BarneyTT

Best of luck at HBS Adrian, hope all goes well for you👍

Thanks Adrian, part of my health issues relate to an old industrial injury on my back which is progressively getting worse along with my mobility, that's life I guess, but let's just say it's not conducive to tinkering on cars! Agreed, a project of some description does help the grey-matter, or in my case....what's left of it😁 👍

Adrian, the Gen2 Rav4 sounds like I hoped it might, I still maintain that 90's - mid to late 00's was Toyota's (and perhaps Lexus) finest period. I have owned a fair few from that time and almost all were brilliant, I'm not saying they are bad now by any means but they just don't have quite the same "feel" if that makes sense? Both your Gen3 and friends Gen2 are obviously still going strong and aside from a few issues at the start your ownership, it's all good news. I'm not sure my "Project G2 Rav4" will ever happen as I'm now down to one car with the RX after selling my JDM Subaru Forester, an old back injury plus increasing age has seriously curtailed my "hobbies", and besides I do little driving now. After a bad start with my RX (a less than honest garage, I'll say no more!) and a large bill for suspension work I've commited myself the the RX for years to come, it's a lovely car, so relaxing and comfortable to drive..... but I wouldn't say never to my Rav4 project👍 Continued best wishes with the RX, with all the hard work you're putting into it you deserve to enjoy it.

Limited experience has shown shared parts can sometimes be cheaper via Toyota. My rear screen washer pump needed replacing recently and an online search for the same part (it's a shared Denso part) was cheaper via Toyota, I bought a used Denso pump from ebay in the end, £20 all in and works perfectly! But it's worth doing a comparison search. Not quite dealership comparisons but it shows it can be possible.

Adrian, thanks for the details and information regarding the Gen2 Rav4, should I ever venture down that route (sort of unlikely given age related health issues) it sounds as if the Gen2 is a decent model although I'm sure age related issues would be present, my research points to underside rust being one, having said that I'm sure decent examples do exist. Fair play to you regarding your RX, you're obviously adept with mechanical work and I admire the belt and braces approach which I hope rewards you in the long term. Quite shocking to see pictures of the rust build up and not a good scenario for hybrid batteries, I've heard and read about it but never seen the results😱 Continued best wishes and will keep my fingers crossed for a positive outcome.

Bugger, spoke to soon😔 Annoying I'm sure, but it seems such a nice example to repair and simply move on, hopefully you can get to the bottom of the issue without too much more grief and you will be back on your RX ownership course. Changing the subject, would that be a Gen2 Toyota Rav4 you have? Not that I'd sell my RX but have found myself interested/ looking at the Gen2, three door petrol version (day-dreaming of a project car!) and would be interested in your ownership experience.

As a fellow 2012 Gen3 RX owner (15 months and counting) it's reassuring to read your ownership story Geoff, just hope mine follows your lead! Why change indeed, it sounds like your RX is giving you faithful service....long may it continue👍

I'd second that👍 Just in case, check part prices as they can be expensive (as I found out with rear suspension components).

Great post and an enjoyable read Adrian. I've always liked the look of the RX400h/350 and the 350 was going to be the model I went for but high road tax and water leak issues made me up my budget and go for a Gen3 instead. Sounds like you have found a real gem and it looks lovely. Hope you can sort out the few gremlins it has and it rewards you with many years of enjoyable service.

Quite why Lexus allow customers to drive away in a newly purchased vehicle all the while knowing there is a serious security issue is awful, you would have thought protection plates would be fitted to any model affected before collection as a matter of course Very poor business practice generally but not the sort of thing you would expect from Lexus who have built their reputation on reliability and customer service. Very sorry to read of your experience Jayesh, difficult to comprehend quite how you must feel right now. I would certainly consider Colin's suggested course of action given the circumstances. Very best wishes whatever route you choose.

Keep us posted if you find out any more information on your RX Bill, and wishing you an enjoyable ownership.

Certainly a strange spec for a SE-L and I can now see why you're puzzled (as am I). I was thinking along the same lines of Colin in regard to it being an import or perish the thought, some sort of clone. It might be worth contacting Lexus head office UK with your vehicle details including the Vin and asking if they can help you, I have found them to be helpful in the past. Out of interest does it have air suspension?

Have you considered a GS430, same engine and a lovely drive, not sure about their ULEZ credentials though?

Hi Bill and welcome to the club and RX ownership, try this link to Colin Barber's excellent pdf You are not that far from me (Thornbury, Bristol) I see, nice to have a local (ish) member. Share some pictures of your RX when you have the time👍

Sorry to hear the Camry didn't work out Chris. It looks lovely in the video and with such a comprehensive video it's a shame he "forgot" to include footage of the underside...so much for not wanting to waste people's time as mentioned in said video😠. As for the MOT, my RX had an 11 month MOT when I bought it from a non-franchised dealer, when it went into Lexus for a service a month or so later they found a broken coil spring, which they said had been broken for a long while. Luckily I had most of the work covered under warranty but it would never have passed a legitimate MOT and was sold to me in a dangerous condition...most car dealers simply don't care about their customers, just their money. Anyway, wishing you all the best with your continued search.