Ian M

blimey, might see another white IS - mind you, a sportcross doesn't really count :shutit: Jealousy will get you nowhere! :)

When I bought my SportCross (second-hand), the dealer offered me a 3 year service package based on 36 fixed monthly payments. Routine work was included, any wear and tear or unscheduled stuff wasn’t. In order to try and see whether this represented good value, I asked what the price of those 3 scheduled annual services would be if I didn’t take the package deal, so that I could do a comparison. This, it seems, was a very difficult question, which they failed miserably to answer. So I didn’t bother. One point to watch is the question of the Lexus warranty – getting the car service elsewhere might lead to arguments over any warranty claims you might need to make in future.

Cannock Chase sounds good to me too – was over there yesterday with some mates and the mountain bikes, so if anyone saw a white SportCross with a bike rack on the back, then why didn’t you say “Hello”?

I want to get along to a meet too! 18 Nov looks good to me, although 2 Dec isn’t. PS: not keen on Shardlow – it wouldn’t give time for the engine to warm up.

Welcome to Lexus ownership. 8600 miles on an ‘04’ plate – you’ve got a bargain there and you’ll not regret it. My ‘54’ plate IS300 SportCross has just topped 9,000 miles (up from 2,900 when I bought it in May) and is getting towards nicely run in now.

I've been that way in every weather you can imagine - I stayed in Helensburgh for 5+ years before coming to Derby at Easter this year. The Glencoe and Mallaig roads was always a favourite day out. On the day the photo was taken, about this time last year, I was going up to Morar where a mate of mine keeps his boat. The previous week had been very windy and he needed to check it was OK……… or at least that’s what we told his wife before we disappeared on our bikes for the day! - and you have a reply. Small world.

It would seem that a Lexus and a VFR is the choice of the discerning buyer: Come and say hello to the Viffer world at www.bikersoracle.com/vfr where I exist as IanM.

Good to hear it’s all sorted. My Lexus Derby car, unlike yours, was immaculately prepared and presented when I bought it. I’ll soon be booking it in for its annual service and first MOT. I fully expect the Lexus Derby experience to be superb again, especially after your comments.

I think that’s probably true. My Dad’s always been a big auto fan, so from the age of 17 I drove both his car and my Mam’s which were both autos (Rover V8 and Austin 1100 – contrasting cars!!). I then had a succession of manuals before I went auto with a Honda Accord several years ago. When it came to time to change the Accord earlier this year, I didn’t even consider going back to a manual. On those occasions when I have to have hire cars at work, I always order an automatic nowadays too – it’s surprising how often that gets you a free upgrade to the V6 Vectra in place of the 1.8 we order by default. (Vectra’s are crap, but at least the V6 is a bit less crap!!) But, back to the question: Along with an A3, a couple of A4s, various 3 series models with petrol and diesel engines and even a V50 T5, I test drove a couple of IS200s (both automatics) when I was looking in the spring, but found that the 300 was just so much more powerful and relaxed to drive that it was no contest. That was 5,000 miles ago and I’m not regretting it one bit. In fact, last week on holiday in Pembrokeshire, I kept looking at my IS and thinking what a damned fine car it is and how it was nice to drive something a bit unusual.

£205 for the year was what I paid in May - I guess your £112 must have been for the half year.

Hello, and welcome! Try this: http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...showtopic=33474

Spot on! I've had my 300 SportCross since May and love it. (Just watch as the back end overtakes you on wet roundabouts!! :o)

You keep picking dates I can't do - I am in Mumbai on business!

Sounds absolutely fine. Don’t forget that you’re not selecting a gear, you’re merely setting the highest gear which the auto box can use, so it always defaults to “5” until you do something different, and “2” is as low as it goes.

I agree, it would be much better if you actually chose the gear yourself. The Lex system is pretty useless, I reckon, so I just basically just shove it into "D" and leave the auto box to do its job.

If there is a requirement to be there from 0930 to 1630, I am going to have to drop out. Sorry.

I am certainly not guilty, so the question is whether I hear nothing more or get loads of hassle. Anyway, the relevant paperwork went back (recorded delivery, naturally) so I shall await developments. Good to hear that the old Honda's still going well, though!

I got an NIP yesterday, from the Metropolitan Police for the alleged offence of 47 in a 30 limit. What do you reckon I’ll get for it? PS: you should also take account of the following. I have a receipt for the sale of the car in question (the Honda Accord I traded for my IS300 at Lexus Derby), dated 6 weeks prior to the alleged offence and I have a letter from a nice man at DVLA called Russell Trowbridge-Matthews, confirming that I had sent them the yellow part of the V5 telling them that I was no longer the keeper of the vehicle. That letter is also dated before the alleged offence.

Currently driving an IS300 SportCross. 10 years ago, I’d just bought a Honda Accord. 20 years ago, I was driving a Rover 216 Vitesse 30 years ago, I was riding a pushbike!!

The SportCross really is a nice looking car. Congratulations on your purchase.

That explains something! I was up in Scotland last week and friends of mine had a brand new C4 Picasso on a TN07 plate, which I thought was odd since it’s from an Edinburgh garage. And anyway, I thought that the “T” series of letters wasn’t used – perhaps that’s why.

Good choice, Sir. Those ordinary saloons are just so common!

Better still, fill up right to the top and reset the trip meter. Next time you fill up, do it right to the top again – you now know exactly how much fuel you have used and how many miles you’ve covered. mpg = miles x 4.54/litres.For what it is worth, I also find my 300 quite heavy on fuel – typically about 24/25 which is a mix of town and motorway stuff. Not brilliant, but if I’d wanted an economical car I’d have bought a Fiesta diesel (or similar).

I too am a recent customer of Lexus Derby – I picked up my IS300 SportCross on May 8th. Like you, I was impressed with the sales process (and the follow up from the sales team after I collected the car). My car was immaculately prepared and so far I’ve had absolutely no problems at all, so can’t comment on your other experiences. Hope all’s sorted to your satisfaction soon.

Well, given that Chesterfield is reportedly still a bit damp, there’s not been much response to the question and I could do with an evening at home this week, I’m not going to go along. Hope to meet some of you in due course.