steve2006

I would be checking the documented service history which if Lexus should include the hybrid health check ( I think the batteries are now warranted for 15 years provided the checks have been carried out). You can also check the MOT history of any potential vehicle for free, this gives an insight into how the vehicle has been looked after, previous failures and advisories. I checked an IS250 the other day which was for sale as another member was considering buying it, the MOT had an advisory for a nail in the tyre....it was still in there months later on viewing the car! Lexus normally offer a free inspection but unless the seller is willing to have it done post purchase you may be better off with an independent pre purchase one as you mention. I’m going back a long time but clearly remember the inspections are pretty comprehensive. The ball park figures on price and mileage are from dealers, you do have more consumer protection, private sales are generally cheaper but with severely limited consumer rights should something go wrong. Always worth a look at Lexus dealers too as you may get a good part exchange bargain especially if one has been stuck on the forecourt for a few months. Good luck with your search, the car for you is out there just take your time and if in doubt walk away.

Mmmmmmmm.

From what I understand with Japan being a fairly hot country wool is preferred because leather would soon expire because of the heat and sitting on a hot leather seat is not a pleasant experience. Those that do have leather seats tend not to be heated. Same with the sunroof these again are not favoured in Japan as glass will allow the heat to pass through into the cabin whereas a steel roof will tend to reflect it or dissipate it.

Get in quick...just one left! https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/46504-28030-GENUINE-OEM-PLATE-SUB-ASSY-PARKING-BRAKE-LH-4650428030/183754163045?epid=1616769342&hash=item2ac89a0365:g:KC0AAOSw-ZVdV6k6

Hello Andrew and welcome to the LOC. For your budget you are looking at the RX450h around 10 years old and 100,000 miles at a dealer, most important thing is a full service history and a valid hybrid health check. Feel free to post up links of potential purchases for feedback from members.

It does seem strange as Rockauto invoice for the parts and shipping cost ( you have the choice of expedited) and then as required by UK customs they also add 20% VAT to the total cost. With the VAT being prepaid ( Rockauto have a UK VAT number) the goods should not be delayed for duty payment. You should have been given a tracking number once the goods have been dispatched which is easily checkable online. I recently ordered my ignition parts on the Friday before the last Bank Holiday weekend and they were with me by 1.00pm on the following Tuesday. Bearing in mind the weekend and Bank Holiday Monday that was quick via DHL.

Yep the water pump is the same across the range, the PS pump is also the same even on the later 430.

209 teeth for UCF-10 engines so up to October 1994, 211 teeth for UCF-20.. Pretty sure Rockauto are selling an Aisin kit for under £200.00 landed at the moment.

Sorry I missed your opening post Si so a late welcome to the LOC. We seem to be having a few tales of woe with the GS450h recently, I wonder if they are now hitting their “Use by Date”. This was the last Lexus model launch I was invited to ( I don’t think an occasional oil filter qualified me), They had both models on display and gave a demonstration of the boot size with bags of golf clubs. Just out of interest can you remember the other “work required” by the dealer, I know Lexus have a certain attitude to repairs shall we say.

Obviously diagnostics are always the first move but the most common part to fail thermally on any modern car is the crank sensor. If you can gain access to it a good test to confirm thermal breakdown is to spray it with “freezer spray.” ( ebay is a source or RS components) When the fault appears cool the sensor down with the spray, if the engine then starts and runs normally the sensor is the problem. If you want to do the testing on the driveway use a hairdryer to heat the sensor and see if the fault appears, then use the freezer to see if the fault rectifies. Notice you are in Derbyshire...if you want some spray or even want me to take a look I’m near Alfreton.

The difference in both condition and presentation from the 2 “dealer” offerings you have missed is amazing. Both of these are very clean indicating the present owners have made an effort and you only have to look at the seat bolsters to see they have been respected in the past. I personally wouldn’t be offended on an offer of £6900.00 on the asking price, be interesting how much the extra warranty is or whether the seller can get a refund ( good haggle point there). The 2011 one has failed one MOT on wiper blades, mileage around 5k a year and never had an advisory....all good The 2009 one has failed a few times on tyres, the last one had an advisory for a nail in the tyre which was still there on the retest, Makes me wonder if it’s still there now....if it is I would walk away ....if the owner can’t get a puncture repair done or the tyre replaced what else has been scrimped on?

Sod’s law, had my project 1999 LS400 for 3 years and got rid of it a few months ago with that part left in it.

I would start by calling your local or original selling dealer, the tow bar is more likely to be dealer installed than factory. If you don’t know who the original selling dealer was it should be stamped in the service book or PDI paperwork.

The part from Lexus apparently comes with all the other associated bits as shown not just the damper unit.

Out of the 2 I feel the top link is better apart from one previous owner squeezing another 6000 miles out of MOT advisory tyres ( could have been a company car as lease companies tend to take them right to the limit). Mileage on MOTs is consistent so a plus point. Obviously check out the service history. Lower link TBH has very tired looking interior, both front seats have bolster wear but probably never been cleaned or treated. MOT again shows tyre problems although looks like a fitting problem. No mention of service history.

Certainly couldn’t justify LPG on mine, I have a restricted yearly mileage of 3000 and do around 2000 normally. Since lockdown I filled up while petrol was cheaper for £88.00 and have since topped up twice at around £22.00 in 13 weeks. I’ve driven the lawnmower more than the car.

Genuine are ridiculous at around £175.00 each ( 89615-12090.) Amayama have them in stock for around £95.00 but by the time you have paid shipping and possible VAT you’re approaching UK prices. The ones you are looking at do at least carry a 2 year warranty but of course this would not cover the labour costs. Of course the Chinese make them for £25.00 for both including the wiring loom but that is risky given the work involved in replacement.

Hopefully also not fitted with the EGR system either both of which are not required in Japan.

That’s a shame, the complete transmissions can be bought for little money as there is little demand for them and an independent would probably charge £200-300 to fit it. Sounds more like the torque converter than auto box. Worth considering if the rest of the car is still good.

With regard to non availability of parts I was searching for a rear UCA on a 1994 LS last week for another member and discovered from Amayama that the part was now obsolete and no longer on sale. There may be new “old” stock still on dealer shelves but it seems these cars are now being pushed off the road by stealth. Original rear springs are now becoming like Rocking Horse **** . If it gets to the point where the only choice in parts are cheap Chinese counterfeit ones then the car will be crushed as I would never again have full confidence in its safety and performance.

You can check the MOT history but with a 2016 car there will only be one, maybe 2 tests carried out or take the car for an MOT at your own expense once purchased. Things like tyres I would expect at least 4mm minimum tread across the width. What’s the mileage?

Are you a secret ISF wheels collector with 2 extra sets 😀

Door mirrors look intact plus they are electrically adjustable. Considering there is no Euro NCAP rating on this model I think looking at those pictures it would attain the full 5 stars in the test. This is also not a brand new car so even after years of use causing structural wear and tear it held out!

Given its position I would imagine the fuel tank was unmarked as well. It looks still driveable.

Always makes me smile with the mobile phone adverts as they are always “focused” on the camera capabilities and not what the device actually is. They have certainly come a long way with the cameras, it wasn’t that long ago, when I worked in broadcast, that Mini DV and Digibeta were the professional formats and now a mobile phone can give equivalent, if not better results.