Ian M

It was inevitable! Still, look on the bright side, the road tax on our gas guzzlers doesn't got up quite as much as we feared.

Congratulations!

Did a date ever get sorted for this?

Well done and wleocme to the world of motorcycling. What are you going to buy?

991,075

Very wise. Having lived in Scotland for several years, I know a number of people who didn't have good expereinces with them. Hope the hunt for your new Lexus goes well.

I think you're right.

Yes, depending on the date.

Good question!

It’s been chaos round here tonight, with a non stop stream of kids asking “trick or treat?”. Being a community minded chap who has locked his Lexus safely away in the garage, I’ve got a basket of fun size chocolate bars ready, and most of the groups kids have been very polite, taken one each and said thanks. Not, however, my most recent caller. She was about 7, accompanied by (presumably) here father. On being offered the basket, she grabbed two large handfuls of chocolate bars, at which point I suggested that one would be quite sufficient and she ought to put the rest back. Father then intervened and said “why should she? You can afford it, living in a posh house like this” and promptly dragged his little darling off down my drive. Bah, humbug!

Well, does anyone know if wooa decided to buy the SportCross?

I think that is true, but there can’t be very much difference. Certainly you can’t on the steering wheel buttons, but the “L” position on the gear selector will give you first, if you’re going slowly enough.

Probably so, but even then there are cautionary tales. Happy hunting!

The auto box is fantastic and the buttons work very well. There, I’ve said it. But, remember that the buttons do not select a gear for you, they simply tell the auto box which is the highest gear it is allowed to use. You need to remember that because just occasionally you’ll find that the buttons don’t immediately cause a gear change – this is especially so if your right foot is planted in the carpet and you press the up button below the red line, when you’ll find that the car holds on to the lower gear until it runs out of revs. The “PWR” button causes the box to hold each gear a bit longer if you’re accelerating hard, so use that to unleash all 211hp – but it’s not slow in the normal mode. As to the load space, the SportCross isn’t huge. The floor’s quite high (rear drive, obviously) and the suspension does intrude. However, the tailgate and folding rear seats knock spots off the saloon for general practicality, but if you need to move a wardrobe, get a Transit! After 17 months of ownership, the SportCross still impresses every time I drive it. Thoroughly recommended!

OPEC are meeting today to discus a cut in production to make sure the price goes back up again!

"54" plate, 22366 miles and mine passed too - as it should have done. It came back fully valetted too, so full marks to Lexus Derby (as usual!).

We had 2 white ISs at the recent Midlands Meet.

The last one I spotted was a bright red Skoda Octavia VRS, clean, extra aerial, extra interior mirror and occupied by 2 smartly dressed chaps. It sat on my tail in a 50 limit at 49.998mph for about 3 miles, then presumably got bored and so it turned off.

And £5 for me.

Rain's almost stopped now! See you in a wee while.

Optimist! Good plan!

You're right, Rob, it's a horrible morning here in Derby – not just a bit wet, but absolutely hammering it down. The forecast is that it’ll stay that way until tonight. I’m out this morning, but will check back at 1ish to see what’s been decided.

Sorry we won't be seeing you, Rik.

A large slice of humble pie - for turning up in a FORD!