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thanks. Could somebody explain the dealer pricing on auto trader? The prices include vat or not? "Non VAT Qualifying" cars include vat, is this correct? But not all are marked like this. The prices are still very low and at least some Russians should grab all of them. They import Japanese cars and RHD is not an issue there. Ok, so far they should have imported them because the taxation will change very soon (in the next two weeks) and these cars will be impossible to sell then. http://www.forbes.com/afxnewslimited/feeds...afx5844567.html What's the UK's main export market for such cars? In Germany it's Russia and the Middle East. Road tax is slightly cheaper here, approx 400 Euro per year, depends on the cubic capacity. Small cars cost less.

Ok, there is this so called "credit crunch" out there but I'm wondering what is wrong with a car like this, with such a low asking price? And it's not the only one example out there, I've found plenty of other cars between GBP 5 and 8k. Are these regular offers and are these cars usually that "cheap" in UK? What's the catch besides the RHD? http://users.autoexposure.co.uk/classicdd....22054309_1a.jpg BTW. the prices on the internet include UK VAT or not? Thank You.

see pm.

A friend of mine had a similar problem in his 98 Camry. Not exactly the same, but a similar one. The passenger door could not be opened from the outside, just from the inside. It was possible to lock it of course, but no self-diagnosis was done by the car. The problem was quite simple: a small Euro 1.50 part was broken. But you have to take the door trim panel apart which is quite easy. Then you will be able to see which part is stuck. Here is the request in German: http://board.toyotas.de/thread.php?threadi...ilightuser=9451 And here the babelfish translation: http://babelfish.yahoo.com/translate_url?d...TrUrl=Translate

...and what's the point here (the theory is wrong)? I can't follow your logic. I'm afraid you've misunderstood my little Porsche story. US and Europe are two different markets. I have mentioned the UK and EU cars which actually have exactly the same specs but just a different configuration. UK "Premium Pack" is a simple "President Line" in Germany with same configuration. It all depends on the country of course, in Germany all LS 430 are equipped with serial air suspension unlike the pre-facelift LS 430 models in UK, is this correct? It was possible to buy the US LS models without the air suspension too. All the rest remained the same, same sat nav, same fridge, same motor, same everything. The only visible difference between the EC LHD and UK RHD models is the different light cone at night. So why should Toyota produce two different headlamp versions? Yes, that's probably true. But there are three different part numbers for the front pads of my friend's Camry and other parts. And all have the same sizes and will fit his car. Toyota is not dumb and would never release a single part number for the whole world. I mean, they are not good Samaritans but want our money. Sure, you won't use the same headlamps for the US market. But here, the UK pound was very strong for a long time, much stronger then the Euro, currently the Euro is a little bit overrated, but the parts/cars are still produced in Japan and their value remains the same. Why should Toyota sell it to you or me for the same price when they can earn a little bit more in UK for example? The actual technical/mechanical difference which is required to operate such lights correctly on my or your side must be pretty small, don't you think? What would make the production of two separate models for almost same market so difficult and expensive? I was not talking about a dashboard for example.

That's correct, the example describes an import from Germany to UK, but that does not really matter. It's all about the principle: why should Porsche produce two different types of head lamps for their cars? Sure, they can afford it (or their customers), but it's not very wise and what's more important, not economic. Now let's have a look at Toyota: world's biggest manufacturer, known from producing long-term cars full of unseen substance. These guys are very profitable because many LS parts are taken from various Lexus/Toyota models and again, in times of clear glass headlights with xenon bulbs I believe they found a way to align them easily and not to replace them on the assembly line. Just an idea. Yes, UK and Germany are two different countries, but both are in the EC and all cars sold in the EC must comply to certain laws. So both versions, UK and DE LS cars will be equipped with head lamps carrying these "E" sign which is important for the TÜV and probably MOT. The UK registered car as a whole may be registered in DE, but the lights "might" need an adjustment. The question remains: is it possible or do I have to purchase the LHD version...

Hi & Thanks, but, today, in times of clear glass headlights with xenon bulbs I believe they found a way to align them on the assembly line in Japan. Why should they produce two different types of headlights? Knowing Toyota it's not economic (they've managed to build two different types of cars on one single chassis, Lexus IS & GS or Toyota Auris & Avensis, in Europe at least), why should they produce two different types of headlights? I'm interested in LS 400 MK IV or the later models LS 430, these cars have xenon headlight and in theory, my own theory of course, there is no difference between the RHD and LHD versions. But it's difficult to prove it without the actual car of course.

Thanks. I'm considering to import a UK LS to Germany (I can live with RHD) but in order to pass the TÜV (German MOT) one has very likely to replace the head lamps. Oldtimer fans do such things, but I believe it's not required for cars like the LS, a simple alignment should be fine. I mean you don't need it on a Porsche 996 so why should Toyota make two different versions for its flagship? see §8 http://www.wikihow.com/Import-a-Used-Car-f...rmany-to-the-UK Indeed beam benders (those stickers) are for temporary use. Just yesterday I've seen a British LS 430 in Germany (Dortmund) but it was late and I was not able to follow him with my bimmer;) LS 430 is quite rare in Germany, you will not find many cars with British license numbers unless you live near the Dutch border, but a LS 430 RHD with British plates on is very very unique..unfortunately it was very late and I was not able to see his head lamps. I know it's "allowed" to drive with unmodified UK head lamps here as long as the car is registered in the UK but I am still curious if such conversion/alignment can be done by hand on the LS. That would make such import very easy.

When driving in France, Germany or any other left hand drive country, do you use headlamp covers (beam benders) for your Lexus LS (MK IV and later models with xenon bulbs) or is there an option of manual alignment available? I mean does Toyota produce just one head light version which is aligned for each region (LHD or RHD) or do you have to buy an euro version when importing UK Lexus to Europe? Could somebody check your owner's manual and see if there is a chapter dealing with this issue? Thank You very much.

Does Toyota produce just one head light version for the Lexus LS which is aligned for each region (LHD or RHD) or do you have to buy an euro version to replace the UK headlights when importing UK Lexus to Europe for example? Has anybody tried to import a LHD Lexus LS to UK (or an similar Toyota) and experienced a smilar problem? Thank You!