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Compared with other "prestigious" marks, Lexus are more reliable .... but ......... if they do go wrong...... they can cost, if you use a Lexus dealership. You take a chance with any car. Reading "What Car" magazine, the tales of people who have spent 1,000's on a new car and ended up with a lemon is more worrying! You take a chance with any purchase ..... think the worst ..... hope for the best!

Hi Guys,just to qualify, the vehicle with all the lexus bills £16k of them although much was done under warranty is on the RX350 It has full Lexus history and all the actual invoices. I did call Lexus the other day and they confirmed all the work that has been done. Have now seen the vehicle and it looks immaculate inside for a vehicle of this mileage (113k ) so has been well cared for, It is obvious the car hasnt been thrashed in any way so why the bills are so huge I dont know. I can only assume the previous owner, apparently a bigwig at the local bbc radio station was one of those who liked everything right and trusted that if Lexus said something wanted doing then it got done. Just a quick update to the story so far, went to see the RX350 which was in superb condition, full Lexus history didnt have sat nav which I would have liked but (Mel) the guy selling it was very nice and helpful. In the end we decided that due to the outstanding condition it would be a shame to miss out on it so decided to purchase. We were due to collect it today. The seller (a dealer) called Mel nr Gilberdyke if anyone comes across him, called today to advise that when moving the car he noticed a small amount of oil on the floor and suspected it was coming from the sump gasket. Said he wanted to get it checked before selling me the car so booked it into Lexus Hull for a quick check. ( He purchased the car from them as a trade sale) Rang later with bad news advising that it was the timing chain cover that had a leak. This despite Lexus Hull charging 3k for a timing chain and tensioners replacement just over 12 months ago. Asked if they would warranty the work given that the chain was only replaced 12 months ago ( bearing in mind over 16k of repairs and servicing all at Lexus Hull since new) and Lexus Hull apparently refused as they stated that the previous owner, against their advice chose not to have the timing chain cover replaced (over £700) when the timing chain was replaced. It seems the timing cover replacement will be very expensive, seem to recall 13 hours labour mentioned and the cover itself which was over £700. How can just a cover possibly cost that much and why should it need to be replaced if the timing chain etc has been replaced? Also at that price why should it ever leak? So, two points to my experience. 1) I could have been left with that mess to clean up if the seller Mel hadnt been such a straight up and honest guy, huge thanks to him for that as it lost him the sale but gained huge respect. I suspect most dealers would have cleaned up evidence of the leak which was apparently minor in capacity and sold me the car knowing I was oblivious to the issue yet soon to face a huge bill. And point 2) this car looked immaculate with full Lexus history and invoices with what on the face of it seemed to show no expense spared on maintenance and yet still had a possible £2000 worth of bills ready for the next unsuspecting owner for just one item. So it seems that a full Lexus service history on its own cannot guarantee a good car. I would add that unless you are a competent mechanic an independant inspection would seem to be a must. To be honest this and the number of people reporting transmission seal issues (another big expense) And Lexus Hull advising that they didnt find the extent of bills on the above car unusual (10k if you take of the 6k engine replacement which was under warranty) , I am seriously being put off the Lexus RX series. Am I right to be put off, are they a money pit in comparison to other Lexus models? Owners experiences re running costs on repairs would be appreciated as at this rate I am going to have to look at an alternative manufacture or forget the 4x4 idea altogether and keep my LS400 and stay at home if it snows. In closing a big thank you to Mel for his honesty and integrity, on my experience and taking everything I have been told on trust I wouldn't hesitate recommending him to anyone who comes across him in the Hull area. He does aparently purchase a lot of Lexus cars from the dealers as a trader but it seems that the thousands he must spend with Lexus Hull doesnt count for much when problems like this occurr, so really, what chance do the rest of us have?

Don't know what you've been reading but the new RX is coming with AVS, an active stabiliser on F sport models and a heavily stiffened chassis. Use of aluminium is going to make it lighter too.Maybe you don't want a diesel? And it's safe to say the Porsche Cayenne is one ugly car, only superceded by the Citroen Cactus in terms of ugliness Not sure what you've been reading either; I said I hoped the AVS would be up to the job, and I was talking about the Macan, not the Cayenne. Having driven that particular diesel and experienced the torque on-tap, you might well want one...A Macan doesn't compete with the RX. The RX is about a foot longer with more interior space. It competes with the Cayenne. The Macan is NX size.No way would I own a diesel again. They get rid of the DPF issues, add a decent Petrol like grumble and a red line at 7k then maybe, just maybe Besides, if you go to order one now you won't get it till sometime in the distant future I just configured a standard petrol Macan with all the options that the RX Premier has and it's £58k. The Macan S will probably be the same price as an RX Premier but it competes with the NX on size

I have spoken to my insurer and as it is classed as a European Import it is classed the same as a UK car (ie - not a Jap import) and for insurance purposes it is the same as the UK (even he said the cars are identical which surprised me - quite a knowledgeable chap!). I have now put a deposit on it and collecting it next Wednesday!

I thought this information may help members if they have scuffed seats or other minor damage. I 1st found this company shortly after I purchased my LS400 and at the time they did not sell Lexus specific colours. Going back to them today as I needed some dye for a worn leather settee I noticed that Lexus colours have now been listed. The following colours are stock but if you need another they will, if you send them a swatch sample, match the colour. Black,Cream/Beige,Rutland Ivory,Westminster Grey and Midnight Blue. http://www.dynamixdyes.com/lexus-car-leather-dye-mini-30ml-1670-p.asp