Wicky

Just ordered an update disk from cheap Toyota Parts for my 2007 RX400H,disk is 2009 europe up-date.139 pounds delivered from e'mail..info@cheaptoyotaparts.co.uk. My local lexus agency was quoting 147 pounds..I hate being ripped off even if only a few quid. Surfbum Does this update unlock the Audio screen - I would like to have this function accessible whilst driving since it shows track names etc - its a bit of a pain when it just turns itself off and reverts back to the map screen after a few seconds

These things seem to be as relaible as a Swiss watch! Only 2 things to be aware of as far as I can tell. 1) Check the mapping discs for Sat-Nav, a good dealer will throw them in as part of the deal. 2) They don't like being left standing for long periods because the battery is quite small & doesn't start the engine, it only initialises the systems that start everything. The baattery can go down in 10 days if you don't go anywhwere & needs about 15 minutes driving to ensure it's charged again. In other posts you'll see I'm looking into options for this latter point & so far I've found a larger battery that might (it is VERY close in dimensions) fit, but need to ascertain if it really does fit & what the implications are as far as routine driving/charging is concnered. Solar charging seems to be the best route, but you'll need an extra direct wired socket under the dash because all the Lexus one's are off when the ignition is off. As to fuel consumption................ ummmmmmmmm....... How heavy is your right foot? If you drive hard all the time, using engine power, rather than the Hybrid system you'll get high 20's as a braod idea. However, as you are buying a Hybrid my guess is you'll be in the mind for a little restraint & behavioural change. You won't lose much in journey times (trust me!), but you will save fuel. Tips: when you slow down get right off the acccelerator, the engine stops & re-gen of the Hybrid cell starts - there's a large motorway hill near me & it is kind of cool to sail down with the electric motors holding you back in re-gen mode & the fuel readout reading 99.9mpg! All at 70mph (honest judge!). Accelerate lightly & you'll fone the electric motors assist the petrol engine, rather than a full bore shove & getting below 10mpg al the way. In all I get around 28mpg around town & 32-34 on most longer runs. I have seen a genuine (verified by top to top refills fo the tank) 37mpg, but that does take real discipline - I have firneds with 1.6 engined hatchbacks that just about manage 40mpg on a run & 22- 24 around town, so, for a 3.3 litre SUV the figures stack up. (I have a collegue who bought a RR Sport Diesel within weeks of my Lexus purchase & he gets around........ do you really want to go there? OK ...... 23 mpg at best! Hope these ramblings help .... good luck..... enjoy! I'm taking delivery of a 400h SE (07, 25k miles) in a week's time - I have had 3 IS's in the past then switched to Audi but I am now coming back to Lex and can't wait - I have bought the RX as a comfortable motorway cruiser because I go to a lot of football matches - regarding mpg, am I better off using cruise control on long runs or using my foot to control when the power is on or off?

Switching from my 250 Sport to an A5 2.0 TFSI S Line - March delivery - I'm sure you won't be disappointed with the test drive - however, like me, you will have to get used to some features which you may presently take for granted in the IS - speccing an A5 to the same standard will be very expensive

;) Thanks all - I will now be keeping the last monthly payment in my own pocket

A PCP is just another hire purchase type arrangement, and you have every right to early settle it as with an other form of lending. This does not affect your credit rating at all. On the wear and tear issue I have just come out of a 4 month argument with Merc finance on handing back a CLK. They wanted £800 which was nonsense and have now settled for £125. In future I will be very careful when handing back and take plenty of pics as evidence of good condition. I have also crossed Merc off my list for the future. Is "different" to cancelling though? Lexus Finance have told me that I am cancelling and therefore it will have to be marked against my credit history - do you reckon they are bulling? - I'd rather have my last payment in my pocket rather than theirs

I thought exactly the same but apparently the mileage only related to the guaranteed value. The walk at 50% is part of the consumer credit act/rights. I can understand a finance company getting hacked off - I would too. I also feel that I am in a position that is unique to the economy/doom and gloom of the last 18 months where the usual depreciation on cars seems to have got a lot worse and peoplel ike me look to these clauses whereas previously we would have part exed for another one. On a side note - BMW quoted me 12.5% finance and tried to convince me that was competitive even thought interest and libor are less than 2 - somebody is making a good margin methinks. My pcp deal is up with Lexus end of March - I have asked them to take it off me a month early (so only 1 month payment would be outstanding) - the reply I got was that if I cancel the agreement early - even it is only by a few weeks - it will be recorded on my credit rating as "cancelled contract" which obviously would affect my rating. Not worth the risk imho They also said that if my alloys were curbed I would be billed as it is not deemded normal wear and tear

Thanks to you all for the comments - I will miss my IS250 Sport - things like the auto lights and seat adjustment when walking to the car and many other gadgets that the Audi just won't have. It is purely a decision based on economics so far as I am concerned - if there had been a re-tuned, more economical version of the IS250 coming out in March (when my present deal ends) then I could have been tempted to stay. Today I found out that the A5 S Line is coming to the UK (I was originally told that it wasn't) so I've changed my order to an S Line with upgraded 19in. wheels and cruise control - it comes in at 27,500 - £200 more than the Sport which I'd originally ordered. Can't wait for March now :)

My PCP is up end of February but I have asked Lexus Financial Services if I can hand the car back now and they have said that it won't be a problem and just to let them know - no penalties are involved as long as the car is in good condition with fair wear and tear.Pointless me handing it back now though because there is a 4 month waiting list on A5s. Stone chips and scuffed alloys are fair wear and tear

Could do - but not in the winter!

Couldn't afford the Quattro and I have gone for solid Red with upgraded 19in. 5 spoke alloys and the all important Xenon pack which includes the daytime running lights (they are only standard on the V6 models). I've been with Lex for 10 years and never had a complaint - Lexus Newcastle done their best to keep me within the marque but couldn't really offer me anything close to the A5 (they offered me an RX400 SR but the payments were well over the top). I will miss the standard spec of my IS - even cruise control is an optional extra on the Audi

My PCP is up in February and as much as I'd love to stay with Lexus - I've had to move on. I'm really disappointed that the 2009 facelift has left the engine emissions untouched - if I stick with another 250 Sport I'll get lumbered with 400 quid a year road tax and mpg of under 30mpg. I've decided to order an Audi A5 2.0 TFSi Sport - 135 quid a year road tax and 45 plus mpg with much better performance to boot. Sorry Lexus - but it was a no brainer - if anyone thinks I've done the wrong thing I'd love to hear their thoughts

Strange one this - I've rang to get my 250 Sport petrol 20,000 service and Carlisle come out at £333 and Teesside comes in at £318 (all inc. Vat) - rang Newcastle who have said they are more than happy to match the Teesside price.

Wicky...you're right you are mad. Why are you considering downgrading to a Honda Type 'R'. You should have told her in no uncertain terms what to do with her piece of junk. Maybe its a blessing in disguise Tango - I always get restless after a couple of years but I think I'll hang on till later in the year and see if there are any revisions made to the IS which will tempt me. I am delighted with my car - no complaints whatsoever - maybe I've been saved from making a massive mistake :shutit:

I've been fancying a change of late - car is due its 20,000 mile service, re-taxing etc. so thought I'd take a look around. The only car that appeals to me at the minute (and you can tell me if I'm mad) is the Honda Type R GT. Took the Lex (2006 06 250 Sport in Messa Red, 18,800 miles, new tyres all round and truely in immaculate condition) to a local Honda dealer and asked for a part ex figure against the Honda with sat nav and optional 19in. alloys - she came back with a figure of £15,500 She also said that she would have a job "getting any dealers to take the car off her hands" Am I right to be shocked at that figure

Just to add my twopenneth worth - I have had my 250 Sport now for almost 2 years - not a rattle in sight and it just gets better and better. I have now covered 17000 miles and the engine is a dream - it gets more and more responsive and refined as the miles go by. Normally I would change my car after 2 years but this does not even enter my mind at the moment. I'm totally delighted with it and no other model in its class appeals to me at all. Hard lines on people who have bought a dud but I can only tell it as I find it.