New Member...

CMC · January 5, 2014

Hi,

Just signed up having spent some time reading through previous posts.

I'm on the search for an IS250 and have narrowed my options down to a couple. All being well I should be an owner in the next couple of weeks.

Looking forward to spending more time here....

Chris

steve2006 · January 6, 2014

Hello and welcome to the LOC.

Feel free to post up links for your shortlist of prospective buys if you would like the opinions of other members.

Good choice of Lexus the V6 is an excellent engine.

ChrisIS200SportTTE · January 6, 2014

Hi, welcome to the club :)

IHgs300 · January 7, 2014

Welcome to the club Chris.

Stuno1 · January 7, 2014

Welcome to the forum :)

CMC · January 12, 2014

Hi,

Thanks for the welcome guys.

Might be a bit longer than a couple of weeks.

Ive looked at three so far.

The first was the best of the bunch but I'd missed it by the time I went back to them.

I looked at this one next. http://bit.ly/1eyIaM7. Clean, a few scuffs but they will be repaired. But I've driven it, twice now, and something doesn't feel right. Not sure how best to describe it but the steering feels jittery - perhaps due to the 18" wheels. I went the second time after looking at and driving the net one so I could compare and it felt very different. Plus the dealers seemed like they didn't want to sell me a car. The first time we had to wait for the guy to complete his lunch, the second time another guy seemed very reluctant to take me out for a test drive suggesting I come back another day. I've discounted this one.

This is the third http://bit.ly/1j0JNpd Much nicer dealers. This drove very well, it felt much more 'planted' than the silver one. But, its a little scruffy. To be fair I saw it prior to a good valet. Some stuff will polish/scrub out. But the paint is very worn in the dip under the drivers door handle and there is a hole in the drivers floor carpet. Both point to a female driver (jewellery and heels). Plus it only has one key (£300) and there was a gap in the service history (not huge). They'll service it and do the extra bits that could have been missed (brake fluid, diff top up etc.). And of course its top money. We haven't negotiated but the sales guy has said there is scope. I haven't written this off - but I'm not instantly smitten.

The next closest (I'm after an SE-L with MM/ML) seems to be this one in Coventry. http://bit.ly/1iAlCvj I haven't looked at it yet as its over 2 1/2 hrs away. Not even called them to check history etc. Its a little older than I was hoping (07 at about 8.5k is my ideal) but the mileage is good and I like the grey. Might call them this week and if they make me very confident I could shoot up there net weekend.

Otherwise its a waiting game I think.

Any thoughts appreciated.

Chris

cidersteve · January 12, 2014

good luck with your purchase, always go with your gut instincts and wait for the right one

CMC · January 18, 2014

Well the deed is done.

Put a deposit down this morning. A 2006 SE-L, Grey with black leather, MultiMedia system, 28,000 miles. Full Lexus History. Very tidy condition.

Bought from Lexus Woodford who looked after us very well.

My only gripe would be with the service plan. On the Lexus site is suggests this is available from £159 for 2 years. My quote was £1600 for 3! Needless to say I politely declined

I expect to pick it up next weekend. But did bring the owners manual home with me for a read in the mean time!

Car owners manuals must be the only instruction books a bloke ever reads