Rx450H Owners Wanted For Feature In What Car Magazine

[Steve]

I received a request from WhatCar magazine looking for owners with an IS. See below and make contact direct if you are interested.

Hi there, my name’s Tom Webster and I’m the staff writer at What Car?, and am looking for a couple of Lexus owners that would be happy to appear in an upcoming issue of What Car? magazine alongside their car.

Specifically, we’re after IS and RX450h owners, preferably of cars around 3 years old.

If you could drop me a line at tom.webster@haymarket.com and let me know if you are able to help out, that would be great. Our snappers are all pretty good at their job we reckon, so you should end up with a decent picture at the end of it!

I’d be grateful if you could include a couple of basic details, namely the following...

A few words about why you like your car

Age

Job

Address

Tel number

Miles driven in car

Exact model of car

Thanks guys!

[Rillo]

Well the issue is out and the idiotic gurning face on the RX page is mine Best bit is they "washed" my car using photoshop by the looks of it.

[NickS]

Shame they didn't actually wash it for you!

Not seen the recent mag yet but might treat myself for the Bank Hols!

[Pusser]

I was interested to see What Car mentioned. I realise that reviews of cars are subjective but a Ford Mondeo Estate is awarded 5 stars and mostly based on their review I bought one with 5k on the clock. At 6.5k I part ex'd it for and RX400H because in my view the engine on acceleration in low gears made a noise like a bag of marbles being shaken and the road rumble noise from the tyres was tedious to say the least. I will say when cruising a fine car but how did it get 5 stars. My friend had a newer one than I had (motorbility) and the noise on his car was even worse but as Ford told me and Ford told him - that is normal for these latest engines but yes; the previous engine was much quieter.

For my RX400H I read in "Honest John" the only faults reported was a few sticking boot locks.

JD Power (I think) said this car came top in reliability and customer satisfaction ratings several times.

Then I read on here a multitude of owners have major problems with batteries which Lexus knows about apparently and noises in the suspension which Lexus knows about apparently. And the newer 450 has the same problems which Lexus knows about apparently.

As everyone seems to know all these things I wonder why I always seem to find out after spending money and have to spend more money rectifying what should have been in the reviews.

In fairness to What Car they did mention almost in passing that there was a bit of noise on acceleration and there was "some" road noise getting through. (Not direct quotes). But as a direct result of their review I purchased said Ford and that has cost me several grand to get swapped out.

What Car review, from memory (which is crap) stated the flaws of a 400h were expense and nothing about the tiny matter of the car leaving owners stranded in airports etc. So once again I may have again made a mistake from where I get my advice but having said that, where else can I go, other the the car mags.

This is not a rant but a genuine puzzlement about how I always seem to end up disappointed in my purchases. I hasten to say that so far I am over the moon with this car, at least until I read through the forums.

[mikeyv]

Hello Pusser, and welcome from another mhf refugee.

Surely the answer is to hire the car of your choice and thoroughly test it, rather than rely solely on other peoples opinions.

Taking your Mondeo as an example, it sounds like a trip round the block would have been enough to put you wise.

However, I must admit honest john and owners forums are great sources for known faults etc.

Oh, and whatever you do, never take notice of Mr Clarkson, he's just a show pony, even 5th gear talk more sense than him.

[Pusser]

@Mikeyv. Small world indeed. First MHF'er I have spoken to since I left when my subs ran out. I miss MHF but for several reasons, including feeling like a pork chop in a synagogue due to the fact I now have no motorhome, my sell by date was nigh.

Good advice and thank you but in my defence and trying not to look like a complete numpty when I got the Ford I was on the motorway driving home from Yorkshire to Aylesbury and I found it awesome even compared to an X3. So much comfortable space. But then I realised the rattling was everytime I was in lower gears and not just when cold. The rumble was unobtrusive at first until I heard nothing else so it may have just been me.

I do hope this 400 keeps me on the high it has already given me. I cannot think of a car I have had out of many that gave me that feeling since I had an Etype in the 70's. Before that a Lotus Elite gave me that buzz until the rear suspension fell off which is why I ended up with the jag.

I will say however, that the customer to Lexus showroom relationship is simply superb and I am talking here of the Milton Keynes branch. I really wish I had not bought the X3\Ford and bought a 400 first. I would have saved a bomb.

Oft tp Framce next week so that will be a good time for a shakedown although as you probably already know I am as useful as a catflap in a submarine as regards mechanics.

Did you leave MHF because you were deported, got rid of your motorhome or simply had enough?

Whatever, I wish you best of luck in your ventures and thank you for the time you gave to answer my post.

[mikeyv]

Still got a van, though it's a camper rather than coachbuilt, but I tow a caravan with it - best of both worlds.

As to MHF (a motorhoming forum for anybody wondering what the hell we're referring to), I got fed up of seeing anybody interesting run out of town, and too much input from moderators, who are now gone apparently.

Enjoy your Lexus, I'm sure it will be fine.

[Pusser]

Pity re mhf. Had agood time on there and got stacks of help. Sorry re brevity but struggling with Android.