Well said Steve. If his heart is not in it, there is no point in pursuing a lost cause.
If he wanted a Lexus, he would either look to increase his budget or wait a little longer until the right one turns up.
If I were to sell mine, a 2010 Gen 3 SE with 62,000 on the clock and a F.L.S.H. and all Hybrid Certs, then in a private sale it would go for £7500 max. I am not selling. But it would be ideal for Alan !
I have yet to read/hear of a Lexus EVT box failing and as you say ,compare that with the DSG rubbish that comes from the VW Group vehicles. All Mercs have CVT Boxes in their A and B . Class models and they are awful.
Toyota Prius with mileages in excess of 400,000 have not had problems with their EVT Boxes either.
Lexus Hybrid batteries are as reliable as the Toyota Hybrids which have been outstanding and the vast majority, if not all, of Gen 3 Lexus GS Models which have given trouble have NOT been maintained by, nor purchased from, Authorised Lexus Dealers.
Think again Alan and take a broader view, if you want a Lexus..