Fred Bassett

I agree, just clean and prepare the care the best you can. The garage might just 'trade' your vehicle, so you may not get back the refurbishment cost .

To be perfectly frank, with your limited mileage you should consider less the vehicles mpg and more the car itself. I drive around 20-25,000 miles a year. The only problem I have is that I keep picking up the Lexus keys, even though the car only delivers half the mpg of the Saab I also have. The Saab may have cost £26,000 new, but it in no way delivers the comfort, opulence and individuality that the Lexus delivers. If I had room and a lot of spare cash, I would also purchase an LS, GS and RX in that order. So yes, I have been impressed by the Lexus, which is why I wish to experience more! For your own piece of mind do the following. Compile a census of the vehicles that travel along a main road in your area. List all the BMW's that pass (if you have room on your sheet), then add any Lexus vehicles that drive by (hopefully there will be more than one). Then more importantly test drive the vehicles concerned. It is only this way, you will know how rare and more importantly how beautifully these vehicles are. If I was to ask a question, perhaps it would be - which Lexus should I purchase!

Could be the light, but hard to know unless inspected. Pity I'm across the water

This possibly must be one of the funniest threads I have read in a long time Even in my 'aerodynamic' SC430, I average 25mpg on a 30 mile motorway trip to work, albeit during fairly busy traffic on the final eight miles. Wish I could get hold of that 'fairy dust', as not only do you get fantastic mpg, it must also be good for the 'green credentials', and even more important, exempt from the high fuel levy :tsktsk: Anyway, it would be good to dream!

To be perfectly frank, your wife is totally gorgeous - your cars not bad either . Be careful about letting your lady drive it, as you will only get the keys for washing. Probably why my car is the cleanest in the area

Drove home with the 'Boss' yesterday. She put her window up, got comfortable in the sun and slept the 30 miles home. Provided the windows are up with the top down, it is a quiet journey at motorway speeds, even if you are over 6 feet. Personally, I prefer the look of the car with the windows down, but this only happens when the passenger seat in unoccupied, as it does get windy this way. That's motorway driving in a convertible for you!

Thought that myself. Although I was thinking of an LS, would seriously consider a GS if it was of good value. So £3,000 for a low milage GS - what do you think? Vehicle would be for a long term ownership. Contacted dealer following morning - SOLD - absolutely gutted! Sometimes you should just take the bull by the horns!

This is where I am at. Although I have only owned a Lexus for a short period, I have loved the daily experience immensely! The family Saab has now been relegated to a 'once a week trip' to maintain the battery. Although the Saab is a great vehicle, it still leaves me lacking. So naturally I have been hankering after broadening the Lexus experience. Therefore the question is should I go for an LS or the GS? If it is a GS, would the following be good value? http://www.utvdrive.co.uk/car/334807/2003-lexus-gs-gs300-se-best-luxury-car-in-world-craigavon/ Personally I believe the vehicle may be of good value, but may be difficult to arrive home with yet another vehicle unannounced !

Your lucky, the only track days in my area are for two wheelers! These days I prefer to rely on more rubber on the track

For me, I view the SC as a 'grand tourer' rather than a high performance vehicle. Ride I would not like to drive this vehicle on a 'track day', as it is more suited to the ordinary road and simple cruising. Although I find the ride rather 'boaty' and 'lumpy' at times, road imperfections should not throw you off course. Try bringing the vehicle back original specification - it might help. Comfort Maybe not as good as an SL500 or a Jag (both on my wants list), but the SC represent fantastic value and individuality in these austere times. Whatever you do with this car, make sure you use and enjoy it!

Can you say where you are going to get your updated disc from? Mike Price of disc is £34.99, which I will be ordering next week. If version is no good, you might see it n the add section http://www.satnavi.com/lexus.php

Tried to use my sat-nav the other day when the duel carriageway was closed due to an accident - version was absolutely rubbish! Going to invest in a newer one for £39.99 (not via Lexus). If it is only half as good as the one in my Saab, I will be happy!

I am perhaps coming from a different angle. If considering a purchase of a luxury car such as a Bentley, I would never consider converting it to LPG to save money! For me, I run two vehicles, one for those trips that require good fuel consumption and fulfilling the family needs, while the other for my own enjoyment and piece of mind. Each to his own, but personally I enjoy a luxury car as it was made - boils, warts and all! So whenever I think of these cars, it is not how many mpg they deliver, but how they deliver that smile to my face. Perhaps it is in these enjoyable experiences we encounter, that ensures our pleasure and sanity that we call life!

Personally, I have a 'love-hate' relationship with the colour of my car. I hate it that the dark colour (pearl indigo) gets dirty so easily, but I love it when the car is prestine and the paintwork and alloys shine! So on a dry cloudy Sunday afternoon, what to do? What else but hand wash, clean and dry the car to restore it's previous beauty! Who said married life is boring

My advice would be to get a quote from another insurance company. £3600 is way, way too much!! If you can get it down to £400-£800, it will allow you more leeway to purchase a good example. Like you, I am in the market for an LS series, but for me I am going to have to travel, as these cars are very rare in my area. Good luck in your search!

Hi Jason, You could try a UK stockist such as http://www.1stchoice.co.uk/cars/lexus/sc-430. Or alternatively a USA stockist such as http://www.autopartswarehouse.com/vehicle/2002/lexus/sc430/base/8_cyl_4-dot-3l.html Good luck with the sale, and hopefully your vehicle finds a new custodian!

The SC430 was brought to my attention by 'Top Gear', who slated this vehicle due to is high initial cost, but subsequent recommendation from 'Jeremy', as a 'second-hand bargain'!!! Of the 2,121 currently registered in the UK, how many are actually owned by forum members? I was lucky to acquire a 2005 vehicle in Pearl Indigo with a modest 38,000 miles (unfortunately not fully enjoyed by previous owner due to I'll health). Personally I try to use mine 3-4 days a week for the 'work-run'. As I have yet to see another SC on the roads, I was wondering how many are actively used by forum members?

After a little searching, I found the following link which although old, may still be useful http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/index.php?showtopic=35730

Had a couple of niggles with car. Side mirrors wouln't adjust up or down. Warning light for headlight levelling system came on. Sorted by Lexus (thank goodness for warranty!).

Yes mate that's driving conservatively if I decide to stretch the lexuses legs I get low to mid 70miles my mates aristo jzs161 fuel consumption is compared to the gs430 driving conservatively but once you let it open it will drink as fast as the second Turbo kicks in That is really quite shocking! Is there something wrong with your car? Something tells me that 'fuel economy', is not the only reason we drive the cars we do. Personally we have a family estate that caters for our needs, but it is the SC430 that I enjoy to drive. My view is this - when fuel is expensive, luxury cars are more affordable to purchase. I would therefore prefer fuel to be high and afford a couple of luxury cars, than fuel to be low and afford none. Currently looking for a pre 2006 GS to add to the collection, as for me these cars make the low mpg an enjoyable experience with every mile covered!

Sounds like a battery to me. Had a similar problem with an RX8, which in later years could not be left standing for any more that a few days without the battery becoming very lazy - not good for a rotary engine! If in doubt, replace with a high capacity battery that can battle our cold weather, and provide the energy for those gadgets and mod cons we love in our cars!

You are right with Admiral! Having just purchased my SC430 in January, I initially contacted Lexus insurance for a quote and free 7 day 'driveaway' insurance. Was a bit concerned over the £1,000 quoted by them. Contacted my current insurers, Admiral who quoted £466 with breakdown insurance. Ended up insuring the car with Admiral for under £390 fully comp, as breakdown cover was already provided by Lexus. Can't be bad for a group 19 car with protected no-claims in N. Ireland!

Have the brakes been checked out, as they should be responsive and bring even these weighty machines to an abrupt halt!

Glad no-one parked behind me with their nice 'shiny wheels'!!!!! Been checking out dealers with replacement wheels, what annoyed me most today was selecting BBS alloys, submitting my vehicle details and was only given options for 17" wheels!!! So having decide not to educate certain suppliers, I decided to leave their site and search for more wheels elsewhere!

Lately I paid for a two year membership (22nd January) for Gold Membership. Confused maybe, but I hope my account is activated shortly! Looking forward to those added benefits!