Shahpor

Hi all,

Just came across this and thought it might interest some:

https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-features/the-best-used-toyotas-to-buy-in-2021/44513

Nice to see quite a few Lexus models recommended.

1 hour ago, Linas.P said:

I think this £15 damage waiver "premium insurance" is a new service they offering. There always been £1000 excess on courtesy car, but previously there were no option to waive it. So I guess this service is good thing... 

Certainly not new in my case.  I have been paying for it for at least the last few years.

I always pay the £15 excess waiver as I believe it is £1000 otherwise if you need to claim!

Paul is also right about the fuel, although they never check the car when I return it.

I've had 3 and they weren't too bad.

I am mildly claustrophobic, but I just kept my eyes shut and all was good.  There are the occasional banging noises, but with headphones on they aren't overly loud.  I did actually fall asleep more than once, even though I can normal never sleep on my back.

One thing I haven't seen mentioned is not to wrap up too warmly.  It is quite possible the procedure will warm you up a bit so I was quite sweaty by the time it had finished.  It was a nice feeling though as it is a gentle heat, which probably helped me fall asleep.

On 7/31/2021 at 5:36 PM, ColinBarber said:

The 2GR-FXS is the hybrid adapted version of the 2GR-FKS - it is used in the series IV RX450h, not in the GS450h.

Excellent info as always Colin, thanks for posting 👍

Apologies if I have got the wrong end of the stick, but does this mean that the engine in the RX450h and the GS450h are different?

Thanks.

2 hours ago, royoftherovers said:

Shahpor, do not rise to his bait so quickly.

Surely one exaggerated for the sake of emphasis ?

No, it was a fair point - if you are going to do a comparison then it should be a close to like for like as possible.  I was just being lazy the first time 🙂

4 hours! Glad I let the dealer change mine then 🙂

12 hours ago, paulrnx said:

That is not a great comparison. You’ve picked the three door classic mini hatch and the 5 door Mini Countryman. Of course they will be massively different in size because they are not the same class of car.

To be honest, I just did a quick search and pulled a random image from Google.

However, ok, hopefully this is a better comparison for you:

Still rather a big difference I would say.

1 hour ago, Phil xxkr said:

As I recall from many moons ago Aristotle referred to a proposition and not an assertion which I believe is the latter in your case. I give way on Mr. Spock? Startrek or Dr Spock's treatise on children? Easy to get in and out; on which you make a personal assertion as to efficacy. I drive a Jaguar XKR about the same footprint as my 450h, ingress and egress? Absolutely no contest especially with the retractable steering wheel (in both cases). Better driving position again, another personal assertion that the benefits are insignificant. More space for the family; more assertions, where are the volumetrics to support the X6 was less than cars much smaller? Because she wanted one, at last, you agree it's reasonable logic but then go on to dispute it with the implication choice is not reasonable logic. If so should people be allowed the exercise the principle of choice? And should these ideas apply to other aspects of life, for example houses, TV's, First-class travel,? 

 

I suspect we are getting into the nitty gritty of something that is perhaps not relevant to the general aim of this thread, but ok, one more go.

The line between proposition and assertion is a fine one that is very easy to confuse in any lengthy written discussion.

So, accounting for that, if I were to have phrased my views as ideas rather than opinions, would the validity of the points raise increase?

As for the principle of choice, that is an entirely different discussion that I don't think would fit into this thread, especially when you start considering the individual freedoms versus the collective good and the minutiae that that entails.

14 hours ago, Aaron G said:

@pope111That's sound advice. If I/my friend was to remove the EGR valve, I'd likely do it later this year. I'm weighing up the soot lining the combustion chamber and causing wear vs the exhaust fumes displacing/altering the ratio of air in the combustion chamber (less air) to make it run cooler.

If I had to make an ***** out of you and me (or just anyone with an IS220D) I'd say blanking he EGR might be what's contributing to the gasket failures. Lexus UK got back to me and said there was no record of the 2AD-FHV engine having that issue. Carbon buildup and oil burning was the issue quoted. 🙄

I'll just convince my mate do do it first. I'm sure that when he's standing before the pearly gates and St Christopher brings out the logbook of all the immoral things he's done, it'll be counter-balanced by all the good. Or maybe he'll just get sent straight to hell with his crushed up IS220D and be forced to breath the exhaust pipe forevermore...

 

Whether it is you or 'your friend' removing the EGR valve it is not a good idea.  Yes, it will throw up errors on the ECU and the car will go into Limp Home mode.  More importantly, it is not a good idea because of the reasons already given on here, namely environmental and morally.  As a former IS220d owner (which I was quite happy with) this is not something I would have contemplated.  I had no issues with the car from the EGR or DPF perspective during my ownership because of appropriate driving habits and simple preventative maintenance.

As for carbon build up, that is something that has been plaguing direct injection cars (both petrol and diesel) for quite some time now as well, so you just have to deal with it as a part of car ownership.

11 hours ago, pope111 said:

this dude is like the main reason why this forum sucks. single handed ruined it.  🤣

As far as I am concerned, with an attitude like that, he is far more welcome on this forum than you are..

50 minutes ago, Rabbers said:

The inches noticeably being added to the length and width of many saloons is no more than a natural but largely ineffectual market response to the vastly increased invasion of our roads by SUVs and other voluminous vehicles such as vans, mini-trucks, people-carriers, etc.  The smaller the saloon, the less comfortable and secure its driver feels when an SUV looms menacingly in his rear-view mirror or pulls up alongside stealing his daylight.  And the bulkier and more powerful the SUV, the greater is the likelihood that its driver, who may normally be the nicest and mildest of people, will momentarily take on the characteristics of a bully and enjoy the feeling.  Could it be, therefore, that the popularity of SUVs rests, in some measure and independently of any merits they might objectively offer, on their appeal to people’s worst instincts?

This is an interesting perspective and not one widely considered I think.  It would tie in to the whole status symbol ideology that has already been mentioned.   I am not saying it is correct, but there is something to be said about human nature 🙂

37 minutes ago, Spacewagon52 said:

I bought my first MPV and subsequent SUV’s for the dog!

Excellent reason to buy an SVU!

15 minutes ago, dutchie01 said:

When talking about SUV s the discussion is mainly about the size, the weight and maybe the intimidating presence. Well, lets not forget normal cars that through the years have grown considerably in size as well.

I came up to a trafficlight the other day and next to me was a classic Mercedes S class from the seventies/eighties. I was shocked by how small it was and remember, this was propably one of the biggest cars on the market in its days! Ever compared a corsa from 1990 to the current one? Or a peugeot 206 from 30 yrs ago to todays equivalent? Not comparable at all. One explanation is safetyregulation that makes cars grow in size but another factor is that people just want bigger cars. More practical and safer feeling. I would even go as for in saying that if the original Vauxhall Corsa would be on offer it would simply be ignored. Requirements have moved on.

 

I think this image highlights what you are talking about well:

19 minutes ago, dutchie01 said:

Is driving a big thirsty SUV ethical ?

What's that over there Bernard?  It is a can with worms written on it 🙂

6 minutes ago, doog442 said:

I have full permission from the better half to buy an RX450h...because I have a bad back. The newer the better.

I don't quite have the same enthusiasm from said better half to spend the same amount on an RCF...work that one out 

I'm a saloon / coupe guy, the kids have gone but without doubt car manufacturers have fed into something that attracts the fairer s*x. It might not just be the ability to load kids in and out of it but a higher sitting position, more presence on the road per chance ?..Kudos on the odd occasion I guess. 

I live near a private school. The daily procession is school run mums in big expensive SUV's driving very fast. 

 

Succinctly put and certainly what I witnessed when I worked at a private school in Ascot.

3 minutes ago, rayaans said:

Fuel consumption difference is negligible between a GS450h and an RX450h. I no longer have the IS, we've got a UXe

There's a huge difference between estates and SUV's. Firstly, the transmission tunnel in estates is much larger than in an SUV, the RX in fact, doesnt even have one

The X5 is marginally longer than a GS. If we think about the ES, the X5 is actually shorter. I dont understand why having a taller vehicle is such an issue. They give better visibility, they're actually easier to park than a traditional saloon because of this in my opinion. 

Dont forget, the average human is much larger than they were 10-20 years ago

Like I said before, it is general size, not just length.

From a general perspective, they offer worse visibility and parking availability for other road users, which is what the issue surrounds.

Technically though, the topic kicked off because for people like myself who don't like big SVU's, the choice of car is being limited because of the production of the many SVU's by manufacturers.

7 minutes ago, rayaans said:

Yes there is a need for such a large car. 

Just because you dont need one, doesnt mean others dont. I have a family of 5, two of which are teenagers. Try getting their luggage into a GS and see what happens!

Besides - something like the GS is about the same footprint as the RX anyway, yet the RX can fit a lot more into it.

On top of that, a Q5 is actually smaller than a GS - so for someone owning a large car, your response doesnt really make much sense.

Rayaan, you seemed to have taken my opinion badly.  Just like your supposition, I have just as much right to air my views.

As I have already stipulated in my previous posts in this thread, yes, there are genuine needs for people with health conditions to have taller cars, but this doesn't appear to represent the majority.

Also, there seems to be confusion on the subject of need.  Does someone who has a bad leg or hip need something bigger?  Yes.  Do you need one because you have a family of 5?  No, you can buy an estate car.  My dad didn't have a problem doing that with his old Mercedes 200T estate when my brother's and I were younger.  Again, I would like to point out that I am not say you don't have the right to buy one, just that the word need is a little strong in this case.

It is also interesting that you specifically singled out the Q5 even though I mentioned others.  Perhaps that was a mistake on my part, but I was generalising and just listed those cars off the top of my head.  What about the X5? It is longer, wider and significantly taller than my GS.

How about we take some other examples?  There are many to choose from, but they include the Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, BMW X7, etc...Would comparing my car to these make more sense, especially as we are talking overall size, not just length or width? 

2 hours ago, RichGS11 said:

It's not a personal attack by any means, I am perfectly happy with my place in this world and very secure in myself, but as much as you have replies for the reasons why my other half prefers SUV's, these are ultimately your views, which aren't the same as my partner. I also never stated the SUV she purchased which does tick the boxes stated above and is bigger than a UX. With a poorly hip, an SUV with the seat sitting just at the right height enables her to get in and out with ease, my ISF and any saloondoes not offer this. The car in questions is also considerably bigger than my ISF so it is bigger for the family and as for driving position on the road, higher is better for some. I drive a fire engine for a living and I know exactly why I higher seating position can be more favourable to some, of which she is one of those that likes to sit higher.

As I say, it's all personal preference. I own an ISF which drinks petrol, something of which most would dislike, it also has ridiculously high VED which again, some would dislike, but we buy the cars we want for ourselves and our own needs. Implying that people buy cars but they ultimately don't know what it is they want, is a bit of a stretch in your point, because that would imply justifying your own choice in a car is useless as you too don't know what you want 

Please don't misunderstand me; I meant no disrespect for the choices that you or your partner have made.  Everyone is entitled to their views and choices irrespective of the reasoning behind it, and I am sure you are both happy with yours.  I also didn't mean to imply that people don't know what they want with their cars, merely that perhaps there is an alternate perspective that hasn't been considered.

2 hours ago, Phil xxkr said:

Because you want one of anything isn't logic it's called choice. And because we live in the democratic West we get to exercise that ability to choose. The more you seek to delegitimise a person's reasons for choice you are essentially saying your reasoning is unsound therefore you shouldn't have individual choice but one that is given to you.  And, in my humble opinion, shows an unfortunate modern trait of being overly competitive, that only used to be seen on the Apprentice but now it appears its seeped into one's choice of vehicle, quelle horreur 😱. I am also intrigued by the use of the word logic since even a cursory knowledge of Aristotilian syllogisms would show the fallacies in most people's arguments 😎

Phil, have you forgotten the teachings of Mr Spock?!?! 🙂

I am a little confused as the logic in my statement was choice?

Also, offering a counterpoint to reason is a basis for discussion, it is not necessarily saying that the reasoning itself is unsound.

Or, as Aristotle would say, a single assertion must always either affirm or deny a single predicate of a single subject.  Hence my breaking down the argument into individual components.

Lastly, since the major premise in this case is the advocation of choice, the outcome must surely follow a logical conclusion?

Either way, we are dangerous close to starting a philosophical debate rather than the discussion of why cars are so big now 🙂

1 minute ago, dutchie01 said:

Well, not really..   If you offer cars nobody buys you have no other option than to stop offering them.  There is plenty of choice, saloons hatchbacks crossovers SUVś trucks and so on but people just prefer taller bigger heavier cars  

 

 

I never said it was economically viable or a sound business practice, but that doesn't make it any less frustrating 🙂

27 minutes ago, RichGS11 said:

The mrs opted for an SUV for these reasons. Easy to get in and out, better driving position on the road, more space for the family and because she wanted one. There are a lot of people that like SUV's. I guess it's personal choice.

Richard, if I may go full Linas on you for a moment (I do apologise in advance):

Easy to get in and out - This is a marginal benefit at best since 'normal' sized cars are hardly difficult to get in to.  In fact, I have actually found it the opposite sometimes since for some SVU's you have to 'hop up' to get in them which I find awkward.

better driving position on the road - Again, only in a small way.  Does looking down really make that much difference to the driver other than as a preference?  Apart from being able to look down on people in their saloons and hatchbacks (literally and figuratively), I don't think the benefit is significant.

more space for the family - Not necessarily.  As an example that has already been mentioned, the UX has a very small boot space.  I also remember when the BMW X6 first came out that people were commenting that it didn't have any additional space inside when compared to cars much smaller than it.

because she wanted one - And here we reach the crux of the issue.  One of the main reason I think people choose these cars is because they want one.  In isolation this seems like a reasonable logic, but it doesn't take into account the various factors that we have already discussed on this thread about how it affects other road users.  Also, to quote a tired cliché - "Would you give whiskey to an alcoholic?"  The obvious implication being that wanting something is sometimes not a good enough reason in itself.

Now this looks like a personal attack against you Richard, but I assure you it is not.  I am just bored and been wanting to unload this on the forum as soon as the opportunity allowed for it, which you so kindly provided 🙂

28 minutes ago, Linas.P said:

I don't think anyone needs justification why they getting SUVs, but let's face it - majority of people don't have back injuries. These cross-overs are being marketed to young people - they don't have back injuries... Luggage space is larger on SUVs... guess what - UX has none... it is far worse than my RC which is considered poor in terms of luggage capacity, so it is not luggage either.

As for "higher seating positions allows for better view"... yes absolutely, because nowadays you have to sit higher, because everyone are in bloody SUVs... I can't go as far as saying it is selfish, but it is self-fulfilling. The more people buy SUVs, the more difficult it becomes for everyone else around to see, resulting in more people getting SUVs. It is like somebody standing-up in the concert "to see better"... guess what the guy behind him has to stand-up now... and soon we have everyone standing... So it is not a zero-sum game - for you to see more... I have to see less.

And all this has nothing to do with tolerance, if we all could have the cars we like that is all good, but studently people like me who want "normal" car have nothing to choose. So it is not lack of tolerance - I am just upset that cars I like are not getting made anymore and then it is being blamed back onto "us" (car buyers) - apparently that is because we want SUVs. Not it is not the case - they (car companies) only make and market SUVs, so we can only buy SUVs... if they would make and market more other cars, we would buy more other cars.

And I appreciate that with age and family SUV may be practical car... but before it was like you get hatchback when you are teenager, you go into coupe when you get to your 20's, then you go into estate or off-roader, when you get family... and when you get to middle-age crisis you get 911 (coupe again)... and when you past it then you get yourself large saloon.

Now people go like - small SUV, slightly bigger SUV, mid-size SUV, sports SUV, luxury SUV... just depressing!

Spot on Linas.

Like you say, it is a lack of choice.  I would serious consider the new IS if it were available in the UK, but that is just one specific example of a much larger trend.

1 hour ago, Herbie said:

People like me, who have back injuries or other ailments or joint problems that make getting in and out of saloon cars difficult, find it far, far easier in an SUV-type car.

Usually more luggage space in an SUV and the tailgate opens wider than a boot, allowing easier loading.

Higher seating position allows for better view.

Don't get me wrong Herbie, perhaps I should have quantified my statement to preclude those with a real need.  As someone who has a serious back problem in the past, I can certainly sympathise.

However, you must admit that this reasoning doesn't apply to the majority of people that buy Crossover/SVU type cars.

Welcome Pasi.

This is very strange indeed.

It is also interesting, so I don't suppose we could get some pic's of the car to see what it looks like 🙂

Thanks.

What is wrong with people today 🙄

As someone who prefers saloon and hatchback cars, I can't understand the desire from people for tall, bigger cars.  I don't blame the manufacturers since they are only reacting to demand, but it is a shame that 'normal' cars are disappearing fast.

No offense intended, but the size of RX's, BMW X5's and Audi Q5's are bordering on the ridiculous now and there is just no need for such a large car.

The old highway code used to say to look through the car in front to see any potential hazards before they are too close, but that is not possible in my GS now.  Not to mention the parking problem as they are sometimes too big to fit in a single bay.

Back on topic, this stems from the article claiming that this new car is to be considered 'tiny', which demonstrates the sad stat of affairs.

Well, that was half an hour wasted I am never getting back...

Take it from someone who has just seen this thread and read it in one go - you are going around in circles and neither side is going to convince the other, so why bother?

Ultimately, the Electric vs Hydrogen debate is going to be on going for a while and only time will tell which one is going to work out better.

1 hour ago, royoftherovers said:

Read the respective T&C Martin and find the real answer.

I believe that is missing the point somewhat John.

The issue isn't what is actually covered, it is that Lexus might be providing inaccurate information to the general public with these mixed messages.

It appears like a strange discrepancy to me since, as we know, it is immediately obvious to anyone that has a brief look into it that the Relax warranty isn't the same as a new car one, so why are they claiming as such?

Hopefully @MadJam250 gets an answer soon.

Welcome Kuba.

You both obviously have good taste 🙂

How long have you had them?

Also, pictures are always welcome 🙂

1 hour ago, B1RMA said:

Not a problem, but only F series park in the drive. You'll have to park in the road, it's very safe as it 's a no through road.

 

😲 My car is so offended that it refuses to carry me to your residence!

Can I come too? 😉🙂