Mincey

I was really chuffed to hit 40 yesterday on EV in mine - it's good to see there's still some headroom :-)

This channel is second only to the "BMWs getting stuck in a ford" channel:

Cyclists should be taken out and shot in front of their families*, and this comes from someone who spent years cycling everywhere before getting his first car, and being knocked off it on a busy roundabout by a known felon. I remember the days when the Fenland Clarions used to do time trials down the A1 at weekends. Now that was considerate of them. Sundays are always fun in these parts as they cycle two abreast down the relatively busy and undulating B roads holding the traffic up. People say "well, where else do you expect these middle aged fools to ponce about in their tightly fitting lycra body suits?" Have they not seen the ads for Peloton? (* (c) J Clarkson esq)

Oh this takes me back. Many years ago I was made responsible for removing all the IT kit from a company office which was closing. Instead of doing the sensible thing and making them hire a van for me to use, I just said I'd stick everything in the car. I spent the day getting everything ready and when 2pm came round and everyone was kicked out to redundancy or other jobs, I began to strip the server rack down. After undoing all the screws in the rack, I put the screwdriver in my back pocket (can anyone see where this is going yet?) An hour or so passed. I filled the boot with servers, switches, SANs, a Riverbed and assorted IT kit. I locked up, then got in the car. Remember unlucky Alf from the Fast Show? I used his catchphrase when I remembered the screwdriver in my back pocket and leapt out to see the puncture mark in my perforated seat. I was not a happy chappy.

This is strangely compelling viewing. Will they get out, will they get stuck, will they end up on the back of a flat bed? Vorsprung durch 'ave that!

https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/lifestyle/cars/toyota-offers-free-catalytic-converter-protection-to-owners-of-older-cars-3235792 I'll see if i can find anything "official". Found: scroll down https://mag.toyota.co.uk/catalytic-converter-theft-how-to-protect-your-car/ "In May 2021, Toyota (GB) announced that it would be covertly marking more than 100,000 catalytic converters in order to combat theft. By working with police and Smar****er, catalytic converters can be tagged with an invisible yet traceable marking, meaning that a stolen catalytic converter can be traced to a specific crime, helping police in their attempts to fight the organised gangs responsible. It also raises the risk to all those handling the devices along the criminal chain, from theft to eventual disposal and recycling. It is free to get the catalytic converter marked, all customers need to do is call their local Toyota or Lexus retailer to arrange a visit." I'd still shoot the bastards.

I remember my instructor telling me "well done, you've passed your test. Now go and learn how to drive."

I agree. It's only 0.8 seconds slower than a Ferrari 308. I can live with that.

Ahem. I'll have you know that my car is a rocket ship and the best car in its segment bar none.

+1 to that. It's my "leaving the car routine". After I've put a Crook Lock on.

That's the bunny!

My IS250 had a sticker with the model reference above the tyre pressure recommendations on the bit where the driver's door closes.

Dot Cottan definately had a black Gen 2 IS in Line Of Duty.

I was quite miffed to find that my Peavey bass cab didn't fit in the 300h. It just squeezed into my 250 but it's just too big to go in the 300h. I had to replace it with one of these, which isn't a great shame as it's considerably cooler. And lighter. And louder.

Or you could go 7-6-5-4-3-2 extremely quickly: Apologies for thread hijack. It is a great video though in my defence. If only they sounded like that now, perhaps I'd still watch F1...

I'd not go for the F Sport spec again, and would look for something with 17" wheels. The ride on 18" is a little too harsh for me. Performance wise, I think the 300h feels faster above 65. It's very difficult to tell as it has a digital speedo and you don't get the same impression of acceleration (if you see what I mean - I can never explain this properly). Noisewise, the 300h cannot hold a candle to the gorgeous V6 howl from the 250. Some say that the build quality of the 300h is inferior to the 250. I'm in two minds - my 250 was an '07 model and I always thought that some of the interior trim as a bit suspect (the pockets on the seat backs for starters). Some on here have questioned the get up and go of the 300h. Stick it in Sport mode and you'll take off from junctions/roundabouts extremely well. My wife has a Hyundai Ioniq and the sales rep recommended that she stick that in Sport for a bit more oomph at roundabouts, so it could be a hybrid thing. In the 300h, if the right foot has a swift and firm connection with the floor mat, it does go. It's the sound which is disappointing, but that's CVTs. You get used to it. It is easy to get into licence-losing territory without noticing it very easily.

I've not heard of any IS300h cat thefts yet. I hope I'm not tempting fate.

Snigger :-)

It was a right munter, wasn't it? I remember the shame when my boss lent me his sort of burgundy metallic/pink 2.0 gopper auto to drive to Stoke from Peterborough for a meeting. I had to leave it on my drive overnight as I had an early start. The neighbours didn't talk to me for weeks. You could leave them unlocked though - hardly likely to get nicked.

This is class...

That looks awesome!

I think the oft-used term from Pistonheads - "gopping" - applies here. Absolutely hideous.

I may have missed my true vocation in life...!

Thanks Len - I've not seen rim protectors before so I clearly put 2 and 2 together and got 7!

This has made me remember something. Many years ago I was driving down the A14 while it was being upgraded (40mph limits - such fun) and a disc, the size of a wheel and like one of those frisbees you'd throw for a dog (more hooplike than solid) was kicked up from the road by the van in front and bounced across my bonnet and up and over the windscreen. It left a fair few scratches on the bonnet and I've always wondered what it was. Could it have been one of these rim protectors?