Ian J. Parsley

Super colour - was worth waiting for!

I *think* the rotary is still only on lower specs, but could be wrong. Other issues are matters of opinion of course. The mouse controller is in any case unpopular with some (tho' I like it); the pop-up screen likewise (and actually I prefer the static personally and manufacturers in general do seem to be heading back that way); and so on. Like I say, I don't notice many significant differences.

I get the impression they haven't changed much. It seems to me the equipment levels appear over the years to have improved markedly, but the underlying car has barely been altered at all.

As I say, the delay really doesn't worry us and it really isn't the dealer's fault (one slight issue was we had already SORNed the previous car so it has had to be re-taxed, but they have handled that); it just makes the brand look a wee bit daft. I will gladly check out pictures of any new RCs in the meantime!

As I say, it doesn't particularly bother us as we're in no real hurry. In some ways I can understand one car getting lost more easily. But sending three to the wrong place?! With shipping involved in this case, I wouldn't think it'll be earlier than this time next week before it's sorted.

Awaiting my wife's new CT, bought clearly on a specific deal and thus a stock car, we are informed basically that the wrong cars have been sent to the dealer. Can anyone begin to comprehend how that happens?! The cars are allocated, loaded, in this case shipped - and at no stage does anyone notice they're not the right cars? Doesn't really bother us in this case, but strikes me as incredibly inept.

Congrats on the new purchase. I have precisely the same minus the pan roof (and plus two minor scrapes already... guess that comes from regular use!) 1. I am unclear what you mean. I personally always leave the whole thing in auto (just by pressing the auto button) and that should mean it displays just a temperature? 2. There should be three routes to USB: firstly, use the dashboard "source" and scroll down; secondly, try using the main menu to go to Audio > Source; thirdly, press the "MEDIA" button a few times to cycle through. Unfortunately I'm not in the car so going from memory, but hope that helps.

Darren, Tbh that's probably what I personally would have gone for, as I am not that bothered about the sports kit and sunroof myself. That said, I'm keen to see it all in action!

Eh? My dealer has always done updates for free.

Yes, to be frank she was very taken by the sport trim (I must admit I am less so, but each to their own). And she's wanted black ever since I no longer had it! Out of interest the offer includes metallic paint as that is part of the Sport Plus trim package anyway. Essentially it combines Advance and Sport. The dealer again was quite open that they have each been offered cars to sell in certain colours (i.e. these have already been shipped) so there is very little lead-in time before delivery.

Ooh, £6000 strikes me as a bit high. I believe the list price for the Premium Nav was £1995 and I didn't honestly recall that leather seats (which I had) weren't standard. Luxury was indeed the grade below the top ranking Premier which, it seems, is what is being sought here.

It is a tricky one because the exact list varies from year, so the website won't quite be bang on (in fact I think I am right in saying there is no "luxury" any more?) Easiest way to check is on here - I had one! So feel free to ask.

At great risk of going counter to one prominent forum member here, my wife has opted to go ahead and upgrade her 2016 CT Advance (20,500 miles) to a 2017 CT Sport Plus. Including servicing, this works out at the same monthly payment more or less, with a down payment of not much more than the amount she was about to have to spend on new tyres anyway. I would commend Lexus on being absolutely open that the deal was available because of the forthcoming facelift. My wife isn't really a car person, it is fair to say, so wasn't frankly much interested in that - even upon detailed analysis thanks to this forum! The Sport Plus variant adds half-leather, a sunroof and a reverse camera to the 2016 Advance spec. Pictures to follow upon delivery next week!

Bernard - I personally don't really notice it at all. As I mentioned elsewhere, there is one hill on a motorway near where I live (the A8(M) north of Belfast) where I noted the IS was faster, but the NX is still fast enough (and actually people get out of its way more quickly!) That said, I am not personally a fast driver - really, I'm with Lexus for the comfort. So people who really enjoy driving may prefer the IS (and, as I noted above, the turning circle is an issue), but frankly I don't think many would really notice once they got used to the NX.

This post has come alive again and I am also IS to NX; it is notable, as mentioned above, that in practice you can move from one to the other (assuming the IS is a few years old) with barely any rise in monthly cost right now. That probably won't always be the case. In my case, the one thing I still find I definitely miss is the IS' turning circle. I expected this but it is still there as a point. One other minor thing is that an SUV is fundamentally a hatchback and thus it is worth getting the equipment to keep things stationary on the boot (I have the cargo net). Other than that, I can't think of anything. It took me personally a long time to get the seat right in the NX, but I am there now. I'd say it was also 500 miles or so before I was really comfortable driving it - the whole thing is of course quite different and thus the usual roads require markedly different techniques. (It is perhaps noteworthy here also that I went IS Lux to NX F-Sport). For me, major gains include the interior (it oozes quality throughout - I liked the IS too but didn't like the lower centre); the adaptive cruise control is brilliant once you get used to how it works; and the boot carries a lot more. I think the back-seat passengers are spoiled a bit more too. I personally also find the storage easier in the NX, though that may vary. There are also minor further advantages to the NX which may in due course be added to the IS, such as locking/unlocking via any door. All in all, two good cars, but for me the NX is a touch classier and has a bit more kit.

My wing mirrors on the F-sport are Velvet Black (unless I'm mistaken), so will read and digest even for that!

Actually I have to give credit to Lexus, they were absolutely open about the fact it's a pre-facelift offer. I should be clear about these because I was offered one on my previous IS: the deal basically halves the usual APR and generally involves various "contributions" (effectively making your trade-in value much higher than it would be for any other car) to more than counter the depreciation. In my case, it didn't make any sense because of the nature of my business lease (and in any case I reckoned there would be offers post-facelift too - I'd say that's even more certain with the CT); nevertheless, I have to say I would have found it tempting on PCP (where the future value is less relevant) and I am not convinced in this case that the facelift is particularly profound. So I'd say for some forum members who are current CT owners it would be worth taking a look or making enquiries. No harm in asking!

What do those of you with the Velvet black paint do to keep the car clean without too much swirling?

There's a tempting offer on pre-facelift models at some dealers; any thoughts? In our household's case, the vehicle being offered is specifically the Sport Plus grade. I must say there's plenty of kit on that, though the styling won't be to everyone's liking.

Agreed Dan... and "MyLexus" is down again as we write...

Basically yes. It is very odd, but fundamentally the solution was to have the "Personal Hotspot" page on my iPhone open in order to enable the car to connect to it. So, in this case, it was Apple and not Lexus. (Sono gia infatti in Italia in vacanza, sfortunatamente senza macchina!)

To throw in my tuppennies' - about all it is worth as Northern Ireland is a small place so you cannot just drive 100 miles to another city for another dealer. I found Volvo through the years quite good, though not exceptional. Costs were a bit on the high side for servicing. The showroom was a little cramped and courtesy car arrangements were complex and impractical. But very little really to worry about. I have found Audi very disappointing. They tried to mess us around at point of sale (for the trade-in); they failed to communicate properly when the car was in for a fix; in general, I do get the impression you are treated better further up the scale. Audi UK did little to help. Was left feeling they've become too successful too quickly and are taking customers for granted. One thing I would say against all that is that the showroom is magnificent. I have found Lexus the best, though I may just knock it down to four stars rather than five, as it were. They've been very good on a recent aftersales problem (much better than Lexus UK, who really haven't done much other than refer me back); the showroom is generally a pleasant place to visit; the front desk service is by far the best (they remember names, state a determination to sort problems, and do it all with a smile). As noted elsewhere, they do seem to treat everyone the same and I like the unhurried and unpressurised feel. One constant failing which maybe knocks the star off is the length servicing can take (maybe where the "unhurried" bit isn't so good) - it is not at all unusual to be casually called at 3pm and asked if they can keep the car, no doubt banking that it doesn't matter much since you have a courtesy. But actually sometimes it does matter, so I'd love them to sort that.

Really odd, isn't it? I have my phone down as my only "favourite" WiFi connection but there is still a risk of "interference" at the outset, I find. However, generally, if the Personal Hotspot page is open it works - and even if it doesn't, it usually offers to connect when you need it.

Under the new "MyLexus" connected services system (which replaces the "portal"), you are required to "verify" your vehicle. To do this you need the vehicle registration date and the first part of a code, format LLLnnL (e.g. ABC45F). These are in your logbook, but you have a problem if you lease because the logbook remains with the lease company (whether it be Lexus FS or anyone else). However, I found purely by accident yesterday that the code is in fact displayed on the inside of the passenger door (opposite where the tyre pressures are displayed on the other side). You should also have the vehicle registration date on your initial lease documentation, or your dealer will have it. Thought I would post this as it means those leasing with Premium Nav do not, in fact, have to chase the logbook.

You'll definitely not regret the colour. I was tending towards a grey NX when SWMBO demanded, sorry requested, azure blue. Outstanding in every sense. For what it's worth, in this case I'd say you were probably better going new. Certainly the best you can do financially is a great pre-owned, but guaranteeing that is never straightforward. I swore I'd never buy new until my last, but in the end the security was worth it. And there are plenty of discounts about. Look forward to the pics!