nickd

Well another LS will be down there now.

It is indeed. It's all beautiful. I'm sure like you, we never tire of it. I love Penzance and always spend an afternoon weather permitting in Marob Gardens and park, walk from town to Newlyn on the seafront. I always have a look in that curious MG Rover garage and I only eat Pasties in Cornwall. If anyone on the site likes the singer Richard Hawley, one of his best songs "The Ocean", the video is Porthcurno beach. Have a listen to Hawley, he is superb. A touch of the 50s, 60's.

No, worse its for my kids. 5 and 7. I'm not to precious but they certainly aren't. I thought perhaps with a seat cover and back seat protectors it may protect the cream leather a little. The child seats sit on protectors so it might be alright........... A few on Ebay but maybe not fitted.

Ahh the Old Success, Sally my wife calls it her local as it's probably the pub she goes to the most as we'll spend 3 weeks down there. Always try and get the window seat in the corner. Bliss. Oh we could have bored the ladies alright. It's a paradise, that said, then so much of this wonderful island is!

Good evening! Well after last weeks let down, which was really pants and the dealer nearly put me off buying an LS. However, after a few days I was resolute to find one and I have today, test driven for over 25 miles, picked and poked, checked off my list and believe everything works. So paid my deposit and I collect next Friday. I did though learn a lot last week and felt far more informed this time. I have to say I'm blown away by how the 430 drives and I can't wait to go all the way down to Sennen in Cornwall next Saturday. I did ask earlier about a fitted seat cover for the rear, does anybody use one they can recommend? I will post pics next weekend. Cheers Nick

Has anyone bought a rear seat fitted cover for the 430. Also the cover that fists n back of front seat? Thanks

Ha Ha, I'd asked them to do cam belt etc, it was originally on at £7495. Guess he wants to make his money back.

Oh deary me, soooooooo disappointing as not a new owner. So that was a lesson in how a dealer should not sell a car. The dealers set up was very impressive indeed, a lot of high end expensive metal in very pleasant surroundings. However I had a call from the dealer when I was about an hour away saying they were a little delayed and still finishing off the service and the belt change. No issue and I was happy to wait. Arrived, met the dealer and went to look at the car in the service area. I was very happy to do this as I would get to see all over the car. As we all know first impressions count...... The car hadn't been cleaned and was fairly mucky and obviously hadn't been valeted to my standards, not saying mine are massively high but I'm sure we all agree we like a good fettle and polish and know how a car should look. They were still working on the car but it wasn't up on ramps so I had a look at the inside and thought it's ok. A few scuffs here and there but ok. One of the seat runner rail caps was missing and a small 1" tear in the rear seat leather. So the car went up on the ramps and I had a good look at the underside, first thing I noticed was four different tyres and all of the budget variety. Two of which should have been MOT failures as had cracks in, pointed these out and was told could be sorted. At this point my heart was sinking, as this should have been sorted beforehand. The service was finished and I was left alone with the car so had a thorough look over with my check list in hand (printed off this site) went over the car. Suspension ok, two keys, full dealer history and mostly ok. However the cd player didn't work (wouldn't load and displayed "CD Error" and the led display on the rear armrest was blank and the rear heated seat light's didn't come on. Am I being picky? At this point I didn't think it would be wise to buy the car but I did test drive it. It drove as I expected, but we're in Stamford Hill and the traffic was heavy and I doubt i got over 35mph. Then the dealer did let slip it had been a wedding car....... not sure why but this put me right off. So after another look over and finding a few other minor issues I went to the office and asked for my deposit back. The salesman didn't seem surprised and immediately refunded me and I drove home in my business partners Audi Q5 which we had collected that morning. To be fair to the dealer he was very busy. I had though sent him an email asking him to check that certain things worked and i would be checking when there. It was I think at best a £4995 car. So I will keep looking. Nick

Up early as collecting LS from London today. Going via Chippenham (from Sheffield) as my business partner is also collecting his new car, an Audi Q5. Then back up to Whitby for the night! Excited and apprehensive.

Yes, looking forward to it! Did you have any issues that needed rectifying? Wanted black leather as one, I like it and two I have a 5 and 7 year old. God, can they make a mes.

Ha Ha Just sold my Espace to fund the Lexus, it didn't look like that!

Hi Graham, That does sound like a good idea, but to be honest I won't do it. On a car as complex as this I'm sure it's a wise investment indeed. I have though sent a nerdy bullet point email to the dealer and asked they check certain things I'm concerned about and that I will then check them myself when I'm there. In particular I will be checking the air suspension rises correctly and I will do the bounce test. No not rained on my parade, just wise words from someone who knows a lot more about the cars than I do! The Avantime, I still have it. Well it's a wacky old thing and my kids adore it. Surprisingly practical, great looking (well to me) and it's been very reliable. However I think also having the MX5 it has to go. I bet it doesn't weigh much less than an LS and overtime will get harder to look after as I believe after Matra went bust, the plastic panels stopped being available. So i think a light prang can write them off. With the roof open and the pillar less windows down though it's one cool car. Took down to far west Cornwall many a time where it would draw many a glance. Why Honest John only gave it one star I don't know as on that occasion he is wrong. The driving experience can get quite addictive, very light and you think about corners. It was ahead of its time, I think if a similar car was built now it would do well.

Hi Graham, Unfortunately not direct from Lexus but a company called Rykar in London. However it seems to all add up. I have sent a comprehensive email asking what to check before I get there and what I will be checking. Your's was a great price from Lexus, I note there's one 430 with Lexus at the mo. 06 with 70k i think and they want 11K! This dealer has been very helpful, polite and did me a good price. I wish i didn't get excited by cars......

Ahh thanks chaps, it will certainly be different drive compared to my old Avantime and MX5 which is 26 years old!

Good morning all, Well I've been a member since 07 I think and I originally had a IS Sportcross which I loved. I always wanted an LS though and have been close to buying one on a few occasions and have made various posts on here. Anyway my mind was set and I just wanted a 430. So yesterday a put a deposit down on a 06 plate silver with black leather. The car has had two owners and the dealer sold it to the second owner in 08 and has bought it back from them, which i think is good sign. 81,000 miles with full Lexus history from Edgware Road. I rang the dealer went over the history and nothing unusual came to light, just it seems a well maintained car. Also I checked the MOT history and noted it's never failed one and had few advisory's. I did pay top end at £6995, but it's the car i want in the colour I want. Also a low mileage car. Lastly I was pleased it was registered January 06 so have avoided the car tax hike to £515. To say I'm excited is an understatement and I collect the car next Thursday. Will post some pics next weekend. I have always liked and enjoyed this forum and hope to be a more active member of it. Oh and can I connect my phone to blue tooth (does it have blue tooth even?) or will i need a Parrot? All the best for the day, Nick in Sheffield