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I have finally taken the plunge and bought a mk 4 LS 400. It has done 60000 miles, with a good service history and two owners, a company bought it new and then the last private owner had it for ten years. It is to be a weekend/hobby car for trips to see my folks in South Wales and days out, and is on classic car insurance, I drove it back across the Pennines to Yorkshire today and the last time I did this route was in my newly acquired brand new Jaguar XF 3.0 D Portfolio over three years ago. I never buy new cars but at that time used XFs were fetching as much as new ones. There should be no comparison between the two because the Jag was new and cost 17 times the cost of the Lexus. As regards the Lexus - what a bloody car! The steering is not as sharp or direct as the Jag's, but the comfort, refinement and feel good factor are, as far as I can remember from 3 - 4 years ago, actually better. I expected it to be quiet and refined but it exceeded my expectations. It is an astonishing piece of engineering, by any standards. Some forum members claim that the LS430 is more refined. I can't see how this is possible. I sold the Jag after two months, it was slightly disappointing, did not live up to the hype, the ride was very average on 20" wheels. I was lucky and got most of my money back because of my timing. It was far too much money to have tied up in a car (over £42000). I am not wealthy and was scared to leave it parked up. There are far more about nowadays. I recently decided that I wanted a luxury car for long trips and have been oscillating between Jags ( I am a long term jag lover and have a Mk 2 3.4 to restore when I get time), BMWs ( I had a 330D from nearly new and for five years) and Mercs. The BMW was truly a great car but repair bills before 20000 miles would have bankrupted me if it had not been under warranty. I did not want a diesel, with the attendant DMF and DPF issues. I looked at Mercedes, but the last good ones were the W124 E class and they tend to rust out, making it hard to find a good one. They are also sparse, for a luxury car and aircon, for example, is a rare and welcome option. It is actually possible to buy them with wind up windows. great cars though. Even many well regarded luxury cars seem to have potentially expensive weaknesses. My research kept bringing me back to Lexus so here I am. Newer cars have become increasingly complex and expensive to repair and petrol models are ridiculous on road tax.. My daily workhorse is a Skoda Octavia diesel. Really good car, but I was careful to find a pre DPF 1.9 diesel. It does 50 to the gallon, so I take the view that the Skoda and Lexus will result in a reasonable average of 35mpg or so (if i can bring myself to drive the Skoda again after today) I have a feeling that the Lexus is a car that grows on you the longer you have it. Mine is in good condition, but I intend to spend a bit on it to improve it further. The badges need to go. They are gold, not to my taste at all and are a bit scruffy. I need to source a set of chrome badges. If the 400 costs me money to keep it up, it does not concern me too much, within reason. After all, even taking into consideration newer cars, what else can you get? I am looking forward to the ownership experience.

Best to use it everyday methinks.......... why wouldn't you want all that luxury motoring every day ???? I do and 11 years of Ls400 motoring I have little choice but to use mine every day ....... and I'm far from disappointed at being placed in that situation .......... it's great nah, actually ............... it's fantastic. Malc

Will do Chris :) Heather x

Starting next year at any meets i and the wife organize.... It is the owners responsibility to cover their number plates, if they do not wish them to be visible on the forum. Thanks for your past and future support. Ian and Heather.