First_Lexus

I'm going to get a set of the Falken 449 EuroWinters. Had them for my CRV and they were an excellent Winter tyre at a reasonable price. I already have a spare set of new OEM wheels but will probably now wait until next Autumn to purchase and fit the tyres. Cue 6ft of snow next month...

^^ Or my first wife... Generally I don't name cars, although my beloved 1993 Daihatsu Charade was called 'Oscar' for some reason. I think my NX is gender neutral...

The funny thing is that this hasn't really put me off the brand, mainly because I really like my NX. If I didn't I'd have pushed for a replacement by now, and although we've had that discussion I'm comfortable at the moment to see whether today finally fixes the last of the issues.

As I've said on other threads, since picking up my (brand new) NX300h in September I've had a few issues - it is now officially known in my family as the 'timeshare' car, because I have it for a few days then the dealer has it for a few days.... I've actually had my own car for about 6 weeks out of my total ownership of about 16 weeks. Anyway, over the period Lexus Swindon - who have been generally very supportive - have supplied a number of lovely courtesy cars for me to use. I've since formed a very positive impression of the range as a whole. Car 1 - IS300h Advance - 2 weeks. I liked this one, but it caused me some issues as it was a bit low for me (I suffer from some mobility issues). As a car it was a high quality thing and good to drive too. I didn't much like the foot operated parking brake but that was about it. Why so many people continue to buy a BMW 3-Series when this is available is a mystery to me. Car 2 - NX300h F-Sport - 10 weeks. My least favourite of the cars I've had. Don't get me wrong, I like the NX a lot, but wasn't a fan of the F-Sport version. I found the seats too hard, the ride too firm and it was much noisier than my Sport model, likely caused by the tyres. The extra tech was nice, but not nice enough to convince me that I'd rather have an F-Sport over a Sport, Luxury or Premier. Car 3 - RX450h F-Sport - 3 days. A weird one this. The interior is a thing of beauty and quality, but the drive left me disappointed. I found the steering very remote - to the point that I found the car hard to place on the road with confidence - and I was surprised how noisy it was at motorway speeds. The ride was also too firm for me. Again, the extra tech was excellent, but overall the experience left me a bit 'cold' and the car was a bit big for me to feel comfortable driving in tight situations. A lovely car though, and certainly gets noticed! Car 4 - GS300h Premier - today. Well, this is the first of the courtesy cars that I'd happily have in place of my NX. (TBH I'd have the RX as well if it was on offer!). What a lovely car. So smooth, so quiet, so comfortable. I'm a big fan. Having had all of the above, I think all of them stand up to the competition very well. They are certainly beautifully made - especially the interiors - and generally nice to drive. I think if more people properly considered a Lexus, you'd see far more on the road - but the UK's obsession with 'premium' German brands shows no sign of reducing any time soon, which is a real shame.

The rev counter on mine comes up as you say i.e. Only when 'Sport' setting is selected. Congratulations on your NX!

I've had paddle shifters in a number of cars, and apart from playing with them a bit at the start I've never used them. Personally I buy an automatic...in order for the gears to change automatically!

What swung the decision in favour of the NX @DanD?

I'm on day two of my three days with a brand new RX F-Sport. I have got used to the size - in regular driving - very quickly. Some things I love, especially the interior which is a thing of extreme beauty and quality. Just wonderful. The size isn't for me though, as I have found it difficult to manoeuvre as I feared I would. Yes, I'd probably get used to that, but the size of the NX suits me far better. I've tried out the extra power - it would have been rude not to (!) - but in 99% of normal driving that I do it would be (and has been) an irrelevance. I'm not a fast driver, and in my 100 miles so far it has been no different to the NX because I'm not driving it any differently. What has surprised me is the amount of noise the engine makes under acceleration. Granted, that is the same in the NX if pushed, but my expectation was that the RX would be far more refined, and actually that has been quite a disappointment. My expectations were probably unrealistic, but there you go. The other thing that I'm struggling with is the steering. I don't think I've ever driven a car with such a lack of feel - it's as if the wheels aren't connected to the steering wheel. The NX is similar but doesn't feel as remote, and I've found placing the RX on the road quite tricky because of the steering, especially on the narrow lanes around here. The F-Sport ride isn't for me either - as with the NX I guess the 'normal' models are much softer and would be more to my liking. I do like the RX. It is clearly a very special car. The interior quality and design alone probably makes it (almost) worthwhile. However, for my circumstances and now having experienced both it and two NXs (and an IS300h for a couple of weeks too) I'm comfortable that the NX was the right choice from the Lexus range for me, especially with 37-40 mpg whereas on the same journeys the RX is indicating 28-30mpg.

I haven't noticed wind noise @JeffL. Road noise was an issue in the F-Sport courtesy car I had, but that was down to tyres I think. Engine noise is an issue if you accelerate hard with a heavy right foot, caused by the CVT. Having had CVTs since 2004, and having known a few friends/colleagues with them, my observation is that 'enthusiastic' drivers don't like them and they don't really suit that type of driving style. Waft along and they are actually more refined imho but I do understand why some can't get on with them. If practicality is a necessity @sorcererthen you are quite right to steer away from the NX. The cabin is fine, but the boot is small. Far less practical than my previous CRV, and a bigger difference to an RX.

The final part of the apology from Lexus for my car being with them for three months was to be an LC500 on loan for a couple of days. However, since I can't get in or out of something that low I've chosen a new RX instead. I'll be interested to see whether my opinion has changed. As I said, personally I did find the RX difficult to manoeuvre. Based on what the salesman told me it is pretty common feedback. The best way to know is to experience it in my situation and roads, so I will. We all have different requirements - as I've said 'power' isn't that important to me personally.

^^ I'd agree with that as long as the extra size of the RX isn't an issue. I looked at a 15/16 plate RX before I bought the NX. It only took about five minutes for me to rule it out as I found it too big for my needs, and actually quite unwieldy to manoeuvre. It's a personal thing, but I was more than happy with the NX. I don't drive fast so the extra power of the RX was irrelevant for me, and I find the NX far more powerful than my previous Honda CR-V petrol/auto. Worth looking at and driving both I'd say as @DanDsuggests. At least that way you'll know for sure what you are comfortable with and where your priorities are.

Oh no, another product for me to try! I'd seen the positive reviews of the Sonax detailer - will add it to my list. Need to get through the Car-Pro first. And the Bouncers. And the Dodo. And the Swissvax..uh-oh.

Mercury Grey is by far the best colour for the NX - good choice! I'm not biased. No sir. Not me...

That's very interesting @Farne- thanks for posting. One assumes that the US testing regime is somewhat more realistic than that in Europe...

I've found having a spare set of wheels for my Winter tyres adds greatly to convenience. They are already balanced, bolt on and off simply, and the risks of damage to either tyres or rims when putting tyres on and off is reduced. It absolutely isn't necessary, and there are extra costs involved to buy wheels in the first place, but previous Honda dealers I've used for regular servicing have bolted them on and off for me with no charge so some cost is avoided. Whether Lexus dealers will do the same is something I'm going to find out! One thing I am sure of having had Winters on my last three cars is that they make a big difference and are a worthwhile expense.

I certainly wouldn't pay for the treatment @Farne My Lexus dealer added the ceramic coat for nothing without me even asking. That seems to be pretty common across marques - such treatments are added at no cost as another way of sealing a deal to buy the car. I've never had a treatment like this before, but so far I'm pleasantly surprised. Early days though. I'm using Car-Pro Reload to maintain the finish. I understand normal polishes, sealants and waxes shouldn't affect the coating. Not sure about clay though.

Having now had them fitted for a week, I have found that - as I hoped - less mud and muck gets onto the bottoms of the doors. That's a good enough reason to leave them on imho, especially living in rural Wiltshire where mud on the roads is the norm... I'm sure if you did take them off @as13there'd be at least a few members wanting to buy them off you.

The upgraded switchgear on the centre console makes a surprisingly big difference to the perception of quality imho. Also good to see the larger central screen and electric front seats standard across the range. Worth noting that on the SE AWD is now an option costing £1000. Makes sense with the S being discontinued I guess.

^^ +1 for the DAB advice. I thought the system couldn't find many stations for ages...but it was just understanding how it worked. Not intuitive at first, but easy when you know how. Ask the dealer to show you.

Yes, I agree @paulrnx it depends on many variables. At some point you'll be behind an old fart in a grey NX swearing at his lack of pace. That will be me... More seriously, four or five years ago my employer paid for a few of us to go on a full day advanced driving course with former police drivers. It was a fantastic day, a real eye-opener. There was classroom based stuff first, then three 30-45 minute drives - one with the instructor driving - and then two assessed drives. I can honestly say my driving changed overnight and has never gone back. I was a cynic before, but not afterwards. My fuel economy improved as an added benefit of that day too!

Many congratulations @SpeedyGee Three black cars......good luck with keeping those clean!

^^ I don't find Eco mode a problem at all. If you are driving in a relaxed manner - which I do - I find it far more suited than 'Normal' mode. Throttle response is only an issue if you are trying to accelerate fast, and with the roads and speed cameras as they are these days, I'm surprised anybody actually bothers to drive in a 'spirited' way! Certainly the A420 with the numerous cameras isn't somewhere to tempt fate......in fact, I drove most of the way using cruise control set to 49mph as the speed limit is 50mph.

A 70 mile journey on Christmas morning, nearly all on deserted A and B-roads between 40-50mph most of the way saw an indicated 43.7mpg. The return journey home this morning in heavier - but not heavy - traffic, saw 41.2mpg. Both journies were using standard BP unleaded, with Eco mode set, and no use of heated seats - although the climate control and radio were both on. I'm fairly happy with that, but it must be said I was getting similar indicated economy on that journey from my non-hybrid petrol CR-V.

I received the navigation manual free as well. Well worth asking the question.

The Yokohama 'Bluearth' tyres fitted as standard on my NX Sport seem to be very quiet...but the grip is terrible in even slightly damp or slippery conditions. I can't wait to get some decent Winter rubber on in the next couple of weeks. It will be Falkens for me based on previous positive experiences. Stupidly I didn't think to check the tyre type on the F-Sport I had. It was only after it went back and I started using my own Sport again that I really realised how different the noise levels were. I THINK it was running Bridgestone of some sort, but couldn't swear to it. It was an almost brand new car when I picked it up so, whatever they were, they would have been standard fit. Something else I liked about the F-Sport, but hardly a show stopper was the electric tailgate. I've read numerous reviews criticising it for being slow. It seemed fine to me, and really quite handy.