Rednotdead

Never used a blower, I've always used a good quality drying towel. Lay the towel over the panel and pat dry, don't drag it. You'd be amazed how mush water they soak up. After patting dry a spritz with a quick detailer and all your water spots will have gone. As you build up the layers of wax (and top up with quick detailer) you'll find it easier and easier to clean and dry. Mine is at the stage now where I can dry the car with an open hose, the water just sheets off. Seems a lot to me. I had my previous Merc C Class estate fully corrected and protected by a well known detailing company not far from me for less than half that. You could buy yourself a DA polisher, some pads and polish and do it yourself. It's very satisfying. However, with the soft lexus paint you need the finishing pads and a gentle polish only, then a good protective layer. The advice above about claying is sound. 2 or 3 times a year my process is snowfoam, rinse, fallout remover, clay, rinse, panel wipe, polish, wax. Every couple of weeks it's a wash and quick detailer top up. Wheels are protected with EZ's Wheel Armour although Poorboys do a wheel paste which works well. GTechniq products for the windows, Aerospace303 for the interior and Dodo Juice leather products for the upholstery. Not the best pictures but the attached shows what you can do with velvet black.

Another vote for Poorboys Black Hole. Use it instead of SRP, it acts in a similar way in that it fills small scratches. It (and SRP) need a protection layer on top and I use Poorboys Nattys Paste wax - goes on nice and buffs off easy. I use Black Hole and Nattys Paste about 2-3 times a year and each wash in between I use a quick detailer to top up the protection. I flit between Gtechniq Quick Detailer and Dodo Juice's equivalent. A good supplier is cleanyourcar.co.uk. Black Velvet is a bu**er to keep, it's so soft. Just looking at a microfibre will scratch it. Invest in some good microfibres and buffing cloths, they do make a difference.

That doesn't explain why it keeps beeping in reverse, I could understand one, but not the incessant noise. I believe it can be switched off by the dealer so next time it goes in... And the sensors are crap anyway, the worst I've ever had in any car, especially the front ones. Why can't Lexus get these simple things right?

10 months, 11k miles. Likes: - the hybrid witchcraft - seat comfort, and the proper leather - the fact you can switch off without worrying about gear lever etc. Dislikes: - the DAB system is useless and utterly un-intuitive. Gave up after 5 mins, I'll stick with FM. - the scatter gun approach to the warning/info lights on the instrument binnacle. There is no pattern nor rhyme or reason to their placement, it's almost as if they said "that'll do". All my other cars they have been arranged with some semblance of logic and order. - very soft black velvet paint, a bugger to keep swirl free. and a 4th - the bloody annoying, insane beep when you put it in reverse. I know it's in reverse, I put it there, just shut T F up!

I can endorse Glasstec_Paul. I had cause to use his services for my previous car, he's a chap that knows what he's on about and is passionate about his craft. Highly recommended.

Wouldn't bother with the parking sensors. My 2014 has them and they are rubbish, really rubbish. I came to Lexus from Merc whose sensors were brilliant. Lexus seems to do everything well except these.

Oof - brave choice on the colour, says he with a boring black one!

I agree - can't see what all the reviews are banging on about. It's certainly no firmer than any Audi/BMW/Merc. I'd say any S-line, M-Sport, AMG version is much firmer, but I suppose they're 'sporty' <tongue in cheek> so expected to be firm. The more reviews about the CT I read, the more I think the reviewers just don't get the car.

I've had mine just over a week now and I've found that it encourages a smooth method of driving and this seems to get the best out of it. It's not a 'mash the pedal to the floor' kind of vehicle. I've found smooth and gentle throttle inputs work best and the car just seems to gather pace with not much effort. Sport mode is fun and useful when you need a bit of extra shove. I did a 100mile round trip yesterday that included local A roads, the M4 and the A34 (with its hills) and the car was fine, it maintained speed no problem on uphill sections. Returned an average of 55mpg (according to the trip computer) and I found if you use the cruise control economy seems to improve. My Merc was a C250 petrol (with 205BHP) and lots of grunt and I must say I'm not missing it. The Lexus just seems to cosset and reward you with a more relaxed driving style.

Black and ivory leather - you know it makes sense

Just moved into a CT from a 2011 Merc C Class. Lexus is far more refined and the notorious firm ride hasn't made an appearance yet, it's certainly no firmer than any of the big 3 German manufacturers. Mine runs on 16" wheels. It's no sports car (regardless of designation) but it does encourage a relaxed mode of driving. The hybrid stuff is witchcraft, just let it do its thing. The standard sound system is more than adequate although I'm struggling to deal with the DAB setup. Fit and finish of the cabin is certainly on a par, if not slightly better, than the Merc. It's only when you look low down in the cabin do you see the slightly cheaper plastics and toyota switchgear. The leather trim is lovely and so much better than the velour or velour/vinyl options. On a well surfaced road the refinement of the CT is remarkable, it's so quiet. On our usual surfaces it's fine albeit firm but I certainly don't find it uncomfortable. I haven't regretted the move from Merc at all.

Hi. Just chopped my Merc C250 CGi Estate in for a CT200h which I'm picking up in a couple of weeks. First Lexus, and I've been seriously impressed with the CT on the test drives - it's nothing like the reviews. Ended up with a Luxury in velvet black with ivory leather. Looking forward to becoming part of the community. Guy