bilmac

Hello all.My brother is looking to buy 430, and we found a very good low milage one 2004 model. However it has no Bluetooth or reverse camera. can he buy and fit them if he buys this car? and how expensive would that be? Also this car is almost 9 years old, yet has only 30,000 miles. What is the thinking regarding the timing belt on this. any comments welcome. thanks bilmac

William,

Just for reference, as i'm in Ireland too: The 600h can be VRT'ed for less than the 460, as it's co2 bring it under the top rate.

Next year, you'll be able to vrt a 2006 600h for 4,500 euro and a 2007 model for 6,500 euro

Considering you can buy a 2006/2007 600h, with 100k for about £17k, that means the car is landed and taxed for between 25-27k euro.

That's a very decent price for a cleared 600h, and with the improved mpg in the city it makes financial sense.

Obviously the major issue is moving on your own car as a private sale, at a decent rate, which may be very tricky.

Seemingly the VRT refunds (on exporting your own car from the state) that were proposed, will be coming in next year, so that would open the possibility of you trading in against your new car in the UK.

Best of luck whatever route you choose, but I just wanted to throw that out as an option for you.

Thats good information, Thanks a lot I am very glad I joined this site. when I started looking there were quite a few possible cars now for one reason or another I have it down to two, but with this information it opens up all of the UK, so I can afford to be fussy. food for thought, thanks again guys

In answering this question, I'm a bit worried about offending people. However ...

If you're really keen on the idea of having a hybrid to play with, then, obviously, buy the 600. If you do this, then I'd suggest trying to find a short wheel base version. This won't have the seat in the back with the bit that sticks out, but it will have three seats instead of 2, which is often useful with grandchildren. Also, that extra 30cm of car is a nuisance. 5m long is fine, but 5.3 leaves you sticking out in carparks and things.

Otherwise, I'd suggest buying the 460 SE-L. Get the SE-L version because that has all the toys. Apart from fuel consumption around town, and not having the option of the couch and four seats, the 460, for me, wins on all counts.

It's 200kg lighter than the 600. It's quicker to 62 mph, and possibly quicker to stop as well. It requires 98 load tyres instead of 102, so they are a little cheaper.

The boot of a 460 basic model is an ok sort of size. The SE-L has enough luggage space for 2 people. The 600 is smaller still.

The extra cost of a 600 will be partly recouped by better around town mileage, but you'll have to go a long way to break even; even then a point will come when the battery needs replacing, which may be around £5k. If you have the car still when its 10 years old, it might be you paying for it. If not, the next person may have to, and will be offering you a lot less for the car as a consequence.

In the UK, the slightly lower carbon dioxide figure of the 600 originally bought a considerable reduction in benefit in kind for company cars, and a lower VED (tax disk) as well, but the escalator on that has now removed that advantage. Both cars are

harshly treated under our tax laws.

Which? magazine recently did a comparison between noise inside a 460 and a 600 when cruising. The 460 was quieter.

As far as the box of toys goes, the 460 SE-L has one important one that only a few later 600s have, which is the lane keep assist. This does two things - bongs you if you go over lane markings, and gives the steering a bit of a nudge, just so you know. But it also helps steer. It's not perfect, but somehow, having a bit of assistance vastly extends how much I can drive before I start to feel at all weary.

There's some other minor stuff too.... cost of insurance, what happens when the car catches fire etc ... but for me it was an easy decision.

Lexus stopped bringing in the 460 when times became tough in 2009 (and have all but finished with the 600 as well). I dont think we'll see another car like it, so I'd say to grab one while they're still around!

Thanks for taking the time to answer, and a very good answer indeed, I agree that the long wheelbase is not the best option for me, as I like to be in the drivers seat, and for all the other reasons you mentioned. So If I am to get the 600 it will not be that one.

In fact I think you have convinced me that the 460 is the better option. again for the reasons mentioned,

As I have said in earlier post I would prefer a colour other than black, but I will not rule it out. at the moment I have been looking at a Brown ( well a kind of brown) one, with light trim, and am shortly going to see a dark red, again with tan trim. a difference in price of 17,000 euro with them, as the Brown one @ 21,000 euro has 98500miles, and very little service history, a finance repossession, but straight and clean, (to my eye anyway) and the Red one @ 38,000 euro having 59300mile ,full Lexus history mint condition. I actually prefer the Brown color, but I think I would worry about it to much. I think I will pay the extra and get the mint one as I believe that it will see me out as I intend to keep it forever. However it will depend on the dealer agreeing to take mine for its real value, Which I think is 16,000 euro. I am prepared to spend up to 22,000 euro to change for the right car. There is also a Black on offer @ 32,500 euro with some history. I feel better now that I have made up my mind, now all I need is to find the right one for me. I will try to to be in a hurry and enjoy looking for it, but I confess to been a sales mans dream, in that I sell the car to myself even before I arrive at the garage.

Thanks again for your help and I will be happy to lister to more if you have it.

I would go with the newer 600 if were my money nicer looking better kit , i also like black or wine gold to trashy silver to merc.trim ?.

Thanks for that. I think wine or gold ok but I would prefer not to have black or silver, but never say never. I don't understand the bit about merc trim?

As the title says gents, I am in the happy position of getting a new (to me that is) car. I have only had my GS 450h a very short time and I love it, however I recently had a drive in a LS. Wow, I want one now, and since everyone tells me I can't take it with me I have decided to treat myself. I am thinking of 2007 or 2008 and will be trading my 2007 GS which confines me to dealing with Dealers but am still hoping to change for about 15,000 euro. I would like your thoughts on should I go for the 460 or the 600. and what are the best colours, trim, etc, anything that comes to mind.there are at present 10 cars on offer 4 x 600 and 6 x 460s. All suggestion or comments are welcome. thanks in advance . bilmac

Serious advice ,,,,,, change your garage. As a mechanic of over 20 years i have never ever charged 300 pound for a service.

Your car, if done properly last time will/should of had iridium spark plugs, i put them in mine, they are not cheap compaired to a normal plug but hey will do 60,000 miles between servicing. So yours still have 20,000 miles on them, mine currently have 40,000 on them and not skipped a beat.

Your pollen filter will cost no more than 20 quid , change it yourself its fits in a slot behind the glove box ten minutes work even if you stop for a brew whilst doing it.

An air con purge and refill is 40 pound i dont do it myself but thats what i pay.The Air con bomb can do the trick on funny smells but makes sure your read the instructions on the can before use.

Tyres are a matter of choice for 400 i would expect some decent rubber although 4 new tyres can be as cheap as 200. you pay for what you want with tyres.

I really do wish people would stop paying over the odds for servicing/repairs at so called Lexus dealers indipendants or other wise. I am not a lexus expert or dealer but if i quit my current job and worked at a dealer tomorow it wouldnt make me any better of a mechanic than i am now and therefore shouldnt increase my labour charge

If your trying to run your car on a budget mate do just that. A Lexus is no harder to repair/service than any other car so dont pay over the top prices. Labour charges may vary around the country but parts prices shouldnt If i tried to charge 300 for a service i would be out of work in a month. If i charged 200 for an air con service i wouldnt sell any.

There are good, honest and able mechanics like you,out there, the thing is to find one and stay with him. He likes the repeat business and you get the best service, everyone wins

Many years ago I had a Humber and the same experience. I was convinced I was dragging a cardboard box along under the car. Turned out to be no oil in gearbox. Hope not the same for you

Thanks The Ed. dont worry abotu dave1 i dont think theres been a single post i have been involved in where he has doen anything but disagreed. As for being misled by my barister i very much doubt she or her solisiter husband would be in work if they didnt know the law.

The law is still very clear and if dave1 was correct my barister friend would be fighting my case in court against the bank for taking it from me in the first place, instead of telling me to keep hold of the money.

It's not a question of disagreeing with you Phil. You posted asking people for their opinion of what you should do. I merely quoted THE LAW regarding this matter as I had investigated it myself for reasons I stated and I also sought professional advice. As you say, the law is very clear that it is legally classed as theft to not take all reasonable steps to return the credit that was made to you. Did you even read the link? If you did you must surely see that legally it is theft.....whether or not we agree with the law is really irrelevant. Your barrister friend should be aware of this law and is probably advising you to do nothing on the basis that legal action by the bank is unlikely.

Out of interest, why post asking for opinions if all you really want is for people to agree with you?............the following was the last line of your post:

"I welcome your thoughts. what would you do ?"

No matter how you look at it, Dave1 is correct. if you fail to take reasonable steps to return it is legally theft. that the banks acted badly is not cause for you to. and yes you did ask opinions

Hi Guys

Sorry for the late response.

The reason these are late being sent is that I want to send these all out in one batch. There is no problem with those who have paid. I am aware and these will be sent in the next few days second class. I am trying to make this as cheap as possible for everyone.

Those who have had issues ordering please email me at lexusoc@gmail.com, i'll sort something out for you.

Received mine today Thanks Steve very kind of you to send without payment. I have donated to Oxfam in your name

You do talk a lot of bull.

Feel free to qualify your assertion.

Not necessary, you do it for me each time you post. Best to ignore you

Hmm Modern cars don't really frighten me but I refuse to be raped by the manufacturer... A recent example was a current shaped Range Rover Sport that one of my customers he had on one of his ramps... The electrically controlled parking brake motor had decided to lock itself on although no warnings were given on the dash. The driver had driven for some time not realising that anything was wrong... By the time it was at the garage, the motor linkages, discs and pads all needed replacing, bill was over a grand... Point is the park brake didn't need to be so complicated or so expensive.... Just like your super fast changing gearbox, who needs it? Perhaps if your name is Schumacher then yes but to drive up and down the B455.. get real! More important is for the system to be reliable and affordable.... You may still be young and dumb enough to be impressed by gizmology and slick marketing, I am far too old and grumpy for all that.

As a guy who is into computers, then you should know that what you call Information Technology is actually Misinformation Technology... the bulk of the internet is based on adverts and marketing, fuelled by suckers who swallow what the internet tells them... That is scary.... You need to wise up

Yep, I shall keep my little IS until the wheels fall off and I will be very pleased if it gets to 2040.... What does a modern car do that the IS200 doesn't?... With the exception of the engine management there is nothing on the car that I cannot fix.....My buddy still runs round in a 1964 Humber Imperial with leather seats that you just sink into, air conditioning, ride adjustable shocks (There is a switch with 3 settings on the dash) and separate heating in the rear and blower to demist the rear window and an engine that is even smoother and quieter than the Lexus I6 Owning a car that can be repaired is something worth bearing in mind as Western Europe teeters on the brink of becoming the new third world.

See you when your super sonic hover car has to be scrapped when replacing the headlamp bulb is too costly to replace...

You do talk a lot of bull.

Automatic transmissions are for fat Yanks, the disabled and the terminally baffled.... A decent driver can drive a manual as smoothly as an automatic and the gear change will be precisely when the driver wants it... And none of the losses of the slushy torque converter

A very general statement. and wrong you are entitled to your opinion but it is without any basis in fact

Really? Which bit?

All of it. including your signature. you were never like me.

Automatic transmissions are for fat Yanks, the disabled and the terminally baffled.... A decent driver can drive a manual as smoothly as an automatic and the gear change will be precisely when the driver wants it... And none of the losses of the slushy torque converter

A very general statement. and wrong you are entitled to your opinion but it is without any basis in fact

Six days since I posted with no response. Can admin (Steve maybe) tell me why the system rejects my very normal Irish address

I have been unable to input my details to avail of this offer. ??? I keep getting highlighted errors. I am pretty sure I am me. and I do live at my address. What's wrong