Nick W858

Just looking through the records the previous owner kept for the ISF I recently bought. Shows 41k for the first set of rears which is incredible - wonder if he realised he had bought a V8! He obviously upped the pace a bit as the second set of rears only lasted 40k! Reassuring that the car has led a gentle life. Anyone managed to beat 41k? Not that you would probably want to admit to it! Nick

No not yet - went to see them last week - when I get the 110k service done they will do it then. That will be in about 6 wks time.

Congrats - the white ones look very nice but then again I am biased! You will have lots and lots of fun - still can't get the grin off my face!

Thanks guys - was at Lexus Hull yesterday and yes the wheels are wrong way round - will be in for a service shortly so will be sorted and then look at warranty too - apparently it is transferable for a small fee. I have read quite a bit previously about the sport mode but couldn't see one on the car - was assuming it would be by he gear stick - did smile to myself yesterday when I found the magic button - it is a bit tucked away isn't it? Definitely worth finding though!

Thanks guys - had another good run in it today and another one planned for tomorrow - have had lots of compliments about it although not sure my neighbours are too impressed with the noise! Am popping to see my contact in Lexus Hull tomorrow - he said on the phone a couple of weeks ago that they could potentially put on a two year warranty for I think was 795 - I don't normally take out warranties but that sounds like a good deal. Sorry if I being thick but bit worried about the wheels the wrong way round comment - please explain! Thanks Nick

Thanks guys - Chris - I did look at the 600h but to be honest I'd rather stick with the 400. Much as the ISF is fantastic I think I will probably run it for a year and then sell it - parking space is a bit tricky for me so I intend to keep the LS at a friends for a while -as I have winter wheels for the LS my plan is to run the ISF until the end of the year and then park it up for three months and run the LS in the worse of winter. I have such a strong connection with the LS I really don't want to let go of it. But then again I really don't want to run two cars so I think next year I might swap the LS and the ISF for a GS450h or may just go back to the LS. After 12 years of driving the LS and not worrying about it, in some ways it's a bit more stressful driving a shiny, sporty car like the ISF - strange as that might sound.

All – just wanted to say hello – have been on the LS400 forum for a while and now wanted to share my new purchase 2009 ISF – brings the household to 12.5 litres now between my LS (which I intend to keep), my wife’s Rx450h and now the mighty ISF! Picked it up last night –private sale from Buckinghamshire and drove it back up to Nottinghamshire late last night – what a machine! A bit different from the LS of course but seems to be great for pootling around in as well as having a good old blast too. I am not unused to speed – I also have a Honda Fireblade but the ISF is certainly the quickest thing I have owned/driven on four wheels. Big thanks to Jamie ex ISF owner now GS450 owner) who I exchanged a number of messages with before the purchase. The car is in white – it’s done a big mileage (109k) but is a one owner (long standing successful company director) and has full history – in short the gentleman I purchased it from is for me exactly the kind of individual I wanted to deal with – the condition is superb and the car has wanted for nothing. Many thanks for all your postings which helped me come to my decision. Quick picture attached (if I have done this properly) Nick

Hello all Just thought I’d give an overview of the costs involved during my 10th year of ownership of my 98 LS400 – this site was immensely helpful in my decision to purchase my vehicle so hopefully this information may help others too. During the last 12 months I have covered around miles, car has done around now does around 23mpg round town but most of my journeys are longish runs when it can get up to 29/30mpg. Costs (aside from fuel) as follows; Insurance £354 Tax £225 Annual Service & Mot £1319 – this included new plugs, rear pads a wear wire (not sure what that is!) plus brake pipes, new top arm and oil cooler – this was done back in April 2014 so my memory is a bit hazy about all the bits and pieces. I also needed a new key and fob etc – this was £198 Refurb of scuffed front bumper and other minor paintwork £220 Total £2316 Annual service was done at an independent – I have found a small excellent garage around the corner from where I live – the proprietor owns an LS400 and is very knowledgeable about the vehicle. Still loving the car and I intend to keep it although it will be used as a second car now for me (probably a winter vehicle). I have just collected a very nice 2009 ISF which takes us to a three Lexus household and 12.5 litres between my LS, ISF and the wife’s Rx450. Hopefully the ISF will prove to be as good as the LS - I am more than aware they are quite different cars! Thanks Nick

Yes that is a shame - agree, when I sell something, like you, I point everything out - being transparent and managing expectations just seems the right thing to do. Never heard of an alarm being removed either! Pointless driving yourself mad with wondering what else might be not be what it seems - chances are everything else will be spot on. Just enjoy the drive. Nick

Ha ha - yes I suppose it's not really a fair fight is it? Still I am sure the nice folk on there will make you welcome should you ever decide to make the switch!

Thanks guys for your responses - some food for thought. My local national tyres garage kindly store my wheels and change them over for no cost - in return I get my tyres (and my wife's) from them. Didn't consider running winters all year round but could be an option - I wonder how much real world difference there would be e.g. Winter tyres on a baking hot summers day - not that we have many of them. The car I was looking at is now off Autotrader. TBH - I am stuck in indecision at the moment - have tested a Merc E500 (2010 model) and a E350 cdi (2012) but both left me.a bit cold. Not driven the ISF yet so guess that could make my mind up if/when I do. Other thing I am looking at is LS600 - so you can see that the decision is far from clear cut. Sad as it sounds I am really connected with my LS400 - bought it for a one year experiment 12 years ago and now with 250k on the clock it still puts a smile on my face. Decisions, decisions.

Good news Graham - come on then what do you really about the 300h? Nick

Hi all - just been to look at a lovely 2008 ISF today and am very tempted. Have seen a few threads and various views about using winter tyres versus not using the car in snow but the reality for me is that I will definitely need a set if I purchase the car. Has anyone managed to get them onto a smaller set of wheels successfully? Thanks Nick

Hi - I don't own a 300h but do own a 2011 RX450 along with a 98 LS400. Had a 300h f sport last week while the RX was in for a service. Two very different cars, I was surprised how sporty the is felt - that said I was finding it hard to get over the engine note. Still think the RX is one of the great all round cars - as others have said, the 44mpg is fantasy - we average around 27 from mainly short runs - sometimes this as low as 21 and best is 33. The is l had last week was showing 38mpg over 4k miles - guess as a loan car it will get some stick. I did around 50 miles of fast a road driving and got about 38mpg too. Really liked the is but they (rx & is) are two very different cars.

Hi Wade We purchased a 2011 RX450h at three years old with approx 70k on the clock so it had been well used. The car was for my wife who was moving up from a Prius. Only had the car for around a year but just like my LS400 which I have owned for approx 12 years, the RX has been utterly faultless and given my long experience of Lexus, I expect it to remain that way. Downsides? Well the ride is nowhere near as good as my LS but then we are talking very different kinds of vehicles. The interior is a lovely place to be. MPG has only been around 28 for us but car is used on short school runs/commutes. All in all a great car and when I do eventually move on from my LS, I can see myself buying one. Go for it would be my advice. Nick