elliotsdad

The sat nav in my 2012 car which is a Toyota unit that the Lexus shares is crap. My £80 Garmin Zumo I use on my bikes is easier to use and better at route finding. My Lexus one won`t even take a full postcode

My 2011 takes full post code, but you have to go to page 2 of address input to get it. Are you sure you don't have this?

Yep!

Just traded in our 2011 Premier for a new F sport and during the exchange the salesman informed me about "PAGE 2" of the sat navs Post Code page??? Owned the Premier for r 2.5 years not knowing that "Page 2" existed DOE!

You're probably not the only one, so don't feel too bad. TBH, I only found out here myself, I think.

The sat nav in my 2012 car which is a Toyota unit that the Lexus shares is crap. My £80 Garmin Zumo I use on my bikes is easier to use and better at route finding. My Lexus one won`t even take a full postcode

My 2011 takes full post code, but you have to go to page 2 of address input to get it. Are you sure you don't have this?

Thanks for confirming that Matt. Autoglass said the same. I never noticed the front windows being darker than the windscreen before though. I must be going senile...

Hi,

Does any one know if the CT has different tint shades for the windscreen/front windows?

The reason I ask is because I had my windscreen replaced yesterday by Autoglass. They did use a genuine Lexus screen but when I sit in the car now, the windscreen seems to have slightly less tint than the front side windows - I'm not sure if it's just me but I never had that impression with the original windscreen. The car is clean and so I don't think that's the reason!

I have asked the parts guy at my local dealer if there are different tints for different models, but he didn't think so. Anyway, Autoglass have said they will send a guy round to have a look, but I'm not sure if he will agree....

Yes, the fact that it wasn't a hybrid may have played a part - I've become so used to hybrids now, 'normal' cars just seem so old fashioned. However, I think I was most disappointed with the dash layout in the GS. It seemed so uninteresting compared to the CT, very sparse and dull, it just didn't seem to be as nice a place to be in.

Just wanted to share my thoughts with anybody interested about my experience with the GS250 that I was given as a courtesy car whilst my CT was in for it's year 2 service.

Maybe I was a bit put off that the GS I was provided with wasn't as clean as my car usually is, but I wasn't as impressed with it as I thought I would be.

Yes, it was more spacious, and the engine more refined. I liked the automatic parking brake (you didn't have to do anything, just switch on and shift to Drive to start and shift to Park to engage), also the display showed audio, nav and climate control settings all at the same time, and the indicator had the tap for three blinks when switching lanes which I l had on a previous C Class. The best thing though, was the much reduced road noise compared to the CT, it was very relaxing both cruising down the motorway and trundling along in town.

However, despite all this, I was still happy to get back into my CT afterwards. It just felt more 'me'.... I thought I might be tempted to upgrade, but thankfully (for my bank balance) it really was good to have my own car back

is the tyre pressure monitor standard on UK CT's?

I have a SE-L Premier but have never noticed anything anywhere on the car about tyre pressures?

Same here. I thought I had missed something!

I think the website is a bit confusing. It does list cc under se-l but has a dash next to it instead of the word standard. Adaptive cruise is an extra cost option on the premier.

Haven't seen the latest brochure but the website states cruise is only on se-l prem and not se-l I'm afraid.

Yes I've always liked driving a car that's a bit more 'exclusive', too, although there seem to be a few more around now.

To be fair though, most people who have already bought one will have positive things to say, on the whole. But everyone has different needs and standards and are entitled to their own opinions.

I'm thinking I may be missing something now and if the ride is really that harsh! But as I said I didn't think it was that bad compared to other cars I've driven. I also used to drive an A-Class avant garde and I test drove an SLK - now they were FIRM!

OK, I have had my CT for over a year (just had my first service last month). I love the car and for me, the ride is fine, even on the 17" wheels. I actually also test drove the 16" wheels before I bought and tbh, I found them to be a bit 'wallowy' - it was like sitting on marshmallows and I thought the 17" wheels were preferable, both comfort-wise and aesthetically. But the wheel size definitely made a noticeable difference imho. I previously had the RX400h and of course the CT is not as luxurious and soft as that but I didn't find the transition too great a leap.

Steppy, I notice you are in Hampshire, also. Did you go to the Hedge End dealership?

I wouldn't say all the reviews are bad. However all that matters is whether the owners like the car and from the ct owners forums, most seem to love their cars. For example, its supposed to have a firm ride, but IMHO it really isn't any firmer than most cars I've driven (including the prius). Also, it is every bit a Lexus as my previous car prior to the Prius which was an RX400h. So don't read too much into what motoring journos have to say.

Yes I too had a gen 3 Prius and like you could not live with the rubbish interior and rattles. I still like the look of the Prius but the CT is superior on so many other ways. You won't regret it.

Actually I had an RX400h for four years from new and ok, th CT is not quite as good as that but it is not meant to be. I am very happy with the CT and dint think the interior that much cheaper than in my RX. But that's just my opinion.

The same happened to me on my first Merc, but I was teaching at the time and so at least it's sort of understandable with schoolkids. Fortunately, the culprit was caught and I got the caps back, however my next purchase was a set of cheap plastic ones. :) I no longer teach so I haven't done the same yet but am now rethinking this!

Yeah, what a plonka I am eh? Done it twice too.

We've all been there mate! I must admit I too have a small scrape on my front nearside wheel and I was so determined not to do it in this car.

I noticed when I go back to Hong Kong that they always seemed to park their cars at least 6ins from the pavement and I just thought what bad parkers they were! Now I know why!

I must admit that I cannot see the point of sunroofs with air con, it defeats the object doesn't it? Air con will not work well with an open window or sunroof surely? Ok, the extra light is nice, but it's a lot of money for a bit of light. :)

Plus the reduction in headroom, which is something I always have trouble with in cars with sunroofs

I remember my first car that had an electric sunroof and I was pleased with it. However, I found that I never really used it that much as when tilted open, it never really made much difference and winding the windows down a bit was much more effective, and when it was slid open, I would get burnt with the sun shining on me! B)

I had the sunroof in my RX and although nice to have was never essential and the lack of a sunroof would never put me off buying a car, especially one that is as great to drive as a Lexus!

isn't the right one blue and the left one red? If I'm thinking of the same thing this is how it is on mine - right one shines blue when in ECO / Normal mode; left one shines red when in sports mode......

Another mystery solved... you're absolutely right, thanks for that!

I don't know if they should both light up but only the drivers side lights up on mine also.

1. I can't say I noticed much difference on my Prius. I'll try it on the CT200 and let you know what I think.

2. I've loaded quite a lot of mp3 tracks to a usb stick and am quite pleased with the sound quality. Haven't tried an mp3 CD yet, so will also get back to you on that. Just a thought, but are your usb mp3 tracks recorded at the same bit rate as your mp3 cd's ?

Just another thought, I think sound settings can be set for each indivdual source. Are they set the same for usb and cd ?

Thanks, I look forward to reading your findings.

If I remember correctly on the Prius, the ASL setting wasn't set at the highest level by default and I did change it manually myself, but you're right, it wasn't that noticeable even then (not as much as in my Merc) but it was definitely there. In the CT however, I don't notice any difference at all.

Anyway, yes, the mp3's are the same bitrate and I have adjusted the sound settings of each input source as well. I have just had another listen and the difference isn't as big as I first thought. The volume level seems to be a tad lower when playing from the USB though.

Just wondered what others thought about these...

1. In my two previous cars with ASL (Prius Gen 3 & Merc C200K) the ASL was pretty noticeable as soon as you got up to about 50mph+ and the volume increased quite markedly. However, I don't seem to be able to detect any appreciable difference in the CT. I did have the sensitivity in the Prius set on maximum, but there are no settings on the CT other than on or off.

2. The sound quality of mp3s on USB sticks doesn't seem to be quite as good as that from mp3 CD's.

Is it just me?

Thank you for your speedy reply.

Your comment about the ride of press cars is something which I thought may of been the case too. It's good to hear that you are pleased with the ride and I am sure it looks better on the 17's too. Like you I am no speed demon at all, I just like comfort :)

Just need to pop in and see it in the metal.

Thank you once again.

No probs, happy to help. Just ask if you have any other questions.

I will be changing my car next year and I am in the Lexus traget group .... I drive an Audi A3 Sportback which I have owned from new since March '07.

The new A3 is due for release around spring 2012, but I am very interested in the CT too, mainly due to the Hybrid technology. I am not fully convinced by its looks yet, but I really love the look of the interior.

My main concern is the ride as I am a bit of a stickler for a good ride. My A3 is an SE & it too rides on 17" wheels, but it maanges to provide a very smooth and comfortable ride. Does the CT ride as bad all the reviews are making out? I notice someone on this forum said the ride is better with the 16" wheels, but not by much.

I am hoping to get to my local dealer soon for a test drive, but I feel I would like to have it more than the usual couple of hours you normally get.

Thanks :)

I test drove both the 16" and 17" wheels and yes the ride on the 16" was a bit softer. However, I still went with the 17" as I personally preferred them and I am no boy-racer - I like my creature comforts. I personally thought the 16" wheels felt a bit 'marshmallowy' if you get my meaning. I was told by the dealer (so read into it what you like) that the reviews were mostly written based on driving non-finalised cars and so the rides were not the same as the cars being sold now. In any case, yes, the ride is firmer than my RX400h (but then what isn't??) but it is perfectly comfortable, though admittedly I have only had it 2 days :) I once test drove a Mercedes SLK and the CT is nowhere near as firm as that was.

Picked up my CT200h SE-I today and found it didn't have the HDD music library as on the Prius. Apparantly this is only available on the SE-L Premier model. I should have asked the dealer but I just assumed that as the sat nav pack was fitted it included the HDD.

However the USB socket functions in exactly the same way as the HDD, although displaying folders and files rather than albums and tracks, so I can load up loads of MP3's from my PC onto a high capacity usb stick and just leave it plugged in. In fact this is probably easier than loading lots of cd's and recording them to the HDD.

Hi Geoff,

Picked up my CT this morning also. I have to admit that though I put some albums on the HDD on my Prius, I didn't bother in the end and just used either DVDRs with mp3 or just Bluetooth with my Iphone. However, I put one of the DVDRs into the CT and it didn't read it! Just as well I didn't burn too many of those but mostly CDRs!

Anyway I just found this on Play.com. http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/14366702/Hewlett-Packard-V165-16GB-USB-Flash-Drive/Product.html?searchtype=allproducts&searchsource=0&searchstring=usb+memory+stick&urlrefer=search

It doesn't look as small as this: http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/16414604/LaCie-MosKeyto-8GB-USB-2-0-Flash-Drive/Product.html?searchtype=allproducts&searchsource=0&searchstring=moskeyto&urlrefer=search

but is a lot cheaper!!

The only thing I'm slightly concerned about is the reduced storage in the CT, I'm not sure where where I will put my garage door opener....

I think the CT has a homelink garage door opener as an accessory option, that could be an option :)

Thanks for the suggestion, I will ask the dealer the next time I speak to him, but have to admit that I know next to nothing about this. Not trying to penny-pinch or anything but can I justify spending X-amount extra on something just because I have nowhere to put a garage door opener, especially since I don't tend to keep my cars all that long?