Notamech

Typically lexuses tend to be reliable. However newer cars these days come packed to the brim with electronics which have a higher chance of failing vs simpler cars from even a decade ago. Even brands like honda that made ultra reliable cars seem to be having reliablity issues lately. So while a newer Lexus may not leave you stranded by the side of the road, the long term ownership experience may not be as niggle free as you've been used to.

You are right..they are prone to theft and is something i will need to adress post purchase. I heard lexus are installing trackers but not sure how far back theyre going. The GS is going to be a 17 plate but still on the old £25 tax(thankfully).For some reason the insurance is cheaper than my IS. Im currently with admiral and to change my car they're offering me £8 back which is shocking...insurance companies giving me money back...never thought id see that day. Even having looked online on comparison sites before deciding to move forward the GS is working out to £200 less a year for myself and my wife as a named driver vs the IS. Perhaps its the colour - grey IS vs silver GS or the more sports oriented nature of the IS. Also maybe not as many GSs have been targeted so far hence it hasnt affected their insurance prices. Frankly the acturial science feeding their algorithms is a bit of a black box not sure how they work things out.

I've been an IS300H owner for a few years now. And have thoroughly enjoyed the car and tinkering with it. However having come from an E class i was always left craving more space and a bit more luxury. While the IS was great for the type of car it was, unfortunately, it felt like it wasnt meeting my family's needs anymore, primarily in terms of space and comfort on long journeys. So today I bit the bullet and sold my car. I am most likely upgrading to a GS300H which keeps a lot of the driving dynamics and economical aspects of the IS but offers more space and luxury albeit at the cost of being larger overall. I managed to find a facelift premier variant which is rare and hard to come by at a reasonable price so i had to reserve it. I actually wanted a 450h but might have been an overkill for our british roads and a face-lift 450h is like winning the lottery you never know when the next one is going to be on sale and even when they do come they get snapped up fast. Will be going to see the car this weekend and if i like it i will buy it else might consider an nx300h. Reviews seem to suggest the ride quality on the NX isn't even comparable to the GS and the GS is a much better car (almost a mini LS) so hopefully the car i reserved ticks all boxes and serves my family's needs for many years to come.

Yes i have done this in my 2014 executive variant. You need to buy a module from ali express then open your door panel and plug in the module. Then whenever you lock your car just make sure you press the lock button twice and it will fold the mirrors and when you unlock the car the mirrors open automatically. Its a very handy feature to have. Here is the module Just found this amazing item on AliExpress. Check it out! ￡24.49 | Car Side Mirrors Auto Folder Folding Spread Kit For Lexus IS300H (2014-now) + Plug and Play https://a.aliexpress.com/_EGMgp1n

Id recommend sealing the cut, if it hasn't yet let in dirt, with a bit of silicone or RTV gasket maker. Else the grease could leak out and dirt could get in destroying the ball joint. All depends on how long you plan to keep the car.

Its most likely the battery. Not sure what test halfords ran but maybe your battery isnt doing well under load. If its been 10 years on the original battery then might be a good idea to get a new one.

Life of the car is not the same as forever. What i mean by that is that usually ball joints are one of the last things to fail on Toyotas. By that time the car is of such low value that its probably not economical to repair.

Had it been up to me. I probably would've gone with the original as well but the car came this way when i bought it and i havent had any issues yet. Also we have a honda jazz with a yuasa and that thing has been going strong for 6 years now. So im happy to stick with the yuasa for now they seem like a good brand (japanese). I will probably change my car before the battery dies anyway.

Most people here use the original as aftermarket options are rare given the lexus uses an AGM type battery thats smaller than usual. Personally i have a regular yuasa lead acid battery officially on the yuasa site they dont really have an option for the is300h but i guess the previous owner / garage of my car managed to find one that fits. I have never had a problem leaving it parked for even a month. But the original one should be good too as long as you use the car regularly

I am very surprised at this. Ball joints on Toyotas generally last the life of the car never heard of one going bad. Same for tie rods. Maybe get a second opinion? Unless a rodent bit the boot and the grease leaked out or something. Also i feel like there definitely would be a clunk and the steering wouldnt feel right if something were wrong.

I have done this. Not to replace the clock but the ac vent as mine had broken fins. But i had to pull out the clock to fit it to the new vent. It requires you to dismantle the entire centre console. Look for videos on installing car play etc. That should help you remove the radio and ac units. Then you need to undo 4 screws on the underside of the ac vents and pull it out. But before you pull it out you need to also loosen the panel with the hood above the instrument cluster and starter button cover as the ac vent is sort of hooked on to it. Here is some more info on what i mean https://www.clublexus.com/forums/is-3rd-gen-2014-present/753393-anyone-install-carbon-fiber-wrap-for-their-interior-6.html

Totally agree with this. Get an older 14/15 model at around 80-100k and budget a bit for unforeseen expenses like suspension bushings etc. But you pay less upfront and loose less during the course of ownership. Also pre 2016 the tax is only £10-20 depending on the variant. Generally highly reliable car and very easy to do DIY work on should you decide to do it. Tech wise other than carplay i dont think the is misses out on much if you get a premier spec. All the new cars coming with beep beep bop bop features are annoying from what i hear best avoided id think.

Good decision. Its your hard earned money you deserve to be happy with your purchase. Its not everyday you spend on a depreciating asset. When you do, peace of mind and satisfaction are at least what id expect it to provide. Also cars from up north or the coast will have heavy corrosion unfortunately and the differential and areas around it are notorious for looking super rusty. Also if budget allows i would say check out a higher spec example, one that already comes with things you need like parking camera etc. alternatively do also check out the exec trim in the GS300h thats overall a better equipped and a more comfortable car but might cost a couple grand more.

Which is why i recommend avoiding modern cars and their connected servises BS.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/314744519951 here is a set of 4 original sensors for ~£100 cheaper than the £78 per sensor that lexus want. Just double check the part no is the same.

Buy the original sensors on ebay and get a reputed tyre shop to fit and program it.

Honestly theres not much you can do anyway. Im sure the owners manual also states a certain amount of oil consumption is normal. As long as it is within that limit it should be fine. Also it is not unusual for engines to consume oil when pushed e.g driving uphill or frequent driving at full throttle. So top it up and keep checking.

Yup that sounds normal if its only when you press the pedal. Its because youre not applying sufficient pressure and the wheels are turning while the pads are still contacting the discs hence the noise. Press the brake hard and let go fast (dont half apply) and you wont hear that noise.

Sorry mate sounds like BS after BS to me. I just did the front brakes and pads on mine myself. They were as silent as i expected them to be after a short 7 mile drive. You said it yourself they drove the car to you approx 300 miles it doesnt need any more "bedding in" the only noise you hear after new brakes and pads is within the first couple of brake applications after which the pads "settle into" the hardware and you shouldn't hear any more noise. Unless the pads are still making contact when your foot is off the pedal indicating a seized caliper or slide pins. Also you said the noise comes even when brakes are not applied so its unlikely to be the brakes. To be fair the noise does sound like brake noise when you half apply brakes and try moving the car at the same time. Maybe investigate it a bit further at your end and see under what specific circumstances the noise comes. Another thing to check is in drive take your foot off the pedal but dont hit the accelerator the car should crawl forward on its own if not then the brakes are sticking.

I agree it was confusing AF when I was buying my 2014 exec a few years ago. Ended up missing out on some features i really wanted e.g the external mirrors dont auto dim but the inside one does but the car comes with privacy darkened glass so theres no point in having dimming rear view mirrors inside as everything looks dimmed anyway. Outside is where i needed it.

Thats how these people operate if youre polite and nice to them they try to take advantage. If you smell BS start getting agressive. Send them your reasoning of why youre not buying their BS and say if they dont have a good enough reason youre seriously considering rejecting the car.

Other than the code for running lean none of the other issues sound like theyre altitude related. Juddering of the brakes is probably a bad rotor. Could have warped from overheating. Also oil at min is not normal even for a warm engine. The level should be between min and max even on a warm engine. When cold and no oil circulating it should be at max.

Also here's what that sounds like on lexuses and toyotas. They wouldn't change it for the is

I find that hard to believe. I could be wrong but as far as I am aware that artificial noise sounds more like a ufo/electric motor. Its not a grinding groaning type sound. Also i have only ever heard these sounds on newer cars when reversing not when moving forward. Happy to be corrected by anyone with a newer hybrid.

Just make sure your friend uses the correct grease i.e lithium soap based glycol grease on the slidepins and on the brake hardware. Else the rubber bands on the slide pins will swell and cause it to seize. Also make sure the old brake shims are properly lubed and re-used. It will help prevent squeaks. Also use good quality discs and pads like EBC or the original Lexus ones.