mcleish

I found out that the main reason they ask as to how long you have had your current car when changing to another, is so that they can stiff you because your new car is "unfamiliar" to you. For example, I've been driving largish 4x4 SUVs for over 20 years, two years ago I bought a Audi A1 sport and they used this excuse to stiff me. I sort of understand what they are getting at, but I wasn't jumping out of a RX400 into a supercharged Porche !!! Besides, I am experienced and wise enough to know when I'm in a unfamiliar car (ie a car hire on holiday etc) and I know to take it easy and be more careful.

I always use No Nails red double sided tape and has never failed. Just ensure both the plate and bumper are free from dirt and any car polish. A good tip is to gently heat both the plate and bumper....and even the tape and it should not come off. Used a hairdryer, but as I am as bald as a coot, I use my heat gun. Don't try any type of this tape on a cold damp day without using a wee bit heat.

Some reading for you before you buy... https://dashcamtalk.com/forum/forums/a119s.210/

Be sure to look at dashcamtalk.com, the world's largest dash cam Forum site and get some very useful research.

Silent Witness SW010. I have these in both my cars for years front and rear (hard wired), fit and forget. They are a UK company and you pay a little more...failing that, buy them direct from China, they are cheaper, but you will have to pay import charges and take your chances!! If you are unfortunate to need to use footage and supply to the police, you can upload it to them and they will see that it gets to the correct police authority. http://www.silentwitness.co.uk/dash-cameras/SW010, Silent Witness

Should have also mentioned, that I have read in various other places on line, that some dash cams interfere with some factory fitted sat nav and DAB radio reception. I've never had any issues myself and I actually have had a aftermarket DAB radio booster fitted to the side of my windscreen. Nextbase devices where mentioned !! With most cars now having factory Sat nav and DAB, one would think that the dash cam manufacturers would take this into consideration in their R&D department. Could be absolutely nothing, just thought I'd share !!

I have the below mentioned dash cams in three of our family cars, I have one in the front and rear of my own car. I have had them for over 3 years and they do the job just fine. They are so small, you can leave them in the car all the time. Mine are hard wired in, so they power on and off with the ignition. Simply fit and forget them. It all depends on your budget and what options you want included, wifi for example. Size ? Some are so large, you have no choice but to disconnect them EVERY time you leave the car !! Do not disregard the cheaper Chinese dash cams that are out there, as some are pretty good for the price. http://www.avrmobiles.co.uk/acatalog/in-car-camera-accident-camera-sw010.html

Have a look at Just Park, similar to Park On My Drive, but better.

I also fitted one on my RX300 and it worked fine....fitted it myself :)

To those of you who have dash cams fitted. Mine are hard wired in and turn on/off automatically. When i had my first set which had sd cards, every so often i would pop them out and view some footage, this ensured they were working properly. The dash cams i have now have built in memory, but even still, i occasionally view footage that's been recorded, just for piece of mind.

All that happened to me over a year ago. Luckily for me, i have front and rear dash cams with sound. Long story short, i produced the footage to police, the guy got banned for a year, 4 week suspended prison sentence and £400 fine. So chuffed i have my dash cams and well worth the money.

Hey, that's very useful, thanks. So how do I know which model an Advance is ? Because I don't see the words SE, Luxury, F Sport etc in their descriptions ?

For instance.. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201604193122663

Thanks for that, would never have noticed the glovebox colour, but does look OK. Very tempted to pop up to the Reading dealer and have a touch and feel !!! But it's raining !! Do you really see any issues with buying a well looked after FLSH with 100k on the clock ?

Excellent feedback, thanks. Budget is £20k maximum, but if these are as bullet proof as people say, I may spend less for a FLSH well looked after higher mileage ( they do exist). Lexus Reading have a silver 2012 with the light leather for just under £20k. I'm not interested in anything black. Cheers Bobby PS: as usual I get more for my money if I buy anywhere north of Watford !!! Or in other words, out of the Thames Valley area !!

I'm browsing again for a RX450h. I am looking at 2012 SE-I models instead of the L because of possible future issues with the special suspension (I may be wrong here). I've noticed the word ADVANCE on some models, what's the difference (is it the sunroof ?). When viewing cars on line I have noticed that some have the reversing camera in the rear view mirror instead of the main dashboard screen, is this on older or newer models ? Also, at what year was there a face lift or any noticeable changes, is 2012 a later enough year for me to be looking at ? My budget restricts me to the 2012 year model, I am looking at any colours other than black (inside and out) and preferably with a sunroof. For this year and my budget the mileage seems to be from 70k upwards, I could go for a older model with lower mileage I suppose ( any negatives on this idea)? I know by buying from a Lexus dealer I'll be paying more, but it should come with a Lexus 12 month warranty for piece of mind and could maybe strike a deal on a longer warranty. Thanks in advance for any advice.

You can also get the dealer to adjust the brightness in all these ambient lights.

Don't rule out Nexen, they have B rating for economy and wet. Be pushed to find many tyres with both these B ratings!!

Yes, both the red and white would be my choice, especially with the light leather, rather than black!! My daughters past the stage of making a mess inside my cars 😀

Checked with the dealer and this car does have all the toys.....however, I can get a LOT more toys on a high mileage 450h!!! for my budget. Should I steer clear of a high mileage 4 or 5 year old 450h even though it has full Lexus Dealer servicing?

Yes, but what about service costs at Lexus, unless I look for a independent garage.

Very good point in regards to a possible 450h, I would like one, albeit high mileage for my budget, but I'm concerned about running costs!!

So it probably does not have the power tailgate either!!! That's no good for me!!

Good points, also, I will call tomorrow to double check the spec they have listed, as they have mentioned parking sensors, but using the Autotrader zoom option, I can't see anything on the bumpers, mind you, I am looking at it on my mobile!!

Is this OK? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201504252931218