Spacewagon52

With that dazzle camouflage, you will be safe from a torpedo attack!

10 minutes ago, Linas.P said:

IS250 generally are solid cars if maintained, but if not maintained they can become real money pits. Parts are expensive, there aren't many experienced technicians that can work on them and Lexus diagnostics costs are extortionate. 

What are the problems with your car? 

I guess based on that, mileage, spec and how much you want for it would depend if anyone is interest to buy it. Overall, IS250 prices very much stable for last 8 years and for last 3 they actually have increased. I have bought 2008 IS250 SE-L with 120k miles in 2014 for £4000 (I believe it was £3950 to be precise), yet 2008 IS250 SE-L with approximately 120k miles, will cost more or less the same today, if not even little bit more depending on condition. So in summary - these cars are worth decent money and there seems to be demand for them, the question then becomes how broken is yours and whenever it would be economical repair.

As far as where and how to sell... It is slightly challenging to sell broken car. It is illegal to sell car that is not road worthy, even if it has MOT. You can list it as "spares and repairs" on eBay, in which case what you selling is technically are bunch of parts and not a car, but you will receive significantly less in such case. So it may be the case that it would be better to spend money to fix the car before selling if you want to get decent price for it (again depends on what is broken). 

Good advice.

I do sympathise with your dilemma. Older cars need some TLC, which costs money. It is deciding when to stop putting your money into a car, that is the issue. They are not cheap cars to run on a tight budget.

3 hours ago, WhiteHart said:

NX450+ boot is 521 litres and the NX300h boot is 475 litres. Hope that helps. 

Thanks Kevin.

I find the boot capacity in litres, not particularly helpful. I compared the boot liner of an RX400h with an NX 300h. The NX was slightly smaller but in reality it is not as practical for certain items I carry. The seats have to be upright to allow enough space. I was quite surprised that it made so much difference. Doing the comparison with the load liners does not give the full picture. I can live with it but it is just an observation. We all have to compromise on something with the cars we choose.

On 6/12/2023 at 8:31 AM, NiCoRe said:

Let's talk about boot space 

Did you own a NX300h? How does the boot space compare?

Sorry to hear you have had this AGAIN! 

2 hours ago, DavidCM said:

It's a much more simple,cost effective and profitable way to end up with a quality property.You don't have to work around outdated and in some cases substandard structures.Just flatten the existing and start afresh with no compromises.Just make sure the location will "carry" the projected end value.

Oh and I wouldn't rely much on  Mr Mcloud's advice.I seem to remember he came somewhat unstuck..

Yes he did - one of his projects went bankrupt. Extending / altering your existing home is far cheaper than moving. Moving costs (depending on your home value) can easily be above £25,000. That, effectively, is giving away £25,000 you could spend on the build. However, it is not always possible to alter a property to what you require.

Can anyone beat that? Wow! I will have a go!

2 hours ago, DavidCM said:

Did you try adjusting the lumbar support?

The lumber support would push you more forward. Also try adjusting the tilt?

I did have something similar on my RX400h but adjusting the above sorted it. 

4 hours ago, Chris.S said:

Had confirmation that my 9th Lexus has been delivered to my dealer and I should take delivery myself early Sept 😀

Congratulations!

Can you list all the Lexus cars you have had?

On 8/25/2023 at 12:35 PM, Linas.P said:

I thought "wagons" were resurgent trend in US (and overall) now? Perhaps that only applies to vintage cars thought... I always find it weird when "estates" are priced higher than coupes/convertibles as classic cars. But then again I was never and estate car lover... I understand it is practical, but I just value different things in the car, don't have dogs, don't need to help my family move furniture, don't need to put tools for work, so probably I will never get it. But I do appreciate some people need such car (more so than SUVs), I just always considered them more of "utility cars". 

Regarding classic cars, estates are rarer than the equivalent saloon. As you say they were regarded as utility and used as such. Classic pickups are very expensive for the same reason I guess.

in the past I never liked estates - I always chose the standard 3 box saloons.

Not a direct comparison, but going from a 400h (3.3 litre V6) to the NX (2.5 - 4 cylinder) I don't really notice any real difference to be honest. yes the V6 had more grunt but in "normal" driving I can't tell the difference. The engine in the NX seems just as smooth and quiet. I am not sure if the engine / electric motor is set up differently in the new RX350H. I thought it might be less powerful than the NX, being a larger car?

The American market is the decider unfortunately.

That is a lovely design.

Out of interest James, would you buy another Lexus?

21 hours ago, JamesIS220 said:

Always passed the MOT with either no advisories or sometimes failed on a track rod end. Worst most expensive repair was on my 1989 240GLT at 201,000 miles. Returning home the 30 miles and around 20 miles into the journey the auto gearbox area was banging massively and nocking badly. Had it recovered and the next day had a new propshaft centre bearing replaced. Collected it and the same noise. Garage couldn't find the issue so recovered free to a Volvo specialist. Volvo specialist replaced the worn tail output bearing and said it's ready to collect! It wasn't same banging/knocking noise. I didn't drive it like a Granny, like the garage. Investigated further and replaced the gearbox mount then noticed the gearbox cross member had bent. Fitted a used cross member and all was fixed. Between the 2 garages cost £400 Not bad really. Other things just age related like new cooling rad/hoses and everyday service items.

Volvo 940 nothing expensive so far, just service/maintenance items, cooling items, Nissens rad, Volvo hoses. Engine/gearbox original redblock and Austin Warner auto AW70. Lately 2nd issue as running badly and not starting now as needs a new Crankshaft Sensor. £43 A few years ago had it's first breakdown in 6 years. In that instance the in tank fuel pump was dead. New Bosch pump off ebay for £80 and 6 hours of me removing old pump and sender and all was well. Fiddly job getting it back in, took longer!

The older Volvo rear wheel drives have served me very well and generally very reliable. Will now no longer buy cheap crank sensor as 2nd replacement to fit. This time a Bosch original.

 

I do like my Auris for it's cheap running costs and zero road tax. Volvo wins for putting a smile on my face and it's character. The auto really suits it. Good engine and gearbox combo, virtually no turbo lag. Not fast, but adequate. Very tunable if you want 250-300BHP. Mine is LPT 135bhp, B230FK engine. Low pressure turbo. HPT 165BHP. Road tax is £325 for the year!

James.

That is something James! Very impressive - buying the right car can make bangernomics work. Just think of the money you have saved in depreciation alone!

19 hours ago, Davidlwh said:

 

Am also thinking about getting waxoyl treatment for the underside around the same time for winter.  Anyone else had this done?

 

Have you considered Lanoguard? Apparently it is easy to apply but the car needs treating each year.

15 hours ago, JamesIS220 said:

Generally had Volvo bangers.

My first car that I bought  after passing my test at age 21 was a 1986 Volvo 740GLE Estate. Paid £425.00 in 2001/2. Had it for 5 years.

Then a new Toyota Corolla 1.4d4d hatch in 2007 while living in Normandy, France.

Sold Toyota as sold up in France in 2010 and bought a 1989 Volvo 240 GLT auto estate in Birmingham for £350.

Drove that for 8 years in County Kerry and the UK and bought a 1996 Volvo 940 SE LPT Auto estate for £250. Still have this with 209,000 miles! Playing up, needs a new 2nd crank sensor. Bosch one this time.

Sold the 240 for £500 in 2018 with 234,000 miles.

Bought a 2006 Lexus is 220D for £1,475 and got 19 months out of it before HG went. Should of got 250.

Scrapped the Lexus for £350 and bought a 2015 Toyota Auris Hybrid estate. Owned for around 3 years. My best car. Volvo my workhorse.

James.

That is REAL Bangernomics James! Did you have any costly repairs?

Best car? Auris or Volvo?

1 hour ago, Davidlwh said:

Dear all,

Grateful for your help...

I have an RX450 and have just had the following flag up on the MOT as a minor defect.  The tester said that it was the high voltage cable from the hybrid battery running but that they would not touch it.  Any thoughts on solutions or who could look at it. I am in Leeds.

Many thanks

David

• Electrical wiring insulation slightly damaged or deteriorated High voltage (4.11 (c) (i))

Never come across this on a Lexus?

I will try Colin's suggestion of ordinary cruise on my NX - thanks Colin.

Yes it works! Thanks Colin! I must get round to reading the manual AGAIN!

1 hour ago, Juicedrinker said:

Hello @NemesisUK, thank you for the reply.  Maybe it is just lubrication then and I am worrying about nothing (I hope).  Just had a battle with Toyota dealer regarding a fault on my partners Yaris (under 11,000 miles on the clock) which I had bought from them and found the issue could be rectified by a Technical service bulletin update regarding a replacement ECU due to the fault.  Anyhow after a long struggle they replaced the ecu free of charge and it all works 100% as it should do now but after that lengthy battle (over a year) I am dreading any future warranty work.

Are you prepared to name the Toyota dealer in question?  Not good after sales service!

The radar cruise is excellent for safe and relaxed cruising on a busy motorway. Set it for say, 60mph, then if you follow a car doing 50mph your speed will adjust to their speed. So what? You might say, if the car in front alters their spped up and down then your car will match without you braking or accelerating. By indicating to overtake, the radar is "switched" to 60 mph and you begin to accelerate. 

The only odd thing I have found is when a car moves into your lane quite close to you. The radar does not seem to react at first. A good feature really as the car would brake every time a car pulled in front of you.

I will try Colin's suggestion of ordinary cruise on my NX - thanks Colin.

Personal experience with cars does taint your view. My poor Volvo and BMW experiences (compared to Lexus) has soured my view of these makes. Whenever I have strayed away from Japanese derived cars, I have been bitten with costly repairs.

3 hours ago, GMB said:

Clonk or Donk Over certain bumps in the road giving a not so subtle bdonk.

Not big or even small imperfections in the road just a certain type, like a 2 inch ridge.

  2 x services and specific  research by Lexus - No Sir everything is perfect thank you.

2 x MOTs by independent MOT stations = All fine nothing loose, not even the exhaust.

Check boot all secure. Check Amp in boot and behind seat All good.

Found the culprit yesterday and 5 bobs worth of draught excluder fixed it.

The boot lid was sitting a tad too low and hitting the rear bumper assembly occasionally. Finally spotted the scuff marks - plastic on plastic fortunately.

Sherlock Holmes eat your heart out.🤔☺️

 

 

Which model is this?

32 minutes ago, dutchie01 said:

Would that mean the British Cuisine in France ??? 

No, we can pinch their wonderful recipies!

You take it to good exhaust shop for their opinion on the best way forward.