DanD

You must not forget that the RX300/400h went on sale back in 2005 (I think it was a little earlier for the 300). At the time, few cars matched the RX's list of standard equipment: most of the equipment you are referring to would have been cost options on european models, if indeed available. I would also argue that the RX remains far more reliable than similar european cars of the same vintage. I cannot agree with your comments about cost cutting where anti-corrosion and paint finish are concerned. Lexus paint finish is amongst the best out there. However, I do agree with your comments about alloy corrosion, although this issue seem to only affect the RX300/350/400h.

Does it eat up a lot of data? - woud you recommend it more to people with unlimited data on their phone?

Interesting as my sister, who lives in Paris, assures me that this only applies to french registered cars. Also, I seem to remember reading that wildlife (and also cattle) warning road signs are not just there to potentially avoid accidents, but also for legal reasons: should you hit an animal, you are unable to sue anyone - individuals or governmental organisations - for damage to your car or indeed yourself on the basis that signs were in place and you should have been more cautious. I suppose this works on a similar principle as signs and flashing lights at railway crossings. Incidentally, some years ago, a friend of my parents hit a boar in northern France and spent some time in hospital as a result. Not only was his car a write off and he sustained a life changing injury, he was also sued for illegal destruction of protected game. This was on the basis that 1) signs were in place and he should have been more careful and 2) the police was able to prove he was driving way above the speed limit.

The fact that customers are willing to buy a car without seeing it and testing it certainly reflects well on the Lexus brand and this forum! I switched to Lexus for the same reasons: reliability, peerless customer service and - to some extent - exclusivity.

I think I will have to ask the dealer next time I go there. I tested it on a steep incline this morning and applied different levels of pressure on the brake pedal... but no beep... and no hold.

Indeed and very scary when you enjoy the unrestricted speed and end up litterally standing on the brakes when you realise just how short the slip road is. Also, have you noticed how the road markings disappear when it rains?!

Nice feedback indeed, but I can't believe anyone would order a new car without ever having seen, let alone test driven one.

Had to check the date of your post... thought it was an April's fool! - I had never heard of these and will be ordering some too. A Muntjac ran into the side of my car only last week... thankkfully, because of the combination of low speed, size of the animal and angle at which it hit the car, there was not damage to my car or to the deer. Leaving close the the New Forest, I am assuming that these could also be very handy in scaring poneys and cattle off roads at night...

Post in the correct forum? Might want to repost in the IS forum... more likely to get the help you are looking for...

I think the orange of the Focus is nicer: deeper shade and metallic (or pearlescent)

The latest model you will find will be 2009 on '09 plate I believe. I would recommend the Executive Limited Edition, which was the final, run out model. It is easily identified by the "Executive Limited Edition" badge under the RX400h badge on the hatch. This model came with all the extras, including the Mark Levinson audio, but excluding the rear entertainment system. I used to average 28-29MPG in mine without trying. You can get better with careful driving.

hmmm... very odd. Do you have to be on a steep incline for it to work? I can't get it to work for me... could it be that the incline I have tested this on is not steep enough?

I dispute this. Mine certainly does not have it. It is a 2009 (59) SE-i model. As I said, I believe this functionality was introduced with the 2012 facelift. If another, pre-facelift owner knows for a fact that their car indeed has the hill hold, speak now, and I'll run to the dealer to get mine fixed! :-)

When you buy the SatNav DVDs from Lexus (and Toyota?), you have to buy the whole set. At least it used to be the case. This means that Lexus owners based on the continent end up with a DVD for UK and ROI (includes France and some other Western Europe countries) that they may never use and often post it for sale on eBay. This is how I procured a *genuine* Lexus DVD when I had a RX400h and wanted to unlock the "update on the move" function. From memory, the version you need is 2009 onwards... but I am not 100% sure. There are other threads on the forum that should confirm exactly what version you require.

It's in the boot, under the cover on the right hand side

I stand corrected if this is indeed the case. I was convinced that this was only theoretically but not practically possible because the car relies on the hybrid system to support braking and other essential systems and components.

The ML system is very good... but you have to take the time to tweak the settings independently for each source. Sounds better the louder it is too!

In answer to your first question, you cannot just run on petrol by choice. The two systems are inherently linked and need one another to run. AS stated by others, the hybrid system is extremely reliable. It seems that every other component will have fallen apart before the hybrid system gives up!

It is unfortunate that you were unable to record / capture the offender's registration, or that road cameras did not pick up the incident. It is always worth reporting such incidents on the basis that if that guy did this to you, it is likely that he has done it to someone else also. I agreed that you did the right thing by not responding to his threats: doing so would only have made the matter worse, and there is indeed the possibility that he was under the influence of something... he may also have decided to follow you. Something similar happen to me once (the guy got out of his car and was banging on my window). The only thing I could think of doing at the time was to very obviously dial 999 and ask the for the police to remain on the line until the guy disappeared. The poilice told me then that they would search their database for similar incidents involving the driver and get in touch with him if they thought it appropriate.

Good deal! I must say I am very pleased with the Bosch ones. Can't seem to find a replacement for the rear wiper though... any idea?

There is no hill stop / hold facility on the 400h, nor on the 450h... at least not on the pre-2012 facelift model.

Post code also makes a huge difference.

Are you sure? Check this video... in particular the last part that shows how the self sealing works:

I had a puncture over the weekend and my usual supplier had problems sourcing a replacement. According to my supplier, it would appear that this tyre is being discontinued and replaced with the Latitude Sport. Already some sizes are no longer available.

What are the views of forum members on self-sealing tyres such as the Pirelli Cinturato or Continental ContiSeal?