Leaderboard

Hey chaps, I looked but couldn't see any mention of this weeks shed? https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/lexus/gs/lexus-gs-gs2-300-s------------------1998/9387410 This looks like a very good deal for £1250 unless I am missing something? If I needed a cheap run around I would be tempted, especially with the great seats it has

I finally gave up my love affair with a Supercharged Range Rover Autobiography Sport, although I do miss some of the features it had, its reliability does indeed bug them and always when you least need it. Looking around at the market for a similar high powered petrol SUV (mine was the 5L jobbie), I ruled out the BMW X5 due to their finicky "you must have this type and make of tyre" requirement, followed by the AUDI Q7, which was longer than the RRSport and most were diesel. I finally decided to give the Lexus RX450H a looksee and quite franckly (after 1-week of ownrship) am blown away by the whole affiar - what an amazing vehicle! It's design is well thought out and the 0-60 is very commendable at a mere 7.8s. Lexus themselves appear to be one of the nicest, helpful dealerships around from my early experience in both visiting a couple of sites and calling their HQ in Epsom for more info on the RX. Mine's a low-mileage 2014 Lexus RX450H F-Sport in stunning black. This was the first one I looked at, but as I had set my heart on a Premier due to the side camera and I had hoped for one with Adaptive Cruise Control I ruled out the F-Sport. After some 4-weeks of no joy, I went back to the F-Sport and decided to give ti a go. I'm really impressed by the ride quality, which a lot of reports say is hard (and that did put me off somewhat). However, I definately would disagree with that, infact even though it does not have the air suspension design, its ride is on par / even better than the RRSport I had. So the next step will be to put in a DashCam, which I'm currently deciding whether to go with the Lexus buy and fit or do my own thing, which is what I've previously done. Glad to be joining this club and look forward to some interesting banter in the future.

Thank you all so much for your help. You're a lovely bunch, we've made our mind up and are going for the RX! With one thing or another it'll be a month or two before we can purchase but I shall be straight back with pics when I have and will carry on perusing the boards to swoon over your cars. Thank you all again, superstars!

Well... 😁😁😁😁😁😁😁 Literally just walked in the door from picking the IS up today. Entertaining train journey up from Euston with a stag party (the stag dressed as a fairy) and a girls birthday party on the carriage. It was starting to look a bit messy by the time the train pulled into Liverpool Lime Street lol. I got picked up at the station by the sales guy, which was nice... top bloke! I can't praise him enough for going above and beyond every step of the way. A final inspection of the car, paperwork and, of course, paying the balance.... and off I went for the journey home..... what an amazing drive that car is... solid, responsive. even aggressive in sport mode and I felt the absolute dog danglies behind the wheel. I set the phone up to call the missus to tell her I was on my way back but , slightly more importantly (😉), plugged in my iPod and tweaked that ML and had that cranked on the trip back, it sounds fantastic. So far there is nothing that I find irritating or odd.... it's all I expected and so so much more from a Lexus and the admiring looks from people on the motorway just made it all the more worth while.... amazing happy times ahead! 😊 Cheers, Lee

I think they decent value for money, however considering depreciation over 5 years buying new premium Japanese car is simply bad monetary decision... well unless you consider it to be last car you need ever. Used Japanese cars are unbeatable on value for money - same as you mentioned, they are simply reliable. That is exactly the reason why I have IS250... would I buy it new from my own money - no never (I did once, but it was company car). But when I consider I bought my current one 5 years ago for £5000 and now it has 185k miles and still not single thing has failed since new + all other qualities are on par with brand new IS300h (except of "new car" prestige") ... it is kind of hard to justify upgrading. I mean by now IS mk3 is 6 years old and I could justify buying one for maybe £8000, but only if 300h would provide decent performance... which it doesn't - just cannot accept any less power then a little I already have.

This a great read about the isf engine. https://blog.lexus.co.uk/a-closer-look-at-the-lexus-is-fs-v8/

Agree with above. Ive kept my ex taxi Prius. 187,000 miles, so not worth very much, despite being in very good condition. Had it since 57,000 miles, and maintained it regardless of cost, so know it well. Tax, MOT, a service and insurance costs me about £6.00 per week over a year now. Use it for shopping and running about. I'm retired now, and firing up the burbling monster makes every journey an exciting event....and so, so worth it.

There is though - a used LS460, a used new shape LS500h. Thin pickings and I can’t help but think with diesels being persona non grata that expanding the range with genuine petrol competitors along with the hybrids would be the way to go. It would cost next to nothing to offer the 350 rc and 350 Es here or even the new LS with the 3.0 twin turbo v6. They might grab a few conquest sales. Kia offer the 3.3 Stinger, Audi the S4. You do see these on the roads and Toyota/Lexus seem keen to ignore that part of the market despite having the cars and drive trains to match. It’s also time the electric motors in the 300h models could make more power to make the shortful of the engine up. They shouldn’t have canned the 200t, just priced it cheaper with a little more power. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Went to Lexus Newcastle today specifically to see a Takumi spec car. There was also a base ES in the showroom and a specced up F Sport for demos. The Takumi spec is brilliant and outshines my NX Premier considerably. I love the exterior styling, almost coupe like. Inside, it’s a tech fest. I love the auto heat & vent seats plus the auto heat steering wheel, rear seat control panel and 10.2” HUD. ML audio is mighty and trim is impressive. The noise reducing wheels are stunning. The new spec steering wheels and interior door handles are very modern. If only it had Apple CarPlay.☹️ I will certainly consider the car later this year, sooner if Lexus resolve the CarPlay issue.

Well the white stuff arrived overnight and I had to drive from Gloucester to Cirencester. Only a light dusting of snow over some ice. The grip from the Cross Climates was everything that had been reported. Fantastic. I kept the car in hybrid snow mode and everything was good including driving up the very steep Roborough Hill onto The Common. Across to Minchinhampton the road was lightly covered in snow and slush. Conditions much the same all the way to Cirencester. Very impressed with the RX especially as my average mpg showed as nearly 34mpg

hi lee richard as a person is really nice guy , i dealt with him when he worked at lexus chester he had a lucky escape and ended up in the liverpool dealership, lexus liverpool are the best everyone there is so friendly and welcoming, last year i bought my IS300h F sport from liverpool. this is my 2nd car from this dealership since 2013. enjoy your new car

In my experience there is little to no need to have to mess around with the TPMS - I have only had it come on once in over two years when I had one tyre that was down on pressure, just after I bought the car from the dealer, so it worked correctly. I made sure all the tyres were the same temperature (so not in sun/shade etc.) and set all the pressures to 36psi as per the handbook and the TPMS light went out and has stayed out ever since (I did not do any TPMS reset) - the tyre was OK - just a bit down on pressure. I do check my tyre pressures every few months and in particular make sure I add some air as temperatures drop in winter to maintain the cold pressure at 36psi - also all tyres lose some pressure over time so do need checking every few months if you want to maintain them within a sensible pressure tolerance. I also check tyre pressures after a dealer/garage service and interestingly have twice found that one tyre (same position each time) was low on pressure after a service (the other three being correct) - could be wrong but I think they have a different machine for each corner of the car at dealers and so I guess one was not working correctly. If the TPMS has been reset and is now not working correctly I would carefully go through the process again - so get the tyres stone cold (leave overnight) and make sure all are the same temperature (so not one in sun and one in shade etc.) and then set pressures correctly using a good handheld pressure gauge (the ones in the pumps are notoriously poor) and finally reset the TPMS (using the reset switch as below) to register the correct pressure. From then on it really should not indicate any problem unless one or more tyres really have lost a reasonable amount of pressure. If it is coming on, with air temperature changes we get in the UK which are not that extreme, then given my experience (of not having any issues) sounds like it could be a fault in the TPMS/sensors. ■ How to initialize the tire pressure warning system Park the vehicle in a safe place and turn the power switch off. Initialization cannot be performed while the vehicle is moving. Adjust the tire inflation pressure to the specified cold tire inflation pressure level. (→P. 568) Make sure to adjust the tire pressure to the specified cold tire inflation pressure level. The tire pressure warning system will operate based on this pressure level. Turn the power switch to ON mode. Press and hold the tire pressure warning reset switch until the tire pressure warning light blinks slowly 3 times. Wait for a few minutes with the power switch in ON mode and then turn the power switch off.

That is my plan in few years time but I doubt 3 years old ES will be at the same price as the 5 years old LS. I expect to pay around 35-40k for LS Luxury , I doubt ES (even Takumi) will be worth that much after 3 years 🙂 As for warranty please remember that LS warranty is way more expensive than GS. GS is £1095 for 2 years where LS is £2395 for 2 years or £1495 for 1 year.

A fairly interesting video from MrMarmite...that has some content relevant to the LOC. Your thoughts folks?

And LS base spec would be a great replacement for those with GS450h's and those with GS250's who cannot stomach the fact of FWD 4 clyinder in ES. The reality would mean buying a 5yo LS as opposed to a 3yo ES in the used market - Lexus warranty would cover the extra faults anyway so it seems a good way to go.

Best of luck in your search. In my opinion you should be looking at one with just over 100k on it that has had the cambelt replaced. The interval is 100k so if you buy one with 89k on it then in no time you will have a very expensive service to pay for. Buy one with 100k that has had the belt changed and then you have another 100k before it needs doing again. Ideally it will have had the waterpump done at the same time. If there's anything that you're not sure about then you know where we are 😊

Absolutely.... I wasn't a believer but got myself a little runner, best thing i did. In the snow, the ISF stays off the road, no worries about car park dents etc.

Just realised my actual car is on this site! https://blog.lexus.co.uk/lexus-is-f-the-start-of-something-special/

Paul Frost might know for sure if the doors are identical. Rustbusters of Spalding have an enormous amount of information on rust on their website. Phosphoric acid is the most common rust converter but the rust will need to be mechanically removed and then the acid treated surface primed and painted, not a simple task. The doors rust where the plastic studs holding on both the upper and lower decorative horizontal strips pass through the steel skin of the door. To see how bad remove the inner door card which is not difficult if you watch videos on Youtube referring to door lock failure. You will want to inspect the rear doors as well. From your photos the rusting is bad. The lower door strip comes away attached to the plastic panel which is secured by plastic studs and double sided foam tape and is not difficult to remove. The common boot rust site is around the handle where the handle component 'rubs' against the boot panel.

then there's the Q of a paint job to match ? £'00s maybe Malc

Ahhh yes the Q70. Briefly considered one of these apart from the fact finding one proved elusive. Keenly priced like the Q50 but quality of interior and external appearance not a patch on the GS. I think the pertinent point here though is the fact new Japanese cars prices do not represent great value for money. As second hand buys they are decent due to the quality of engineering etc and the fact German stuff is starting to misbehave after 4-5 years. I'd always trust a looked after second hand Lexus/Honda/Toyota. I couldn't say that about any European car. Maybe tariffs are partly responsible for the slightly high prices??? Maybe in the USA they pay less on Jap cars than they do on EU derived stuff??

Phil It will teach em proper like for driving on the wrong side

For any Luxury Japanese car to sell well they need to be significantly cheaper then German. That is exactly how LS became staple in US... it sold like 40% cheaper like for like vs. S-Class. The difference was that in US Germans could not compete much, the tariffs and weak Yen were favourable for Lexus. However, how they stay on to - is buy offering rage of cars... not only LS400 forever... Any Lexus would sell in UK, but they need to be priced just above Toyota/Nissan/Mazda and not just below BMW/MB and AUDI. In UK they simply do not have brand recognition to be able to command premium - but that is not bad outcome. Lexus is generally just fancy Toyota, so to sell cars with say 10-15% premium is already better margins for Toyota. @i-s Q60 3.0T you say... Well I could live with how it looks from outside, but inside is outright ugly mess. Maybe akin - "The M has the exact same overhead console as my Nissan Leaf does. The leaf is a very cheaply built car and it's just about acceptable in it - it is totally unacceptable in a "premium" car. " So... no thanks. I love how RC looks, even more how it looks and feels inside. @Jamesf1 - I am not pretending to be some sort of genius, but you don't know what I do for a living either so attacking my abilities scores you no points. ES is junk car in any shape or form because it is FWD.. even if they do ES350 I don't care. ES350 AWD... that is more interesting, but not for me. My negative comments re 300h are more general for entire range. Toyota is the biggest manufacturer in the world, not the second biggest... yet they introduced cars like Lexus IS220d.... "sure... they know what they doing it was genius decision, went exactly as expected.. no issues there - just worst Lexus ever made... by far!". I cannot say for sure that introducing say RC350 would be great decision, but I am sure they would not loose money on it.. even in UK. They might not gain much either... so I guess they can afford to be lazy about it.

Get a cheap little econo box for commuting and use the ISF as a toy turns out way cheaper than paying for fuel on a V8 everyday plus if your running something boring everyday, every time you take a journey in the ISF it'll never disappoint and feel like your launching a rocket!

Chrissie, buy a set of these. They will fit. For £9 the 4 with free postage you can't go wrong. Attached picture is the black ones on my wheels. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/m.html?_odkw=&fits=Car+Make%3ALexus&_ssn=siyumei&hash=item468da1eca4%3Ag%3A8VIAAOSwPYNcOY1I&item=303023910052&_osacat=0&_from=R40&_trksid=p2046732.m570.l1313.TR12.TRC2.A0.H1.Xlexus.TRS0&_nkw=lexus&_sacat=0

Moscow phone-in radio presenter calls up hardy seasoned Siberian resident: "We hear it's really cold up there just now. Around minus 40!" "Are you sure?" says doubtful babooshka. "I'll go and check." She comes back after a few moments: "No, it's only minus 14." Radio presenter is puzzled. "Is it really only minus 14? The weather forecasters here were saying minus 40." Babooshka realises why the presenter is confused. "Oh you mean outside," she says.

I have a few friends with Aston Martins (one is for sale at Lexus Hedge End) and I have tried two so far when I'm in the market for my annual change of car. Every time I have chosen something else in the price range because in my opinion they all fall well short of expectations. The last one I tried a drop dead gorgeous pair metallic green soft top V8 S I drove back after 15 minutes because the paddle shift system was truly dreadful. I'm perhaps more Brooke Bond than James Bond I guess, but the running costs if serviced properly will make a grown man cry. I thought my V12 twin turbo AMG was expensive but I can't imagine what the V12 Aston Martin would be. It sounds like from your location the powers to be don't like cars in any form and you will without doubt get screwed by whatever hue of Government runs the Authority. Much better out here in the sticks where V8's can at least clear the cobwebs. I'm very impressed with the servicing costs of my V8 Lexus and consider the extended warranty costs considering it's a proper manufacturers warranty as cheap as chips. In time I think V8's and V12's will only be in very expensive exotica way beyond sensible money.

We dont need V8's, takeaways, Sky TV, foreign holidays etc. Make a decision based on how much you want the experience of driving and owning a V8. In my opinion, the cost of ownership isn't obscene and only represents a little indulgence in return for a wonderful thrill.

You buy a 400+ bhp saloon mostly with your heart. If you’re bought with your head, you’d already be driving a hybrid Yaris... That said, my ISF and GSF have been the cheapest cars to run (ALL factors considered - depreciation too!) that I’ve owned in a long time - barring the fuel, but you can see 35+mpg on a motorway run. Even the road tax (£555 now) is just over £1.50 a day... life’s too short to drive boring cars.

Today I’ve waived good bye to my ISF after 4.5 years of ownership, I’ve really enjoyed the time I’ve had it. And gladly she’s gone to a good home. Will be on the search for a 2017+ GSF in white if anyone is looking to sell please let me know. 0AC5B9D2-1655-4983-9D5B-EA08B6FF3635.MOV

Over the past 30 months and 24000 miles, running costs (ex fuel) on my ISF have been 2 services, a set of brakes and 2 wiper blades. Depreciation - £2000. It hasn’t put a foot wrong. As someone has already said they are over engineered - mine has no squeaks, no rattles nothing. I’ve kept the car longer than I thought, and it’s only because I want to change its going, not because I need to change. fuel has averaged 20.2mpg, ok not the best, but dragged down a little as it’s used on the school run a couple of times a week where the consumption drops through the floor. I ran a new merc e350 diesel for 3 years, and 60000 miles - even though the fuel costs were half of the ISF, and I had free servicing, depreciation was £23000. Ruinous. Buy the right car, at the right price with the right history and because the depreciation is glacial, (there is still a demand for the right car) and as they are so reliable, cost per mile is cheaper than any of the other cars in the market sector.

Finest 1, you are quite right owning, an F car or similar makes no sense at all in today's world but they are among the last of the naturally aspirated V8's and the decision to buy one is usually made with heart not head. However ,the running costs of an ISF are not as bad as you think. I had an IS 250 and changed to an ISF intending to keep for a couple of years until I got fed up with the running costs. I ended up keeping it for 4.5 years. OK the car tax is expensive and more fuel will be used, but insurance was surprisingly cheap if you shop around. An 09 car could still be warrantied with Lexus for £795 for 2 years, exactly the same as for an IS250 and the prices do seem to be bottoming out as people realise that they are more affordable and reliable than the German equivalents. Tyres and brakes are more expensive than an IS250 but not that much more , ditto servicing. You need to drive one to "get it". My current GSF was purchased with heart not head ( and a little man maths related to a 30% discount on an 8 month old car with 300 miles on it) and I regularly ask myself why I am running a car like this where you cannot even use a fraction of the power and the local council wants to impose a blanket 20mph limit. But, it is a rare car, I have never seen another one on the road ,and every time I drive it, it makes me smile. The noise and the pull when you can open it up is worth every penny of the extra running costs. Might be your last chance to drive a dinosaur, the powers that be will have us all driving eco friendly electric pods before much longer, if they even allow us to drive. By the way an Aston will cost far, far more to run, and will spend more time in the workshop.

Interesting question and one I weighed up heavily when I bought mine in August. I had a Mondeo st diesel, which did about 40mpg in the city. Desperately dull, never felt the urge to just get in it and just drive. For an extra £30 a month tax, I can drive something that makes me smile every time I start it. My fuel cost has doubled from about £80 a month to about £160. As for resale, I've been watching the prices on this forum since about 2014, and I'd say they've stabilised. You could probably buy one and pretty much get your money back a year later. I would say that the Lexus ISF is probably the most reliable V8 around. No rod bearing issues to deal with, no carbon build up to worry about, no head bolt issues. About the worst thing you may have to deal with is a water pump leak, which would have probably been addressed if you're looking at an 08 plate. V8s are a dying breed, I'd advise you to scratch the itch whilst they're still around and relatively affordable.

Hi I recently got these too, but I was hoping that during the day when the lights are OFF that when braking ALL lights came ON at the rear to give that nice L shape. As you know on stock lights and VLAND only the outer lights light up when braking, making it look like your inner lights are busted, due to the L not being right across. All is ok at night as your inner lights are on already. So after some thought I wired it up to do this... Steps below if anyone’s interested. Video to demo what I mean: https://youtu.be/7FFRfFMkdGY Hope it all makes sense. I would say, as a disclaimer that you should check your wire colours on the back of the VLAND lights are the same. I imagine they will be. Get a VOLT meter to double check. This is how I discovered what each colour was for. Materials 1. Fused relay – I used 10amp to match fuse weight the car recommends – Normally open relay (4 prong) 2. 10 amp roll of electrical wire 3. 10 amp spade connectors 4. Wire cutters 5. Electric insulating tape 6. Various tools to take clips off boot lid etc Steps Diagram Below also. 1. Remove tail lid carpeted cover to expose tail lid wiring and back of VLAND lights. 2. Pull back right hand (recommended if following these steps) boot carpet to expose one of the outer rear VLAND lights and wires. 3. Splice a long wire into the RED brake wire of the VLAND outer tail lamp. You may want to use a VOLT meter to double check what wires are what, in case yours are different. 4. Wrap splice in tape so you don’t short anything. 5. Run this wire up the tail lid hinges ready to plug into the relay. 6. Add a spade connector to this wire and plug it into PIN 86 of the relay. 7. Cut another similar length of wire and add a spade connector and plug that into PIN 30 of the relay and the other end into a 12v supply that is available or the battery. I used the ML Amplifier 12v In. Left hand plug, top left red wire. You may want to use a VOLT meter to double check what wires are what, in case yours are different. 8. Cut a length of wire and attach one end to a good earth. I used a bolt of the trunk lid supports. And plug the other end using spade connector to PIN 85 of the relay. 9. Finally run a short length of wire from PIN 87 of the relay to the GREEN wire of the inner VLAND tail light. You may want to use a VOLT meter to double check what wires are what, in case yours are different. Testing 1. Ensure no exposed pins/ wires are touching anything conductive. 2. Go push the brake pedal/ask a friend. With the lights ALL OFF you should hear the relay click and both the outer and inner lights come on along with your brake lights. 3. Let off the brake and all should go off, you'll hear the relay click again. 4. Turn on your lights to ensure they light as before, try the brake again to ensure that the brake lights come on and go off on release. 5. If all ok, tape up all connections securely and stick the relay to somewhere on the trunk lid. 6. Reapply all carpet covers and tidy up! Now you'll have a fancy looking rear end when braking during the day when your lights are usually OFF. Good luck!

Update Decided to go for the LS......but deal includes a 2 year warranty.....just in case! Looking forward to taking delivery. Hopefully by next week! Will post pics once car arrives. Thanks for the help and advice! Looking forward to it! Sent from my LYA-L09 using Tapatalk

Good luck with the search. gsf’s seem quite few and far between at the moment.

Using Google translate to decipher my Japanese auction sheet, this is the translation result for one section! 女くーかたHow to make a woman

I don't think you'll get 40mpg real world out of a T4 - most reports of the VEA petrols are coming in mid 30s at best. The same seems to be true of all of the 200-250bhp 4-cyl 2.0 turbos (eg BMW 530i, Volvo T4 and T5, Lexus 200t, etc). Fuelly.com is a great way to see REAL fuel economy figures. A quick browse of S90s shows T5s (which will be very similar real-world to the T4 - similar weight, similar power outputs the vast majority of the time, same engine other than software, etc) coming in sub 30-mpg(UK) mostly. Here's a couple of examples: http://www.fuelly.com/car/volvo/s90/2017/hilton954/620840 http://www.fuelly.com/car/volvo/s90/2017/aneurin/818718 Meanwhile, previous gen ES300h are all kicking around the mid 40s: http://www.fuelly.com/car/lexus/es300h/2017 Of course these are small sample sizes, and fuelly isn't very good at splitting out cars by engine (it's up to what people put in the description for a car like the S90, whereas lexus are differentiated by model number). There are variables like location, driving style, etc. Still, I'd bet on better real-world fuel economy from the ES than the S90. I'm expecting to get mid 30s real-world from our GS. Meanwhile our diesel Volvo V70 got high 30s: http://www.fuelly.com/car/volvo/v70/2011/isaachd7/228382

I don't find myself a fan of the ES as a replacement for the GS. In the USA the ES has run alongside the GS ever since the GS launched (as the ES came first). Although of similar size, they've been pitched differently in that market - the GS as the "Sports Sedan" and the ES as the "Mid-Size Luxury Sedan". The GS platform and engineering is very nice as Hangie alludes to - It was brought home to me by this article: https://www.edmunds.com/car-reviews/track-tests/2013-lexus-gs-350-f-sport-suspension-walkaround.html Meanwhile, the ES is a Camry (well, TGNA-K now). That's ok, that has its place and that the ES has sold very well in the USA for many years is testament to that fact. The GS, however, is much more in-line with european tastes (much more akin to a BMW 5 or Mercedes E under the skin). For us a big part of the appeal of the GS was the freedom from the torque-steer that plagued our V70. Perhaps there will yet be a TNGA-N based GS.

I picked up my fsport a week ago, came from an is300h fsport and have to say very happy with the es