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Quick update. Did the deed on Sunday. Exhaust blowing a bit, check engine light on, heaters don't work, 850 quid, love it A couple of not very good pictures. All the way back from Peterborough up the A1 to Sheffield with the roof down. Doing it properly 👍

Saw this in Munich airport today. Not sure pictures do it justice but a very handsome car indeed.

Arthur Tussik could fix it ! Https://www.youtube.com/user/tussik01/videos

So true John Interesting update....I spoke to Lexus Hatfield this morning and they confirmed that it actually has had 5 services with them, not 2. The guy at the service desk even said the first 3 only appear on their system, not the Lexus UK network. He was happy to put 5 stamps in the book if it was sent to him. So, with that in mind.....deposit paid

Whilst I do agree have to say tpms does work and in my case potentially saved me from something worse I was planning to go on a long trip over the weekend and if the tpms hadn't gone off it's likely I wouldn't have seen the screw. Could have been potentially nasty with whole family in the car

Got any T-Cut?

Yes on one side if you buying F-Parts they hyper-expensive and rare to find, yet if you selling the market is so small, it is very unlikely you going to sell much at all e.g. if they would part this RC-F.. they can probably sell wheels... that is pretty much it. Engine is valuable but nobody needs it, interior is ruined - front seats are ripped, rear seats are not that valuable anyway... bodywork - that is pretty much going to stay forever until somebody else going to crash RC-F, yet one would need to hope from another angle.... Rest of RC-F is so reliable that it is very unlikely anyone would need spares at any time soon and even the spares one would need, they won't buy used e.g. brake pads, brake disks or other suspension components. Simply, there are no healthy market for such rare car/parts.

Great car Rich, by now you will have discovered the extreme flex in the chassis, dont worry they all have that. The steeringwheel/column can literally move from left to right, just keep cruising! Can you do the Flextest? Park the car with 1 wheel on the curb, open a door and try to close it? Its s stylish slowboat and there are still many of them around especially in Sweden. Parts will be no problem on the internet or saab specialists

That is fantastic news, why isn’t it being talked about , on the tv news etc , “despite Brexit “ blah blah blah. I saw videos on YouTube today of the new Rav 4 , very very nice , probably nicer than the Lexus NX .

The thing is that F parts are not high in demand. The thing is that when somebody really needs an F part, they've not got much choice other than to pay the asking. If this dealer is in the know, he won't be in a rush to sell the parts off cheap either. Checking my own stock, I currently have 1 x RC-F Quicksilver exhaust 1 x RC-F Stock exhaust 1 x IS-F set of Brembo rear pads 1 x IS-F set of rear seats 1 x IS-F driver seat 😃

Just quickly estimated based on what can be seen in pictures... ~11000 for parts ant painting, not counting assembly, assuming no mechanical or electrical damage, assuming wheels and tyres are fine, assuming used headlights.... I mean you get the picture - quite a few assumptions... I would add ~ couple of thousands on top just to be safe ~ £13500 to repair (which somebody already pointed out - "add another 13k for repairs")..

Just search "Lexus door lights" on eBay.....it's not difficult ! That's where I got mine from.

Pleased that all seems well and am looking forward to both a full report on the car once you have got used to it and to appropriate pictures ! Enjoy!

😁

"I got £1000 off due to i knew the pads all round needed done from previous MOT Failure, but when booked in with Lexus to fit and supply new pads they say all disc are needing done which set me back at £800 for disc and pads all round plus the diagnostic check." Did Lexus not spot that when they fitted the brakes? that looks very bad and is a disaster waiting to happen.

Looks like it was mounted on the INSIDE of the wheel ? If so, that is deception of the highest order.

If anyone does make contact with the seller, I would be interested in purchasing the damaged grille, I need a piece that I can cut out of this for something I'm working on. Don't want to pay much for it though - more of a nice to have than a must have...if it's damaged it won't be much use to anyone else, so I would pay £20 + Delivery for it. If no-one is making contact I will make contact later this week.

AFAICR it cleared itself once the fuel cap was refitted.

Just an update to say that I had a call from the dealer this morning following up. I told him my concerns with the service history and he said he would enquire with Lexus UK about it and see what he can find out. I might trying ringing around as well to see what I can find. In the meantime, a friend of mine wants to buy my car, so it looks like I might not have a part-ex either. Although I am still not hopeful of getting any meaningful discounts out of them.

I've had exactly this issue before - fuel cap not fitted correctly triggered an EML. Only had it the once, now I make sure the fuel cap is fitted properly and no issues since. I only get a couple of clicks as well

That's easy,........ blue.🙂

I did consider moving it today, but I looked outside and I saw a cloud!!! No chance!

Don't worry -I am ready!

@Comedian Yes I see, spare wheels now why didn’t I think of that, I’ll email the seller in the morning, you’ll never know I don’t suppose he will want much for them....... 🐀

But that would be great platform for track car conversion, where you don't really need to re-fit all the airbags etc... Properly repairing it I guess it is non-starter... and I don't even think exterior is the biggest problem - imagine all the mess with replacing all the airbags etc.

I bought my ISF 2 years ago with standard wheels and pretty worn Michelin PSS's in the standard sizes. I didn't push the car too much in those days but the front end would let go before the back. I then bought new wheels and fitted wider Michelin PS4s, 275mm rear tyres and massive 255 fronts. They transformed the car, the back end wouldn't get unstuck even with extreme provocation, even in the wet. The front tyres created a lot more resistance through the steering wheel and felt really meaty. They did tramline more though and catch on the arch liner when reversing. For pure performance they were great but looking back I think they were too grippy for a road car. I've just had the standard wheels refinished at Flat Out Alloys in cardiff. They suggested using Mini graphite paint with a Matt clear coat. I went for Goodyear F1s as they were nearly £200 cheaper than Michelins. I've gone back to the standard 255 rear tyre size but stayed with a slightly wider 245 fronts. My hunch is this combo is perfect for road use, less understeer and a playful rear end. I'll let you know how I get on!

@NothernDan I can answer that one for you he’s lucky he’s a young man he’s 20 could easily pass for 19 though, mind you he looked a lot older when he came back from the top of the Prescott hill climb as a passenger in this Yaris GRMN....😂 Big Rat

yeah engine breaking isn't amazing.... however 2 weeks in I have got the hang of the smoke machine!!!

This was buried midway through one of the recently moved posts so just keeping it prominent as the event approaches. Subject to slight change now we are getting breakfast laid on courtesy of Lexus Derby. F-up The Peaks & Dales Finalised route plan Here is the near enough finalised route that takes in the best of the area and avoids too much civilization and/or roadworks. I’ll do a condensed printout of this for everyone on the day so we’ve all got something to follow if anybody ends up getting separated. I’ve listed all the main locations and route planner below, broken down into the 4 ‘Legs’ of the journey. For reference a “(T)” means we go Through the place and a “(P)” means we go Past the place (genius!). As before, the route will definitely start at Lexus Derby on Saturday the 29th September (for both day trippers and overnighters) and will continue on Sunday the 30th September (for overnighters only) with the second day being an open agenda. On day two we can take in the best of the previous day, a load of new locations, go sightseeing, do any combination of the above or do as you wish! The starting point address is as follows; Lexus Derby – Orient Way, Pride Park, Derby, DE24 8BY – 01332 426 185 - This is on the North side of Derby but easily accessible via the M1 - A52 – it’s almost right on the A6, easy access for the first leg of the journey. We’ll meet there any time from 09:00 onwards on Saturday the 29th with a view to leaving as close as possible to 10:00 or 10:30 at the latest. MAKE SURE YOUR TANK IS FULL WHEN YOU ARRIVE! – THIS WILL SAVE US A HUGE AMOUT OF TIME Leg-1 – Lexus Derby to Matlock – roughly 25 miles taking about 45-60 minutes – ETA about 11:30 assuming a 10:30 departure from Lexus Derby Lexus Derby - Start Duffield (T) Milford (T) Belper (T) Ambergate (T) Whatstandwell (T) Cromford (T) Matlock Bath (T) Matlock – Stop As previously advised, when you get into Matlock it feels like you are driving past everything and heading out of the village but it's a big one way system and the main access point to the village is on the North Side. Although quite early into the day I reckon we could easily stop at Matlock for half an hour for Bacon rolls and coffees and/or a toilet break or just blast on through to Buxton. We'll assess what people want to do on the day and take it from there. For Leg-2, from Matlock, we’ll head on up the A6 towards Bakewell and onto Buxton as outlined below; Leg-2 – Matlock to Buxton – roughly 25 miles taking about 45-60 minutes – ETA about 13:00 assuming a 12:00 departure from Matlock Matlock – Start Darley Dale (T) Rowsley (T) Bakewell (T) Ashford in the Water (P) Brushfield (P) Taddington (P) Blackwell (P) King Sterndale (P) Buxton - Stop The route past Ashford in the Water has a good stretch of pretty open dual carriageway so you can stretch the legs on your beloved vehicles. We follow the A6 all the way from Matlock to Buxton so I doubt anyone will get lost on this stretch (famous last words). We should arrive in Buxton at about 13:00. We’ll take a stop here for lunch so please do your bit here and take a look at Tripadvisor etc for any places you’d like to try (this research will also come in handy later on as you’ll see). At a very quick glance the Green Pavillion café and the Royal Oak Tavern both get good reviews. Again we can decide on the day where we go but let’s assume an hour and a half to stop here to fill up and buy Bakewell Tarts etc. For Leg-3 from Buxton we’ll leave via the A6 again taking the route outlined below. This takes in some amazing scenery in the early part up to Hathersage then some good fast winding A-Roads, again through some pretty spectacular countryside between Hathersage and Ringinglow. No speed cameras along here either!! It looks like a lot of locations below but rest assured it’s roughly the same length as the first two legs. Leg-3 – Buxton to the Ladybower Inn – roughly 30 miles taking about 60 minutes – ETA about 15:30 assuming a 14:30 departure from Buxton Buxton – Start Fairfield (T) Dove Holes (T) Then following the A6 towards Chapel-En-Le-Frith (P) before taking the A623 towards…. Sparrow Pit (T) Then heading Towards Castleton past Speedwell Cavern (P) Peak Cavern (P) Winnats Pass – We’ll drive down this, great scenery! Castelton (T) Hope (T) Hathersage (T) Hathersage Booths (T) Ringinglow (T) Left at the Norfolk Arms (P) past Mayfield Alpacas (no joke) along Fullwood Ln, Andwell Ln, Douse Croft Ln, Gore Ln, Harrison Ln, Blackburn Rd and Lodge Ln to….. Rivelin (T) then West (left turn) onto the A57 (Snake Pass) towards Manchester Ladybower Inn - Stop It'll take us about an hour to do the route above from Buxton so we'll arrive at Ladybower Inn, overlooking Ladybower Reservoir, at about 15:30. We should all be in convoy but if you hit the traffic lights at the corner of the reservoir you’ve gone slightly too far!The Inn is about 100 metres back up the road you’ve just come down. You’ll easily spot The Inn on the right as the car park (on the left) will be full of F-Cars! Asbo Dave™ and I stopped here for lunch and it’s a perfect place for refreshments and toilet break before the last leg of the journey. Let’s take 45 minutes to an hour here before we head off. For Leg-4, the final Leg before the overnight, we’ll be following the route below along the A57 (Snake Pass). After the recon mission yesterday I can confirm that whilst there are a few rougher sections on here, they all look recently filled and nothing to worry about. 90% of it is a good 8-9 out of 10 with even the roughest bits being a solid 7. Fear not Sean! Leg-4 – Ladybower Inn to Buxton (via the Snake Pass and Glossop) – roughly 40 miles taking about 60 minutes – ETA at Buxton about 17:30 assuming a 16:30 departure from Ladybower Inn Ladybower Inn – Start All the way along the A57 towards Glossop Glossop (T) Left Turn at the Train station junction towards…. Charlestown (T) Chunal (T) Little Hayfield (T) Hayfield (T) Chinley Head (T) New Smithy (T) Chapel Milton (T) Chapel-En-Le-Frith (P) before taking the A624 onto the A6 towards…. Doveholes (T) Fairfield (T) Buxton – Stop So, we’ll end up right back in the heart of rural Derbyshire where we had lunch.

Running ECP Pagid discs and pads on the front. These ones definitely aren't Brembo packaged up as Pagid as per some other reports have said. The 'top hats' are a totally different shape and drill pattern is different. A meagre £10 cheaper than ECP Brembo OEMs but thought I'd give them a go. I'm well impressed! 50% less dust at least and a loads less grabby and far more controllable feel. A lot more confidence inspiring and much a more linear modulation throughout the range of motion of the pedal. I'm only ever on the road and don't thrash it 24seven but I'd buy them again without a second thought.

Indeed. Bembo use multiple different compounds. Just because it says Brembo, it doesn't mean it will feel like the OEM ones. Similar to tyres - Pilot Sport are different to Pilot Super Sport but are both Michelin.

@Rusty Crobar Russ now you’ve done that little swap over and I’ve sold my spare set of isF wheels and tyres to another member on here, he’s going to do his own thread on that for his recently acquired isF. That just leaves your exhaust........ now I know you find it somewhat subdued compared to the standard system...... So I have a standard system here including cats, it’s yours for the princely sum of coffee and cake and that includes delivery 😂 🐀

Fair play in spotting it but It sounds a bit messy .The chances are that it won't impact on the car itself , more so on re sale and also you will have this thing bugging you forever. In my case (not my current car I must add) it was a car previously on PCP and there was no obligation on the owner to get it serviced, so he didn't bother. He just used it for three years and handed it back. I've no idea if he was penalised. The salesman then messed up. He retro stamped the book for the so called missing services after I had picked it up, however you cant retro stamp the date so they were all the same . He left shortly afterwards. I was given compensation in the form of three years free servicing and MOT'S, I was also offered a cash refund. Nail them down on the missing service issue or walk away. If there is no discount then try an get a further years warranty or a few services thrown in.

Japan racing JR21s. Since the picture was taken I've had them refurbished with Porsche grey barrels and diamond cut faces. Totally unique but impossible to photograph properly! Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

I was shocked when I realised Mad Max was dystopian fiction, I thought it was just a documentary about australia in the 80s :D

@Rusty Crobar Russ wheels look great, nothing like a bit of experimentation to get the individual feel most of us want from our cars, all adds to the ownership ‘bonding’. Be interesting to hear you feeling on the two tyre types the Goodyear’s get some good rightups 👍 🐀

Thanks for the info chaps, much appreciated. @PCM hopefully that means they could still stamp the book if necessary. Lexus Sidcup did offer to send the book to them to do that. As for the rest, it seems that a Lexus approved service history doesn't mean much. If there was a record of the services on the system but no stamps in the book I wouldn't mind so much. It is this lack of any information that bothers me. There is also no documentation/invoices for any work done before the last 3 years at Lexus Sidcup. If this was a 10 year old car worth a couple of grand I wouldn't care, but at 5 years old and almost £19k I am not so sure. Am I being too picky? GS450h's aren't exactly plentiful, especially in Premier spec. Also, there is still the issue of resell value? Buying from a dealer is one thing, but, for example, selling it private might prove difficult.

Yes.. technically you are right it is not "illegal" as the goverment can decide themselves when it is or isn't.... It is more like "white wash/lie" where politicians have no responsibility or commitments, can promise anything and are legally allowed to lie ( e.g. Wheeler v PM or Begbie v PM) - it is considered "political" and not legal matter. Still it is unfair.... let's not forget they raise £36bn from motorists every year anyway, out of which they don't spend even £4bn on roads, so claim that Dartford crossing needs "maintenance fund" is lie - they already have £32bn which they simply spend elsewhere.. Obviously, it is impossible to discuss this matter without acknowledging we are not living in "(representative) democracy", more likely "pseudo-democratic parliamentary dictatorship/monarchy".

I'm sure I heard somebody say to me once that some insurers won't give you insurance due to lack of parts ?

Great Choice!. i have been driving Saabs prior to Lexus. Just like Steve i would still be driving Saabs but alas... Had a 9-3 gen 2 and gen 3. drove them for 6 years end absolutely rock solid, nothing, absolutely nothing went wrong. Regular service at the dealer thats all. Make sure the fluids are new and let the turbo cool down before switching off. Offically not needed but better safe than sorry. My last 93 was hirsch tuned to 220hp by the dealer remaining full works warranty. They are very well engineered cars indeed. If you want more power ( responsible power that is) just surf to www.hirsch-performance.ch The convertible is a very civilized motorcar that ages gracefully.. Just never sell it!

Had four Saabs prior to my three Lexus. Two 9-5s followed by two 9-3s. The 9-3s were a 56 plate Aero Sportwagen (estate) and a 57 plate Aero Convertible. Great cars, both comfortable and quick. It was only the demise of Saab that made me look elsewhere and I ended up at Lexus. I'd probably still be driving a Saab if they were still around. Hope yours is as good as the four I had Richard.

Nice one Rich. Damn fine looking cars the convertible Saabs. Probably no better car for a birthday present to oneself especially when it's Hawaii time. Hope the sale goes well and the weather is favourable. Yeah as a caution do get belts pulleys etc changed. Yeah it may cost a couple hundred but worthwhile.

As someone who has owned 3 Saabs, I looked into buying a 9-3 convertible a few years ago, the only thing I remember is that models of certain years were prone to having the bulkhead cracking around the steering column, which on an old car could be a write off unless you're prepared to pay to sort it. I believe the last version produced has it all sorted and there is a colar that can be bought and fitted to prevent the issue from happening on the other versions but since it has to be fitted to the bulkhead, its not the cheapest of fixes either. As far as I know, this only affects the convertible model. Vince

Been looking at the lemans turbo for a while now i need one!

A colleague at work has been a Saab fan for years and swears by them. He is currently on a 2006 9-5 I think and given the GM ownership around the late 90s and 00s parts aren't usually an issue despite the company being out of business. Given the lack of service history I'd probably verge on the side of caution and get any belts/water pump etc. done unless you have paperwork or it obviously looks fresh under the bonnet.

Hi Richard I bought a new 9-3 aero saloon in 2005 and had it about 3 and a half years until I traded it in for my first lexus is250. One of the fastest cars I've had and looked really good. Only issue I had was it cut out sometimes after a run, this was caused by a faulty valve in the fuel tank leading to a vacuum in the tank and starving the engine of fuel. They fitted a new tank under warranty and I had no further issues with it. The other problem was dealer inflicted I think, when I went to pick it up after the fuel tank was fitted the car wouldn't start, the ignition switch was found to be faulty and had to be changed. Fuel economy was ok but a friend had the convertible and found the economy quite low. Overall I really enjoyed the car, it was something different from the norm. Bob

Awesome news mate. Clearly the best colour choice there too!! 😁

@Neil E im hoping to turn this lemon of a car around, bought it for 10k but really was a 4-5k going by state of interior and bodged up semi respray, i know im going OTT with interior and respray but im refusing to lose face with this purchase, regardless of cost.... Throwing money away my mrs says... but its my money lol and if i dont spend it before i die she’ll only buy loads of shoes and handbags...

Just found this thread I bought the carbon toms bits off you, real shame for this to happen I did suspect it had been in a shunt as the wings were mis-aligned hopefully it's nothing major for you to fork out for.

These are good points. I really feel for this chap. We have all make car mistakes. Car fever is a terrible thing. You want the car, and really really want the car, so a red mist comes down and all logic goes out the window. Sometimes taking a critical friend along is helpful and they see things, and say this smells bad. Where are we here. The auction route is an interesting one. With an MOT it might fetch .....what? £4,000 or £5,000, I don't know. It is a hell of a hit and risky. This is a very specialist car, with a limited pool of sellers. Trying to reason is probably not so good with this outfit. Trading standards has to be worth a punt, as they would want to know how come this sort of 1960's type practice is still going on. This may take time, but I would do it whatever the outcome. The small claims court will cost £410 to start a claim, and a lot of personal time. Given the £9k+ it might be worth it. The real problem is that stamp. It is blindingly obvious that it signals big trouble, yet it was accepted. It is so very unusual. I have never seen it as a condition of sale of a normal retail outlet. You would only really see it on a £300 car with a rusty floor sold for spares to perhaps a classic car enthusiast. He will argue it is a trade sale. Does it specify that anywhere? If not, the contract implies it is a normal retail sale. The point above regarding the MOT is a good one. Having a car MOTed and then selling it as spares, implies the seller wants a high retail price option, linked to a trade sale with no comeback. A judge may not like this at all. They will question the seller rigorously. I have seen it in court. If you loose he will ask for costs, say £250 for attending etc. The court paperwork arriving at his showroom, may promote a settlement. It often does. In fact, courts like the parties to settle. It is actively encouraged. The other option is to accept the car and go with it. It may be OK and you may get years out of it. This often happens. Whatever you do I would do it quickly. If it were me, given the sums involved and that I would never really love this car as it is tainted, I would risk a small claims court.The stamp is a nightmare that you accepted, but courts look for what is 'fair and equitable' within the law. A judge may well have been stung themselves in the past, and will find this sharp practice unacceptable. If you win the will enforce it. This outfit has assets and a court will enforce payment. He may settle when the paperwork arrive in a court envelop. You could also ask yourself, what could you accept to walk away from this mess. If he gave you £8,000 back for the car, would you take it? If so, offer that and see if he will settle, if not a small claims court for me.