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Quite different cars but a nice contrast, the RCF can do limo mode when I take the wife out as it's AVS suspension can do smooth and pleasant, then when I'm on my own in the RCF enjoying a local twisty A road the car tightens up nicely for a bit of enthusiastic driving. At the bottom of the road where I live if I turn right I can enjoy miles and miles of excellent twisty B roads which the GR Yaris excels at. As I've lived around my home all my life I know the roads well and the GR with it's slightly higher seating position helps with forward visibility. All of the rave reviews of the GR are spot on, but when you are on your own for about half an hour the ability of this little car really shines through and you just can't grasp how good this car is on a limited test drive when buying. I know I have modified most of my cars to date but I think Toyota have got this car spot on from the factory, by all accounts it's hand made in the old Lexus LFA facility by highly skilled people. I like the very quiet exhaust as it a bit stealth like for quiet country roads, the wheels are nice so wouldn't change them but I do like adaptive suspension on my cars and may in the future look to have an active suspension system fitted as I did with my Mini Clubvan.

My thoughts exactly, luckily where I live if I turn right at the bottom of the road I'm in GR Yaris heaven for as many miles as you like. Plus as I've lived in this area most of my life I know them well. The RCF can do these roads but not nowhere near as well but the RCF has a charm all of it's own. For longer journeys with the wife I just put the RCF in limo mode and waft to our destination. With the modifications I've done to the RCF I still enjoy the positive reaction from all ages of drivers I get.

Just received this from Lexus UK. Dear Mr Wiltshire Thank you for contacting Lexus UK. We hope you have been enjoying driving your Lexus RCF what a fantastic car! We are sorry to hear of your disappointment in having to replace the shock absorber in your vehicle, this is unusual on such low mileage. Unfortunately, sometimes things can go wrong even with the reliability that Lexus vehicles have. Although we are unable to reimburse you for repairs that have already been carried out, should you require repair in the future please do get in touch or ask your Lexus Centre to raise this with us as we would be more than happy to assist and review the case. Thank you for your feedback and allowing us the opportunity to reply directly to your enquiry. Kind regards Claire Dean Lexus Customer Relations Case Manager Toyota (GB) PLC - Lexus Division Distributor of vehicles, parts and accessories for the UK

I couldn't choose between the two, each has their own charm. I'm in the fortunate position where I can keep both. Although the GR has the advantage of being new to me, but all the rave reviews go nowhere near what it can do on a twisty country road after half an hour of very exciting driving. Absolutely incredible little car and that sums it up, small so great on country B roads which is its natural home and just about the last place in this country where you can enjoy yourself.

Wow, that light unit is expensive, and like the shock absorbers seem to be a consumable not covered under the Relax warranty. Like I have said before Relax is a bit like Public Liability insurance (although you have to pay for it) it's there for the really big things that may happen. But I guess it might be worth letting fellow F owners just what isn't covered and the price of them. As our cars are getting older this may be important, but I'm still of the opinion it's probably a better overall deal than what you get with other marques.

One would hope that Relax would cover major failures which could well be eye waveringly expensive. Whereas the normal Lexus warranty which If I remember correctly was about £500 per annum maybe would have covered a shock absorber, but as I've not paid that premium for maybe 3-4 years puts things into perspective. I honestly expected a Lexus item like the shock absorber to last longer than 13000 miles (actually 12500 when it failed) and as I've always sung the praises of Lexus quality on the many motoring forums I frequent perhaps after this experience I'll not be so enthusiastic about Lexus quality. I have to admit having now been using the Yaris GR for a while I'm beginning to think if the RCF is superfluous to needs, hope not.

No it was the driver side. I did hit a pothole but it was on the passenger side.

Are they suitable for the AVS system

I have tried so we shall see. I'll report back.

Looking at it from a different perspective Relax is a bit like Public Liability Insurance it's there for the really big things that can happen, or at least you hope it is. As you get it as part of servicing your car with Lexus I suppose ultimately compared to other marques it is a good deal. My thinking behind getting a Lexus with AVS and TVD has taken a bit of a battering though, as the car isn't used on track with me having other cars to do that I'm very dissapoited with Lexus and did expect better.

Looks like I've just got to suck this up then.

It was picked up at the last service, the first thing I asked was isn't that a bit premature wear wise. In the past I have always praised Lexus for bombproof reliability/quality of components, I may have to change my replies on car forums in the future. Has anyone a contact address where I should send my complaint?

Just had to pay out nearly £500 to get one shock absorber replaced on my RCF. Call me tight but I really didn't expect failure at this mileage, any thoughts?

A GR Yaris, if so you will love it as I've just bought one.

Well I'll start off with the intention of doing so.

I've just bought a GR in flame red, as you say sublime, hand made at the LFA part of the factory.

Well it's nearly here and I'm looking forward to doing some B road blasting, fortunately where I live if I turn right at the bottom of the road there are miles and miles of Yaris GR roads. Plan to keep it stock for a while then it will be going up to Lichfield for a re-map, the nitro suspension conversion and an Acropovic exhaust. Everything you read about them in the revues is true.

I drove the Premier Edition car, the first lot that came into the country it was superb and just alive. I have today placed a deposit on a metallic red Yaris GR, wow ,what a car. If I turn right out of the road where I live there are miles and miles of B road GR Yaris heaven. Still plan on keeping the RCF.

Very nice I've tried one along with a GR Yaris and decided on the Yaris. I've owned an Alpine in the past a very nice A610 they really are nice cars.

If it's anything to go by, I've recently been on the hunt for a Yaris GR and this is what owners wishishing to sell their cars have told me. Toyota dealers insulted him with their offer and WBAC were actually rather good with their value. Sorry OP I just had to get that off my chest.

That sounds a better plan to me.

No I think you have confused me with someone else. The Legacy are great cars, good engine and drive system. As you say ideal for the winter.

Thanks, yes I realise it's not a 4x4, my use is to get me to the site, which are mainly nice twisty country roads with a decent clear view ahead, ideal for a car of its size and capabilities. Although there is a made up track from the road that ordinary cars use to get to the site (there will still be scope for some handbrake turns etc when it's clear) but I'm hoping that the clever four wheel drive system will help when it snows like my Subaru did, which means a bit of investigation into a spare winter wheel and tyre set up. I don't think it has been lowered but you may know more than me about that, I'm going to look at a red one before deciding. They still seem to sell at a premium and I wonder if that will reduce over time. When I checked on Autotrader there were 100 circuit spec cars for sale so there's plenty to choose from. Servicing like the RCF seems very reasonable too and the 6 monthly inspection is no problem as my wife has her Yaris serviced about 3 miles away. I'm a homologation fan too as I owned a Pajero EVO which was a Paris Dakar homologation vehicle and was a hoot.

Popped over to a local car specialist Saturday to have a look at one of these. I'm keeping the RCF but I've joined a local rifle club that is set deep into the local countryside and the roads over to it are fantastic. So I thought this might add a bit of fun to the journey. It's a Yaris GR this one has a carbon fibre bonnet and a decent aftermarket exhaust, bit like the RCF far too quiet in standard form. Bit undecided as I rarely use the RCF and I'll have another car parked up for the wife to moan about. Many years ago I tried a Lancia Integrale which apart from being left hand drive broke down on the test drive and refused to start. The Yaris is very much a modern day version, this Circuit pack car ticks all the boxes and only has 2000 miles on the clock. Decisions, decisions eh!

Not bad though, I remember years ago one of my past AMG's was £1800 per annum for the proper warranty. I did wonder if the reason the Lexus performance models were so inexpensive for the warranty initially then free was purely and simply they don't seem to go wrong. I have no issues with not using mine for months then just jumping in it and it starting. Something I could not be comfortable with with past cars despite them being serviced properly.