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Which is a lot more than the ES300h. Still it’ll be a ton more refined. A 520d is terrible coarse - it’s efficient but ghastly That does matter if you live/travel there. 146mph isn’t that fast. A 3.5 ES with 300bhp could probably break 160mph. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

But he does say for driving pleasure the v6 betters the hybrid but conceded the hybrids perfect for the majority of people the majority of the time. I’d sooner have the 3.5 than the hybrid but wouldn’t not buy the ES because I can’t get the v6. In many ways it seems the spiritual successor to my long gone Volvo S80 - a car I liked very much indeed Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

A good service would probably do more for the car than a remap.

Couldn't put it better - some will want the takeaways, sky tv and holidays - others more holidays, others none of the above and a great car they enjoy but don't in reality actually drive that much. You pay your money and make your choices. I am facing this decision for my next car, Camry or ES/ or an LS/RC/GS V8. Depends on my business and just how I want to spend my money beyond basic living costs. I like cars, and powerful ones, but the extent I am not sure of to commit to run a really special car. My heart says LS460 or RCF, my head says Camry and invest more in my business equipment and seeing more of the world.

I don't think an RCF, ISF or GS-F would be that ruinous to run. Petrols not really that expensive - really it isn't and you can comfortable fill up with change from £100 - not £1000. £500/yr road tax - it's not that much, not really in scheme of life. If you want to run a car like this, you can make the sacrifices to run it if you've got a reasonable income. It just depends how much other stuff you'd want to sacrifice to do it. They'll do over 30mpg on the motorway which is only 1/4 less than a big diseal would do, so a journey from London to Birmingham might cost £30, not £20. Hardly super dear. They're a reliable car that's comfortable so why not if you want a bit of fun in your motoring life.

The length isn’t an issue for me and a base spec LS does without air suspension which is a massive plus in terms of repair costs. Most of the drivetrain is shared with the Rx450h and they’re not puntitive to run although the warranty cost is off putting for sure. The ES looks great but I do have some reservations about a car that’ll only do 112mph (when I’m in Germany I drive a great deal faster than this) and I worry slightly the car won’t be fast enough in acceleration. I haven’t owned a car with a top speed as low as that for a long long time and I’m not sure I want to pay for a premium product and travel as slowly as this. Then again I can count on one hand the times I’ve exceeded this speed in the last year...so does it matter? A 350 one would be fine. I drive in Germany at least once a year and live in rural Scotland. Driving is good here and a car with a bit of poke can still be enjoyed although with ever increasing police patrols, deer numbers (yes that’s a big thing here) and higher traffic volumes the opportunities to drive in a sporty way get less and less. Depends on my money situation but my heart says aim for a very late LS460 or LS500h if I can afford it - and head says a Camry or ES. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

And LS base spec would be a great replacement for those with GS450h's and those with GS250's who cannot stomach the fact of FWD 4 clyinder in ES. The reality would mean buying a 5yo LS as opposed to a 3yo ES in the used market - Lexus warranty would cover the extra faults anyway so it seems a good way to go.

There is though - a used LS460, a used new shape LS500h. Thin pickings and I can’t help but think with diesels being persona non grata that expanding the range with genuine petrol competitors along with the hybrids would be the way to go. It would cost next to nothing to offer the 350 rc and 350 Es here or even the new LS with the 3.0 twin turbo v6. They might grab a few conquest sales. Kia offer the 3.3 Stinger, Audi the S4. You do see these on the roads and Toyota/Lexus seem keen to ignore that part of the market despite having the cars and drive trains to match. It’s also time the electric motors in the 300h models could make more power to make the shortful of the engine up. They shouldn’t have canned the 200t, just priced it cheaper with a little more power. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Find an LS - lightly used with the drivetrain you want within budget. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lightly used. They’re truly a majestic car. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

LS is very much for me. Move to the states. You can get the RC350 there or maybe try to import one - it’ll cost you mind. Or just buy an RCF and fork out the extra cost to run one. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yep I’d chose a 350 ES but it’s not here. So you have a choice of IS300h, ES300h or the LS500H. Find a bit more money or buy a low miles base LS500h - the car you want is there. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

We can get a V6 saloon - the LS500h and a base spec might be a better option than a high ES. And the LS is exquisite. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I suspect it’s the fact the undertray doesn’t cover all the underside of the car. My fathers bought a new BMW X6 - and although it’s a horrid car in many respects the bodywork is A1. When you look underneath it there’s no exposed metal work at all other than the exhaust and a few suspension bits. That’s not the case with my RAV4 or GS. The RAV4 is quite old and cheap but it’s very very rusty and there’s plenty of 2005 era cars without any. I’m a nerdy fella and it’s the same with all that era Lexus. Look under a gen3 IS and you see the undertray doesn’t cover as much as it could. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’m the 3rd owner. It’s 5 years old. Could well have had a repair but I suspect at the front as the bumper is about 2mm out from the wing on the near side but not on the offside. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Neither would I - I’m hoping it’s “engrained dirt” rather than rust but it’s got that orange tinge to it Can you check under yours - just infront of the rear wheels and see if it looks anything like mine? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Dunno but I’m going to find out all about it. Sadly I’ve not got the ability to get the car in the air to get right under it so I cannot clean out the dirt that’s collected on the underside to ascertain how much of it’s rust - how much is just dirt etc? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Here’s another. The way the undertray is designed is odd as it leaves a small exposed part of painted metal exposed to the ground between the sill cover/side skirt and bottom tray Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was giving my GS a wash today and was lying on the ground cleaning the lower back door. I wanted to make sure I also cleaned all the lower side skirt - I felt around and it felt rough behind. This picture is taken of the underside of the car just in front of the off side rear wheel. I cleaned away a lot of the dirt but the orange discolouration looks like rust. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Lottery win import car 😄

You're right, they are more fun but most people just see numbers and go with that. N/A is fantastic but a mid sized saloon with a V6 turbo isn't the end of the world. It's quite a small car to have such a heavy engine over the nose. A V8 in the longer nosed GS, RC, LS makes more sense than in the IS. I'd love to see that V6 turbo in the LS without a hybrid - for a wafty luxury car that's a good fit. RCF would be a lottery win car and the n/a engine makes more sense in an out and out drivers car you will want to proactively "drive" rather than "waft".

Maybe time to buy an RCF and LC500 if you have the money, I know I would if I could.

I quite like the look of it and would certainly, if I was in a position too financially, consider one. Turbo V6 is still good. Not V8 good but a good fit for the size and segment positioning of the car where it would likely compete with the C43, Audi S4 etc.

I'm not far from Lochgilphead 😉 I've moved from Arrochar but have family in Helensburgh. Your car looks lovely - truth be told I am not that confident driving LHD cars though - the last time was over 12 yrs ago and I would be terrified of damaging the car but would have uptaken a passanger drive - I just take my righthooker overseas. You got pretty good weather by the looks of things. Truth be told I am going to hold off an LS for 2 years. I have too much expense on at the moment and last year was an exceptionally good year, this year will in all liklihood not be as fruitful.

I was unable to take advantage of the offer alas. Christmas is a tricky time of year to get away and I use it to catch up on the back log of processing work I have. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk