DanD

I think auto lights is a great feature, but it can be annoying: I use a Peugeot 208 as a runabout. When driving along tree-lined country roads on a sunny day, the lights keep switching on/off all the time. Unfortunately, you can't adjust the sensitivity... On the other hand, when the auto-wipers go over a certain speed/fequency, the lights get activated automatically , which I think is a neat feature.

I remember the days when cars did not have reversing lights. How ever did we cope!?

Welcome aboard. Extended warranty is very much a question of personal choice, and is something that has been discussed extensively in this forum... just do a search. PErsonally, given that the car is very reliable, I do not think it is worth the money. Remember that, buying from a dealer, you will be covered for the first year. This should help iron out any fault you may find with the car. On the other hand, I recommend the service plan. It is inflation proof, typically saves you 15% on your scheduled maintenance bills, and helps with budgeting. @Tom... would be interested to hear if your warranty will cover the water pump. I would expect this to be a "wear and tear" item, and therefore not to be covered.

I have seen this car: it is currently on sale at Lexus Southampton. It is a SE-I with panoramic roof, which means, I believe, that it did not have the roof rails in the first place. Don't think this is the Lexus design pack... more like an aftermarket import.

I would recommend that you test drive both if you can. Running costs aside, they are different to drive, and have different appeal. The 400h is more powerful and is faster, but at the same time makes for a more relaxed drive in my opinion. Whilst the 300/350 have a conventional auto gearbox, the 400h relies on a CVT/stepless gearbox. It is quieter than the petrol model at lower speed thanks to the hybrid system, but on the other hand screams at you when you put your foot down whilst the CVT "catches up". Also, the two behave slightly differently on windy roads as the 400h is heavier, although i couldn't say which is best. As pointed out by others, the 400h was never available with air suspension (I think this was because of the space taken by the hybrid system), and apart from the different gearbox other differences are minimal. I seem to recall that the 300 has conventional rear lights, whereas the 400h has LEDs.

Going off at a tangent... as always... Was overtaken by a white RX400h yesterday. Not many of those around!

I personally would not spend my money on an extended warranty for a Lexus either and take my chances. The most likely issues you will ever have will be due to wear and tear and this tends not to be covered by warranties anyway. If you really want one, have you considered one from Lexus themselves?

Colin... what about the SR? Or was that a one off limited edition?

I found the car very comfortable, but a bit claustrophobic after the RX. Not much smaller that the RX on the outside, but definitely cosier inside. After having adjusted the driver's seat (I'm only of average height), I found that the rear passenger's feet were rather cramped.

I agree. Saw a titanium one and a metallic /pearl white (can't remember the name of the colour) with red/black leather at my local dealership a couple of weeks ago. Both looked nice. The titanium colour suits the car well.

So first one on the road this morning in Basingstoke. Black, with ivory leather. Very smart.

@Pidu... what is the advantage of having an ice scraper with a copper edge? Never heard of them... have you ever seen them on sale over here?

For what it's worth... On the latest RX450h, you can customise the "TapTurn" to OFF, 3, 5 or 7 flashes. This is done via one of the customisation control buttons on the steering wheel (right hand side), but the car has to be stationary. I am guessing that, if this option is indeed available on the CT, that's most probably where you will find it.

They cannot be adjusted. Also they are automatically dimmed when the headlights come on.

Not sure I understand the question. Judging by the lack of response, I guess I'm not the only one.

Question re the DAB radio fitted to the RX450h: Is it possible to set the display to show song/programme titles? Thanks.

Same with the water pump.

Interesting. I would have thought that they could ensure that the locks would fail safe open in the event of accident. I am not sure I understand the rationale behind this on the assumption that people will still have - i hope - the option to lock the doors manually! Isnt the result the same in the event of an accident? I for one always lock the doors: I got mugged some years ago when someone jumped into my car while i was sitting at a traffic light in an isolated area late at night. Also, a friend saw his (and other's) boot raided by a gang while he was sitting in a traffic jam. Wasn't this why autolock was invented!?? In most of the cars with autolock that I have driven, the car would lock above a certain speed, but did not unlock unless I manually unlocked it by opening a door or pressed a button. I have never come across a car that unlocks itself based on speed only. Apart from a London cab.

Question: When was double glazing introduced, and to what models?

Colin, thank you very much for this excellent document. I have been trying to work out the difference between the various models in view of replacing my current 400h, and this is going to save a heap of time. Cheers!

The NX may be slightly smaller than the RX on the outside, but it is substantially smaller on the inside. It feels definitely cosy. It is a challenge to fit three abreast in the back. I am not particularly tall (5'9), and once I had adjusted the driver's seat, I then went to sit in the back and found it rather claustrophobic, mainly because my feet could not fit under the front seat. Made it cramped. Loved the styling though, and of course the quality, and some neat touches like the charge pad that allows you to charge your phone wirelessly. I have not yet test driven the car as yet, but since I won't buy one because of the restricted internal space, I won't rush and wait until one becomes available as a courtesy car. Hope the styling will be carried over the next gen RX...

Some interesting reviews on here: http://www.tyrereviews.co.uk

I Think I'll spend £115 on something else. Sorry.

Not sure if you ever your money back on these things. It's bit like putting Calgon for years in your washing machine. A Bosh engineer once told me that the cost of replacing your clogged up heating element is far lower that the monies you will have spent on Calgon over the years! Still, my wife won't hear of it and still buy Calgon, Must have shares in it that I don't know about. With regards to products being "endorsed" by major manufacturers, I do not think you should read that they actually acknowledge these products do a lot of good... it's more like they don't do any harm!

Re Jonathan's post... I wonder whether the failure of the battery pack may have been linked in anyway to the previous general electrical failure caused by water ingress through the blocked sunroof drain. I also wonder whether, if indeed failure was caused by water, his car insurance may have paid up for the battery pack replacement...