DanD

My dealer changed the battery in my key at my last major service, without prompting and at no cost.

I think it is true with all hybrids. They come into their own in town and on A/B roads, but for motorway driving where you rely more on the petrol engine you are better off with a diesel.

If this is the case, then I don't know what the difference is between late SEs and the Exec Ltd Edition, but the spoiler is definitely not body coloured.

The Executive Limited Edition has additional extras... Mine came with: Chrome door handles Illuminated door sills (the word "Lexus" is lit up blue when the lights are on) Mark Levinson sound system Perforated leather (not sure whether this is standard on all models) "Executive Limited Edition" badge under the 400h badge on the tailgate The rear spoiler is black. I think it is the SR that came with a body coloured spoiler.

Hat s off to you! - Looks very good indeed.

Good idea: try and find an Executive Limited Edition, which is the last model produced before the 450h went on sale. It has all the toys with the exception of the rear seat entertainment package (rear screens and DVDs).

Top of my list has always been the Aston Martin Lagonda. Still wish I could afford to buy (and maintain!) one! Next... Jensen Interceptor FF Volvo P1800ES

Andy, not sure I understand what you are referring to. What do you mean by SatNav over-ride and over-ride button? I thought you were referring to the ability to program the SatNav on the move, which only newer map/software versions will allow you to do, but now I'm not so sure...

Fair enough. It's just that buying a car like the RX and then starting to take it all apart makes me cringe... but that's not a criticism, more a reflection on my inexistant DIY skills! Good luck with it... looks good so far...

Thanks for this. Re the tyre monitors, I think I have read somewhere that these have become a legal requirement on all new models.

Because people's priorities and requirements are different. To some people, reliability and excellent customer service is not as important as dynamics, performance or even practicality. The CT is an expensive car and can be difficult to justify. To some, the perceived quality does not justify the difference in price between the CT and its competitors. Some of these competitors are catching up in terms of quality and offer cars that are more spacious and that are more economical. Hybrids are great in mixed traffic, but it is becoming increasingly difficult to compete against the efficiency of newer diesels on the motorway. I love the CT, but there are things that do grate on me, such as the whine of the CVT box and the very small boot. A lot of people will look at a £30k top of the range CT and compare it to - let say - a Focus. Yes, it is a run of the mill Ford, but it's bigger, possibly more economical (diesel with stop/start technology) and can be just as well equipped for far less money. Furthermore, anyone who is looking for advice in car magazine will learn that a Focus has better dynamics. To a lot of people, this is a no brainer. Similarly, I'd say that Apple laptops are probably the best on the market... it does not mean that everyone is prepared to spend their hard earned cash on one, when other excellent laptops are available for half the price. Same with TVs... washing machines... etc Personally, I think that Lexus will need to up their game where technology is concerned because the competition is catching up with regards to quality, comfort etc. Good customer service and sparkling showrooms are all very good... but Lexus cars are so reliable you rarely need to use either! (P.S. - To set the record straight, I am planning to replace my RX with another RX, and I am considering buying a CT to replace my second car.)

I find that ECO mode just blunts performance too much and I am not convinced of its benefits over NORMAL mode over a long motorway journey. SPORT is fun as the car is a lot more responsive. However, if you press the pedal hard in NORMAL mode, do you not get the same response as you would in SPORT? As for the EV button, I am not sure I understand the point of it. The car will switch automatically to electric only at low speed, providing the battery is charged up etc. On the other hand, you cannot force the car into electric only mode if it feels it is not ready for it.

I have not read JC's review, but I for one love the CT. I always look forward to driving one as a courtesy car and plan to get one when my second car needs replacing. I love the re-designed front end... has the inside changed at all? I agree that in some perverse way we should be grateful for Clarkson's review: it ensures the CT remains a secret gem. One of its good points is that it is still a relatively rare sight and as a result continues to attract looks from other drivers.

Andy, I believe that the sat nav over-ride is dependent on the version of the disk that you use. It is not something that you can over-ride through system menus. Each disk comes with a software release built into it that automatically loads and updates the system when you first use the disk. I cannot remember which version got rid of the override, and I don't have the time to look right now, but it is documented in another thread on this RX forum.

Sorry but I have to ask... If you find the plastic wood so bad... why did you buy the car in the first place!? Surely the RX is not that rare a car that you can't find one that ticks all the boxes with a bit of patience... or am I missing something?...

Do you know if your car ever had a clearcoat applied to it to protect the paint work (3D or other)? It could be that this is what is peeling off as opposed to the paint itself?

Yep, one of my wiper arms is corroded... decided to ignore it for now. I'd look to replace it rather than repair it though. For mats, I whole heartedly recommend mrcarmats.com Mats are made to order and you can choose colour, trim, thickness of carpets. Delivery is quick, and and price goods.

Wow! Not sure how I manage to post the same entry 4 times! I am having some network challenges, so assume it's my fault. Maybe someone has the facility to remove the duplicates. Thanks in advance and apologies. Hopefully I've made my point about Lexus' challenges! ;-)

From what I have read, the new BMW X7 will slot it above the X5. Where the X5 is pitched against the MercBenz ML, the X7 will compete with the MercBenz GL. I am kind of expecting that the new RX will either fight it off with the ML and X5... or that it will slot in between the X5 and X7. So many SUVs are coming to market that it is going to be a tough fight. New Discovery, and Volvo X90 replacement and Jaguar, Maserati and others are about to enter the SUV market, all with models similar in size and price to the current RX. Also looks like most will have hybrid options, including plug in hybrids. If Lexus want to stay ahead of the others, they will need to offer plug-ins also. I am assuming that this is already in the pipeline, given that Toyota already offers this. To date, Lexus has been rather unique in its offering and its refusal to offer diesels (except for the IS220d). From the moment this uniqueness disappears, it is going to have a tough time preserving its share of the market from the new comers.

From what I have read, the new BMW X7 will slot it above the X5. Where the X5 is pitched against the MercBenz ML, the X7 will compete with the MercBenz GL. I am kind of expecting that the new RX will either fight it off with the ML and X5... or that it will slot in between the X5 and X7. So many SUVs are coming to market that it is going to be a tough fight. New Discovery, and Volvo X90 replacement and Jaguar, Maserati and others are about to enter the SUV market, all with models similar in size and price to the current RX. Also looks like most will have hybrid options, including plug in hybrids. If Lexus want to stay ahead of the others, they will need to offer plug-ins also. I am assuming that this is already in the pipeline, given that Toyota already offers this. To date, Lexus has been rather unique in its offering and its refusal to offer diesels (except for the IS220d). From the moment this uniqueness disappears, it is going to have a tough time preserving its share of the market from the new comers.

From what I have read, the new BMW X7 will slot it above the X5. Where the X5 is pitched against the MercBenz ML, the X7 will compete with the MercBenz GL. I am kind of expecting that the new RX will either fight it off with the ML and X5... or that it will slot in between the X5 and X7. So many SUVs are coming to market that it is going to be a tough fight. New Discovery, and Volvo X90 replacement and Jaguar, Maserati and others are about to enter the SUV market, all with models similar in size and price to the current RX. Also looks like most will have hybrid options, including plug in hybrids. If Lexus want to stay ahead of the others, they will need to offer plug-ins also. I am assuming that this is already in the pipeline, given that Toyota already offers this. To date, Lexus has been rather unique in its offering and its refusal to offer diesels (except for the IS220d). From the moment this uniqueness disappears, it is going to have a tough time preserving its share of the market from the new comers.

From what I have read, the new BMW X7 will slot it above the X5. Where the X5 is pitched against the MercBenz ML, the X7 will compete with the MercBenz GL. I am kind of expecting that the new RX will either fight it off with the ML and X5... or that it will slot in between the X5 and X7. So many SUVs are coming to market that it is going to be a tough fight. New Discovery, and Volvo X90 replacement and Jaguar, Maserati and others are about to enter the SUV market, all with models similar in size and price to the current RX. Also looks like most will have hybrid options, including plug in hybrids. If Lexus want to stay ahead of the others, they will need to offer plug-ins also. I am assuming that this is already in the pipeline, given that Toyota already offers this. To date, Lexus has been rather unique in its offering and its refusal to offer diesels (except for the IS220d). From the moment this uniqueness disappears, it is going to have a tough time preserving its share of the market from the new comers.

From what I have read, the new BMW X7 will slot it above the X5. Where the X5 is pitched against the MercBenz ML, the X7 will compete with the MercBenz GL. I am kind of expecting that the new RX will either fight it off with the ML and X5... or that it will slot in between the X5 and X7. So many SUVs are coming to market that it is going to be a tough fight. New Discovery, and Volvo X90 replacement and Jaguar, Maserati and others are about to enter the SUV market, all with models similar in size and price to the current RX. Also looks like most will have hybrid options, including plug in hybrids. If Lexus want to stay ahead of the others, they will need to offer plug-ins also. I am assuming that this is already in the pipeline, given that Toyota already offers this. To date, Lexus has been rather unique in its offering and its refusal to offer diesels (except for the IS220d). From the moment this uniqueness disappears, it is going to have a tough time preserving its share of the market from the new comers.

Would make sense as it would increase the gap between the current RX and the new NX. I guess it will be more of a competitor to the Audit Q7 and forthcoming BMW X7.

I don't like the CAyenne... too gobby... But I do like the latest iteration of the RX, with the spindle grille. I guess the new NX most probably previews the design philosophy that will be applied to the RX replacement.