Ian M

Probably, just need to sort something else which was already in my diary that weekend.

I am told that the cat is quite high up, pretty much adjacent to the exhaust manifold, and therefore pretty inaccessible. The Corolla forums seem to think thefts are very rare. 🤞

Thanks for everyone's input. Following a few test drives and phone calls over the 'twixtmas' period, I have put a deposit on a 6 month old Corolla 2.0 Excel Sports Touring with the panoramic roof (an opening sunroof is feature I have had on most of my cars over the years and didn't want to forego but which is all but impossible to find on an NX). As many of you said, the UX is small. The driving position felt quite cramped and the boot is even smaller than I had imagined. The NX was nice, although I didn't drive one, but it felt as if I might as well stick with my RX if I were going to another SUV of that size. Sure the Corolla is a step down from the RX, but it's going to give me an extra 20ish mpg. Meanwhile, my Lexus SC430 is asleep for the winter and keeps me with the Lexus brand for summer motoring.

Having been to see one today, the driving position did feel somewhat cramped and very dark but that may have been down to the colour of the headlining. Interestingly, the Corolla I also looked at felt much less so.

That's helpful, thanks. But given that the RX is, being realistic, far bigger than I need these days, that might not be a major problem. I guess I need a decent test drive.

Given my use of the main car and my annual mileage these days, I am seriously thinking of downsizing from a 3rd generation RX450h to either a UX or, even more sensibly, a Corolla. Has anyone done similar? Thoughts?

There are plenty of Toyota Pruis taxis out there with galactic mileages, so I think we can all be reassured that Toyota hybrids are pretty robust.

I agree, it was lovely to meet you and your family. 32 cars was a great turnout. I even managed to get home with the roof down (OK, I admit that it rained for the last few hundred yards and my neighbours did have a laugh at me sitting on my drive getting wet while to roof took its time to go up).

I look forward to meeting you both. There were 7 of us there last year, this year should be a lot more. I have been out on my bike today with a group of friends and the ride leader took us through Little Hale. Most unexpected! It looks like Chris has got a couple of marquees in his garden in case it rains.

SUN, 22 AUG AT 12:00 LEXUS SC-430 SUMMER GATHERING Location: Little Hale, Sleaford, NG34 9BA United Kingdom https://goo.gl/maps/SwXceMNEBcrs9M3J8 The largest Lexus SC-430 car show to be held in the United Kingdom and from a recent research this will be the largest SC-430 CAR SHOW in the WORLD. Location: MAIN ROAD, LITTLE HALE, SLEAFORD. LINCONISHIRE. NG34 9BA. (There will be a Lexus A-board on Main Road indicating the entrance to the show. 10mph speed limit on the entrance drive must be respected). https://www.lexus-sc430club.co.uk/contact-us

I am in South Derbyshire, and would love to join you. 4th September is good, 11th is a no for me. There is an SC meet in Lincolnshire next Sunday, 22 Aug, organised through a Facebook group: https://facebook.com/events/s/the-one-and-only-greatest-car-/832820583965061/

Similarly in my 2013 car.

2013 model is 51 inches

Agreed, Cross Climates came into their own this morning. The only significant delay to my journey out this morning was less than 200 yards from home: a C class Merc had reversed off its driveway and was then unable to move, blocking the road entirely. 😂😂

Naturally. Neither of them is getting much use at the moment though.