Spacewagon52

My father and I were always Ford men until my Dad starting transporting Toyota imports from Dover. The worry used to be about the cost of insurance and parts - but when you find you do not need them then they work out quite cheap! Japanese engineering and component quality, in the past at least, has been superb. If I were looking to replace either of my Jap cars then I would consider these makes in order:- Lexus Toyota Mitsubishi Nissan Honda I have tried the rest (German) and now I go for the best. We are inclined to forget the many visits we had to make between services in the 1960's - 70's. People MAY be tempted by TOP GEAR reviews (German / Italian) and the like .......... but as far as I am concerned, first-hand experience comes first. Possibly I have been lucky, but I have never bought a Japanese Lemon, regarding reliability - rust was another matter in the 1970's!

I had a similar itch ............. was soon cured owning a 4.0 litre Jeep Grand Cherokee! Off-Road Mud tyres gave me 13.5 mpg! And that was on a run!

Thanks Brian! I will look into that!

I know how you must be feeling Mike! A great relief and no REAL advisories. Out of interest do you garage your Lexus?

Horray! Just got through the MOT - no problems to remedy! Some advisories:- Did mention corrosion on suspension parts - one rear spring quite corroded. Considering treating underboidy, particularly steering and suspension parts with a rust inhibitor (Kurust?) and the copious covering with waxoyl. To try and slow down the inevitable! Would appreciate any comments on the efficacy of the above.

That sounds sweet! Can't wait to see it off-road! Very well done!

Very very important!

This thread is making me very twitchy about owning a LS400 - if the crunch comes then she will have to go to that scrapyard in the sky.

Hope you don't mind me asking Moriwaki, but how much did that cost? Was that for fitting by Lexus or Lexus parts fitted by an independent? Thanks

Forgot one! Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0 litre, lifted, custom bumpers, large mud tyres for off-roading fun!

5 x Mitsubishi Galants - 2 x Toyota Carina - Toyota Corolla - Volvo 240 - 1x Hyundai Stellar and Pony - 2 x Mitsubishi Space Wagons - BMW 5 series - Mk3 Lexus Ls400.- Datsun 120Y - Ford Cortina Mk1 and Mk 2 - Hilman Imp - VW Beetle - Ford Thames 400E - Renault Kangoo - Ford Anglia - Ford Escort Mk1 - Golf Mk 2 - Skoda Octavia - Mitsubishi Grandis - Mk IV Lexus LS 400. I have spent a fortune (to me!) on cars over the years............... I have wasted the rest.

Yes the answer is to dry clean the sheepskin mats - I will shake and then give them a good hoover.

Looking forward to the updated pics! Are your mats sheepskin? I have sheepskin mats so must look up how to clean them without damage. I have ONLY had the car 7 months ...... and found a genuine Lexus CD holder in the armrest! The spare wheel is brand new .... but I need to check how old it is!

Not keen on the new look website - as I am finding it hard to navigate.

I am not really into convertibles - BUT that white one is lovely. If I were financially loaded................... I would be up north as quick as a twick!

Welcome! I am also not MECHANICAL but there are many memebers on here who are very knowlegeable and very helpful.

From all the posts I have read on the 430, a new radiator (around £100) would be a sound investment.

From all the posts I have read, I would avoid the diesel. For your short journey to work a petrol Lexus would not be too expensive in fuel. Test drive both variants but the petrol one will more than likely be less problematic in the long term. Others on the forum may disagree. If it is going to be your second car, just for work, then you are going to travel a maximum of 100 miles a week. On that basis I would consider an LS - you would not be disappointed. Here is an example of what you can get - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201511248947745?postcode=CT14%209TE&search-target=usedcars&sort=pricedesc&onesearchad=used%2Cnearlynew%2Cnew&price-from=3500&make=lexus&page=1&price-to=5000&model=ls_430&radius=1500&logcode=p

I have a torque wrench but......................... I do not know how to use it! We live in a crazy world! Well done for finding that information on the shock absorber - that will be filed away on my computer - as the brain does not work as well these days.

Slightly off topic but one of the best cleaning products for vinyl/rubber/plastic is by Autoglym. Very good for winscreen wiper rubbers and door seals. Keeps them soft and supple.

Thanks guys - I searched in the forums but nothing was mentioned. The discolouration is on the outside then.

I have noticed that on some older RX's, that the headlight lens seems to be cloudy. Does this have any significant effect on the brightness/clarity and night? Is this a ppotential MOT failure? Has anyone with an RX experienced this or found a solution?

Claying the windows? That sounds interesting .... would not have considered claying the windows.

Love the photo of the Rover! 3500 I presume?