 'em.

The local dealers are starting a used car event tomorrow, they have sent me an invite and so I might just go and take a look see at what's on offer.

I didn't see anything outstanding, nothing that other dealers aren't doing from time to time - well expect maybe in London and Guildford.

[Steve_L]

Re Lexus Scotland deals - I believe I have seen deals just as good in various outlets. Cambridge and Reading seem particularly good. Is it a sign of lower than expected sales? Don't mind really as adds to exclusivity of the model and I won't be changing for some time.

[gtb5]

Just replaced another Toyota after 12 years so 300h can last at least that long.

[DJP]

Just replaced another Toyota after 12 years so 300h can last at least that long.

Apart from the boredom factor etc, which is obviously a personal matter, what about the hybrid batteries shelf life? I think it's 8 years warranty, heaven only knows what it would cost to replace.

Sent from my Iphone using Lexus OC

[gtb5]

Battery unit warranty is ten year here.

[tinka]

I did read somewhere that another years warranty is added to the Battery, when it goes in for service, or something along those lines.

[Bratman91]

I refinanced with Lexus my first IS250 after, I think, less than 3 years from new and the warranty was automatically extended to coincide with the end of the new financing period. I am not sure if this applies to all refinacing arrangements but it is something to bear in mind as the normal warranty period is approaching its end.

[dazed]

I would like to keep mine as long as poss

Absolutely. I'm amazed that people who like to change their car regularly (more than once every couple of years) go anywhere near new cars. The depreciation costs are just eye-watering.

I have a self imposed £3,000 depreciation budget per year which ruled out an IS300h for my recent car change despite the dealer (who I have a good relationship with) offering me a beautiful pre-registered (delivery mileage only) 300h (Luxury?) with leather, metallic paint and SatNav for £27K cash. I must admit I was very tempted (bearing in mind I'd have clawed back some of the extra expense in reduced fuel and road tax), but I finally settled for a mint condition two year old IS250 Advance with 6,000 miles on the clock for £18,000. I anticipate keeping it for 5 years.

Maybe I'll go hybrid next time.

[DJP]

I would like to keep mine as long as poss

Absolutely. I'm amazed that people who like to change their car regularly (more than once every couple of years) go anywhere near new cars. The depreciation costs are just eye-watering.

I have a self imposed £3,000 depreciation budget per year which ruled out an IS300h for my recent car change despite the dealer (who I have a good relationship with) offering me a beautiful pre-registered (delivery mileage only) 300h (Luxury?) with leather, metallic paint and SatNav for £27K cash. I must admit I was very tempted (bearing in mind I'd have clawed back some of the extra expense in reduced fuel and road tax), but I finally settled for a mint condition two year old IS250 Advance with 6,000 miles on the clock for £18,000. I anticipate keeping it for 5 years.

Maybe I'll go hybrid next time.

I completely understand where you are coming from, but there is nothing quite like taking delivery of that new car you have "built" to your spec. Providing you understand the depreciation, and crucially, can afford it I see no problem. Don't misunderstand me, I've only bought 3 new cars (excluding company cars) so far, and am likely to take a slightly different approach when the 300 comes up for the balloon payment. That's a couple of years away, but I'm pretty sure I won't be settling the finance and keeping it. More likely is handing it back and using the money I've set aside for the balloon as a deposit on a nearly new something...