Kent

Reading.

I've searched on this and the TOC forums for a definitive answer to this but with no real luck. It seems to be almost like a state secret. My DVD disc is 2001 Version 1 and I've been quoted £305 by my Lexus dealer for the latest upgrade (2004/5 Version 2. He is offering a discount but it still leaves me with what I consider to be a massive price for what it is, especially as a new upgrade comes out every 12/18months according to Lexus. The Toyota DVD disc looks the same (Black with no maker badging) and suely should be compatible with the Lexus system. They seem to be more readily available and cheaper second hand but I would prefer to be sure that it would work. Anybody know anything? all information gratefully received. Kent.

Trade price on that model is only around £10K so the dealer has got just over three grand gross profit to play with. This is perfectly reasonable for a prestige franchised dealership and as you say there is a lot of peace of mind with a car bought this way. However, as an example I found this advert (below) recently and I would bet good money that a strong bid of around a grand less would get them talking to you seriously. I know it's an SE and not a sport but it is 03/52 which means it might just have some original warranty left and this would be renewable by Lexus. 2003 52 LEXUS IS 200 2.0 SE 4 Door Saloon BLACK, 37574 Miles, Central Locking, Electric Windows, Electric Sunroof, Electric Mirrors, ABS, Traction Control, Air Conditioning, Power Steering, Drivers Airbag, Passenger Airbag, Side Airbags, Cruise Control, Alarm, Immobiliser, Half Leather Interior, Alloy Wheels,lexus cd/radio cassette player,ABSOLUTLY IMMACULATE ONE OFF CAR ,MUST BE VIEWED,FINANCE ARRANGED ON THIS CAR,CALL TO ARRANGE A TEST DRIVE , www.dacemotorcompany.co.uk, £12999 Good luck, Kent.

I've only just realised after reading this thread that my Black Sport X has no badging whatsoever on the rear. I presume that the previous owner de-badged it although there is no sign of them ever being there at all. Where did you get your badges from Aido and what do you put them on with? Apologies for butting in on your thread. Kent.

I have just bought an IS 300 SX which you can see in this thread. http://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/ind...showtopic=25650 Buying from a dealer and then trading in the same car 2 years later is the real financial worry, not how the new IS is going to affect the value of SX's. I should imagine that the dealer has at least a 3 grand margin on the one he is selling you and after two years he will offer you trade book . An example. Lets say you pay £18K now which is book (£15K) plus margin (£3K). In two years the dealer will allow you book which will be 15K less two years depreciation, say another £3/4K which could mean a trade in offer in two years of as little as £11K. I am hughly impressed with my SX so far and if you do a dealer search or an Autotrader search you will see that they are a pretty rare car, especially the Navigator model. I can't see the new model having much effect short term on the value of the old one. After all it will be 2009 before the first three year old examples hit the second hand market. Good luck whatever you decide, Kent.

I don't see why some LOC discount shouldn't be arranged. Perhaps whoever deals with discounts could advise as to how etc. Kent.

Thanks mate. Actually I bought it trade from a non-lexus dealer who had taken it in part-ex. Can't see a Lexus dealer having one that cheap. They would want the best part of £15K or so I guess.

Hi, Yes I've had The Avenue Hotel (eight en-suite bedrooms) in Reads Avenue or rather the wife has since 1989 and we will be here until we retire I would think (we're both 59 now). I don't usually broadcast it as I don't want it to seem as if I'm using the club for free advertising. Website is www.blackpooluk.co.uk Kind Regards, Kent.

Got it yesterday and I am well pleased. Did pretty well on price too (I think). Its a March 2002 Navigatior model with 49K and full dealer history. I checked with the supplying dealer (Lexus Bolton) and they told me it would probably be a good one to buy as all the recommended work had been done. It needs £50 to get a couple of pin dings done and as I am fussy I will probably get the bonnet re-sprayed sometime. It also needs two rear tyres which are being fitted on Friday. Toyo Proxes T1-R at £103 a corner fitted. Its not really due a service until December according to Lexus Bolton but to bring the mileage into line with the service intervals I will have it done shortly. They have quoted £151 including collection and delivery of a courtesy car to Blackpool! Not bad at all. Altogether I will need to spend about £6/700 to make it out of the box and if you add that to the £11750 I gave for it I am a very happy chappie. I will try to post pics but if it doesn't work you can see some at; www.blackpooluk.cp.uk/Lexus1.jpg www.blackpooluk.cp.uk/Lexus2.jpg www.blackpooluk.cp.uk/Lexus3.jpg Kent

That might be becase the parent company is one of the worlds biggest re-treaders. Not with the Zeta performance tyre of course. Kent.

Neither had I so I called Black Circles whom I had dealt with a few times before, to order 2 new Toyo Proxes T1-R for the back and they said that, whilst relatively unknown in this country Marangoni Zeta tyres are amongst the best performance tyre manufactured in Italy to the most exacting quality control standard in the industry. Apparently very highly regarded by some. Still, all I wanted to know really is whether they were good enough for the Lexus so he set my mind at rest on that score. Incidently the full cost is £104.48 per tyre fully fitted with Black Circles so definitely not cheap. Kent.

I have Marangoni Zeta directional tyres on the front of my IS 300 SportX and these are almost new. The rear has Pirelli P6000 which are due for replacement. Anybody know anything about the Marangoni's? Should I put a pair of them on the rear as well or would I be better with an asymetrical tyre such as Dunlop 9000's or what would anybody recommend. Kent

Thanks for a very informative post Andy. I have a small hotel in Blackpool and the Sport Cross will be more than big enough for my needs. 26MPG is no problem for me as I probably only average 6/7000 miles a year. I am very fortunate in having a friend in the trade who runs his own small car sales business and he was good enough to look it over and negotiate a price for me. Obviously I pay him a commision but from what I can gather so far it was bought in by the trade at close to 12K. This is below Glass's Guide. Car is an April 2002 with 49,000 miles. Cheers, Kent

Thanks for that info. Unfortunately it is not a Lexus dealer I am buying it from so no chance of a free lube service. Is there any reason why I should not let my local Toyata dealer service it now that it is out of warranty? He is literally just up the road from me and is quite happy to do Lexus servicing. I have a good relationship with them and have received wonderful treatment from them in the past. Cheers, Kent

Couldn't wait so I asked my car dealer mate to go take a look for me. He describes the car as mint with the exception of the almost imperceptible pin ding and bumper scuff. Tyres and alloys are excellent (forgot to ask the size) and Sat/Nav works fine. It has a full Lexus history although not always at the strictly correct mileage. Same dealer supplied and serviced all its life @ 11,508 miles, 20,009 miles, 31,167 miles and recently MOT and service in April at 45,144 miles. It has now done 49K so I don't anticipate any immediate costs. I assume that the next service will be due in April 2006 or does anybody know differently? Two owners on the log book one of which was the supplying dealer (Lexus Bolton). I am so impressed that I have negotiated a price which I think is reasonable and have reserved it with a deposit and will pick it up next week. Not often I buy a car without seeing it but I didn't want to miss the opportunity. There seems to be so few of them around, Lexus have only a handful and a search of Autotrader revealed only 19 nationwide. It will be fantastic to get behind the wheel of a Lexus once again. Cheers, Kent

A couple of not very good pics which have been sent to me. Alloys are described as very good but I don't know if anyone can tell from the photos what size they are or if they are standard. Cheers, Kent. http://www.blackpooluk.co.uk/Lexus1.jpg http://www.blackpooluk.co.uk/Lexus3.jpg

Hi all, I have the chance to buy an IS 300 Sport Cross in Black with 49K on the clock and Lexus history although I assume that it will need its 50K service right away. It is an April 2002 model and is described to me as in excellent condition with the exception of one minor rear bumper scuff and a dentmaster (£50) job on the lower drivers door. Now this is a car that I really, really fancy but I know absolutely nothing about them having previously had the GS 300. What sort of money should I be offering and are there any bits of advice ( other than the excellent guide elsewhere on the forum) that members would like to offer? I have arranged to see it on Tuesday but it would be nice to go armed with a bit of knowledge. Cheers, Kent

Used to have folding mirrors in a Merc and found them useful in tight situations. Trouble is that I often found myself forgetting to return them to normal. Gave me a bloody good view of a strange old man behind me. kent (56)

Me too.

Trying to find this in GOLD but no luck. Clicking the link on the original post just brings up "HTTP 404 - File not found". What am I doing wrong?

My GS300 seat belt return springs are very weak and really need replacing or re-tensioning. Does anybody know if you can tighten the springs or is it a replacement job?

Now leaning more towards LS430. My wife tells me that the car in the programme had a full length wood veneer across the door. Says she seen it in the background behind Brenda Blethyn. Must admit I didn't notice that or the SatNav.

Yes, I noticed it and thought it was a pre facelift GS300. It definitely had an "L" logo on the front grill and the ES pictures that I've seen don't have the "L". Mind you the wheels looked like the late model LS. Must have a really good look next week.

What a shame! And I was looking forward to sitting at the Disabled Atheist's table.

I bought a 1998 GS300SE a few weeks ago and the recent site crash has obliterated my post on it. Otherwise I would have had Gary's car like a shot. A great buy in my opinion.