smw

2001 AUTO 200 SE OK this is really weird. On my car I had 2 Dunlop 2000 on the front – same tread and wear. On the rear was another Dunlop 2000 and 1 Dunlop 9000 with a different tread pattern. The spare is also a brand new Dunlop 9000. The 9000 tread is the 'arrow rotation' type and I have kept them n/s o/s as appropiate to tread pattern. To try and even things up I put the spare 9000 and the other from the rear on the front and 2 2000’s on the back – thinking it’s best to have the same tread patterns on each axle (?). The worst of the 2000’s became my spare. THE CAR AND STEERING WHEEL PULLED VERY SLIGHTLY TO THE RIGHT. So I swapped them over – put the 9000’s on the rear axle and the 2000’s on the front - THE CAR AND STEERING WHEEL PULLED VERY SLIGHTLY TO THE LEFT. Just to convince myself I wasn’t going mad I returned it to the original configuration , 2 X 2000’s on the front, and 1 X 2000 and 1 X 9000 on the rear and it GOES DEAD STRAIGHT. BTW – pressures OK all round and tracking checked and OK. Only thing not done in that region is rebalance of the wheels. So . . . can you mix tread patterns on the same axle and any idea why it pulls when the same treads are together ?

Q. Why did Barbie and Ken never have any children ? A. He comes in a different box.

Hard to describe. I noticed when fitting my new mats - wouldn't have done otherwise. Basically get in the drivers footwell. There is a rubber mat part of the carpet. If you put your hand on it at the very left and then draw it across to the right you will notice (well mine does anyway) that when you are about 70 % across the actual floor pan seems to dip away slightly into a shallow hollow. When you hand is at the very right it is probably 6mm (guess) lower than the the left hand side. You can feel it with your foot when driving but not really when the mats are in. Have I got the only one in the world like this ?

Anyway - here are the first pics of the car http://toyotaownersclub.com/forums/index.p...topic=14654&hl=

Still have these concerns - any experience out there ? 1. There is a slight dip in the floor pan underneath the drivers side accelerator - has anyone else IS got this ? Mine is 2001 X Reg. 2. On one wing (and in direct sunlight) you can see a sort of slight fading - I thought it was a greasy patch of silicone over spray from the tyres at first but it doesn't clean off - the car is black - what is a good cleaner / treatment.

So picked up my used IS today from Lexus Nottingham. I love the car but have a few questions - appreciate any feedback. 1. It has the spoiler with integrated brake light and the brake light in the back window doesn't work - I assume the wires just go into the spoiler light instead and so this is normal ? 2. There is a very small chip in the screen about 4 cm from the bottom drivers side - I thought this would be a MOT failure but it was given a new certificate 2 days ago - thoughts ? 3. There is a slight dip in the floor pan underneath the drivers side accelerator - the car has cruise control and has done 43000 miles so I figure it's just where the drivers foot has been resting - anyone experienced similar ? 4. There are about 4 small stone chips on the front edge bonnet which have been painted in but are now raised slightly - is this how Lex would do it or has the previous owner had a go ? 5. On one wing (and in direct sunlight) you can see a sort of slight fading - I thought it was a greasy patch of silicone over spray from the tyres at first but it doesn't clean off - the car is black - could this be caused by sunlight 'bleaching' or similar. The affected area is a sort of brown colour but as I say not immediately noticeable - just in direct light - the paint surface is fine. I've made the car sound bad which it isn't - I am really enjoying it - just have these few niggles in the back of my mind. Look forward to comments.

Ha. Reminds me of a sticker I saw on the back of a car once . . 'Driver carries no cash . . . he's married.'

Mrs SMW has a Black Yaris so I know what they are like - looks porn when it's clean though.

Wouldn't happen on a used car would it ?

Ha. OK - should have given it more thought.

Oh dear. I live about 6 miles from Potters Bar, I spend a lot of time in the town and I pick up my first IS this Saturday

Eh.....?!?! What ya talking about? I don't get the joke Watch out for low bridges :winky: Well I'm still unsure Is it the spoiler ?

I'll wait until I get the car to get a good Avatar but here are a couple of quick 'in the rain snaps' that ifraz grabbed for me at the dealers pic 1 pic 2

Thanx again for what you did. I haven't been to the dealer yet -I've done all my 'haggling' by e mail and even got a p/x that way. Craig has been very good (as you said he would be) - I have an understanding that I can walk and get a deposit refund if for some reason I don't like the car when I actually see it. From what you have said and the other stuff I have found out about the car since that seems unlikely !

OK I'm a bit excited . . should read FLSH.

Well it's only been about 12 months in the searching but I have finally found my new car and paid the deposit today Thanks to Fidgits for his continual nagging on the subject and a big thanx to ifraz who looked at the car for me in the pouring rain and sent me a lovely detailed report and pictures by e mail. Haven't got a collection date yet but could even be this weekend. And it is . . . 2001 X reg IS SE in Black with Exmoor interior. It's an auto with FLSX and just turned 43 000 miles. It has a high level integrated brake light spoiler, 1 Owner and comes with 1 Year Lexus warranty, RAC Cover, 6 months tax, 12 Months MOT (although it's not due until Sept 04) and half a tank of fuel. It's at Lexus Nottingham (but not for much longer ) Happy bunny.

They would have brought it in much lower than that unless the price has already been dropped. Well . . I admit I dunno but . . if that is right then the p/x being offered is very good (?)

Well if it helps Wolverhampton are currently selling a 51 plate SE auto in black with 48500 miles for £14295. Guess they would take around 14 so they must have bought it in at around 13. Given yours is a lot lower miles I would have thought the price of 13500 is close but could be a bit higher.

:o

The postman/woman round my way also relieve my family of money in birthday cards too..... ;) Hmmmm. Actually when this does happen it is far more likely to be someone much further down the journey between the poster and you. They don't take money out of cards then deliver it empty to you - just causes suspicion. If your delivery person is at it you just won't get anything i.e. the whole lot is binned. If this is a serious problem for you we do have an internal 'police' - let me know and I'll start balls rolling.

And I have responded. very grateful, thanks.

Well that is actually what the vauxhall dealer said. ''Now let me see, why I am driving this Lex when I could have that lovely Vectra'' Sounds odd.

I have worked for Royal Mail for 18 years - mainly in planning. I make sure you get your credit card / utility / tax bills etc. on time. No need to thank me

yeah thats what they said - it was taken in p/x and it was 'so good' they kept it for resale off their forecourt. Anyway I've found a Lex approved one that I like the sound of . . . in Nottingham though . . bit far . . anyone near fancy taking a look ?