doog442

I'm not sure what point you are labouring and it sounds to me like you are taking the *****? If you were to read the above you will see in the smaller of the small print (yes they make it that small) that a Lexus main dealer can simply slap a Lexus approved service history (and call it approved pre owned ) on a car that has missing services or no history at all . The OP mentions distrust, to me this should ring a few alarm bells. I know you found it by using google or whatever but try visiting a dealer, finding and drilling down into that very small print with a salesperson. There will be incredulous looks aimed in your direction as you seek to clarify that one of their marvelous machines might not actually be all you might think it is......''Let me get you a coffee as I fail to dig out that service history...you really want to see it's service history ? ..its a Lexus on a Lexus forecourt for gods sakes " .. Note the bead of sweat appear on the salespersons forehead as that bundle of commission goes walkies and the realisation that someone with a bit of savvy who didn't fall for the glass / marble /coffee and the charms of the reception staff has walked in. I thought I had the savvy but when a simple question 'does it have a full service history' was answered with 'off course'..I assumed because it was a LEXUS dealership they were telling the truth and not ready to pull out that little piece of paper to cover themselves several weeks later when I asked for my money back. People need to be aware, no more, no less - however quite rightly the assumption from the majority of people would be that a car on a Lexus forecourt would / should have a Full history. It might not be bang within the dates but should be thereabouts.

Perhaps if you read my post earlier in the thread you could understand the reason for my paranoia ...just a thought! It was all logged on here and nothing has really detracted me from the same thoughts in those intervening years having read this forum ever since. Everyone really should have a degree of paranoia about any vehicle main dealer and sadly Lexus aren't immune from criticism. However my recent Lexus purchase was handled exceedingly well. Most dealers handle sales well, Lexus have an advantage in that the kit they hand over tends to be quality kit and very reliable...hence I'm still a customer, that's the only reason mind. I didn't return to Lexus for the customer service. I've personally had far better service from BMW/ Mini / Mazda for example....but shocking service from others Vauxhall, Hyundai and Lexus included. Remember that a Lexus approved service history is NOT a full service history....its in the small print. As long as they continue to pull that cunning stunt you have every reason to be slightly paranoid over your purchase

A bit like your average Lexus dealership then

The main lesson is not to be seduced by the acres of marble and glass at a Lexus dealership. My first experience was pretty bad. Despite being assured the car had never been in a collision and had a full service history I found out it neither had a full service history and had been involved in quite a bad accident - only after i traced the original owner. When I received the so called service book it had been freshly stamped (backdated) the only problem was the stamp had the same date on it for the previous 4 years !!! I believe the salesman was subsequently 'moved on'. That was 9 years ago. Two years ago I started trawling Lexus dealerships again. I found cars on the forecourt that were simply not up to standard. Bodywork issues, worn brakes, scuffed alloys etc and sales staff only interested in selling you a vehicle on finance. I went elsewhere and this I believe is where Lexus are letting themselves down. Many of their dealerships are not dynamic enough,used vehicles are poorly prepared and salesman simply lack basic knowledge of the vehicles they are selling. I returned again three months ago. I went to look at a nearly new car and found the same issues, poor preparation. This thing still had the outlines of stickers where it had been stuck on display in a local shopping centre and was in a terrible state despite being pre warned about a test drive. I eventually found a Lexus dealer who knew how to price, prepare and sell a car - the problem was it was some distance away. I still don't trust them, so I will mark oil filters and air filters to ensure they changed when serviced etc. Its a shame but other marques (BMW and Audi ) are forging ahead in customer service stakes, its a shame some Lexus dealerships are so slow to catch up.

Anyone has the possibility of being prosecuted if their action causes an accident whatever the circumstances. However I would agree its not good practice :-)

Its not illegal I'm afraid. Anyone changing lane really should pay full attention to both offside and nearside. Often on motorways you can be advised to stay in your lane, so undertaking is inevitable.

Point 1. Yep its amazing how Lexus can pin a 'Lexus approved service history 'on a car that hasn't actually been serviced according to Lexus guidelines.(you need to read the small print - they can put lipstick on a pig) Make of that what you want, They appear to 'wing' it because the cars are so damned reliable but you would struggle to find another premium brand dealer that pulls such stunts. Whilst you're at it take a good look at the pads and discs, any lipping on the disc ask them to change pads and discs, if they refuse walk away as they will be flagging it up at the next service . Make a point to personally inspect the service print outs and see that everything has been done.

Best of luck..I had my mid life thingy (again) , left and got a BMW pocket rocket...two years later I'm back. Before returning I took a long hard look at Volvo but didn't pull the trigger although it was a close call.

Yep code readers are pretty cheap nowadays ..think mine was £15...and do the job. Worth buying one to see if any fault codes are stored.

I reckon they would be Interested, they are probably just not given the funding or personnel to deal with the problem. The technology is there to catch these people but in the UK this is all getting swept under the carpet, Insurance companies are the big cushion who take the hit then the press go nuts asking why premiums go up all the time. However you could also argue the onus is on the manufacturers to sort this stuff out.

I like it...

(I appreciate this is the 250 forum/ thread but some may be interested ) I managed 47 mpg on a 3 hour run to Gatwick with an hour crawl on the M25....thats with the 4 Cylinder turbo IS200t auto using cruise control...it was knocking on 50mpg until I hit the M25 car park. I took the scenic A route home and gave it some welly and managed 38mpg..... Really impressed with Lexus offerings on a non hybrid vehicle. Different story around town but i guess that's the same with IS250.

The feature you describe can be fixed with a new dual mass flywheel - best of luck with that. Luckily Lexus did mine under warranty back in 2007 when despite my protests they attempted to convince me it was normal - it certainly wasn't but they were fobbing people off left, right and centre . However a few more revs when in 1st will negate it and your driving style will adapt, my issue was an incline on a roundabout during rush hour traffic at the end of my road.. I never suffered the CD player issue but that aside its a great car, still loads around and will be for years I guess.

Nice looking car. Its worth looking closely at the history as a Lexus approved service history doesn't mean it has a full service history.

How can he answer that without 1. Wanting to change his car 2. Having the finance to do so 3. Having driven them all ? I wasn't happy with Lexus offerings, just like you aren't now. So I left and like me there is nothing stopping you going to BMW/ Jaguar or a multitude of other dealers and getting a car that satisfies your criteria. I returned when the IS200t came out - I wouldn't have if it hadn't - that's how car ownership works. One thing I didn't do was drive every BMW under the sun and rip them all to pieces on Pistonheads or Bimmerfest. Best of luck, however i get the feeling I'm going to be reading loads more disenchanted posts from you about how crap Lexus are....actually i'm not I've just found the ignore button. (PS I come on here to feel good about my car with like minded people, not see it getting ripped to pieces by someone who's never sat in one - )-cheerio

My 200t engine doesn't sound much different than my straight 6 3 litre N55....its quieter actually,.the exhaust note is obviously different but that's down to what's at the back end and within reason you can add a bit of crackle and pop to most cars .My IS200 had a nice engine note however but modern engines of this class are so soundproofed you wouldn't hear much from the bonnet anyway roof or no roof (and isn't that the bleeding point of a Lexus ! ) The suggestion a 200t sounds 'awful' is just complete and utter nonsense and I guess IS300h owners would also agree about the assertion their engines sound awful... This tactic of constantly slating Lexus products on a Lexus forum is a little bit confusing.

Great posts Fatts...I've recently sold my BMW 135i...0-60 in 5 seconds - I would never have bought it if Lexus were able to compete but I'm back in the Lexus fold. There is a market out there for performance vehicles at a price range lower than the ISF but it just makes me laugh when people say the IS350 isn't commercially viable when they are selling the IS200t...which isn't selling at all. Most cars are at dealerships waiting to be off loaded...

I think the IS350 would be a revelation if they could get it into a decent VED bracket to compete with the likes of BMW...anyone have any idea on how the emissions would pan out. If you are looking at ISF rates...forget it and I guess that's probably the issue here. Less than 100 IS200t's on UK roads(also in that clip)..As an owner I've either bought a future classic or a lemon...needless to say its a rare beast. Can anyone explain why Lexus chose to release a car that sells less than 100 a year in the UK?

Its a massive post..have you driven it ?

There is nothing in your original post about an RC 200t?

I like the look of the Mazda 3 but having owned a Mazda 6 and a Mazda 2 I can categorically say they are not a patch on Lexus in any way, shape or form. They look good I agree but that's where it ends. I guess it's nice to update your car, you mention a 2 series BMW..the Coupe is gorgeous, blows the CT out of the window in every department, get a 5 year service pack and a decent finance deal and away you go. I find BMW sales and service to be excellent. If you want a 'keeper' stay with Lexus but hell you only live once !

Go for the RC -F then.. btw what's up with the RC 200t....?

Are the discs lipped ? You might just need pads...stick some copperslip between the new pad and the shims to stop the squeel. Prices seem fine.

I love this place I can't help but your first sentence made me laugh.

That's your problem.....don't have it on recirculate as per my post above.