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As I can't amend the title of the original post I have started a new one and a link to the original is above. I am acutely aware this is a Lexus forum but it was Lexus that started me on the electric journey and a number of posters asked that I give an update on Tesla ownership. So here it is, in brief, and intended to be helpful and informative. I will of course respond if desired and if this in even a teeny weeny way helps move Lexus along the electric drivetrain journey then so much the better. The drive is fantastic . For those of you in a hybrid, imagine driving as you do now solely on the battery and multiply the experience by 10. Beautifully serene and silent, then ridiculously fast and still silent. The lack of engine noise hides the sensation of speed somewhat, and you need to be aware of that. The acceleration is immediate and it's almost impossible not to grin like a child. The regenerative braking takes about 5 minutes to get used to and then becomes second nature, if you anticipate the road ahead correctly the brakes only need to be touched when you need to come to a complete stop. Parking is not easy. It's a big car and the "hips" make it difficult to park squarely, despite the dipping mirrors and rear camera. I have never before struggled but there's something about the Tesla that makes it a slight struggle. I've only used the auto parallel parking once and it was perfect but very quick and frightened the life out of me. Fit and finish is much better than I expected, no rattles, squeaks or vibrations. I have done 3k miles in the 2 months since I got it and so too early to get carried away but the initial signs are very good. The technology is amazing, the 17" touchscreen is a delight to use and having the full screen as a nav very helpful when venturing to pastures new. There is a secondary Garmin nav in the instrument binnacle as a back up in case the permanently connected to 3/4G data connection drops, which can happen in remote of rural areas. This connection also gives Spotify and web access etc and the voice control is a million times more accurate than the ones I've experienced before. The range and charging. I bought the 60 kWh which has a 75kWh pack and was software limited to 60kWh. Real world mileage between 160-200 miles depending on conditions and speed. Rain, cold and speed impacts on range dramatically. Driving in mild/warm conditions at or around the speed limit improves range considerably. This is of course no different to "normal" cars but the refuelling process is not as quick. That said, I charge at home overnight using Economy 7 drawing 8kW of power, equivalent to a cooker. This gives me a full "tank" every morning and I only have to consider refuelling if my daily drive is going to exceed 150+ miles. I've used the Tesla Supercharger network half a dozen times, and the battery has been recharged sufficiently in the time it takes to go to the loo and grab a coffee. Since purchasing Tesla have dropped the 60 kWh battery option and reduced the price of "unlocking" the 15kWh to turn mine into a 75kWh. I paid to unlock so now have the 75kWh, which equates to a usable battery of 72.6kWh. The attached pic shows that I have a lifetime average of using 330Wh per mile. Real world range is so far 220 miles, compared to what Tesla say is the average for my car, 239 miles. Ignoring the fact that the Superchargers are free, using Economy 7 means I am paying 2p a mile for fuel, compared to 15p a mile (based on 35mpg I used to get on my NX). A couple of explanations of the pic icons, the greyed out speed limit icon shows adaptive cruise is ready to be activated, and the greyed out steering wheel shows autosteer is also ready. A double pull on a steering column lever will activate both, and the car with drive using the camera, radar and sensor suite. The driver must maintain contact with the steering wheel, and if the car doesn't sense occasional hand resistance, i.e. up and down torque resistance, not a tight grip, the car will nag and eventually disengage "autopilot" and bring the car to a stop. The power meter on the right shows the energy burn over the last 30 miles (other options available) with the wiggly line showing deviation from the "typical" usage. This photo was taken whilst I was stopped at traffic lights by a passenger. The radar sees the car in front, and often the car in front of that as the radar bounces underneath the car in front. Downsides? The only part of the financial equation that stacks up is the "fuel" cost, everything else requires a healthy dose of man maths. That's not a problem in itself, man maths to one degree or another is employed as soon as you deviate away from the cheapest vehicle that will get you from A to B. Long journey's take some thought and research into your travel pattern is a must IMO before you buy. There are Tesla owners doing 30k miles a year plus, so high mileage in itself is not a barrier. Not having the ability to charge overnight would be a major challenge, but some do it, particularly if you live close to a Supercharger. The competition? There isn't any. Yet. The sooner it arrives the better as that can only be good for everyone. The Jag I Pace seems to be the closest one to actually coming to market, the rest are vapourware. Unfortunately ask Jaguar about a nationwide network of high speed chargers and its a mumble about "that's on the way". Where, when, how are met with more mumbling. Sorry, I did say brief.. That's about as brief as I can be. Hope the mods don't mind me posting this, it was born out of genuine interest from Lexus owners.

My local Lexus dealer has had a look at the car and agreed to fix it free of charge. Well done Lexus.

I could understand this thread better if it would have been 1997, but it is 2017... Seems that our Japanese friends still do not realize that the infotainment system nowadays is just as or maybe even more, important thatn a beautifully crafted interior in the right color and with the best soft touch materials. Seems the market is leaving lexus behind on this front. We all know the german 3 are way ahead but just look at Kia/Hyunday or just take a look at the French these days, the new DS5, seen the system/screens on that thing? It is such a shame that a truly fine car is let down by below par electronics

We're actually shooting on the roads around Goodwood rather than the track itself - accentuating the cars' top-down, summer cruising abilities rather than hammering them about at crazy speed. I think we've sourced a car now - thanks all for the help :)

My work mate does photography as a hobby and fancied trying some car pics. We spent a full day on Sunday in the work car park and out on some quiet roads. I'm pretty happy with the results so far, especially as he didn't charge me 😂

After 4 months of waiting, we finally took delivery of the IS200t F Sport Premiere yesterday. I'm very impressed with the car so far, looks absolutely stunning. I believe it's one of the very first Facelift 200t with this colour combo if not the only one in the country. Arrived at home with the beast

I do not see how this would make the car unroad worthy after all you can turn the passengers air bag off in most cars with the switch provided. I do agree that changing the steering wheel to one without an air bag would be something the insurance companies would frown on. John

Check this one out. Looks nice http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201703283780519?onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&postcode=b95hb&advertising-location=at_cars&sort=sponsored&model=LS 400&radius=1501&make=LEXUS&page=1

It is not just reverse polarity that causes problem, and lets face it even the experts can get it wrong. Again going to the Prius forums will show just how many people get this wrong. The fewer jump starts done is fewer possibilities of getting it wrong. Sometimes for whatever reason we are late or in a hurry the weather is lousy, and it's throwing it down with rain the very time when things go wrong.There are other problems. Many people insist on running the engine on the car that is providing the "jump" this is a definite no with the hybrid with normal alternators giving out very spiky supplies. A much better solution is a small jump pack carried in the car or better still carry jump leads protected against reverse polarity. This is cheaper than the fuse in the battery terminal. The other definite no is jump starting another car from a hybrid again because of the fuse in the positive battery terminal. The Panasonic AGM battery is also not designed for engine cranking. The owners manual also tells how to jump start from the terminal in the fuse box at the front of the car. This is fine if your jumping the hybrid, but not if your jumping another car. Why Toyota/Lexus did not put a diode at the jump point to protect the cars electrics is beyond me. The cost would be minimal. The 12volt battery does other things apart from booting up the computers before you even touch the start button. Opening the drivers door starts up the hydraulic pump for the brakes. Pressing the start button then boots the various ECU's, and these interrogate many sensors on many different systems a low voltage or missing return signal causing an error, and failure to go to ready. John

Jump starting anything incorrectly causes many electronic issues. The trick is check , check and check again to make sure you get it right. It is , however a very very simple thing to do if you can read the owners manual and follow the simple instructions. Starting a CT200 or any other Toyota derived hybrid is just a case of getting the on board computer start up. You don't actually jump start the engine. The on board computer starts up the engine on the HV system once it has started itself up on the 12volt system. So unlike starting a conventional set up with a flat battery, you just need to draw enough power in order to fire up the computer. Reversing polarity trashes a lot of electronic circuits unless they happen to be protected ( they are very rarely protected).

Very good photo shoot. Enjoyed looking at them.

Sorry to hear it didn't work out and you have touched on a good point. The "customer experience" can be very patchy indeed. Individually the staff are all very well meaning, helpful and believe passionately in the product that they don't actually try and sell you. However, they either do not have enough staff and/or their systems need beefing up. This will be especially true when the Model 3 arrives in a couple of years. The rush to get deliveries out at the end of each quarter causes unnecessary problems but they seem to rely on the memory of these to fade the minute you drive away. And they pretty much do! Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

It is reasonably strait forward on older operating Windows systems "XP and earlier 32bit", but not quite so easy on Windows 7/8/10 64bit. Make sure you chose "mini VCI as the adapter in the drop down menu. If the computer connects to the adapter without being connected to the car things are reasonably intuitive once connected to the car. John.

The blue one does look nice. Not sure about the cambelt situation. Six years since replaced though very low mileage added since. Would that bother me? yes probably. Every five years or mileage if mine reaches that stage with me.. The Car with LPG it always bothers me when I see a Petrol guage with a level below empty. OK its got Gas but you need to leave a bit onf petrol in the tank and I'd say not less than a quarter full to be on the safe side not to drag in muck or if the gas plays up - which it shouldn't of course. If it was the blue Car with the LPG I might have been tempted as not so far away from me. Probably a good thing. Why do I need another?? Its an age thing I find that I often buy a second of something, be it tools, clothes or whatever. Daft b**gger

@Prof Manny Right on all counts Mandip, I've got some time to kill today just helping out with some research at Lexus on the car for @wow300 so far so good 👍 Bug Rat

Further update the spare plug was in fact the ignition illumination which was in the way when I removed the switch, I had tucked the lead away and did'nt notice it until I realized the light was not working on entering the car. Fortunately it did not require removal of the upper shroud and with deft work with two pair of surgical tweezers I managed to connect the socket and plug. I realized after consulting the pics I took on first exposing the wiring a plug was not in the shot but difficult to see, this highlights the need for progressive photos when doing these type of jobs.

My dad's first car was a Hillman bought in 1969 followed by a Toyota Corona in 1972 and thereafter a Toyota Crown in 1976 But I wouldn't say I was influenced by his choices as my first car was a beetle followed by a 1983 Honda Prelude . Have had many several makes since Like talking Montengo, Ford Granada (which I loved to bits and kept till it died ) and two Mercs the trusted W210 E class which I still drive.

Cleanyourcar.co.uk, Polished Bliss etc. Quite a few around Always worth checking ebay as well.

Saw the profile on the auction website after a heads up from Mr Rat . Lots of little cosmectic blemishes and if i think only one key . The car sales is in Croydon . Well established place .

Most excellent news. Please provide bank details and will wire 500 pounds English to your account. Please can you deliver car to 12 Rose Way,Green Lane, Dami Dami, Nigeria. Most thankful.

If it were me I'd go to the nearest breakers yard to replace that part or search on eBay , Lexus do seam to extract the urine when it comes to pricing parts for their cars, I was quoted over £300 to replace a broken clip that connects the wire to one of the plug coils !!!!!!!!!! I fixed it myself for the cost of 1hour of my time . Good luck with your search . Allan

I should have added to my post above the Panasonic battery fitted as OEM does not stand up well to being discharged, and there is no safety cutoff. A flat or low 12 volt battery gives rise to all sorts of strange fault messages when turning the car to ready mode, and jump starting can and does cause serious expensive electrical problems particularly if the jump leads are reversed even for a split second. All this is well documented on the Prius forums on which the CT is based. John

This would be better as it is obviously designed for Lexus and the wind noise on the LS460 is already so bad that it would make no difference:

Sounds like you need one of these 😅

Very artistic. I particularly like the black and white pic with the ISF across 3 lanes.

@Big Rat I prefer quarter to 3, closer to home time 😁

I always think videos are much better at explaining things than words! Therefore, I'll just drop this here: As you can see, it does take a while but on Lexus paint which is generally soft, it should be faster. You really do need a German applicator pad like the one in the video though as one side is hard and the other is soft. If you use a generic applicator like those yellow round ones, you might find they are too soft to actually remove anything - however, having said that, best to try with the soft side first to make sure you're not overdoing it!

@Rusty Crobar Again very nice, just get your hands at ten to two on the steering wheel as you were taught 😏 🐀

Oi Ratty. That image is copyright! And stop picking on my mate Mark

@Mark G No you don't look evidence you tried to kill me 😂 Big Rat

That's what I like about you mate, you always manage to suss me out and point out the error of my ways without shouting too much about your own qualities, at times I feel honoured to know you...............

The Silver one up for Auction found some pictures of it on a car spotters website taken 7 years ago, looks like London > Big Rat

I should also mention what to look out for when your pump is due to fail. These are my experiences; About 2 months before my hybrid transmission oil pump failed, I particularly noticed a slow response when the gearbox changed the CVT torque multiplier ratio (i.e. equivalent to an overdrive gear). About the torque multiplier: At about 55mph, the gearbox changes the ratio of the CVT to the high ratio (you will notice a short drop in power of about half a second) before continuing to accelerate. When decelerating below 35mph, the torque multiplier changes to the low ratio (again, you will notice a short drop in power/engine breaking, while this changes). At this point, if the pump bearing is worn, the change is slower. This is most noticeable under hard acceleration, where the change can take a couple of seconds due to the pump motor struggling to turn properly, causing slower pumping of the transmission fluid (it is worth experiencing this now so you know what to look for in the future). I experienced a couple of times, the dash displayed the message 'Hybrid System Overheating' during hard acceleration. This too, was the pump failing to supply enough pressure to change the torque multiplier ratio in time. To try and overcome this just before my pump failed, I began taking my foot off the accelerator at around 55mph, just to give the pump a chance to supply enough to change ratio. About 2 months later, while driving in electric only mode, the pump bearing seized and caused the car to grind to a halt, as there was no pressure. If this does happen to your car, don't panic, just power the car off using the power button, then power on, wait for the READY light to go steady (takes about 10 seconds under the fault condition), then drive away as normal. The car will just be running in petrol engine only mode. The dash will show 'Hybrid System Fault'. The car will not drive at above 75mph. I drove my car with this fault for 5000 miles before I repaired it. So, to summarise; if your car changes the torque multiplier ratio quickly under hard acceleration at about 55mph (could be up to 75mph, depending on acceleration), then the pump is functioning correctly. If you notice slow changes, or the overheating message, its worth replacing the bearing anyway. I hope this will give GS450h owners a little more confidence as to the state of their pumps and what to look out for. PLEASE NOTE; THIS IS JUST A SUMMARY OF MY EXPERIENCES AND MAY NOT APPLY IN THE SAME WAY TO YOUR CAR. Giles.

Sweet looks like I'll be looking for a boss now then! Cheers guys and about the amount of force to set a bag off... Well quite embarrassingly I've punched the midle of the steering wheel and set the bag off before! Big mistake!