Looney

this is the link... http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b00fys1m this is the quote from their page: Motoring news and views from the usual team. Richard Hammond celebrates the 40th birthday of the iconic Ferrari Daytona by taking one back to its spiritual home on the Riviera before attempting to beat James May and a multi-million pound power boat in a race from Portofino to St Tropez. [b]Meanwhile, back in the UK Jeremy Clarkson is out on the test track testing the new BMW M3 saloon against a young pretender from Japan, the Lexus IS-F. Top Gear also tackles a political hot potato as Richard attempts to find the best sort of bus for British city streets by getting together everything from hopper to bendy bus and then having a race with them. Plus, Grand Designs presenter Kevin McCloud is the Star in a Reasonably Priced Car. problem is that JC will never allow an ISF to beat an M3 as he really doesn't like Toyota....and they had to cheat on 5th gear as well....let see if thye mention the radar, reversing camera and all those other toys you just don't get on the M3...

Ever since I saw the ISF I wanted one and now I have one :))) I had always thought of putting some lights in the side grils and it seems i have been beaten to it. Anyway, as a mechanical muppet, I don't want to take a set to tools and start modding my ISF myself.. Can anyone suggest somewhere in the south of England where I can go to get someone to safely, professionally and competantly make some tasteful mods. I live near Southampton. Thanks for any suggestions.

firstly congrats on getting one. yet to see another though ...which is good. I knew someone would tell me the closest cruise setting is ok and closer is dangerous and technically I agree but people in manual cars dart in front in slow conditions.... and although I can stopper quicker than almost everyone, believe me there is no way I am harming a hair (if it had any) on my ISF's bonnet so I do drive safe as needed always ...mind you you'll know the confidence you get when you need to stop. yes can be a tad skittish and it'll spin the expensive shoe leather all to easily in pull off (which has to be done too often in sport's mode to keep the bank manager happy). There are probably , no in fact certainly (although never experienced one) better, faster, grippier, more stable cars but, for the money, the toys and feeling it gives me - being an ordindary Joe - it's simply awesom. Have to say too, from a safety point of view nobody, but nobody tail gates you - and that's not because 98% of the time you've blow them into distant dust cloud - but more I suspect, because people see you can ...because of those much talked about 4 pipes i guess - which I have to say make it for me - always wanted 2 pipes and then four ;o)) and then that rumble - which I am told by friends is just as evident from the front and it is from behind... Honest down sides I've noticed so far are that the interior build quality (the sunroof (which probably needs some more grease) and externally the brakes squeak a little), whilst beautiful to look at does tend to rattle a little more (not to do with speed or abuse you understand) than the IS 220D for example but now after 3 months I finally discovered lexus had already kindly fitted a stereo (but who wants to listen to it when...!!!), but thankfully the ride is actually OK...never in it long enough to notice unless a pot hole jumps out - and that despite what the journo's wrote - and Tiff's anger at the beeps are nowhere in sight. So when is the ISF Gum-ball run / track day / European mountain climb /...???

To be absolutely honest with you all, I can't imagine many of you have actually driven the ISF. I have owned 3 Toyota Avensis, an IS200, an IS220D, RX400h and then an IS250. All good cars (maybe expect the RX which was a luxury but slow people carrying bus) but now as I have bought an ISF I have to say it is an outstanding piece of engineering. Whether you feel it is not worth the money, think the inch gap between the four outlet pipes and the chrome pipes are too much to bear, let me assure you that there are few cars to match the speed and acceleration of the ISF and even fewer can match the noise and feeling you get driving...even if just at going from 20 to 30 mph in 2nd by planting it and getting that beautiful "marring" for 2 seconds. In addition the acceleration just keeps going and going and going to the point of being very scary and yes, 120 is about as fast as you can go on the roads at 6am on a sunny sunday morning on a straight country road so the 175 has to be kept for the track but that doesn't matter...its how it gets there! I urge everyone to save your money and get one...absolutely brilliant....so far 2500 miles of great experience...and had to name it "Looney". The only thing I would change is reduce the radar distance on the cruise control which is too far. Flappy paddles are great, engine is awesome. The average of 14mpg is ok if you can afford it and if not there is always the snow mode which returns 35-45mpg As car fans, shouldn't we all celebrsate the fact that Lexus are getting serious and trying to give us a drivers car for the first time....and with the LFA on the potenial list things are only going to get better