mcgus

interesting to see this thread still going! I just popped by to say a sad cheerio......for all that I didn't use the forum regularly it was nice to pop by and hopefully my eulogising post has prompted a few further waverers to buy into the SC. It still seems to get rubbish reviews but for what it is at the price point I reckon it does the job extremely well........all that said, sadly (or happily!) I couldn't put the Maser out of my head so on Saturday I pick my Spyder up.... I'll be sorry to leave the Lexus mark for the timebeing but after three cars and about 8 years of ownership I reckon I may be back!

Just flitting in here as an ex RX300 owner and now owner of an SC430 - in reply to an earlier post - the K750 is a total dud I'm afraid - at least with the SC it is. I can transfer okay but the phone or car keeps dropping the connection. I have to think it is a Lexus problem frankly and they just can't work it out.

well, this tuppence worth might be a bit too late in the day but rather than starting my own thread when I saw this one I thought it would be worth contributing to some of the thoughts I have read here. I have just purchased an ex-demonstator 2005 MY. I previously had a 2003 RX300SE and a Audit TT 225bhp roadster. Both have now gone and been replaced by the SC. In arriving at the decision my wife and I had a few "must haves" in our mix of boxes to be ticked. These included, in no particular order, - it had to be fun, fast, practical, preferably a convertible, have the ability to seat 4 at a push when needed, and lastly to be special. After considering lots of cars including, Audi S4 convertible, Jaguar XKR, Mercs (yuck!), BMW M3 convertible (what?!) and a few others we whittled our selection down to a Maserati Coupe (4200), Porsche 911 (996 C4) and the SC. We test drove all three. Only Lexus Edinburgh (thank you Simon!) gave us the car for an extended period. In summary, the Porsche was nothing special - sacrilege you scream! But frankly, it isn't. The 996 is not the car I had hoped for, Yes, it is a bit iconic and still looks good, but no, it wasn't "special", couldn't seat 4 (even kids) and I refused to buy the compromised convertible. So it was out (much to my dismay and suprise!). I don't believe it is that much different from the TT - a bit quicker but it handles similarly and we wanted it to be so much more. A GT3 though........hmmmm! The Maser was awesome :D :P - just wonderful. 400bhp and a f1 gear box that worked a treat. 4 proper seats and a heritage and image to die for. fast? oooooooh yes! But, not a convertible, not even a sunroof (so what......just remember that engine!) but at the end of the day the 15mpg and the service costs of £750 for a basic coupled with the fact that this was to be a daily drive and our only car meant even I couldn't let me heart win out over my head. so that ladies and gentlemen is where the Lexus came in........a premium brand, every extra under the sun, reasonable mpg, reliability and a standard of dealer service (well definitely in Edinburgh) that is second to absolutely none. In addition, that folding tin top is great, the power delivery through the V8 engine is soooo smooth. I can forgive the fact that this is not a sports car, Lexus don't pretend it is. Rather it is a grand tourer that just ooozes class and quality and begs you to hop in for a nice blast down the autobahn to Switzerland and then on to the Riviera.....oh, yes, I fell for it! So, in answer to your question, you have here one happy owner - one that "offered" to drive back in to the city tonight to pick up the missus who was workign late just so I could put the top down and go for a cruise with a bit of Faithless blasting out on the Mark Levinson (oops, forgot to mention the hi fi didn't I ;) ). One that is now on his third Lexus. Yes, the earlier cars suffered a reputation of poor handling but more recent ones are reputedly markedly improved. If you can, stretch a wee bit. If you can't, then maybe, just maybe, there is a Maser 3200 out there with your name on it!?!? oh, and finally, because the car has a tracker I have almost halved my insurance! all the best.

WHAT?!?! Don't do it John! Mind you, thinking along similar lines.........911 beckons.... or does it. Still thinking Maser!?! Oh dear

I'd just like to echo John's comments and add my thanks to Ian and Simon in public. A great day out although getting out of bed on Friday morning to drag myself into work wasn't much fun after a loooooong day The 400 looks great....not too different style-wise which I think is good as it shouldn't effect residuals hopefully (eh Simon? :D ). I agree with you John that the 300 is still the best value and nicest of the SUV's on show and yes, I did poke around in the competition! Audi's stand was appaling as a TT driver for our second fun car I was hugely disappointed and it simply showed up the gulf between the customer care of Lexus and Audi IMHO. nice to meet you and Ruth at last John and good pics! Angus

Mike/John i'm another like John who has both TT225 (roadster) and Lexus RX. The perfect combination! Although I see John that you are waiting on the new 400 Mike, I too get a squeaking/rattle type noise from the passenger side but I think it is where the dash joins at the window frame. This was a problem on my last RX and Edinburgh were great at sorting it out. Have to take it back in for them to do the same on this one now!? John, passed your RX last night on way home with your wife in - next time I'll toot and wave (or in the TT - missed the meet this Easter weekend but am looking at the APR remap so maybe we'll meet up sooner or later). Look out for R300MCD or V reg silver TT. Angus aka mcgus.

spooky! i live in Edinburgh and have an RX300 old style being replaced next week with new one and wife and I also have a TT!