Exiled

I think you made a good choice, the SEI has an impressive spec. I have no points of great concern my reason for requesting more feedback on the 2009 model is that the car has now been in production for 4 years, is the build quality improving, some owners have complained about dash's and door's creaking, the boot lid coming into contact with the bumper. I know there isn't much to moan about on the 250, just interested to know if Lexus take on board owner feedback by continuing to improve the car.

Hi I bought my IS 250 SE-L AUTO MM from dealdrivers.co.uk. I got it £2500 cheaper than my local dealer. All you do is tell them your model and specs and they look around and get back to you with a price and when you agree to the price they will ask the Lexus dealer to call you and you pay the Lexus dealer the deposit and deal with them from there on. That's interesting D BUK, I've spoken to dealdrivers who were a bit vague, can't blame them for that, they have to be. I was told that the cars could be supplied from a dealership on the M5 corridor or was it the M4 corridor, you may know being from London, either way it's too far for me, or the NE of England which would be better. Thanks for feedback.

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Has anyone bought their IS from one of the online dealers, dealdrivers.co.uk, drivethedeal.com or their ilk?

As I scrolled through the replies must admit I was thinking we've been here before, same as you, and I'm not feeling grumpy. Hope you've got a "good un" Cathal and everything goes ok.

Well Chastise, releived or stupid? You make your mind up. Looking at the forum and still going ahead, you probably thought this forum was just like any other, it isn't. In the main people on here are honest and tell it like it is, as you have found out. Good luck with the 250 auto.

Forget the difference in spec for a minute. The 250 auto is a much quieter, smoother, more refined and better looking car than the 320d. BMW dealers in the main get a bad press, Lexus dealers in the main get a good press. It's got to be the driving experience that convinces you, the better spec is a bonus.

It would have been better to come on here and find out all about your car before you bought it, but worry not. You've made a great choice with the IS250, what you will glean from the forum is, if you're very unlucky, you may get an occasional niggle.

Gunther made the comment, " This will only get worse ". I agree. The government is borrowing billions and billions of pounds, it's got to be clawed back from somewhere, co2's are an easy target at the moment. When manufacturers reduce them the goalposts will be moved and they will find something else to the tax, how about the amount of air an internal combustion engine consumes?

Your's is coming up two years old. How's it been?

You're probably right kenfoxy. If you want perfection youv'e got to persue them!

That (non) folding seat issue is a bit of a bummer, lots have complained. Wonder why Lexus haven't done something about it, perhaps it's not possible for some reason?

Thank's for taking the time. Let's know how it's doing after 6 months.

Anymore feedback yet? Let's keep it all on one post.

Welcome to LOC Neilboxer. You've raised, once again, the "hot potato", the most discussed topic on this forum. Trawl through the many pages available and you will see how it has caused heated arguments, fall outs and abuse to be hurled around. There are many issues with the 220D and you have asked the question "whether to get rid now or later", if you can I'd say now, based on what I've read on here. Some may be on the site because they have encountered problems, I came on to find out all about the IS before laying out the cash and if I buy it will be the 250 auto. I've driven both, there is no comparison.

Is it April the 1st?

Having driven the IS220d for a short while, I decided against it. One main reason was that I am used to the 3 litre power, it would be like going back to driving the IS200 Sport in BHP terms. Also, the IS220d seemed like hard work to drive! For what it's worth, why don't you drive a 250 Auto. Don't make the mistake that because they look the same from the outside there is no difference between them. Driving them they are worlds apart.

I've been a fan of Honest John's for a long time, he's what his name implies and imo has no hidden agenda. Agree with lots of the comments so far. The Seat Exeo, being a revamped A4, should be a reliable motor but unless I've missed something unlike the Audi it's not available as an auto in petrol or diesel. We all know the motoring journalist's have a difficult task having to come up with road test comparisons week after week that's why some of cars they compare suggest they are grasping at straws in an effort to fill a few pages. The result is of a negative nature as the article is not given any credence by the reader, a bit like the Sunday Sport, you wouldn't dream of buying it, but worth a flick through at the newsagents.

Had a demo 250 Sel for a day last November, arrived home at 4pm and parked it on the drive. Two young lads on their way home from school walked past looking admiringly at the car. The dealership were due to pick it up at 5.30 so I was looking out for them from the lounge window with the light switched off. The two lads appeared on the corner of the avenue, one stopped and the other started to walk up my drive looking around all the time. I dashed out shouting just as he was bending down by the back wheel and he ran off. I reckon the kids know all about which cars have fancy valve caps, they nick them for their bikes. The wife had two nicked within a week of getting her Mini, it now has four plastic ones on, they other two are on my Ridgeback (cycle) and very nice they look too, not as nice as those shiny lexus ones though

With all the complaints posted on the forum in this vein I could become quite dispirited because I've just committed my hard earned cash to buy a new SEI. However, I prefer to believe it's a positive point in favour of a car when the biggest problem owners report are trim rattles. Obviously those with the IS diesel have encountered more serious problems but, having ordered a 250 auto, I'm hoping to be soon enjoying the legendary trouble free Lexus experience or, at worst, nothing more troublesome than an odd rattle! Don't become dispirited Roger, I think you're on a safe bet. Over the past couple of years concensus has it that the auto is the one to buy, a few have complained about dashboard and trim rattles and in the majority of cases these have been sorted out by the dealer.The vast majority of 250 auto owners are delighted with their choice. I was hoping that having altered the front face vent surround that rattles in that area might have been cured, but there are issues with all cars. I thought it was a dream to drive and hope you find so too. Keep us posted.

I'm in a wild and lonely place a long long way north of Watford, places like Hatfield, Woodford and Cambridge are just names on a map to me. Getting prices from the internet sellers wil be my first point of reference although I prefer to buy from a dealer, feel they are more obligated to you. I had my heart set on an auto but Roger Bill's extract from the USA website is making me think about a manual box, I thought auto's were supposed to be simple (only joking)

Be interesting to hear your comments after a period of ownership. Don't talk to me about dithering. I may eventually end up getting a 250 SEL but the dealer nearest to me is useless, the salesman a grade one pratt and the quote with no trade was in an insult, in fact they were about as professional as British Gas. I've a choice, travel further to a dealership or buy one from Deal Drivers or their ilk. Whilst I'm dithering I drive about in a BMW 320d when I need to. It's very economical, comfortable, goes well, does everything right but does nothing for me, I don't like the look of it and it's bland but will do me until I stop dithering.

Haven't seen one in the flesh but there's a pre-owned 250 SEL for sale at Wolverhampton. It's colour is described as Aleutian Grey? It has Grey Sussex leather and looking at the blown-up thumbnail of the interior the tan coloured wood has been replaced by grey, I think it looks great in the pics, will have to go and have a look.

Anybody out there? ??

It's clear to see how enthusiastic you are for the new motor. If possible, slow down a bit, there are plenty out there if you are patient and remember dealers never ever just throw things in out of the goodness of their hearts. Throw the extras back at them and ask for a better deal.