markuk1234

Hi Neal, It looks like you and I work for the same company, name beginning with C does it? :) . It is indeed a nice car, I posted to this forum a week or so ago (To Bid or Not to Bid) as I am/was interested in the car too. I drove it and checked most of the buttons which all seemed to work, shame about the camera! I do know that the front tyres are being replaced which is a plus. I still haven't decided if I will bid as it is way more of a car than I need in my particular situation. I ride a motorbike for most of the year to the train station for my commute, but come the winter I will need 4 wheels. This car just happens to have ignited my love for cars and technology. Good luck!

Thanks guys for your useful advice and info. ManicMark, I got a quote from 2 dealers who quoted between £650 & £750 for the cambelt and service (not sure if VAT's included in that!). I aslo dont know whether that includes water pump. I didn't notice any creaking so hopefully its not the wishbones. It almost seems a shame and even extravagant that it would be sitting on my driveway for much of its life due to my current daily motorbike routine (brought about by soaring parking prices that I resent paying!). But on the flip side, I will always have a literally top car to drive whenever I need. I guess road tax will be very expensive. Are these cars stolen often by the way? My wife is not familiar with the car so I was hoping to go my local Lexus dealer in Milton Keynes today so that she can see for herself what has got me so excited. I have to admit that I'm a sucker for technology and this car ticks more boxes than I even knew were possible, especially at this price range! The thing is I dont need this car, but I think I want it! Anything else I should be aware of? I'm really starting to feel optimistic about the high mileage now.

Hi all, I registered today after searching through your great forum. There seems to be a lot of helpful people on here so I thought I'd join up and get your advice! Anyway, I don't own a Lexus yet, in fact Lexus hadn't even entered my consciousness since wanting a Soarer many years back. I work for a large American corporation in London and in the last few days an internal auction for a Silver LS430 on a 53 plate has appeared on the kitchen notice board. The car has done 185K miles! which has raised a few scoffs from people as they peruse the advert. Now in the age of high petrol and tax hikes every year, and the fact that I work in London City and therefore not very practical for most, I seem to be the only one interested in bidding on this car which is a sealed auction (email to the fleet manager with highest bid). I'm closer than most to the guys that look after this car and have spoken to the chauffer who used it to drive the company CEO around, and all in all it seems to be a sound car. It certainly hasn't wanted for servicing I called the Lexus branch in Sidcup where it has most of its servicing and they confirmed that its been maintained to schedule. I have only seen the manual and service book, no reciepts, is that normal? I had a test drive yesterday for about an hour through the busy city of London, and the things that I can see that are not perfect are :- wheels are corroded all round, a couple appeared to have been kerbed. Front tyres (245/? I believe) are worn on the outside of each, perhaps a tracking problem or worse! Paint bruised on front bumper. A couple of chips on the bonnet and side. Reversing camera doesn't work. Not sure if voice activation works as I had such a short time to play around. I tried pressing all the buttons etc, and as far as I can see they seem to work. I'm not sure if this is the premium pack, I do know it has sat nav and rear screen and smart access. I don't know if the back seat moves and massages etc as I didn't even know that was an option until searching the internet in the evening! Do the front seats massage too? Without trying to bore you to distraction, my point is that I really really like this car but my head says its not practical because at the moment I don't have my own car, I drive my wifes Honda Jazz when needed. I'm actually a new motorcyclist and ride to the train station (less than 10 minutes) for my daily commute from Bedford to London, and at weekends I ride for pleasure. This car in effect would be almost like a secondary car for when the winter starts to bite and I can't safely ride, and for long weekends away with my family to see the inlaws etc up in Leeds. I have a decent income but don't want to own a money pit. I love this car because of the technology and the fact that its a whole lot of car with performance to match. Given that you now understand my circumstances and the fact that this car, If I was to win it would do low mileage in the foreseable future, do you think it would be worth taking on, considering any large bills that I may be facing? Some people who know that I want the car say I should offer £500. Now, I'm hoping that this reflects the ignorance of others who have seen the advert in which case I could get this car for a steal! How much would you bid or would you? Thanks!