Jamesf1

On 05/02/2017 at 0:11 PM, Capstain411 said:

Hello all,

we are expecting our second child in 4 months time. I currently own Audi A3 I want to upgrade to SUV type vehicle. I was looking at Volvo XC60. But with threats to diesel veichles with extra tax due to link to particulate pollution, I am considering Lexus RX450h. So looking for forum members advise which normally dads, uncles, elder brothers would offer, we haven't been lucky to be in that position.

i have budget of £20k, might be able to stretch to 23k. Any help and advice would be much appreciated. Few questions for a starter.

1) Undecided on upping budget to £25k and look for Nx or stick to Rx. I have never driven Lexus before.

2) Is approved used worth it. I paid deposit on Volvo Selekt, only to find major problems in car and walked away. Lost deposit. Peace of mind -what peace of mind. Should have looked at private instead.

3) anything in particular I should be checking while test driving Rx450h. Like Volvo XC60 Diesel engines had engine valve problem. Not recall, but needed to be rectified by Volvo. Anything similar, I need to look for.

4) we are young family, both under 35 and worked very very hard to earn our money. Any haggling tips.

thanks in advance.

Hi,

I also have a GS so cant comment on RX> In fact just noticed this is posted in the GS forum not RX or NX. Anyway, what I can comment on is:

2. Ive had 2 different models on Lexus approved used, both 100% spot on totlally fault free One had not had a last service they said it had when i checked the handbook at the test drive. The serviced it (£400)  before I picked it up and apologised for the mistake

3. Quite a few Japanese makes\models subject to an airbag recall due to a faulty part used by a 3rd party supplier. You can check a specific vehicle here: https://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/your-lexus/#RecallInformation

4. If buying approved used haggle over the APR if you taking finance. I got mine dropped from 5.5 to 2.9 just by asking.

19 hours ago, marrat said:

I test drove the GS300H Luxury spec, I don't know what it is called in the UK. It drove noticeably different compared to an IS300H F-sport. I doubt the GS300H with Sport + would make the car feel any different. The GS450H F-Sport with steering rear wheels is another beast entirely, but sadly it's too expensive and overkill for my needs.

it would feel different, F sport have stiffer suspension than Luxury, and on top of that the GS is heavier and with a longer wheelbase.

I love my GS 250, but with a bit more budget a GS40h F sport would be close to my ideal car. A GSF would be my ideal car, just need to win the lottery.

17 hours ago, Zotto said:

Being a owner of GS 300h with 19" wheels , I can say that while in sport mode the change is mainly in throttle response, when in sport+ the difference   is very noticeable also in rigidity and precision.

That sounds right - Sport mode sharpens the throttle response noticabley and sharpens the steering (by 10% I believe) but the steering change is less perceptible (although i mostly use sport for overtaking and standing acceleration). The sport + is only on cars withe the adaptable suspension which firms up in this mode, I think it may sharpen the steering a bit more than in sport as well.

The GS is not as dynamic as the IS, - its bigger and heavier. I wouldnt expect it to drive like an IS, the IS is more of a sport saloon the GS a luxury car, so the  GS is more about refinement and less about throwing into corners, which suits this type of car for me. Having said that the GS is very sure footed with a good amount of grip, and rides better - it has a longer wheelbase and wider track so sits better on the road. Its also more refined.

N.B. Im comparing current GS with previous IS - Ive not driven the current IS.

On 27/01/2017 at 10:24 PM, steveledzep said:

That is exactly one of the changes I am considering.

 

Not sure whether to go for an RX instead though ?

 

I need to test drive both.

I cant comment on an RX as never driven one, but this is what I've found to be the plus points of a GS vs IS (note previous gen IS vs current GS)

Size - good on the inside and whilst a big car you have t be concious of the size whilst parking but its never been a problem.

Refinement is a big step on in the GS. Mpg is a little worse, as you'd expect, but for the same power-train in a bigger carnot much different. I averaged 29 MPG in the IS and get 27mpg in the GS. Performance slightly better in the IS but little in it. However, in sport mode, the GS v6 induction noise is enhanced and is pretty cool at full throttle in high revs. 

Overall the GS is more comfortable cruiser than the IS. Mine is a 13 plate Luxury spec with the Mark Levinson stereo (which is brilliant) and comes with the bigger split LCD screen (which is also excellent). Sat nav a bit of a faff to use - I should probably read the manual though! The boot on the GS250 is huge. 

yes I had one for my IS and now have one for my GS. personally prefer to spread the cost.

so far used Lexus Chester (trade in\purchase) Lexus Stockport (trade in\purchase) and Lexus Bolton (servicing\recall) and had no issues at all.

the door seal making a noise is a common Lexus issue, had it on my IS and GS. The rubber seems to dry out and rub together over bumps giving a noise like when you open a fridge door. Treat mine with WD40 silicone lube and solves the problem. Never had this on any other car I've ever owned. On the flip side only Lexus issue I've had over 3 years of ownership.

i dealt with this by moving to a GS

let us know your thoughts IS vs GS. I went from on 09 IS250 to a 13 GS250 and I love it. even smoother, more refined and extra space is great

http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/motor-shows-detroit-motor-show/lexus-ls-flagship-luxury-saloon-unveiled-detroit-motor-show

On 06/12/2016 at 7:50 AM, Rebecca said:

Thanks for the replys guys. My weekly fuel bill is only £20-£25 per week so filling up with super is probably only going to cost me a couple of extra pounds each week and worth it if it keeps the engine cleaner.

Only 3 days to go before I get my lovely new is250. it's a 2011 model with only 23000 on the clock.

use v power then. Only down side is geting an OCD about finding a Shell garage.

I gave up smoking last year so use v power all the time, and now in my GS250 as well as the cost is nothing compared to cigarettes

after a lot of research Vpower is the best super available IMHO, it has the most sophisticated\effective detergent package in the fuel

33 minutes ago, NemesisUK said:

Does it not become sticky when it dries out? Certainly does around the nozzle of the Fairy Liquid bottle...

you only need apply a tiny amount. I used it mainly as a diagnostic for squeeky noise from door of my IS a couple of years ago. Totally silent afterward. Not sure about the long term affect on rubber so now use wd40 silicon lube. Might get some of the stuff you recommend next time

27 minutes ago, NemesisUK said:

Does it not become sticky when it dries out? Certainly does around the nozzle of the Fairy Liquid bottle...

you only need apply a tiny amount. I used it mainly as a diagnostic for squeeky noise from door of my IS a couple of years ago. Totally silent afterward. Not sure about the long term affect on rubber so now use wd40 silicon lube. Might get some of the stuff you recommend next time

this also works applying small amount of fairy liquid - other washing up liquids are available but untested at this time :-)

On 11/12/2016 at 2:41 PM, rayaans said:

Actually if you read the manual carefully, it doesn't say you need to reset after each fill up.

Lets say the recommended PSI is 36. If you hit 35, the thing will show up a light on the instrument cluster.

Fill it back up to 36 and it should disappear after 1 mile.

 

Ive checked my tyres and they have been down 2-3 PSI without any warning. I read somewhere - cant think where now, that the warning only occurs if you lose 20% + pressure. No idea if its right but for my GS250 that would equate to 7 psi loss before warning...

I have the 12.3 inch split screen. The small screen on the right can show trip information which is overall average mpg (since reset) time elapsed (journey specific) and range (prodict miles until empty). I cant display the info you want by default. Youd have to zero trip A or B and reset the average MPG before a specific journey to get the info you want.

Id say that is bad as i'm getting 26mpg from my GS250 in similar circumstances

2 hours ago, keiron99 said:

Well I have to report that this morning, before setting off, I just stuffed a microfibre cloth that I keep in the glovebox into the gap between the dash and windscreen.

Result? The rattle has almost completely gone! Only on the most severe surfaces (our driveway at work is literally a cobbled road) does a small creaking sound emerge.

I guess I just need to find a neater. more permanent solution. 

It's actually very difficult to see into the gap there from either inside or outside the car. I honestly think a pair of old socks, pushed in using a ruler, may do the trick!

as your car is 2014 and under warranty, take it back to the dealer?

I have a noise in my 2013 GS250 but its very intermittent, sometimes I don't hear it for days. its over on the passenger side and I can only describe it as a metallic cricket (as in the insect rubbing its legs together) but cant pinpoint its source. So annoying on an otherwise fault free car

Lexus would on a service plan. The plan covers normal service items like those you mention, and labour.

My GS250 is a luxury spec and the ride is very comfortable and composed (18" wheels). 

On 28/09/2016 at 1:49 PM, keiron99 said:

Hello there

I had in mind that I would get an IS300h. But when I went to look at the dealers, after stepping out of my E Class, I felt it was rather small.

 

So, naturally I’m now looking at the GS300h. I sat in a couple and was bowled over by the quality.

 

What’s bothering me is the cost. Not the purchase price – I’m looking at 2 to 3 years old, with about 35k max on the clock, and have a target price of £20k. There aren’t many but they do pop up occasionally.

 

I do about 20,000 miles each year, mainly made up of an 80 mile round trip commute each day, about 72 of those miles are on motorway. Can anyone advise what sort of mpg I might expect for that? (My E Class does anything from about 39mpg to 61mpg depending on traffic and how much of a hurry I’m in!)

 

Secondly, what about servicing costs? I can’t actually find the GS service intervals even on the (confusing) Lexus website.

 

If I got a 3 year old car from Lexus themselves, would I still benefit from the 5 year warranty if I used someone independent to service the car?

 

Finally, does anyone know of any independent Lexus service specialists around Stockport / south Manchester?

 

Many thanks

 

 

 

GS current model service costs (petrol and hybrid)

Intermediate service £275

Full £445

60k mile £675

I have a GS250 petrol and the service interval is 1 year or 10k miles, I think the hybrids are the same

I had a service plan for the IS250 (jusst sold) It was for 2 years on the essential care plan (cheaper servicing for cars over 5 years old) It was £23 a month - for that price happy to keep up the Lexus stamps. This covers only normal service items though, you still pay for pads\discs etc but again these are cheaper on essential service. The Lexus website has all the prices and info here:

http://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/servicing-and-maintenance/#Overview

Picked the car up on Saturday and loving it. So much smoother, and more refined than the IS, extra room and toys a big bonus too. Put your foot down and you get a more pronounced v6 roar as well, despite the additional refinement under normal driving. You notice the extra weight though, as its more likely to change down a gear for hills etc. So far averaged 28 MPG but more mway driving than Id normally do. 

The IS was a good car for me, hope it goes to a good home...

So fate was on my side as Gs was not sold and I bought it. Bigger all round inside although Is not bad. Loved the drive and toys can't wait to pick it up :-)