Ian M

I had the older shape Accord (W reg, 2.0 petrol, 5 door hatch) before getting my IS300 SportCross. The Accord was a great car, going from 18,000 miles to well over 95,000 miles in my hands with only one snag (a Lambada Sensor went u/s). As an “estate”, the SportCross really doesn’t cut the mustard, but it is a whole lot more practical than the saloon if you occasionally need to cart some bigger stuff around. The IS is much smaller, it’s certainly not as roomy as the old Accord hatchback (rear knee space is particularly restricted), and with rear drive, the boot is very shallow.

My brother had a T reg one in blue - a great wee car. He got rid of it in favour of a Honda FRV, which now has 3 kiddie seats in the back!

I’ve got a 300, which only comes with the auto box and the steering wheel buttons. I’ve been an automatic fan for years and I do like the combination of a big engine and a well sorted auto box which the Lexus offers. To be honest, I hardly use the buttons – just stick it in D and go. Using the “sport” mode on the box delays upchanges and lets it kick down a bit more freely.Having driven a few 200s before buying the 300, I am absolutely clear which I prefer. The 200 feels just a little bit underpowered, but both are really smooth motors. You’ll have to reveal all now! Go on, tell us what you drive. We promise not to laugh (very much).

Well, I am home, safe and sound, after a great week at TT 2009. The racing’s been fantastic, I’ve met up with lots of family and friends and put in a lap or two. Not sure whether I saw your IS or not, but there’s certainly an excess of SportCrosses on The Island. Round here, you rarely see any, there are at least 4 different ones on The Island.

I did warn you! Seriously, I am glad you had a good time - I'm on the Ben My Chree from Heysham at 1415 tomorrow, with the bike, and spending the next 11 days on The Island. Maybe see you in the next few days?

Welcome to LOC. I chose an IS over a 3 series too!

Flippin 'eck, I have 2 weeks away on holiday and when I get back I find that your car's gone up in smoke! Glad you're OK and that nobody was hurt. There's some great photos of your car there. Enjoy your test drives!

Hello and welcome to LOC, hope the new car's all you want it to be. As a Manxman now based "across", I can safely say that my IS300 goes quite well over the mountain, although next week's trips will all be by bike!

Hi and welcome. I used to stay in Helensburgh, but moved south 2 years ago.

Ditto, all round.

When I bought my IS, I initially looked at a 200, on the basis that I started out looking for a car of about 2l rather than something even bigger. Then I test drove a 300 and the difference in power and performance is startling. I was hooked, so went back to square 1 and bought the 300 SportCross I'd initially seen, but not driven at that point. Roughly 23,000 miles and 1 year 361 days later, I am still well happy.

Another white car - they're becoming awfully common! Welcome to LOC.

I'd be very surprised if you were doing any harm whatsoever. I quite often drive my IS300 in manual mode on the steering wheel buttons.

Absolutely right, there are an awful lot of people with enough money to buy a very fast bike, but not very much experience. Those of us who have done a few miles in all weathers have a slightly different riding style. Glad you’re enjoying it.

Crossing the mountain at perfectly legal 3 figure speeds is one of the joys of The Island, but you'll be lucky to get to 186 on open roads, even with the Gixer! During the TT period, there are loads of extra limits added to keep things safe(ish) and under control and they are pretty hot about enforcement in towns and villages. Fines run into five or six hundred quid for 10mph over the limit, so you’ll be wise to keep it legal where limits are posted. If you really want to enjoy The Island’s roads, make a visit at a quieter time of year!

Well, I'll not mention £127 fully comp on the VFR, then. Enjoy the rain!

Good stuff I'm thinking of going over for the TT, going up to see the MotoGP later in the year and also might be doing a track evening at brands in June so should be a good summer That Gixer's going to get used properly, then. If you're going over for TT2009, give me a shout, it'd be good to meet up.

Very nice! Not quite in the same performance league, I have just booked my VFR in for its 48,000 mile service prioir to going to Scotland in May on a trip and then to the Isle of Man in June for TT.

Count me out, I am afraid. I shall be somewhere in the far north west of Scotland (on my motorbike, not the Lex). See you next time.

I hope you're having a great day!

You have a very smart car, whoever you are.

I beg to differ. It was SNOWING!Date dependant, count me in.

My set up is described here. Any towbar mounted system is not cheap, but is very stable.

It does sound like a problem associated with reassemble after the head gasket job. The RAC man was right - you were very fortunate that it was nothing more serious.

I'm off to see family and friends on the Isle of Man, so there'll be a SportCross on English plates crossing from Liverpool tomorrow evening and then doing a trip or two over the mountain at some point over the weekend if the weather's nice. Then in June, I'll take the bike over and have a few more runs over the mountain. :D