Ian M

Probably, just need to sort something else which was already in my diary that weekend.

I am told that the cat is quite high up, pretty much adjacent to the exhaust manifold, and therefore pretty inaccessible. The Corolla forums seem to think thefts are very rare. 🤞

Thanks for everyone's input. Following a few test drives and phone calls over the 'twixtmas' period, I have put a deposit on a 6 month old Corolla 2.0 Excel Sports Touring with the panoramic roof (an opening sunroof is feature I have had on most of my cars over the years and didn't want to forego but which is all but impossible to find on an NX). As many of you said, the UX is small. The driving position felt quite cramped and the boot is even smaller than I had imagined. The NX was nice, although I didn't drive one, but it felt as if I might as well stick with my RX if I were going to another SUV of that size. Sure the Corolla is a step down from the RX, but it's going to give me an extra 20ish mpg. Meanwhile, my Lexus SC430 is asleep for the winter and keeps me with the Lexus brand for summer motoring.

Having been to see one today, the driving position did feel somewhat cramped and very dark but that may have been down to the colour of the headlining. Interestingly, the Corolla I also looked at felt much less so.

That's helpful, thanks. But given that the RX is, being realistic, far bigger than I need these days, that might not be a major problem. I guess I need a decent test drive.

Given my use of the main car and my annual mileage these days, I am seriously thinking of downsizing from a 3rd generation RX450h to either a UX or, even more sensibly, a Corolla. Has anyone done similar? Thoughts?

There are plenty of Toyota Pruis taxis out there with galactic mileages, so I think we can all be reassured that Toyota hybrids are pretty robust.

I agree, it was lovely to meet you and your family. 32 cars was a great turnout. I even managed to get home with the roof down (OK, I admit that it rained for the last few hundred yards and my neighbours did have a laugh at me sitting on my drive getting wet while to roof took its time to go up).

I look forward to meeting you both. There were 7 of us there last year, this year should be a lot more. I have been out on my bike today with a group of friends and the ride leader took us through Little Hale. Most unexpected! It looks like Chris has got a couple of marquees in his garden in case it rains.

SUN, 22 AUG AT 12:00 LEXUS SC-430 SUMMER GATHERING Location: Little Hale, Sleaford, NG34 9BA United Kingdom https://goo.gl/maps/SwXceMNEBcrs9M3J8 The largest Lexus SC-430 car show to be held in the United Kingdom and from a recent research this will be the largest SC-430 CAR SHOW in the WORLD. Location: MAIN ROAD, LITTLE HALE, SLEAFORD. LINCONISHIRE. NG34 9BA. (There will be a Lexus A-board on Main Road indicating the entrance to the show. 10mph speed limit on the entrance drive must be respected). https://www.lexus-sc430club.co.uk/contact-us

I am in South Derbyshire, and would love to join you. 4th September is good, 11th is a no for me. There is an SC meet in Lincolnshire next Sunday, 22 Aug, organised through a Facebook group: https://facebook.com/events/s/the-one-and-only-greatest-car-/832820583965061/

Similarly in my 2013 car.

2013 model is 51 inches

Agreed, Cross Climates came into their own this morning. The only significant delay to my journey out this morning was less than 200 yards from home: a C class Merc had reversed off its driveway and was then unable to move, blocking the road entirely. 😂😂

Naturally. Neither of them is getting much use at the moment though.

Yes, 2013 RX450h, same as mine.

There was a cat theft just a few doors away from me one night last week. Strangely, the 3RX on their driveway was untouched, but their 51 plate Yaris had its cat cut off. Later the same evening, there was another attempted cat theft 2 streets away, but it seems that the miscreants were disturbed since no theft occurred on that occasion. Very worrying.

Yes and yes. Certainly the compressor starts if it's been left a few days, and it's especially noticeable while everything is quiet before the engine starts. The other place I occasionally notice it is if I have to stop at traffic lights at the end of a motorway slip road. Remember that at higher speeds, the air suspension lowers the ride height to improve the aerodynamics. So if you stop very shortly after a higher speed cruise, the engine won't be running either but the compressor needs to run to bring the ride height back up to normal. All that said, what you are describing does sound as if it might be running too often so there's be no harm in getting it checked out when they fix the tailgate.

20p test..

Nearside

No gaps on my 3RX. Offside....

Like Steve, I ended up with a burgundy coloured 3RX (actually it's code 3S0, Garnet Red) with the black interior which is very smart, if somewhat dark. I don't think there was another red colour for the 3RX anyway. My SC is Mesa Red (paint code 3R1) and they are very different colours.

I too am a Crossclimate fan, they're on both my cars. Interesting article, but I am struggling with this bit: "It also argues that in many places emergency braking is carried out in dry conditions. For example, citing Met office data, it points out that in London, roads are dry for 71% of days per year (106.5 days)." When I was at school, there were 365 (or sometimes 366) days in a year. 71% of that is about 259 days. Someone's got their figures wrong somewhere.

"Meets Lexus standards" sounds like the first email response. I'd pick the phone up and talk to the salesman, then consider going in to see him and the sales manager so they can see the car and understand your concerns. I certainly wouldn't be emailing head office just yet.

Too late, the Ford Anglia (Harry Potter Special Edition) has already claimed that title.