philthy

Do you think it makes any difference if you lock the car? A car engine running is enough to attract a thief's attention. Pop the window, either climb through it or disable the central locking via the inside handle, crack the steering lock and away you go while the owner is still supping their coffee while watching the TV. We had a spate of similar thefts around here over the winter and owners cried all day long when the insurers refused to pay out. Use your AC/CC on a hot setting while you scrapoe the window or blast it with de-icer and it takes very little time.

Your insurers would refuse to pay out. Can't understand the lack of logic in people who insist on starting their cars on the driveway then go back inside to wait for it to defrost.

I've had a few days looking at all the options; the oil burners and the hybrids as well as a quick look at petrol options, which didn't last long at all! It all comes down to swings and roundabouts with them all. Some have good urban and distance economy but little in the way of creature comforts without forking out for a shed load of optional extras. Others have fairly lacklustre economy but plenty of spec. It's difficult to find one that ticks all the boxes. All in, I think it will come down to what the wife is happy to a) drive, B) look at and c) to deal with. As I think I explained earlier in this thread, my local dealership let us down badly over our last Lexus and she's reluctant to have anything to do with them again.

Thanks for the honest responses folks, you've helped make my decision for me.

If you read the thread you'll see the issue isn't about the hybrid battery going flat if the car isn't used for a few days; it's about how far you can get on hybrid power alone and whether there is actually any saving on fuel economy over an oil burner.

That seems better. It's a big heavy car so I don't expect it to go all day on hybrid power, but I was hoping for more than 1 mile or so. Most of our driving will be urban city stuff so the chance of bumping fuel economy figures up would be welcomed. If you're getting 31 mpg summer and a low of 29mpg in winter, I assume you're being very delicate with the right foot? Even so, that's the quivelent to what I currently get from my S80 D5 geartonic around town. I'd be interested to see what owners of the hybrid are achieving during city driving. I was toying between the RX and the XC90 D5 as our replacement vehicle, but the Geartonic XC lands in the £425 VEL band unless you have the manual box, which puts it in the same band as the RX. Who wants to drive a manual in a big car. Even the Audi Q7 3.0 TDi is the same band as the RX.

No forget the RX350; jus seen the CO2 emissions and it puts it in the £435 a year bracket.

Makes you start to question what the point of the hybrid system is if it offers such a poor range. Does mean if I realy am set on an RX the 350 is going to be worth a consideration with so little benefit of the hybrid system, plus how the aux battery on the 400h seems to go flat if the vehicle's left for long periods.

I got rid of mine 2 1/2 years ago and have only one regret; it cost £5,000 after 6 months of ownership to learn the lesson that the car was not for me. You will have two camps with the IS220d; those who think it's great and those who think it's diabolical. Doesn't make any of them wrong, each to their own as they say, but if it was my money, I'd be going with the majority opinion of the car and you'd have to be a fool not to realise what it is. Don't take any notice of the argument that you will only get adverse comments about the car on a forum; if it was that good it would be full of praising comments. You might be lucky and fall in the "love it" camp, but get a days test drive with one before you sign on the dotted line. Lexus as a marque I'm not so sure about. Dealerships vary in their level of service. Where I bought mine from was only interested in getting my money and the service went downhill once they had it. Would I buy another car from them or indeed a Lexus? Yes, but forewarned is forearmed so I wouldn't be so ready to hand over my money without a deal I thought was acceptable and some cast iron guarantees. Would I use them for servicing? Absolutely not. I'd use a trusted independant all day long unless it was a warranty issue. Lexus cars supposedly come with lots of gadgets on them. You can get the same gadgets on most cars these days and at similar prices to Lexus. The materials used by Lexus tend to be a bit too plasticy for me and feel fragile as a consequence. It's not a major issue, but it is something that levels the field against other marques. I'm coming up to car change time again and haven't ruled an RX or LS out, but there are stacks of other manufacturers out there and if economy is one of the important factors in making your decision, then I'd look at them.

How far do you manage to get on battery power alone if there is no opportunity to exceed the power limit during the journey? I'm assuming because of the weight of the car it's only going to be a mile or so and once the imit is reached I also assume the petrol engine kicks in automatically?

AC isn't just for help keeping cool. You should use it as a heater in cold weather to preserve the seals and prevent bacteria building up in the vents, which are no doubt the cause of your smell.

With the reports of new vehicles having to hit certain new emission levels soon, I assume the price of any un-registered vehicles and consequently the used car market is going to drop drastically. Maybe the opportunity of some bargains out there with dealers struggling to move new stock before the new emissions date?

Anyone got any experience of part exchanging their car early during a PCP? I'm 27 months into a 36 month contract and concious that the used car market is taking a hit, am wondering whether it's going to be more beneficial to part ex early rather than wait until renewal time. For instance anyone know when the financiers usually accept early closure without penalty? I currently run a big diesel exec saloon, which no longer suits our needs. An RX400h is probably just as, if not more economical given that we do a lot of inner city miles and will suit our needs better, and it would be nice to sort a deal as soon as possible. Any help much appreciated.

Again seems like a decent mpg return for the size of the car and engine. Let's face it, it isn't a detuned lump either. I've tried the fm transmitters and wasn't impressed. From what I gather there is a kit that can be added to the standard system that allows you to operate an ipod from the stereo. I read of this issue with the battery going flat if the car is left for any length of time; is this still an issue on the hybrid?

I suppose all in car navigation aids are supposed to stop you fiddling with them whilst in motion, but a pain in the rear if you have a passenger who is more than capable of altering your route for you. No ipod connector! That has to be a massive oversight. Just about everything comes with an ipod connector so a car originally costing £40k plus almost certainly should. I've heard many cars have trouble connecting with Blackberries for some reason. The fact it can store your 30 most used numbers is good though. Hopefully it works with HTC Windows phones. The mpg is better than I expected. I currently drive a Volvo S80 D5 that returns similar and diesel is more expensive. There isn't half the boot space either. I'm similarly after a black sapphire or whatever the Lexus alternative is and I'm prepared to travel for the right car. My local dealership were found wanting with the IS so I'm in no rush to go back to them. Many thanks for the response. Any more?

I'm going to be due a replacement vehicle early next year and after a previous flirtation with Lexus and the dreaded IS220d, I vowed never to give them my business again. However, I always lusted after an RX400h and am seriously considering one as my next option. The other half fancies a SUV and we settled on a smal choice; the Volvo XC90 & XC60 and the RX. There are better vehicles out there if you want off road capabilities but the only off roading we're likely to do is crossing the kerb reversing out of the driveway. So as part of the research and knowing how forums tend to attract those with justified complaints about their vehicle or dealerships etc, what's the score with the RX400h? Anything going wrong with them or annoying little foibles that build up and get on your nerves? Any info gratefully received.

I used to own an IS220d and due to the small boot area bought a Thule roof box and bars. Still didn't give me enough room for the rear passengers so I moved back to Volvo. The box is staying but if anyone is interested in the roof bars. Only used twice. No reasonable offer refused. Now sold.

Now I'm curious. Struggling to see where I've doubted dgman has a decent one or is at least happy with it? This, if read correctly, simply asks owners and previous owners to state what they get/got mpg wise. No tricks, no disparaging remarks. Mine actually appears to have been one of the better performing one's judging by results so far. It isn't a crusade against the IS220d, it's an aid to help anyone thinking of buying one. You never know, it might, just might come out very well as a cross section mpg. Right I'm back off to Volvo to discuss towing caravans and pipe tobacco as I forgot the golden rule, you can't post on here if you don't own a Lexus and think they're the best thing going. Enjoy. :winky:

Likewise.

Not on there much. Popped over here to see if the diesel was still getting the bad press. SHould have bet the house on it.

It wasn't a dig but if the truth hurts.

A chance to be honest with what you got out of your IS220d mpg wise for all those who are considering buying one and can't be bothered to wade through the countless threads on the subject. It isn't a dig, just a chance to simplify the issue.

ISwannabe: Best advice? Do a search on here and make your own mind up. You will always have two camps giving opposing views. Take the 48hr test drive and make your own mind up. Treat it like your own. All brands have issues, it just depends how they get handled and how you as the paying customer get treated. Bear in mind that the Lexus dealership support ranges from very good to diabolical once they have your money and that Lexus GB are conspicuous by their absence in any complaint. Do the rounds on all the diesels if that's what you want. There's better out there as there are petrols. It just depends on what floats your boat and how big a risk you want to take. Good luck.

It isn't just the recession that has hit the 220. The bad press has affected used values too. I traded mine before the recession started to hit hard and was lucky to get £12k for a 56 plate with 14k miles. The car lost over £5k in the eight months I owned it.

The IS250 auto is a good car. It's the IS220d faults and the few bad dealerships that seem to get all the press and IMO have tarnished Lexus' reputation. Lexus know how to fix the problem but are they willing to do it? I don't think they are. A satisfied customer will tell very few people about their experience. A disatisfied one will tell everyone they can. Lexus should remember that. As for the IS, it's unfortunate that the 250 is catching the diesels bad publicity as for me, they are two entirely different cars in terms of performance and driver satisfaction. If it hadn't been for my local dealerships attitude and treatment of not just me, but many customers, some on here, I'd have contemplated another Lexus, either a GS or a an RX, but they've put shot to that happening. It will need many changes before I dip my toe into Lexus ownership again. The grass isn't always greener on the other side, but it is more palatable when the dealer at least works with you to solve any problems instead of just grabbing your money. The IS was a nice car until the dealer did his stuff. Then you start to notice all the little faults and quirks that never really bothered you before. Suddenly they become magnified ten fold and ruin the car. The you find yourself looking for any reason to hate it and with the diesel find them.