knitware

It's absolutly amazing this car, 10 years ago this sort of figure would have been unheared of. A 3ltr, V6, 245 bhp and capable of 0-60 in under 7 seconds and this is the MPG. I was travelling at average speed of about 74mph for around 60miles. Incredible I think.

Whilst waiting for my battery to be fitted ( by Toyota ) I walked across to the Citroen garage next door to take a look at the new C5. I have no intention of buying, I just wanted to look inside one. From the outside they look quite smart but while I sat in it I noticed the hard plastics, blanked out switches and dozens of buttons that operate the radio, etc. It was within seconds that I felt so glad and privileged about being a Lexus owner. I was pounced upon by a salesman and we chatted briefly about the C5 and I made polite comment about how the car looks a lot better than the old model. I then said it was a shame that the interior was a bit harsh, hard plastics etc. He then asked me about my car and when I said Lexus he said 'well the C5 costs around £21k and a Lexus 'GS '@ about £35k, so there will be a £10k difference in the feel of the car'. He gave me a price and options list and as I read through I almost priced the C5 to that of a Lexus GS. I included all the options that I enjoy in the Lexus, so I specced, leather, sensors, satnav, auto dimming mirrors, Xenon lights (which move), etc. There were options not availabe, keyless entry, reversing camera ( I would miss this now if I didn't have it, I can see if i'm within car park lines without opening my door). Add to this to the fact that a C5's value will plummet fasted than a bankers bonus and the Lexus looks excellent value, and perhaps cheaper than a Citroen C5. So i understand now, Economise by Upgrading!

If you feel it's the right car for you then why not go for it. You must be happy with the price to be "teetering on the edge." Make sure that the discs are OK as these won't be covered on warranty. Pricewise he wants £8000 but hes gone down to 7500 which in the books is about right disks i checked they were brand new. Offer him £7250!!!!!!! :D Buy it, you will love it!

That makes me feel a little better, I think 4 years is fair enough for a battery and a cheap enough item to replace. Toyta said they didn't want to put anything other than an OE battery in my car, they could have fitted an after market. The chap said the only difference between their battery and a Lexus battery is the sticker they stick on them, Toyota or Lexus. :P I think it could be worth getting a quote for servicing from them, just because they have been so helpful!

Just a quick update. The battery has gone and Toyota will fit a new one in the morning. They said that if my car wouldn't start tomorrow they would come to my house to fit it! Now that is customer service. I'm a bit concerned that Lexus would not see me until Thursday to fix this problem, a 10 minute job and Toyota were only too happy to help. My next service could go to Toyota.

Have to disagree a little with positives - Run flat tyres. Very noisy, very expensive, hard to diagnose a 'real' puncture, i just don't like them.

Hi, I'm sure nothing was left on, it was just the short trips perhaps coupled with a lifeless battery, although as you say, a short life span. That's why I'm wondering if others have replace batteries so soon. I'm hoping that I do need a new battery, in some way this will ease the worry that something is draining it. I have just bought a trickle charger from Maplin, I'm hoping that this will help. I'll post back tomorrow to give an update!

Hello. Im not too sure about the MK2 GS but I think with any car use some sense which i think you have in asking the right questions. -Is the price right, check with parkers etc. -Full service history is king! Does it have paperwork, doesn't matter really, check with Lexus or Toyota they will know. -Condition-a few scuffs is ok but add any repair to the cost and negotiations. You want a dent free car. Scratches are easy to fix by a scratch repair chap but can cost about £200 for say a scuffed bumper. -Electrics - press everything, twice. Very reliable cars but check everything. It can be annoying when you realise that the passenger door mirror doesn't adjust as you drive away your new car. -Previous owners. This is a slight worry for you with the car having had 4 owners, ask yourself will it be a worry when you sell it on now having 5 owners. The more owners the less appealing. Is this reflected in the price? -Good milage on the car you described. HPI to make sure it is ok, even if the car costs, 3K, spend £30 have it done. -Are you a member of the AA? For about £120 you could get a chap out who will look over your car and give you instant piece of mind when after the inspection he gives it the all clear. -These cars come with a very good reliability record. Go to Warranty Direct website and check yourself. Go to the reliability index and find Lexus GS, look for the headings of engine and transmission. Issues are recorded here. In Mercedes index, for example there will be a number and this number lets you know how reliable that model is. If you notice, and it's remarkable, the index for Lexus GS engine and transmission are blank as they do not break, ever. If you buy the car you will love it and it should always work, apart from when the battery gives in- see my other topic!!!! One more piece of advice, test drive a GS300 to see a difference between the two. A GS430 is 2 groups higher insurance and a bit thirsty, but if your not bothered then forget this sentence! Enjoy the purchase! :D

Hello all, I went to my car this morning, MK3 GS300, and all appeared as it should. The car unlocked, the steering wheel greeted me and the sat nav display lit up. When I pressed the start button the car remained silent apart from a rapid clicking noise and then the display dimmed. I knew this was a flat battery. This has happened only once before, a Vauxhall cavalier. I left an interior light on. I managed to get a jump from my wifes car, started ok and took it for a spin to get some charge. My car has been stood for a while, a week perhaps, and in that time only used for two short trips to the shop. Could the battery simply be discharged or after 4 years could it be dud? I rang Lexus and they said I would be unlucky to have a dead battery after only 4 years, are they right? They could offer no more and a test to check the battery could only be done on Thursday, today being Monday, not good, not good at all. I'm busy about this week and need an answer. I rang Toyota who were only too pleased to see me tomorrow. A check will take only a few minutes and they will do the check and if needed replace the battery. I am a bit disappointed that I wasn't offered more from Lexus as it is a quick procedure, anyway I'm going off topic. I'm pleased with the replacement price though -£63.00. Has anyone else needed to replace their battery after a short time? 4 years to me sounds ok for the amount of stuff the car has to run, air con, sat nav, heaters, running the car etc.

I have to agree with all said above. I bought an 05 GS and it is a superb car. If you buy a GS be prepared to be looked at a lot, mainly by VW Passat owners for some reason........ Quiet, comfortable, exclusive and a joy to drive every time. I test drove a 2008 IS Sport but went for the older GS because of the rear seat space, boot size interior, etc etc. An IS is a great car but personally I had to buy the GS. I bought the 05 MK3 new shape model over a say 07-08 model due to it having very low milage and ££££s cheaper. So go for 1 owner, FLSH and low milage over age and stick a cheap private plate on. These cars remain to look great even at 4 years old!

Road tax on the GS 300, is off the chart compared to any I.S varient. GO for a low milage, FSH MK3 2005 GS. This will save you £200 (ish) a year in tax, if your not bothered about an extra £200 a year go for a newer model. When will you test drive a GS? I'm sure when you do you will answer the question of IS or GS yourself. A GS is a wonderful, smooth car and quite exclusive, I'm hooked anyway!

Take it to Lexus. I had my car for about 2 days and took it to Lexus for a check, after the horse has bolted and all that. Lexus wanted to do the rear calliper recall work anyway. During the work they checked the car over and recorded onto a sheet of paper all areas of the car. Everything was checked, and I mean everything, mechanicals, dampers, windscreen wipers, and was ticked off as ok. Well, apart from minor scuffs to the rear bumper which they said they could do for me, hardly noticeable but Lexus noticed! They even wrote down the make and depth of tread of the tyres, so yes they do a through check! All part of the Lexus service!

My wife had something similar on her Mercedes, not a Lexus I know. It was simply a case of changing a relay. Give your local Lexus dealer a ring, it could be a cheap fix.

I can't believe anyone would hack away at their car's wiring to enable the use of sat nav on the move. It seem like hard work and could go wrong when all you would have to do is pull over to change destination.

If your sensors are on you will see the icon lit up on your dash.

I can't believe it is broke, don't think there has ever been a Lexus gearbox that has failed, I could be wrong...........Take it to a garage and change the gearbox oil. What's the mileage, has it been changed before? its a 96 plate with 146k on the clock i don't know whether its been changed before but i shall give your suggestion of changing the oil a try i have just checked the dipper and it doesn't appear to have any oil left in it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! where did it all go??/?? Hi, I'm guessing you haven't owned it from new so it's hard to tell where it went! I would take it to any reputable garage, buy the proper gearbox oil for them to fill it. It should be pretty cheap to do, i'm sure that this will cure your problem.

I can't believe it is broke, don't think there has ever been a Lexus gearbox that has failed, I could be wrong...........Take it to a garage and change the gearbox oil. What's the mileage, has it been changed before?

They do put camera vans on the motorway. I was flashed about 5 years ago on the M18 by a 'safety' camera van. It was a Saturday afternoon, empty road, sunny and on a very slight bend. I was doing 92mph I was speeding but i was driving to the conditions. Oh well, lesson learned.

Thanks, that's reassurring. The car's at the other end of the country form me so i'd like to be sure it's as it should be before i make the trip. So it'll have the same 245 width tyres front and rear too? I'd be more worried about the tow bar. What's it been towing, it could reduce the engine life by half.

My thoughts exactly - performance Coupe to a [family] Saloon with flashy bits? You do know you are talking chalk and cheese here. The SR looks good IMHO (for a Lexus). But I'd maybe be tempted to spend a little more and get a full spec. SE-L or SE with toys over the SR which I think you will find looses a little in standard spec. for the body kit (I may be wrong here). Do test drive it, have a play and see what you think. If you want a coupe, you will be hankering after one despite the having bought the IS. Agree, something that makes the IS very attractive is the fact that you can get loads of toys for a very reasonable price. You can even get an SE or SE-L and then just addon the SR body kit (installed by the dealership at an extra cost obviously). One thing I really dislike about the SR is the upholstery. I agree. I was given an SR as a courtesy car and I was disappointed with the upholstery too. I was driving for about 30 mins and became very uncomfortable in the seat, the seat side padding really started to dig in. Other than that a nice car.

It does look a beautiful car! When are they on sale? Are they on sale in other countries? The car looks like to have trade plates fitted, which would make sense. It was a lovely day there, that's why I asked where the shots were taken, I thought you were in the states. B)

Where are you based, this vid wasn't taken in the uk, was it? It's lovely and sunny,

Hello, I had my rear callipers changed today too. The steering had been done previously. I didn't receive any free gifts though. The car was clean and they did a good job, all in all I'm very happy. A drop of fuel would have been nice, a key ring, cuddly toy.............

I have a tip for you-test drive a GS! The difference is vast. My car an, 05 GS, is in for a service and I have been given an IS250SR. After driving this I am so glad I bought the GS. The IS seats dug into my sides and I was uncomfortable after 30mins driving. The cabin is lovely and so is the car, but to me nothing special, well, I've been spoiled by the GS. You can buy a GS for the same price as an IS, older but In my opinion, better. Don't worry about the size either, you will soon get used to it.