GSLV6

Mileage depends entirely on how the car is driven and where it is driven and loaded, plus tyre pressures used. The other consideration is that compounds start to harden and tell tale tyre crazing (small cracks) can appear in as little as 2 to 3 years, especially on low miles cars. Manufacturers usually recommend changing tyres every 2 to 3 years to retain design levels of grip for that reason. Budget tyres do seem more prone to this and one tyre fitter told me he'd been kept very busy post-lockdown where cars has basically sat on driveways for a year or two and tyres had degraded. Two things I never ever skimp on are tyres and brakes. OE spec pads every time and quality tyres bought for grip/wet weather performance and lowish noise rating. I change tyres at most every 3 years, more often every two years, irrespective of having a mm or two over the tread wear indicator.

Check the service data, and when the hybrid battery check was last done. The Nickle Metal Hydride batteries do last longer than Lithium which is one reason Toyota/Lexus use them but much over 15 to 20 years old and you may have to budget when you buy for replacing the battery pack at an Independent service provider which is cheaper than Lexus but would still be around £2.5K. If you could stretch to a slightly higher miles RX3 (ie, later 450h as there's plenty about on the used market at very reasonable prices), that might prove the safer bet wrt battery life. The other thing to check is rust, especially rear sub frame. They are prone to it if left unprotected. The only other things which may need looked at given the age are the water pump (these have been known to leak on RX400 series engines) and the condition of the suspension trailing arm bushes which are prone to wear due to the weight of the car, and not a cheap fix (no pattern parts AFAIK?). Engine, if regularly serviced, should be good for 300K miles, easily.

I have no doubts that they will offer the promised fix and that they want to do right. It would be suicide if half their customer base was lost on the canbus issue....remembering it affects their largest market too (USA). There are no guarantees that thieving scumbag criminals won't overcome 5th gen security either, so no amount of bribery would make me consider switching. I detest touchscreen only (or more heavily dependant upon its use), the little things like lack of hinged cavernous door bins, HVAC button controls and the increased use of more hard plastics in general on newer models, and the use of the underwhelming 2.5L IL4 (too small and weedy for the 2.2t RX unless turbo charged and then we're into more regular oil changes and over stressed engines....no thanks). I found the 5th gen more buzzy and lacking in the low down effortlessness of the more serene and torquey 2GR. Only with the plug in and turbo'd hybrids was there any real shove. Not for me, but I can see how some may prefer the newer one, because it's the newer one. Personally, I don't care for the styling,touchscreens or engines used for them.

Having driven a 5th gen, I could never be persuaded to "upgrade" to one. I think that the 4RX was the finest iteration of the RX overall, the 3rd gen paint seemed to have better quality (4th gen seems to have thinner paint finish) and more practical load space. I dislike the 5th Gen design, I prefer the quality and design of 4th gen interiors and there's no way I'd sacrifice the glorious 2GR V6 for an IL4. I'm prepared to wait for the security fix and am having my tracker fitted shortly in the interim.

Well...to add a bit of mystery, there is actually an enhanced security package coming out but dealerships are not allowed to broadcast what, nor how it works for fear of tipping off criminal gangs who do read this and other Lexus forums. Lexus have been working on it for some years now and it's required extensive development to ensure that it will be a permanent and hack proof fix, hence the time delays whilst extensive testing and development have been carried out. I don't believe it's taken 7 years but has likely been in the pipeline for a good 2 to 3 years and is now in procurement stage. The good news is that it is a software fix. The bad news is that it's not due out any time soon, most likely next year so stick with your diskloks, wheel clamps, trackers and after market immobilisers until its rolled out.

It won't affect premiums for at least two years. I have received further news that they are "still working" on an immobiliser solution (how long does it take?) for which an announcement will be made sometime in Q3 2024, some 6 months later than initially promised. I fully expect either that deadline to move back (again) or for it to be procurement lead in for an after market immobiliser solution. As an engineer, I simply don't believe that clever techs at Toyota cannot come up with a software mod which is far from beyond them, in double quick time, which all points towards a more likely tendering for an after market procurement solution and roll out programme.

Just had an email from Lexus who are now rolling out the "fix" which is NOT what they said they would do. It's just a Ghost tracker with a free three year subscription as reported earlier in this thread with no measures to prevent theft. I have now registered my interest in a class action against Lexus UK. I would urge all 4th gen users who have not yet registered to do so...

Thanks Andrew. Registered...

Well, I beg to differ Rayaan as I spoke to the service manager of my local Lexus franchise and he was pretty clear that an announcement and the start of the new security updates WOULD be hopefully rolled out this month. Why would he lie?

I knew about the tracker but that won't stop attempted theft and likely will do nothing to thwart premiums. they're based on attempted theft and theft where a claim is made. So, the one promised software fix, done via OBD is already "out of stock"? I don't wish to sound cynical but that's BS. "Must try harder", comes to mind. We've waited long enough. A class action is what's needed now.

Good point!🤦‍♂️ Yes, it is aluminium. Can't be rust then. Odd.

Can anyone confirm if the 4th gen uses an Aluminium bonnet? Reason I asked is I've picked up two tiny stonechips which have turned rust brown!

They now have major issues State-side with Tundra and LS V6 engines. A recall's being issued due to machine debris being found in the engines causing high wear/engine failure. Looks like a short or even long block engine replacement's on the cards for those models. Not quite the image they're shooting for. Everyone make's mistakes so how they deal with these things is what matters to customers. Current record on canbus scandal is too little too late for many people. The impression this sets for potential new customers isn't good and many old customers are saying they won't buy another, myself included. I don't like the newer IL4 engines except on the ES which they suit better but that's being discontinued which is a real shame as it was a worth successor to the GS. Interiors have compromises for cheaper manufacture and big touch screen is definitely not one I like. The simplicity of my 3RX kept it as a high quality utilitarian car which was reliable. The 4RX has a nicer interior (preferable to the 5th gen imho) and at least retains lots of buttons and easy to access menus but has lost some practicality with a motorised only boot lift (you can disable it but have to fight against the motor and gear), less practical load space and poorer visibility. For all that I still like it. Less so the 5th gen I got to drive. No hinged door buckets just a useless small load tray, horrible to use (again imho) touch screen with no climate buttons which is a PITA...just cheaper ways of manufacturing yet sell for more than 4th Gen, and with the inferior IL4 engine. Who are they trying to kid at their current pricing?

Depends which gen Lexus you buy. Latest gen Toyotas are pretty decent tbh so for those it may not be worth the extra to a Lexus model. 4th gen Lexus models of RX/NX imho were the best interiors and I'd argue for the ride comfort and low wind noise (extra insulation), they're worth it. Not so clear cut between latest Rav 4's and nx's

...Click bait really for us in the UK because I don't think this affects any UK Mk4 RX models. I think it relates to 2022 and 2023 USA and Japan made Tundra and LS models which differ from the RX engine. Still, interesting reading/viewing. This guy knows his onions if you can get past his rather unique style of presentation!

Still no update, despite the "we should hear in two weeks time" message I received three weeks ago 🙄 To rub salt in, the would be thieves I noticed have dented the mid point of my nearside rear door top chrome trim. "No problem" I mused, "...it's probably a £20 strip of chrome taking minutes to replace...". Lexus quoted me £253 to replace it, including an hour's labour at £195! They're slowly but surely alienating any loyal customers remaining in the UK. I've seen this sort of arrogance in pricing at premium levels before and it never works out well for those doing it. When will they learn? I'd rather not be paying for swish dealerships, fancy coffee, VIP days and the Christmas bubbly thanks all the same Lexus. I'd rather walk into a wooden hut with instant decaf and some stools if it meant customers got car care needs at reasonable real world pricing. To coin a few lyrics "It don't impress me much"! Now, had they addressed the canbus scandal sooner and more effectively, I'd not have minded as much but this is the last straw for me, and the last Lexus I'll buy.

I had a GS300, same year and averaged on local trips about 27mpg and that was in a hilly area. Long motorway runs gave mid 40's. 20mpg does seem a little excessive imho, unless it was a lot of stop start urban work in that 30 mile trip and I'd expect low 20's.

Yes, which includes most of Wales! @ Linus....the UK may have adopted or retained some EU rulings, and whilst I agree with your sentiments, as a car market, the UK simply does not have the buying power to persuade any major manufacturer to produce a one off for us where their standard safety systems are concerned. We get what the EU gets because that's the only sensible economic decision for Lexus. As regards excuses for speeding, strictly speaking, a medical emergency doesn't give legal exception to posted limits but can be used in mitigation IF it goes to court. With proof, it's highly unlikely you'd be prosecuted unless the manner of your driving could be shown to be dangerous or without due care and consideration of other road users. Speeding, per-se, is not inherently dangerous. Lack of driving ability, or driving without due care both put yourselves and other road users at risk, so it's caveated by "If in a medical emergency you need to push past posted limits, take care and if you decide to, do so well within your ability as a driver, considering the safety of others". However, it would have to be proved it was a time critical emergency that could have serious consequences if not arriving at a hospital in time. I only ever had recourse to this once in my life, many years ago, when an ambulance was called for a chap sharing a commercial workshop I was working in managed to introduce his hand to a 14" table saw and lost some fingers leaving splintered bones sticking from his hand. He was in shock and bleeding out badly. An ambulance was called then cancelled after 20 minutes as it was diverted to a cardiac arrest victim. On balance of risk, I helped the unfortunate chap into my car, strapped him in after bandaging up his arm and drove as quickly as safe to, to the nearest A&E. He later told me that saved his life as even a few minutes more could have proved fatal. I had a good reason, drove within my limits, drove safely but yes, had to exceed the limits a few times to get there on time. It took hours to clean up the inside of my car which was covered in blood. I did not attempt any dangerous overtakes nor shoot junctions or traffic lights but kept it sensible and safe. I never speed when on blood bike duty as we simply do not have that exception, even as advanced riders. We usually have enough time to get time critical drops done without recourse to putting ourselves or others at risk but a bike is easier to filter through queues if safe and legal to do so.

It's an objectionable interference by the EU but sadly one we have to live with. There'll always be the very occasional circumstance whereby during what is judged to be a safe overtake, within posted limits, the clown you're overtaking decides that he/she doesn't want to be overtaken, and will speed up. In such circumstances (with my advanced instructor's hat on) the way that is safely dealt with is to slow down and resume a safe position behind them, but what if a car intending as you are wishes to join the overtake and cuts the safety space? You have to plan for these incidences and try and manage the rear space by allowing sufficient room but there will always be an occasion where you'll end up compromised. The only safe way is not to overtake if there's any doubt or perceivable risk. As for motorways, I see no excuse for three figure speeds. If there's lorries ahead overtaking lorries and traffic builds up, sometimes the safest option is if towards the head of such a queue, to overtake the bunch rapidly to clear the hazard. If 70 allows this, then that will be fine with ISA. For those accepting the risks, you have the ability to turn it off at that point, or accelerate past the nanny limiter at the risk of your licence and once clear, slow back to your cruising speed. Not condoning it, but just pointing out that whatever the circumstance, it's about hazard perception and planning to make smooth progress. Many of these low carbon initiatives, such as the mandatory 60 limits on the M5 through Birmingham are a nonsense as they probably have the opposite effect, but such areas are usually where traffic is dense, so a little restraint is called for. I dread motorway driving these days (due to the appalling driving standards on show and lack of patience) but one thing that does work well are variable limits preventing sudden bunching up. Lexus have to follow the construction and use Regs for the EU and as such we just have to learn to live with the consequences and become more thinking drivers. Motorcycles don't yet have these features but that's a matter of time. For my sins, I ride for Blood Bikes and we have no exceptions to exceed statutory limits, even on emergency runs but we are trained to make safe, smooth and rapid progress within posted limits.

I use a RING RAC635 tyre inflator. Works well and has lasted 10 years now. Still available from the RAC shop for around £35. Not seen a cordless one that works as well yet. For beefy performance the £85 RING RAC830 is one of the best ones imho.

I got shot of my OE Sportmaxx tyres as soon as I could, awful things. I fitted Bridgestone Turanza 6's instead. Way better grip and ride.

Yes, that's right Andrew. It's not really worth having imho as using WAZE or Apple Maps seems to work better then the inbuilt satnav (which has already got confused once, forcing me to plug the phone in and switch to Apple Maps, which was faultless). Lexus offered to sell me a sim card with a code which plugs into the wifi module in the rear right boot compartment somewhere, log in online and activate the card tied to my account/vehicle but I passed on that.

I think you need your phone connected via usb to use the phone's roaming connection to get online for these to be accessed or subscribe for a sim card to use the the local wifi hotspot box in the boot compartment. From what I hear, the lexus app isn't particular worth having and I just use apple play via my phone.

I won't be paying for anything and nor should anyone else. We buy a premium car off a dealer, who deliberately fails to disclose the security vulnerability, your insurance goes through the roof and the dealer then says "we have the solution but you're paying for it!"???? Not a chance. We should all be demanding this FOC. We've paid enough as it is. Toyota/Lexus messed up, they will have to dig not so deep and pay up.

I spoke with a Lexus service manager last week and he stated slightly differently. A tracker AND Ghost immobiliser are to be fitted...according to him, some software changes are also part of the security package being rolled out from 2 weeks time. A tracker on its own is a complete waste of everyone's time as it doesn't prevent theft. It just tells plod where what's left of your (now) severely damaged and possibly stripped out car can be collected from.