Bluemarlin

It's cheaper for them to do so, as not only is the cost of repair likely to be close to the car's value, there's also the cost of a like for like loan car while it's being fixed. The latter can run into thousands if you have what's considered a luxury car, even if it's old.

Yes, the environment might be government's motivation. but it isn't the primary driver behind consumer's purchasing decisions, which is what you appeared to be claiming. ULEZ zones are simply a revenue generator, and so ultimately it's either those, higher council taxes, or higher income taxes. Best way to beat them is to get a compliant car, which includes the majority of petrol cars. It may be ham fisted, or even a little dishonest in presentation, but it's hardly totalitarian. As it happens I have two 15 year old PC's. Mini ones that cost about £60 at the time, which are at least 10 years old, possibly 15. One runs my media centre and the other is my main work pc, and both do their jobs adequately. There are plenty of 10-15 year old hybrids on the road, which have similar tech to EV's, and they don't seem any more unreliable or costly to run than simlarly aged ICE cars. Equally, ICE cars are littered with tech now that the average person can't fix themselves, which are equally prone to failure and are expensive to repair or replace. If people based their decisions on the unknown costs of any failures in new and emerging technology, then we'd still be driving horses and carts.

Worth noting that National Tyres are now owned by Halfords. I recently had to have a punctured tyre replaced and went to a local National. The price they quoted was about £25 higher than on Halfords website, which they happily matched when shown the page. So, you can get Halfords prices (if they're cheaper), but from a "proper" tyre shop.

I'm not sure you're hearing people. Few, if any, do it to feel good about the environment. Funnily enough I replaced my Jaguar XK8 for a hybrid SUV, and none of my decision making was based on wanting to feel good about the environment. It was simply a better choice for my needs, more comfortable to drive, far more reliable, and significantly cheaper to run. Could I have justified the cost 10 years ago? Probably not. And in 10 years time, when there are plenty of 10-15 year old EV's on the market, then the financial decision will be even easier for people. Most drivers don't really care about emissions unless it affects them with VED and ULEZ type costs. Most will buy because the maintenance and running costs are lower, and when new and used cars become more affordable, even more will switch.

I agree, and even said that people often don't calculate the overal costs accurately. In some cases it's simply the perception of lower costs that's the trigger, and in others it might be a desire to get away from expensive petrol costs. Either way, there are plenty of people who perceive benefits from switching from ICE to EV. Of course governments have forced people's hands, that's what governments do, with many things. They make decisions about the future and then put plans in place to achieve those goals. It's pretty much their job description. Sometimes it seems that there's no pleasing people. For decades people complained about governments, car manufacturers and the oil industry holding back innovation regarding electric cars, and the cost and efficiency benefits they bring. Now that governments are fully behind that technology they complain about that. Frankly I don't know who'd want to be in goverment, as it seems you can never win, and will always be accused of being up to something.

I don't believe many are following government's advice to save the world, regardless of what they might claim at dinner parties. I think most are making a financial decision based on running costs. As I said previously though, that financial decision may be flawed due to high purchase/lease costs, but it's the perception of lower running costs that I believe is the main driver behind people's decisions. It's still early days though, and its those early adopters who will determine the speed at which purchase prices will fall, as demand and production increase. Eventually, from a cost point of view, the maths will balance out.

I get that an EV isn't everyone's cup of tea, but why do you feel that those who buy them are sheep? I suspect that the majority of car owners see a car as a means of getting from A to B, and aren't concerned about the nuances that the minority of "enthusiasts" care about. In other words, most don't care if it's powered by a petrol V8, an electric motor, or hamsters on a wheel, as long as it does what's required of it. Nor do I think the majority buy EV's to virtue signal their green credentials, as if the fuel costs were the same, or higher, they probably wouldn't bother. Instead they're likely drawn to the lower maintenance requirements and cheaper running costs, and so it's a financial decision. Sure, given the higher cost of entry, many might not factor in the total cost of ownership, but people will often favour a higher upfront cost in return for lower ongoing ones. I drive a hybrid SUV, something I might have sneered at several years ago, with its higher upfront cost and fears of expensive battery or inverter failures. Now though, having done a couple of long distance European trips, averaging 35-40mpg, in such a big, comfortable and reliable car, I think it's great. If it was all electric, and I could have done the trips for a few pounds, instead of several hundred, even better. As the ranges increase, the purchase prices decrease, and charging points become more ubiquitous (which all will), then I suspect most people will feel the same. That won't make people sheep, as they'll simply be choosing the best available option for their needs. As an aside, I find it amusing that some think it's a global/government conspiracy to drive people out of ICE cars, and into EV's, due to some hidden, nefarious agenda. Especially when 30 or 40 years ago, (probably the same) conspiracy theorists claimed that governments and oil companies were in cahoots in keeping people shackled to dirty, inefficient, expensive to run petrol driven cars, when the technology to produce faster, cleaner, far more efficient, and cheaper to run electric powered cars was available.

Just came back from a trip to Brittany. Filled up with Esso Supreme E5 before leaving London and got a reading of 40mpg since last fill up when I arrived, with a bit left in the tank. Roads were empty as it was the middle of the night, and cruised at around 60-70 mph most of the way. Filled up with E10 for the journey home and was travelling faster (80+ mostly) on busier roads, and got around 27 mpg and had to top up part way. Usually see 30-35 with mixed driving at home, using premium petrol.

That would be best. I had simlar, and a tyre shop found a tiny hole in the tyre that three other garages missed.

I've had a look at some pictures online and saw two kinds of red, a bright one and a darker one. The bright one is a tad loud for me, but I guess I'd take the darker red over black at a push. It's all about personal taste though, and I tend to prefer lighter interiors and have pale grey in mine.

I wouldn't be too optimistic about falling prices at the pumps just yet, as oil is priced in dollars, and any drop in the oil price is largely offset by falls in the pound against the dollar.

Surely that's a separate argument though, as all that tech could be included regardless of how the car is propelled.

Maybe Bill, but I think the advancements will come in battery technology. 30 years ago the battery required to power a basic phone for 6-8 hours was the size of a brick. Today's batteries power what is basically a hand held computer with a high definition screen, for several days, and you'd struggle to find it on most phones. Some of the broader technology is pretty impressive too. I recently read that a fully autonomous, electric cargo ship, made its maiden voyage earlier this year.

Cant help, sorry, but I am curious. How much are these filters that require replacing after 3 washes? Sound like a MoneyCatcher filter rather than FiberCatcher.

They're quieter than the Dunlops mine came with. Also performed well in the rain and snow on French motorways and German mountains last winter.

Might be worth pulling the filter and seeing if there's anything stuck in there that might have been causing the noise, which has since moved.

I've used Japex in Herts for a transmission fluid change and they seemed ok.

In my case the car was out of warranty and they happily put it onto the 10 year plus extended warrranty. Warranty is conditional on future servicing being with Lexus. Not sure if it needs prior full Lexus service history, but think the dealer needs to inspect/approve the car. As others have said, the only way to know for sure is to ask a dealer. That said, not all dealers appear to be clued up on it. I had to get Lexus UK to email details to my dealer, as they didn't know it existed.

I can vouch for the Michelin CrossClimate SUV's. I drove across France and into Germany and Switzerland last December, on wet motorways and up and down snowy mountain roads and they performed excellently. I've also found them to be pretty quiet. Not cheap, but I'm happy with them.

I found a decent size overlap on the underside of my headrests. Under the seats is another possibility, but I found no spare fabric there on mine. As a last resort you could send a headrest itself for them to match and send back with the colourant.

Here's the link to the colourant (now called Leather Repair Paint): https://www.furnitureclinic.co.uk/leather-care-products/leather-dyes-restoration/leather-repair-paint You literally just wipe it on with a sponge and allow to dry. Takes only a minute or two a seat. As for a sample, it's a matter of finding a bit of excess leather. In my case I took off one of the headrests and found there was sufficient overlapping fabric to be able to cut off a piece. A one inch square is enough, and there's an option on the order page to say you're sending a sample for matching.

Same reason for me. I use Lexus for servicing as I have the 10yr+ extended warranty. I also use a local garage for stuff outside of the annual service.

As a last resort you might want to try Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure. It's a liquid designed to find it's way into the tiniest of cracks and gaps, and seal them. Mostly used for sealing windows on boats, I've used it on windscreens and other hidden leaks before, with some success. Worth a go before splashing out on a new light assembly.

I use leather repair paint from The Furniture Clinic. It's a self sealing colourant that restores colour. It's easy to apply, just wipe on with a sponge and allow to dry. If you send them a leather sample they will colour match it. I've been very happy with the results.

If you're looking to get an extended warranty then you'll need to take it to a Lexus dealer, otherwise there's Japex, who are a Lexus independent specialist in the Watford area. Oil change and brake pads can be done pretty much anywhere though.