Anthony B

It's done 44k miles, really nothing at all for a car of this quality. I've also signed up for a three-year service and MoT deal with Lexus Swindon, to save me worrying about dates and times. I've tried to upload a couple of photos but keep getting 'failed' messages. I'll keep trying.

Thanks for your threads of advice. I'll be keeping a close record and will no doubt post again in a year or so, with a winter and summer of data.

Well, I've taken the plunge and bought a 15-reg NX300h with an exceptionally high spec - head-up display, forward radar, sun roof, heated steering wheel, etc, etc; one careful lady owner (yes, really) and looked after by Lexus Swindon since new. It's a real find, immaculate, and being an SUV it's much easier of access than the IS. Lexus did apart-exchange deal for me, not a good as I'd naively hoped for but good enough. I'd be interested to learn what typical MPG other NX300h get. It's a heavier vehicle, albeit with the same engine as the IS, but I'm not going to get 50+ on a long run - or am I? , What's the best I'm going to get in a mix of highway and truly rural motoring (we're in the middle of Wiltshire).

Motorway quoted me £8670 a few minutes ago - I've had offers between 8300 and 8700 over the last few months. CarWow said £8535. The Lexus part-exchange page offered £8386. So all in the same ballpark. I could live with that kind of deal.

AT my age (80) depending upon price vs budget I'd go for a slightly older car with bells and whistles.

Thanks, Ken. Not familiar with the term 18MY - please enlighten me!

I plan to sell my IS300h - which I've enjoyed driving for four years - and acquire an NX300h (same engine but being SUV, higher, easier to get in and out, and more room for oldies like us). For budgetary reasons I'll buy second hand. (I might do a part-exchange deal with Lexus). I'd welcome tips on special NX300h issues to look out for. Are owners happy with their NXs?

I admit that it may have nothing to do with the diff, which is balancing torque between the rear wheels as intended. I think, as has been pointed out, it's down to my very hard rear tyres reacting, particularly when cold, to a sharp left or right turn. I'm content not to lose any more sleep over the matter. Just for interest I may try the experiment of lowering the tyre pressure and seeing what effect that has.

I admit I don't fully understand wha's going on but the idea seems to fit the observed phenomenon better than other ideas. But I've learned much from the posts in this series since the topic was first raised.

It is but a theory but it seems too fit the facts. If I'm a jerk it's not for want of deep thought!! I love the IS300h, which nicely fits my needs, my budget and my sense of excitement which has not atrophied entirely, even at 78. And I'm relieved to have sold my LS430, which was becoming expensive at 17 years old. This hybrid will see me through my motoring career, unless the government comes up with more pointless proscriptions.

I've been doing some careful testing and I'm now sure what the problem has been - for me at least. I had wondered why the problem had only begun to show itself these last few months, after a year of driving since I bought the car in June 2019. What has changed is that last Spring, needing new tyres for my MOT, I fitted a pair of run-flats on the rear wheels. Plus I always like to run my tyres pressurised at the top end, as I prefer a hard ride. I now realise that when cold and pulling a sharp curve the diff has trouble adjusting both wheels. I realise too that the jerk is at the rear, as Kermitpwee recognised in his first post. After warm-up during a good trial run the issue has gone away. How does that sound as a theory?

I'm nowhere near 30 - more like 5mph - if that - and on half- to full lock to get out of my parking area at the side of the house. Plus if I've reversed out, another full lock shortly thereafter. But nothing after warm-up. I'm pretty sure it's a tyre situation, rather than down to engine or drive mode, as it's more pronounced if the surface is wet or icy.

I have a similar experience with my IS300h when pulling away from standstill, but as I have to pull a hard left immediately after start I have always assumed it was a steering geometry issue, and therefore I have assumed the jolt originated from the front of the car. The garage have checked the steering alignment and found no problem, and are as puzzled as me. I'm going to check the car back into the garage, but any illumination from you experienced IS300h drivers would be helpful before I do so.

Thanks for all these points. In fact I do not have any warranty agreement - I bought the car second hand a year ago. My nearest Lexus dealership is Swindon, 36 miles away, so not a trip I choose to do more often than I have to. My local garage does a perfectly good MOT and service when I need them. The hybrid test would thus be a one-off, although if they offered a warranty deal as part of the package I'd take (subject to cost.)