Claire G

I chose the IS because of: -- Value for money -- Aggresive looks and styling -- Heated seats (!) I went on to the GS as I was sold on Lexus and the GS300 Sport has the above in abundance!

Here's a few links that might be of use to you: http://www.littletrekkers.co.uk/ http://www.ferraristore.com/cgi-bin/FShop/FShop/jsp/home.jsp http://www.gltc.co.uk/ProductList.aspx?Cat...&language=en-GB Good luck!

What a great idea!

I remember feeling depressed when petrol went up to 60p a litre - about 9-10 years ago now

The price of fuel (or more accurately the tax we pay on fuel) is disgusting, and if they tried to put the prices up to this extent in the US there would be riots. Here we politely disagree, once in a blue moon hold a protest, then roll over and take it up the jacksee!!! Prices won't drop and we'll still pay for it and the government will carry on laughing all the way to the bank. As for moving to the US to benefit from better quality of life etc, just remember if you work in the US for a US company, 10 days holiday a year is seen as a really good above-average perk!!!

Strictly speaking you're not allowed anything other than a flag on the side of your plates but I think you'd be unlucky to be pulled unless you were taking the proverbial. I got new plates from Fancy Plates with the Lexus logo and the club website address - looks the biz but is still fairly subtle, so hoping I won't come into any probs

I agree with Colin, if you're going to be selling the car on in the near future, stick with a Lexus dealer. If not, then go with an independant - I got fed up paying dealer prices for not brilliant service and now get mine done by a non-Lexus garage in Bracknell. No complaints so far!

It's pretty standard that you'll be asked to pay the excess and if you have legal cover, the costs are recouped automatically via that. If you don't have legal cover they can't always recoup your money (apparently).

If you ring them up and ask for it to go to a Lexus approved bodyshop they should be fine. You may not get the courtesy car via the insurance but the garage should help you out there.

1) Round 2) Happy 3) Loyal

Welcome to the Club - definitely go Gold, you'll save loads of £££'s

Makes me laugh that he clarifies he's not in Nigeria but doesn't deny being a scammer!!!

If he's not happy in that department he should speak with his wife about it - not always the easiest of subjects but at least he'll give her an opportunity to try and address the situation. If that's the only problem in the relationship, they should try counselling or a holiday - she's probably too bloomin' tired with 3 kids. A previous colleague swore by a herbal thing called Clary Sage - reckons it did wonders for his wife's libido!!!

I find mileage wise the GS a lot thirstier, around the same sort of mileage Matt's getting for his 430 - but again, am mostly clocking up town miles. On the insurance, believe it or not, I actually got a quote for cheaper than my IS. I did have to shop around a lot as I'd had a claim on my insurance (although non-fault) and a lot of companies wouldn't touch me as I was under 30 at the time. Quotes ranged from the £1300 odd mark to just shy of £600. I wanted to stay with the Lexus brand and the GS proved the best option for me, but undoubtably there are more practical/cheaper cars to run. Hence why hubby has an Accord Aerodeck...!

Ignoring the fact I have absolutely no talent for this, I'd like to do saloon car racing!!! Failing that, would love to set up a motorsports school - rallying, off-roading etc. Realistically though (!) marketing for a car firm would suit me down to the ground.

I get link unobtainable...

Patience is a virtue! We've got a rough list of events and I'll be working through to set things up and announce. I'm trying to do this in the next week or so as I'm likely to be out of action early on in the New Year. Watch this space anyway! I'll aim to get a list of events and then obviously post more details on each as it draws closer to the dates. Glad there's some enthusiasm and I'll look forward to coming along and seeing everyone when I'm back up to speed!

I've never noticed the problem with the hinge arm I must admit, it's not proved an issue for me luckily. On a separate note, not sure how much you'll get for your IS Stu, but keep an eye out in AutoTrader for GS's - seems to have been quite a few in there in recent times for about the £10k mark. I wouldn't necessarily worry about high milers as long as they've been looked after well. Quite a few of the chaps (Rodders for one) have had their mileage wave bye-bye to the 150k milage.

The Scooby Forrester is perhaps the only estate car I'd get if I was driven to it! My hubby has a Honda Accord Aerodeck and that's not a bad drive either - plenty of poke as it's a 2.2l. Just not keen on the looks of an estate car personally

Meguairs Scratch-X is meant to be good for getting rid of minor scratches and swirl marks, so may be worth your while trying to get some. I also use the Final Inspection spray/polish stuff they do and it brings the car up a treat. I would think it would add to your diamond brite finish? For Meguiars stockists, do a search here and it'll bring up the links...

I have the MkII Sport, and find that it has great leg room and an airy feel to the interior (mine's black leather, black wood trim). I can comfortably fit 3 adults in the back if on a night out. I can also fit two kiddy seats with space in the middle to ensure the oldest won't bash the beejeebers out of the youngest when they arrive! On a recent long weekend away to Cornwall I fitted in the boot: -- Travel cot -- 2 suitcases -- Bag full of toys -- My full car cleaning kit (always stays in the car) -- Coats It all fitted snugly, whereas in the IS I would have had to have piled up the back seat as well. I've had the car since April, it's got 70k on the clock, and have needed one new wheel bearing (suspect the other one needs replacing too) which cost £150 odd to do (not thru' Lexus though) and in the New Year plan to replace the discs and brake pads as I'm paranoid they need doing, although I've been told they're fine for now. Touch wood that nothing else has needed doing. The Sport has slightly harder suspension than the SE model, but I like the feel of the drive and am used to harder suspension through having the IS Sport and previously a Honda Prelude VTech. My GS is T reg and cost about £12k with 63k miles on the clock and a FLSH and I bought it privately. I definitely find it a good compromise between sporty looks and style and practicality. My in-laws have a Honda CRV (I also like Hondas) and they can't fit as much in their boot as I can in my GS!

Obviously I'm biaised but have you thought about a GS? My IS was adequate for my first baby, but I did find the shape of the boot annoying and it meant I couldn't get in travel cot, plus suitcases, plus 100's of nappies etc. I decided to look around and the GS fitted the bill. My nipper's 3 next year, the leather seats are a *** send (wipe up well) and with 2nd nipper due in the not too distant future, it's big enough to fit both kids comfortably and the boot fits loads in. Just a thought. I didn't want the people carrier/estate car for probably the same reasons as you. The GS combines the style I want with the practicality!

Brilliant!!!

How cool's that! I've been a member for just over 2 years now. I think Lexus should be paying the Club for promoting brand loyalty!!!! Well done everyone :D

A friend of mine has been a volunteer at MENCAP in Maidenhead for some years now and is getting ready for Christmas. They have Father Christmas visiting on 20th December and are looking for donations for gifts to give to the members. I wondered if any of you had anything you could donate? Age ranges vary, but anything from stickers to colouring books to smellies would be welcomed, for males and females. If you are able to help, please send me a PM and I'll sort out address details. Many thanks, Claire