larryadler

Hi Ronnie, totally agree, brick built garage and alarm is the answer, but you still have to take out the garage at some point !!!!!

Personally I love my Lexus, but their sales will no doubt suffer if these thefts continue, and I for one won’t be held hostage by insurance companies, so I await renewal time, and review then. Tracker is the only Thatcham device that Insurers take into account, 😂🤣, it apparently helps to recover your vehicle from a ditch or a chop shop!

We are all different, and have different perspectives in why we buy a Lexus, as has been said some of us are petrol heads, others, just a posh shopping trolley I guess. Myself, I love my cars, maintain them regardless, and do keep abreast of the development of all vehicles, even the EV fad, but I ain’t sold on those yet ( I remember when diesel was flavour of the month) , so I do all I can to protect my cars. That said, there is only so much we can do, mine has several additional security measures on it, and I consider the only way to nick it is on a trailer. I really wouldn’t waste money on Tracker, all it means is that you can recover your pride and joy from a ditch or a chop shop. It appears we no longer have a police service that gives a damn, so we have to look after our own, and all be left to the mercy of thieves and Insurance companies!

Sorry to here that Josh, did you have any anti theft devices on it?

Strangely enough, my other half had a new Toyota CHR, on the 1st September, and she had the Toyota App, which also has now gone awol, and despite attempts to re-install, and for the sake of sanity, we have given up on that one as well. Toyota and Lexus build excellent vehicles, but their IT credentials are still very poor. I do understand your frustration, as the new models linked to the App provide very useful information, but my 22 year V6, still only runs on sega stuff I think 🤔

Save your blood pressure, the Lexus (crap) App, is dreadful, I have persevered to try and download the Lexus+ App, but have given up, and I have to say my life is a much nicer place without it 💐

As an after thought, I have dash cams fitted, that provides several camera stickers and warning notice to be displayed on the vehicle, which activate if entry is forced( I think) but as to whether it’s any deterrent to the thieves I guess is debatable !

Other than, for insurance purposes, that Tracker is Thatcham approved, I see no real benefit. All it means, is that the chances to recover your pride and joy from a ditch, or some back street garage, stripped for parts is more possible. In those circumstances, do you really want it back? In my opinion, it’s about as much use as having cameras on your drive, for vehicle security, the scrotes will be wearing balaclavas and the old bill these days, don’t make any efforts to identify offenders, just ring for a crime number, for insurance purposes! We can only do what we can do, a visible steering lock, has to be a deterrent, and without a trailer and winch, with a Ghost or similar immobiliser it ain’t going anywhere. As to putting info on the vehicle about any security devices fitted, I think that is just making it a challenge for the tow rags, and if you take all the above steps to secure your investment, it will still be there next day, FNS damage accepted.

😂🤣, you lucky beggar, it appears you have a generation 3 model, and the £477 I would say is a good price, if it has same benefits as your existing policy. I have a generation 4, the thieves delight model, and mine renews in May. It increased last May from £489 to £640, and got it for £604 in the end. According to information I have to date, premiums for my model will have increased by 58%, so that’s going to put circa £900+. I wait with baited breath!

I think this is progress of the RX model. My son has the RX350h, and overall I do like the vehicle. The software is up to date, and far better than my RX 450H, I some aspects. The new model does certainly seem to handle better, more nimble and has all the benefits of my RX, and beats me head on with fuel consumption at circa 45-49 mpg. It does however have a noisy trashy ( Briggs and Stratton) engine note if the engine is pushed in more harsh acceleration. The interior quality is Lexus, of new, but I don’t think on par of Lexus of old! The design I like, but it appears more commercially based to perhaps attract a younger audience. I think the difference between my RX450h, is that it’s a luxury time capsule, built for perhaps a different generation era, and that creamy V6, does sound much better when pushed. Yes, my tech is old and outdated, but, hey, I can live with that. I don’t feel at the moment, there is enough in the RX350h for me to want to change, but that opinion may be affected come insurance renewal time 🤣😂

I think I would find another car at another dealer, I cannot believe they are trying to charge you £175. I had mine done at Lexus Birmingham a couple of weeks ago, all free of charge, and waited the two hours and supplied with excellent coffee and biscuits. I am aware that Toyota are providing the plates for free, but charging £75, so for Lexus dealer to charge double that, I would not be confident using their service.

I know there is a lot of talk on the site about the above, and that if you live, and drive an RX in London, the insurance appears to be through the roof. To us lesser northern mortals, well North of Watford Gap, has anyone actually had renewal premiums recently, or certainly since our pride and joy became the thief’s second preferred choice of transport? It would be interesting to establish facts, as to the actual increases and whether you found less expensive insurance offer, and for members benefits, NAME the companies, and if it was a less expensive deal ( I deliberately don’t use the word ‘cheaper’ ) and whether we are now being raped for increased excesses. Additionally, has anyone actually seen any benefits from increased security on their vehicles, Ie Lexus steel plates, ghost, scorpion etc, visible steering lock, and yes, I do know the Thatcham cop out insurers will use so as not to reduce the premium. At he end of the day, and despite all the advertising crap, Insurance is a commodity we all have to have, but only know how good it is when we come to use it. Your comments and information would be interesting!

Well, just at the dealers now, having security plates fitted, and it appears they completely remove the bumper, and the steel plates are fitted to both sides!

Hello Kieth, I would just like to say, sticking notice on the vehicle as you suggest, may well be seen as a challenge to the thieving tow rags, and of course, if they actually check your vehicle out before the attempted theft, it gives them time to find a solution. I would also state that when you have a Ghost 2 fitted, scorpion or such, they neither supply, or recommend advertising the fact on the vehicle, but you can I know buy some stickers on eBay.

I think it would be very beneficial to member on this site to indicate the year mileage and condition of your vehicle. Not asking for an accurate figure as offered by the insurer but what you consider the correct market value to be. The assessor seems to be typical of todays customer service, take the offer or get nowt, your input will not be considered, what I say goes complex! It would be even more advantageous to name the insurer, so that no one else gives them any future business! I think this is typical in every walk of life these days unfortunately, you pay the required premium then when the claim goes in, that’s when you find out how good the insurer is, out of interest do they promote their Defacto rating. This is oh so frustrating at a time like this when you should be getting their full support. Best wishes.

Yes Alan, scary times, mine is booked in for next Wednesday for plate fitting, and I have additional security devices on the vehicle, but as they are not Thatcham approved, it appears to be of no benefit whatsoever on insurance premiums. it is a sad fact that it appears today, there is little or no recourse when due to no fault of the owners, we are penalised for ownership of our vehicle, due to the manufacturer sitting on its hands. I initially spoke with my dealer in August about the plate fitting to secure the Canbus issue. I then contacted Lexus customer service who stated they were aware of the issue, and but were not aware that the RX, was then 4th most stolen car in the U.K. ( now No2 apparently) so I sent them the information from Confused.Com. I was informed that they were dealing with London and inside the M25 where most thefts had occurred! From additional research I did it appears that black, silver, and grey RX’s are the best flavour to nick as they blend in better. I must admit, this hasn’t put me off my RX ownership, and Lexus Birmingham have always remained supportive, and continued my expectation of a Lexus dealer. The only thing that may change my opinion is the loaded insurance premiums, with extortionate excess’s to boot!

If I'm honest, I'm in the same camp as yourself. I love my RX, and don't want to change, and the insurance increases, are not really a problem financially. I bought mine as a retirement gift to myself, and only do 6-8k a year. I am afraid the electric option is not on my agenda, its just following the herd in my opinion. The same governments that recommended diesel vehicles, the success of HR2 etc, are now flogging the electric crap. I only do 6-8k a year, but until I get a range of 500 miles, and half hour charge, and its not the same price as fossil fuels at rapid chargers, I will steer well clear. I have looked at the used EV market, no dealers want them, and how much of the insurance increases are due to to the incredulous repair costs of these glorified milk floats ? No one will either tell you or admit it, probably because all the politicians have money invested in the climate change market. My insurance isn't due until May, so on the back burner until then. Last year it was £604, but recent quote did out of curiosity came in at £1024 ! Think i might just buy me a Hos n Cart, want some muck for your roses ?

I agree Herbs, I too am in the senior citizen bracket, with the associated medical age related issues. Hips, knees, etc, and I bought my RX last year, for the same reasons as yourself. It is the car I chose for my retirement, for comfort, reliability, warranty and dealer service. I cannot help but feel that Sadiq Khan has his fingers in the insurance industry as well, and is pricing the big engine motors off the road, to improve air quality 😴, or perhaps I no longer have much faith in the establishment not to put the boot in where they can! when I now reflect, Tax £560, insurance probably in excess of £1k, it does make you wonder if I should change to a Suzuki Vitara, or a Saan Yong thingy 😂🤣

Perhaps if we had a pro-active Police service in this country, a lot of these thefts could be deterred. This is of course down to poor design by Lexus, and will never detract from the damage caused by gaining access to the CANBUS. But owners of the RX must surely be aware of this issue by now, and as Lexus seem to slow in rolling out the fix, be responsible, and sort out another form of security, if you value your vehicle. I know it’s an additional cost we should not need to make, and the recent search I did for insurance, is quite frankly frightening, and I would conclude for a lot of people will actually be priced out of insuring an RX450h, not just from the premium, but the huge excesses that are being applied! It does appear also, that despite what additional security measures you fit to your vehicle, Dash Cams, Ghost, steering locks, tracker, the insurance offer no credit to you on your premium! So will is make any difference to notify your insurer of the manufacturer fix? I also have to ask, once the Lexus fix is in place, is there anything on your vehicle which would deter the thief from still causing damage, before they realise that access route is closed?

Sent email to my Lexus centre , Birmingham today, with regards to RX theft, CANBUS protection etc. I am told that at the moment Lexus are only offering this facility of the steel plates in London, it appears you have the most thieves. Of course, if they nick your Lexus in the smoke, they could always travel north and nick mine too. it seems we will have to wait and see if that roll out goes national and we get a recall?

I am considering having a Ghost 11 immobiliser system fitted to my RX450h, has anyone gone down this route, and offer any opinion/advice?

Thanks Dan, I didn’t realise that. All this tech is going over my head these days. Regards Pete

Yes, when the time comes it will be a hard decision to change the V6, tried and tested for a 4 pot engine. Like you, I am happy with my mpg, just returned from France, average 38-44mpg, that’s probably the most you can expect from a 2.0ltr 4 pot petrol in any make. In any event I’ll put that on the back burner for now, I have many years and miles for my V6 to cover, unless the government decides to screw me on the road tax?

Hello Ed, it’s the drivers door, as soon as it’s opened the bing bing starts, and won’t go off until I close it. So vacuuming the car door open, bing bong, bing bong, you really are missing out , Not ! Pete

I have watched some videos on YT, all American. They appear to be quite positive, about the 2.5 engine with turbo and hybrid. That said I knew the 23 model was imminent, with the smaller engines, but I really wanted one of the last of the 3.5V6 motors. Apparently the fuel consumption is no real difference, it’s all about emissions . Pete