Rannsachair

Was not quite so good before: I have had a few Saab's, I just sold my 71 Saab 96 last month, before that the 2006 9-5 Aero, 2000 9-3 2.0 turbo, 1995 9000 CSE 2.3 turbo and my favourite a 1984 900 16v turbo S. My brother and dad had Saab's too:

Something like: Not sure about coming south, I don't have a passport......

I did enjoy the drive, and I tied the trip with a hospital appointment for a CT scan, so only 70 minutes out of my way. I have tied the return trip to seeing my consultant next week(will get my CT scan results to see if the chemotherapy has been successful). The cocktail of drugs I have been on, has made me a bit short tempered..... I do enjoy working on vehicles, my dad was a mechanic and i have rebuilt motorcycles and cars all my life: my garage is possibly over-equipped: everything from a lathe and milling machine to a MIG welder and plasma cutter....

One slight niggle with my RX: one of the front parking sensors is faulty - it must have a leak as it goes faulty in the wet and then drys out and works again. It is unfortunate that my nearest dealer is 2 hours drive away, so was in this morning and they confirmed a front sensor is at fault, so will order one and I can return to get it fitted. I realise I have bought a second hand car, though am a little disappointed at the hassle to get this minor fault sorted. I have bought a few main dealer cars in the past: Landrover and Saab -never had to take a car back with a fault, Not even a Discovery 2 😉 Still love the car, just a niggle paying so much for a second hand car then having to make two 4 hour round trips to get sorted.

Relatively, 28k.

Before pics are after scraping loose paint and chipping of corroded areas - so did not looks as bad at first. Must confess I expected better from Lexus. 5 Scottish winters is a significant salt spray test for any car I suppose.

Then washed car and found a few minor scratches: so out with the DA machine polisher and Meguiar's Ultimate Compound then Autoglym Super Resin Polish then Autogylm Ultra HD wax:

Finished off the coating today, masked of the calipers too and sprayed with hi temp resistant paint:

I used to use Jenolite then waxoyl. I use POR 15v metal ready first, it leaves a zinc phosphate coating, so a bit more advanced than just phosphoric acid. This still leaves some areas that do not look treated, so I paint them with Vactan, its a rut converter in a vinyl acrylic solution so seals the area too. I started using Noxodol over Dinitrol after reading a good review: https://www.auson.se/sites/default/files/rusttest_noxudol_700_classic_monthly_uk_0.pdf Running a landrover Defender keeps me up to date in rust prevention 😃

I had a few decades of Saab's then and Alfa Romeo that got me back into rust proofing 🙄

Only got as far as the Vactan when rain stopped play:

Started same process on the front:

Then cavity sections sprayed with Noxudol 700 cavity wax and underbody sprayed with Noxudol 300:

So out with the wire brush, then high pressure pressure washer used with care then a spray with POR-15 metal prep that leaves a Zinc Phosphate coating, blow dry with the air line then paint surface rust with Vactan.

I hate rust on cars, so my Landrover defender is rebuilt on a galvanised chassis with galvanised bulkhead and had the axles all all brackets galvanised at the same time. I still cavity wax the chassis. The Lexus I bought last week had a bit surface rust underneath, suspect Scottish winters and salt on the roads: Nothing structural but not great, my last 12 year old Saab 9-5 was much better protected.

Busy day: washed, tar removed, Autoglym super resin polish then HD wax, tyres treated with Meguiar's Tyre gel and wheel cleaned with poorboys wheel sealant. Changed rubber mats for carpets for summer and cleaned dash.

I find it very relaxing to drive, comfort is excellent. Though when you need to overtake the acceleration is reasonable for a large SUV. The cabin is roomy and bright plus it has an air of quality in terms of fit, finish and controls throughout the car. The handling is not sharp, though I never expected it to be after an Alfa Romeo, it is competent and feels safe. The brakes are good for the size of it. It is fitted with Dunlop SP sport 270's.

Drove it home yesterday, about 90 miles of mainly A roads. quite busy so mainly about 50 to 60 mph and managed just over 40 mpg, was impressed by the comfort and quietness.

Test drive in car today, drives like new and condition was perfect, 28k miles serviced every year, exterior is unmarked as was the interior. Comes with boot protector and full set of rubber mats and boot liner as well as textile mats.Just serviced. Am delighted, pick it up on Thursday after it is valeted.

Thanks, it is a March 2014 car so should have the older style wheels. The sales person said it was supplied and serviced from new by them and has been taken in part exchange against another Lexus. Is the rear bumper protector something that sticks over the top of the bumper to protect it during loading and unloading the boot?

Thanks, will scrutinise them. I will be taking my head torch and boilersuit so that I can fully inspect the underside too.

I will walkaway from any car that does not look well looked after. Lexus Glasgow has just phoned me today: they have a silver Advance with panoramic roof coming in with a black interior, one elderly lady owner and 28k miles - they are also doing 3 years free servicing and £1k off finance, I do not need finance but may take it and get £1k towards deposit and then pay it off. i have paid a deposit for them to hold the car for me.

The tan looks ok, not the ivory or light grey though - one ivory car I looked had a badly stained interior.

We will probably do 6 to 7k miles a year. I like to look after and keep cars: I usually scrub their undersides and cavity wax and underbody wax my cars. So I look for the best I can including looking underneath. Our Alfa 159 was 7 years old and I spent days rustproofing and polishing it: I would hope that this will be a long term purchase as the newer model is too big for my wife. So 6 years plus at least. I had arranged to test drove the silver Advance in Glasgow, though it had just sold, so I ended up with the older grey Lux: it was the right colour but not well enough looked after for me - so marks and minor damage to body and interior. They had a nice white Lux with a low mileage, but my wife has put her foot down - no white cars. I may fly to London and hire a car to look at a few if nothing comes up in the next month.

Went for test drives in an 2013 RX450h luxury and an 2016 NX yesterday. Both were great cars the NX is very stylish and a fabulous interior. I much preferred the space, ride and performance of the RX. My wife was happy with the RX, the reversing camera makes a big difference to her, the worry was it would feel to big for her. It is smaller than our old Saab 9-5 fortunately. So I am now on the lookout for a well looked after 2014/15 RX in any colour bar white with ideally a black interior. Lexus Scotland had a nice white one! Looks like I may have to travel south of the border for the right car.