aviator888

Hi all I absolutely love my 450h however it's almost 11 years old now and the time for upgrade has come.. The 450h is my 7th Lexus and i would rate it second best after MK4 LS400 :) The problem is where to look next. I've been spoiled by the Lexus reliability, instant and effortless power provided by the electric motors. Ideally another Lexus hybrid :) Then again my budget will be limited to something like 3-4 year old GS300h. Can anyone share some light what's it like to drive compared to mk3 450h? Make no mistake i'm no boy racer, but 8.9 seconds 0-60 sounds very slow and i simply refuse to believe these figures (Parkers).

Never heard of Lexus carbon buildup problems in UK&Europe.

Hope you'll get this sorted, Keep us posted :)

+1 Facelift looks better Owned MK4 LS400, pre- and facelift 430s While the 430 has more toys and maybe generally better place to be in.. nothing beats well looked after MK4 with black leather interior :) As for the radiator issue- on my facelift 430 i replaced the radiator the next day i bought it just for peace of mind. Used the cheap one off Ebay £80 + few hours diy to fit. Other option is to fit separaate oil cooler for the gearbox.

I own GS450h SE, 2006 model, 109 000 miles. This is my 7th Lexus and they have all been reliable and pleasure to drive. MK3 GS300 is an amazing car. If you can find one SE-L specs, Lexus service history and reasonable mileage then it only has one big problem: V8 powered GS430/460 :) The latter has almost identical fuel consumption, but much better performance. 450h should not be overlooked too, but again i would only recommend buying full dealer history clean example from 2008+. Do not go for the cheapest. There are many bits in the 450h drive train that are quite expensive to fix especially if you are not very good with electrics/diy. Remember MK3 GS is getting old now, but if your budget is limited to this then it's probably the best used car you can get. Take it for a long test drive at least 30 minutes and check everything: gearbox, engine, power steering, suspension, brakes, air conditioning, sat nav etc. Common problem on MK3 GS is squeaky noises coming from dashboard/glovebox area. Very annoying problem and in most cases time consuming to sort out. Good luck hunting :)

Toyota Auris Hybrid Pretty much the same car - the badge.

Took this picture few weeks ago in Finland. Any ideas?

Clunkfish have you even read this topic from the start or you just want to put a word in for your pal? :D Who and when threatened lexuschap with violence?

I have learned it was not very good idea to go from LS400 to LS430 but too late now :D Speakers and sub are fixable, but i do not think You will be able to get the door card off while the door is closed. ML not remembering settings- i've had the similar problem with LS400 system and it was because water leak in the boot- Satnav cd unit in the boot turned out to be water damaged. If possible, try to swop with another unit (any forum mebers near you?) and this way you will know for sure.

Just as the doctor ordered :)

Very nice motor. Welcome :)

Very fair comment :) Clarkson has got one good characteristic- he does not give a **** when it comes to car reviews. While most motor journalists are too scared to say anything negative, because they would be out of work very soon after. That being said, every single Lexus indeed gets badly slated on Top Gear. Who can afford the LFA? Very few people in this whole forum have even seen one in real life.

Same hoax goes on with CO2 emissions- lower figures are achieved in lab conditions.

Slated on Top Gear :/ as excpected..

That sensor does not affect emissions.

"Verbal contract" as such is not legally bounding today.. My grandfather, a respected businessman, told me how back in his day it was the most common form of legal agreement and i often wonder what's gone wrong with the world since then.. Taking a dodgy car trader to court without solid legal case is a waste of time and money. Your word against his. I personally would look him up and beat my plates out of him :D yes it sounds barbaric and rude (and i do not advise You to do that) but i have learned some lessons in life, that certain people must be spoken to in a certain way.

Changed the cambelt every 20K on Alfa 156 and i did the work myself to ensure it's done properly. And yes the dealers were always full (not only because cambelt problems lol). Since driving Lexus, i would not touch Alfa with a stick..

I recommend Ebay too. £115 is taking a mickey, the weels/tyres alone are worth more than that.

I would start from simple and cheap things (new spark plugs;oil&filter change;high octane petrol;new air filter;clean the O2 sensor followed by a good blast on motorway just before the next test). If all that does not work then it could be many things from CAT converter to leaky injectors etc.. Start changing and eliminating one by one. Also i recommend trying different garage for NCT next time.

Very sorry to read about Your problem. Hope You get it sorted! Is the work being done by indie? I would suspect something been put together wrong way. Decent mechanic should be able to tell you exactly where the problem is.

I had the same problem on my LS400. Spent half a day taking everything apart, then had to put all together again no success. It is not a simple fix.

RC-F is limited production? I understand IS-F production stopped a few years ago, so looks like Lexus has nothing to offer for those after a sports car with beefier engine.. Shame

For insurance company it might not turn out to be economical repair at all. But this is clearly not the case for dodgy traders, who buy CAT C&D damaged cars off various auction sites and have them "repaired" in some shady Birmingham garages.. You can imagine the quality of this work. Someone will proably buy this LS-F for £15 000 and think he's got a deal of his life.

Have you got any pictures about the damage? Sounds like it should of been Cat C at least and not D.

LS400 was noticeably better on fuel than LS430.