Spacewagon52

Very true, but if they are asking top dollar that may put some buyers off. Personally I would always pay extra for a good one - but even with due diligence we can make mistakes and buy a lemon. Sometimes it is down to luck ............................... but you are generally luckier with a Lexus!

i have just bought a low mileage example, however I rejected some low mileage cars on the basis of their MOT history. There was a grey one in London that I rejected for that reason. Rich may be right, if the service history is good then possibly the advisories have been attended to by the previous owner - but you can't trust a car dealer to complete advisory work as this eats into their profits. Just my opinion, the guys on here ARE REALLY helpful!

I HAD forgotten that!

Did you stick with your RX 300 out of interest Adamt?

With photos? Possibly!

I am not certain but I think you will find the 450h is more economical than the 400h, as the technology has improved. MPG is very difficult to work out on an individual basis. Weather, roads, hills, heavy right foot. Peeps living in Norfolk will get better mpg than those in the Yorkshire Dales ! Hybrids are not meant to be good on mpg, on long motorway journeys at 70 mph+ My experience WAS interesting .... await the next instalment!

Yes, thanks I remember an old thread on this. I am hoping not to leave it standing much, as it will become our main car. I need to read that part of the handbook carefully!

The RX 400h looked really smart from a distance. My wife and I (she is good at spotting things!) gave the car a good look over. We were allowed to test drive the car provided we followed the dealer in his car. He uses the same route to review his cars on YouTube. John (Royoftherovers) knows my mantra about finding faults. “For every fault you can find …... there will be 3 or more others! The car had been cleaned but not valeted. The engine oil was as clear as a bell and the engine bay had been cleaned. We examined the car better than Inspector Morse and found three age related marks. The wheels, small mark on the plastic trim inside and a stone chip that had rusted a little on the door. Checked for water ingress in boot and footwells. Full service history, mainly Lexus plus another garage where the car came from. The car had been originally bought from Lexus Sidcup but had mainly been serviced at Lexus Croydon. The MOT history/mileage checked out and looked good. Well worth looking at that before buying any car over 3 years old. It can give an indication of possible issues caused by neglect. I test drove the car and was impressed how perky the acceleration was for such a heavy car – seemed far more spritely than my RX 300. Though I am not really interested in 0-60 times. All four tyres were the same make (Dunlop). Just under 50,000 miles. It was the SE-L which gave it ML sound system, illuminated Lexus badges on the door sills (?) - silver door handles and gold rear badge plus front and rear sensors. So we bought it and drove it home (200 miles) home. Tax was done on line and insurance on the phone. Managed to get a small discount which paid the train fare! So …. what do I make of this particular RX 400h hybrid? Give a me a few more days of ownership and I will tell you! HONESTLY!

That colour is stunning! Congratulations! Will you miss 4 doors?

Thanks Adam, I have the same year RX 300 as you. It is a fantastic car and I am sorry, in many ways, to lose it - but you do crazy things for your kids! I should have kept my big mouth shut! The ONLY downside running the car (particularly short local journeys) is the high fuel consumption. My annual mileage using the RX is relatively low and I can afford the costs. It is mainly psychological when you fill up and find you get 22 mpg, even when driving like Miss Daisy. I have two Lexus dinosaur cars on the drive - 3 litre and 4 litre petrol engines. Tightness, I am half Yorkshire, and plainly just not wanting to waste money would prevent me buying a newer RX like the RX350 by purely having to pay £580 a year Road Tax. If you rack up the miles, then MPG is very important but for low mileage peeps, depreciation, repairs and servicing are a much larger factor. Depreciation being the main one for younger Lexus cars. I will post the conclusion to my tale, when I have had more sleep!

No, not that dealer John. Thank you!

It looks very similar to the one I saw but not sure about the number plate. If I see it again, I will stalk the owner!

Photos and comments on the car please?

Well, after trawling through many posts on here, regarding buying from Franchise Dealerships, Warranty, Extended Warranty, Service Plans, I decided to take the plunge and purchase my next Lexus. Here are my initial thoughts and observations on my search. After weighing up the pros and cons I decided to go “cheap” and buy an RX 400h. My initial plan was to go for the 450h or possibly an NX. The 450's work out about £5,000 dearer than an equivalent age/mileage to a 400h. Before you start typing, I do realise there is a difference in technology and refinement! Yes, I would have preferred a 450h but the Memsaab put in her views! I view the 400h as a........... stepping stone ….. alas stones that are far apart! (Don't tell the wife!) I have come to the conclusion that I enjoy the chase more than the purchase! Once the purchase has been made the sphincter muscle begins to twitch! Questions flood into the brain! Did I do enough research? Is the dealer dodgy? Is the MOT history dodgy? Is my judgement dodgy? Calm yourself sir! Well, as I have explained in a previous post, I try to observe due diligence. I found a 2008 RX 400h SE-L. No 400h's have air suspension, so those not in the “know” don't panic for me! It had less than 50,000 miles – full service history (mainly Lexus dealership) – No major issues on the MOT history AND the dealership had 36 x 5 star reviews on AutoTrader. Good photos and description sounded ace! DOWNSIDE - The car was 200 miles away. Fearing a Boris lock down, I contacted the dealer on Saturday, who was away for the weekend and would not be back until Monday! Monday looked like a Boris LOCKDOWN, according to the news! RULE 1 - buying a car – NEVER, EVER be pressured! My wife came to the rescue (you can guess my age by my not using the word partner!). “Why not go down on Sunday and IF there is a lock down, we can say we are travelling home!” I truly LOVE my wife! She understands my needs! Off to the South-West on the GWR! (With wife!) - Premier Inn booked, SINGLE ticket (yes I expected to buy the car). The plan …..... stay at hotel as near to dealership as possible …....... phone dealer at 9 am and ask to arrange a viewing. Taxi to dealer ship ….. test drive car …... buy and then tax and insure over the internet! Arrived at the dealers “house” in a 2013 BMW 5 series taxi, who the the owner said, he bought at auction for approximately what I was going to pay for a 12 year old Lexus! This really boosted my confidence! The car was waiting on his drive................. What happened next? What did I find? Please wait for the next episode, as I am too tired and drunk to continueeeee …..........................................

A "C"? You cut me deep John! You cut me deep!

I enquired about that one! They said it had been sold! 🤦‍♂️

Sorry John, I know you like details. 1) Did not have my phone on me - no picture. 2) Passed me going in opposite direction behind another car - only got a glimpse. 3) V in the reg - black or a very dark colour. Can't explain John but it just stood out as something a bit more special than a "normal" SC 430! 4) Possible enthusiast - will look again when I am in the area! 5) Will supply full details including MOT history and the name of the owner's dog!

A beautiful SC 430 in Deal, Kent today - personalised plate - it was too quick for me to catch it! Anyone on here?

A cracking find! Rarer than Unicorn dung! Love the colour and interior! It is where it all began lads! LS 400!

Thank you guys for all your contributions regarding Lexus warranties and purchasing options. I have taken the plunge and bought another Lexus. I will post an update on the purchase and my thinking regarding the warranty / servicing debate and an honest review of my purchase. Will be posting this in the appropriate forum. Once again this club has been a mine of information and advice - thank you!

Wow! AND that is the passenger seat? Was the passenger the Hulk

Thank you Terry, that clears another model I shall avoid!

Quick question - RX 450h - pan roof no roof bars. Does that apply to the NX? Panoramic roof - no roof bars/roof boot?

I had a 3 year old Mitsubishi Galant and whenever I drove up my drop curb (not steep!) I could hear the most awful grinding noise. Garage could find nothing wrong with the suspension. They said the car looked perfect to them. I took it back - still doing it! Mechanic came out with me (he driving) and threw the car around like Jenson Button! Nothing. I got in the driver's seat and proceeded up someone's driveway. BINGO! the grinding noise! The mechanic got out of the car and told me to go up again. Grinding noise! Trust me it sounded very serious! He got me to do it 3 more times - still grinding! "I have found the problem sir!" he announced. Take off your electrostatic strap you fitting at the rear! I fitted a nylon seat cover to the driver's seat to protect it when I was doing rough work. I kept getting electric shocks when leaving the car - you could hear the crack AND feel it! So I tried fitting one of these straps that is meant to release the static electricity and cure car sickness! You would not believe the noise that strap made when it trailed along the ground when going over a drop curve. The sound resonated around the rear valance (metal in those days). Gave up the strap AND the seat cover! Cheap fix!

Have just taken a look - they look really good and SAFE. Pity they do not do a divider for a Lexus, as that would be handy! Thank you!