Spacewagon52

Please remember guys - Lexus cars do have faults but they often repair themselves! This is NOT fantasy or myth! I have experienced this on more than THREE occasions! Others on this website can also testify to this phenomena! There is a little anti-gremlin, secreted away in every Lexus car during manufacture. It can't repair everything, due to its small size, but it is particularly good at repairing electrical faults. Sadly if you have a recurring electrical fault, that you can not resolve without resorting to a garage,then I am afraid your anti-gremlin has escaped or run away because you have been speaking to your car aggressively. Calm nice words sooth the anti-gremlin. Colin Barber, on here may be able to add more information concerning this special addition to Lexus cars. I am sure there are many examples peeps on here can testify to!

I think it is a mindset. I can afford, with the small mileage I do, a vehicle that does 22 mpg. I chose not to by going with a hybrid. The 400h gives you the grunt of a big V6 (not straight six!) plus the extra immediate torque of the electric motor. I do not know what I would get out of my 400 if I drive it hard but locally on very short journeys I am getting 27 mpg. I am "happy" with this economy but it pales compared with the IS 300h. I just giggle to myself that I am nearly getting V8 performance (when required) with 2.0 litre petrol economy! I know a guy who has a Range Rover and drives it like Lewis Hamilton - he is actually PROUD that he can get under 10 mpg! Horses for courses. But it is NOT just about money. I actually agree with Paul, the emphasis on mpg is over stated. It is the total "experience" of ownership that matters. Love of driving said vehicle - repair cost - depreciation - servicing - road tax - mpg - all go into the mix (and possibly other things I have not considered) to add up to how much we enjoy our vehicles. For me, one of the downsides now is the amount of traffic on the roads, A long leisurely drive in an LS 400 (with lots of money in your current account to stay at nice hotels) across France, in decent weather, would be my ideal of driving heaven! Kids and a dog tend to spoil the dream!

Thanks John, this is what Colin Barber suggests as well. Hybrid owners might want to take note.

Agree - all three look good - I like MK61 LFX - though not looked at MOT history - worth checking all these cars with MOT check

Keep us posted Nick if you source one to purchase - like to know your thoughts on driving one.

Grandis

That is excellent advice John - thanks. I will put the car in neutral and brake where it is safe! Possibly once a week will be enough (?)

I had my caliper pins "serviced" as one of the rear brake discs was rusty and obviously not working. Colin Barber, recommended applying the brakes harshly, every few weeks, to make sure they stayed free. He also reminded us all of a post by another member who had not replaced their brake pads for a considerable mileage on their hybrid Lexus. Have owners of hybrids on here regularly checked their own brake discs for rust (a good indicator of a sticking caliper)? I had reason to brake quite sharply yesterday and the braking sounded very "grindy" / rough. I did not wish to replicate the sensation as I had the dog in the back but will endeavor to go out today and see how the brakes respond. I bring this up as I am led to believe that the caliper pins are not part of a Lexus service item. Out of interest has anyone else with an older hybrid Lexus had issues when braking sharply. If you tend to drive like Miss Daisy (no offence, as that is my driving style) you will hardly engage the mechanical brakes. Just wondered what other hybrid owners have experienced with their brakes or braking in general?

I know this is resurrecting an earlier thread, which I can't locate, but I hope it may prove useful.

Rayaans! Do you not get on with your father-in-law? Shock! Horror and Indignation! Your posts on here are very persuasive! Have you not been able to convinced your father-in-law to buy a Lexus?

Donald Trump

Did you spray them yourself Phil? Just wondered what materials you used.

http://www.smart-repairtraining.com/ These I believe are mobile. worth a call if you can't find anyone. Call: 07715 334 664 Email: streetsmartuk@talktalk.net

I will try to get the phone number for a wheel repair specialist near here for you.

I believe the LS 400 has lean burn technology - others will confirm - this significantly improves economy compared with say a Jaguar XJ6 of the same vintage. Shoot me down in flames if I am mistaken! I await your replies with a fire extinguisher!

Looks a good buy! How big is it? Jodrell Bank size?

My wife ALWAYS gets better mpg than me! However, in the hybrid, it is a different story! I am NOT telling her the secret (Read the handbook!)

Hats off to Tesla for trying to break the mould. How heavy is a Tesla without the batteries? I am surprised there has not been more emphasis on reducing the weight of cars. Simple physics suggest greater range and economy. Surely the engineering will be upto modern safety standards. I would not want an electric Reliant Robin!

The average age of Lexus buyers must have some influence on their conservatism. Older people tend not to want dramatic change - they feel safe with what they know!

My sentiments exactly!

I sometimes play the "If I wanted to buy...." game. It is sort of the inverse of searching for a car on AutoTrader! Find another car you fancy ........ then consider how much you would get for your present car as a Trade-in. Ask yourself this question: "If I wanted to buy .... the car I have now for the price of the Trade-in, would I buy it?" I have found the answer always seems to be YES! That makes me satisfied with the car I already own! WARNING: It does not work every time!

Quote: RX is not an EV and hybrid is more of a performance addition than pure economy. I do notice that my previous driving style matches with hybrid economy though, in that I'm used to driving and letting the acceleration off so it costs a bit (I drove 6.0 Continental and Phaeton, so this was a habit) and in return it charges the batteries or drives on battery most of the time - to me this works in an economical way too. I agree but also you get good economy compared with a standard 3.0 litre or 3.5 litre ICE alone. The 400h does not blow you away with its economy but when you consider its size and performance it is more "livable" at around 30 mpg. I am running very short journeys of 4 mile round trips (school run) in traffic. I am getting 27 mpg.

Very interesting perspective Cris.

What you say reminds me of a story a garage foreman told me. He gave me an absolute damning report of his ownership of a SAAB he owned. "So, you will be getting rid of it then?" I said. "No! No! It's a fantastic car! I love it even with all the problems!" he replied to my astonishment. You are correct, there is more to owning a car than just reliability - but my MAIN priority is a car that does not have to be taken to the garage every other week. That is not my idea of fun owning a car, it is just a wind up to me.

Sorry John, I do not think I have the stamina! You will just have to put me on the bench and play me for the last 5 minutes!