Hello, all.
As of tomorrow I will be joining you as the owner of an 10 month old silver IS300h in Luxury trim with premium navigation. I previously had a blue mark 1 IS200 sport (my last manual car) for several years, then a mesa red IS250 SE-L that was sadly killed off when hit by a rebound from someone else's collision, then (after two weeks swanning around in a nice GS 450h rocket ship at the other guy's expense) four happy years driving the silver 250 SE-L pictured in one of the attached images alongside its successor. I would have liked to replace it with a white IS300h in premier trim with all the extras, but, oh well, next time perhaps. I am spending enough on this car as it is.
My old car never missed a beat and we were even featured together (with Lexus Leicester) in three pages of Auto Express. Typical well-satisfied Lexus owner with helpful dealer and well-behaved car, etc. Made a change from getting published in my usual criminal law journals anyway.... So the new kid certainly has a hard act to follow, but I did love my test drive earlier this week. So easy to drive! Whining transmission? What whining transmission? Slow? Ye gods, I'm doing 80 already, and it feels like 55... Only £20 VED p.a.?? Well, I can't afford NOT to buy it can I? That is what I am telling my wife, at any rate. Maybe she will fall for it.
It looks like I have a lot to learn about the new car (big fat owner's handbook for starters) and no doubt will be asking you guys for advice before long, but IS300h owners look like a happy bunch on the whole, so i am optimistic.