mikeyv

I typed "breaking LS430" into ebay and got a few results, but the 430 is such a rare sight on the road, I guess the numbers are against you. Is it possible to convert the suspension to conventional shocks and springs, as this does seem to be the Achiles heel of an otherwise excellent car. It's the main reason I went for 400 over 430, but if a kit was available, I might consider a 430 again in the future. Best of luck anyway.

Agreed way off topic & I'm partly to blame. Perhaps some of these posts can be put into a separate thread? I wouldn't worry, can never understand the problem with going off topic, unless it's a reference thread - after all, in real life conversations jump about all over the place, especially if Mrs V is involved!!

I think it's quite obvious really. Pay top dollar at a Lexus dealer, get a cracking warranty and peace of mind. Pay considerably less at a car auction, ebay dealer, or privately, and back your judgement to come out in front.. Regardless of what the law says, small dealers are riskier than main dealers, as they can easily be here today and gone tomorrow, probably surfacing elsewhere with a new name. Turned in to an interesting thread this, to say it was only supposed to be about some nice pics.

Forgot to say, with regards to cost of maintenance, if it's a sound car, the cost of fixing is balanced by the lack of depreciation - it's around 10 grand for the first year on Mondeos and other euroboxes - that pays for a lot of fuel and parts on your LS.

I do know one thing about him, he seems to start a classified ad with one car, switch to another vehicle half way through, and even finish with yet another on the last sale that I followed. He does seem to mostly deal in Toyota and Lexus. Whether he's any good, don't know I'm afraid, and with classified ads it's difficult to check his history.

Oops, sorry about the text size, I just cut and paste from their ad.

As regards to any winning bidder who does not show, If there is a legitimate reason why you cannot proceed, you will have to come and see us, take one look at the car, and identify yourself to us, and say "sorry I don't like the car" and then you will have fulfilled your obligation as a buyer, and we will not strike you! OTHERWISE YOU WILL GET A NON PAYMENT STRIKE!! The above is on all their listings Mike, surely they would struggle to pursue anybody that rejected a car according to their conditions of sale?

I dont know where you got that piece of info from but its wrong. You bid to buy and complete, the only time you can refuse to complete is that you find something wrong or different from the description. You are given the oportunity to view the car/item and if you dont then you really its down to you. Mike I think you'll find he is correct Mike, their beef is with people who bid and don't turn up, but make feeble excuses.

I bought a Honda Accord tourer a few years ago, from Deutsche Marques on ebay. They ran a similar operation, selling cars mainly sourced from auction, at a small profit - they were happy to show the BCA paperwork for my Honda, which showed a £150 profit. There was no obligation to accept the car, only to turn up if you made best bid, when you were free to give the vehicle any trial or inspection, and reject it with no hard feelings if not happy. Try that at a car auction, and you'd be out the door fairly sharpish. So I'd say that these outfits are ok if you go in with eyes wide open, and know your cars. The problem comes when the unwary treat them like a main dealer, rather than a trade outlet.

I have never bought from them, but have followed quite a few of their ebay auctions, and most of their stock seems to be from British Car Auctions sales, indeed a lot of the cars are photographed with the details sheet on the screen and BCA signage in plain view. Just to be clear, I wasn't recommending the car or dealer, just offering a link to something I thought might interest others.

I know how much some of us like to see pics of a nice Lexus, so here is a link to one on ebay with some nice photos. The car was bid up to 13k or so last time it was on, maybe the buyer was scared off by the non functioning cruise control - who knows. http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=181138279387

Don't worry about it Mike, I'm regularly confused. Back on topic, the Cardiff car has been withdrawn from sale, apparently while they sort out the reg transfer. Looking at the pics they linked to, I've seen better looking bodywork on a 200,000 miler - I guess the elderly owner had a few parking scrapes before hanging up his driving shoes - bit sad really, though i Suppose it comes to us all.

Must be my age, but this thread has me thoroughly confused. Did somebody switch horses somewhere, as I thought somebody had bought the Cardiff car mentioned in the original post, but looking at the pics, it appears not? Time for my medication maybe.

I was reading the Audi A3 thread, and thinking how I'd love a LS estate car. Looking for JDM Lexus I came across this.

Asda, Morrisons, Flogas are other possibilities to look out for, all searchable on tinterweb. Flogas results were a bit unreliable in my area, so a phone call to confirm is wise imo. Oh, and Countrywide stores will give you 24 hour access if you sign up for an account, but they are not in all areas despite their name.

Sorry, don't know, though maybe it was built late 99, but first registered 2000? What does it say on DVLA site if you do an enquiry by reg no.?

Ebay has some genuine Toyota and Lexus parts on sale, from main dealers......maybe worth a look. There's also a member on here that will quote you for parts through the post, ACLex I think he's called, but somebody else will probably correct that if I haven't got it quite right.

They are great cars though, I switched mine to PWR today and gave it some welly...............lovely, even if it did sup a drop or two of LPG.

Also known as a group buy, great idea in theory, but for some reason always seems to turn sour in my experience on various car forums. Usually starts with a bang, but ends with "my dog ate my homework" type excuses. Shame really, it would be great if somebody managed to get one to work. Good luck to anybody brave enough to try.

Well done Profess, you've turned a disaster in to a PR triumph by doing the right thing. It amazes me how many companies, including those large corporations with whole departments devoted to PR, can't grasp this simple concept.

You're welcome Dave, though I hadn't seen your post about being a 95 model, as we were posting almost at the same time. I've just searched again though, and they list rear pads as the same for your car and mine (1999 MK IV ). They also mention the 25% off on the opening page. I'd be inclined to give them a ring, as I've found them very knowledgeable and helpful in the past where there was any doubt about compatibility. Good luck.

151034824918

FERODO Premier Brake Pads Reference FDB1684 - Rear Axle - Set (for 2 wheels) £41.04 inc VAT Worked ok for me when I searched Opie Oils, and he posted today about 25% off everything, possibly with 10% club discount as well?

Always liked red cars, and it suits the LS in my opinion, especially if the interior is cream leather.