WylieCoyote

a) 5 B) 2 c) 3 d) 3 e) 4 Good luck with your project!

Hey there mate. All 3 cars are great cars and I'm sure you wouldn't be disappointed with any of them. Tiny considerations - the Hyundai is a cramped car, the 3 is expensive and the RX8 is, well, excellent! The Lex is a great car as I'm sure you'll be told by loads of people. There's a decent 6-cylinder engine, smooth ride and unquestioned reliability. In response to your questions: 1. Yes I'm sure there is a bonnet around that would lose the bulge, but having never looked myself I couldn't be sure. I like the bulge in the bonnet I must say. 2. Avg MPG - my auto does around 20mpg urban, mid 30's extra urban and high 20's-low 30's combined. Slightly better with a manual I believe. 3. Simply google for bodykits or search the forums on here for ones. Try Prolex also. 4. I've never seen a Lex with an alloy wing, but then I've never looked. Can't help you with that one! The Lex has a huge range of customising options and it's a car that wears them really well. It really depends what you want the car for. The 3 is notorious for being a good drivers car with a well-sorted chassis. Howvere to get the best from it you need to move up the range a lot. I've never driven a well-sorted IS because mine is built for comfort but I'm sure someone on here will let you know that with the right suspension and setup they handle nicely. Take time to search through the forums and read loads of threads, you'll answer all of your questions and more. Enjoy the ride! Keith

Hey guys. Thanks for replies. Glad to see I'm not the only one! Maybe it is just what they do. I'll contact the HID manufacturer on Monday, see if they can offer an explanation, I'll ask my local car electrician and I'll post what they say on here. Thanks again. Keith I've just come across this extract from the Department of transport on the Mercedes Benz forum. I've underlined the important bit. Department of Transport (UK) The situation for Gas Discharge (HID High Intensity Discharge) (commonly known as Xenon) headlamps is complex. I attach links to the Road Vehicle Lighting Regulations 1989 which regulate the situation in the UK. Under these Regulations Xenon headlamps are not mentioned and therefore they are not permitted according to the strict letter of the law. However you will be well aware that new vehicles have Xenon headlamps. This is because they comply to European type approval Regulations. The UK cannot refuse to register a vehicle with a European type approval. These are to ECE Regulation 98 (for the Xenon headlamps which are tested on a rig in a laboratory) and ECE Regulation 48 (Lighting Installation on the vehicle). For the aftermarket, a used vehicle cannot obtain type approval because it is only applicable for new vehicles. However we feel that saying "Xenon is banned in the aftermarket" would not be reasonable. Instead we should make analogies with new vehicles. It would be reasonable to require Xenon in the aftermarket to meet the same safety standards as on new vehicles. The same level of safety should apply. Therefore a Xenon headlamp sold in the aftermarket should: 1. be type approved to ECE Regulation 98 as a component. 2. when fitted to the vehicle should enable ECE Regulation 48 to be complied with (although no government inspection will take place). 3, Comply with RVLR as far as "use" is concerned. In practice this means: 1. The headlamp unit (outer lens, reflector, bulb) shall be type approved to ECE 98 and be "e-marked" to demonstrate this. That can only be done by the headlamp supplier - Hella, Valeo etc. who must test the headlamp in an independent laboratory. 2. Once fitted to the vehicle it must have headlamp cleaning and self-levelling (which can be for the headlamp or can be in the vehicle suspension - some expensive estate cars have "self-levelling suspension" and that is adequate). Also the dipped beam must stay on with the main beam. 3. The headlamp must be maintained in good working order, kept clean, and aligned/adjusted correctly like any other headlamp. I'll still confirm this with the electrican and manufacturer, but it does appear that it's just normal! Keith

Hey guys. I'm pretty keen to get my hands on some of these smoked lights too. I've tried looking through fleabay but nothing comes up. I've tried googling but again, no joy. These lights look great, why are they so difficult to source? Can anyone offer inspiration as to where to go shopping for them? Many thanks. Keith

Hi guys. Slight gremlin. I've put my new HID lights on the car and I've noticed that when I flash the mains, even with the lights off, the dipped beam comes on for a millisecond. Can anyone offer an explanation and cure? Thanks. Keith

which kit did u get? Kit called Prius from Autobulbsdirect.com. Highly recommended. Not the cheapest I'm sure but a doddle to fit. I've heard with some kits you have to remove the headlight. Keith

Cheers mate. What are the benefits of changing the plugs? I like driving nice cars but know bugger all about how they actually work! Keith

Agree with above. Loads to be had from Japan and fleabay. Speak to your Lexus dealer and I'm sure they'll tell you around the £100 mark. Alternatively try your local locksmith shop, they're usually pretty good. Keith

Hi all. What difference will changing the spark plugs on my IS make? Which ones are recommended? Keith

Agreed. How easy are they to change? Keith 10 mins to change, i did post somewhere how to do the other week Cheers mate :) . Where do you suggest getting them from? Fleabay or is there a store that does them? Keith

Agreed. How easy are they to change? Keith

Hi guys. I'm thinking about changing the rear fogs on my IS from the standard red ones to clear ones. I'm not sure how it will look with my colour paint though. I've taken a snap this afternoon and greyed one out in photoshop. I need your opinion guys, which one looks the best? Keith

Cheers mate! :D

Chris Cheers buddy :D . I'll look them up. Do you know the specific part? Keith

Hey I get 20mpg round town. Doesn't seem to make any difference how I drive. I got the auto though. On a run I go up to a smidgen over 32/33mpg. 14mpg sucks, get it checked. If you drive everywhere in 2nd or something like that, you can expect it but I can't explain why you would if you drive normally. Hope you find the cause. Keith

Hey all. Just joined the club, great to see so many Lexus owners' brains to pick. I look forward to chatting to you in the forums. Keith

Guys and gals. As the proud owner of a Lex IS, I am thinking about changing the air filter. I don't want the engine to sound raucos or anything, I like it being quiet. What benefits would the air filter give me? Thanks. Keith

Hey. Just finished installing my HID 6k lights on my IS. Cost me £220, took me half an hour to install and I'm an idiot with electronics. If I can do it, so can a Baboon. Can't believe the difference - never looking back. Keith

Hey. Downsizing to a Supra? Good choice but don't you think the insurance costs, fuel costs and likely repair bills as the car's older will more than exceed the cost if you keep your IS? If you do decide to change, good luck in finding one, they're great cars. Keith