Ian J. Parsley

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Thanks Roger. In response to two things (one raised privately): - I suppose it is a tribute to how good the car is that I've hardly looked at the Nav! So I cannot yet answer on the Connected Services; however, I think I can say that there is no "delay" in the UK (I saw the same reports from the US). - I am running the car today solely in sport mode and will report back an mpg figure; but one thing I have noticed is the car starts in "Normal" regardless of what you had previously selected. I haven't decided whether that's a good or a bad thing! As a final point, I know that the *second* IS300h sold in NI was the Premier model previously used as a demo. If you don't mind that, I'd say you'll have a fair choice of them in early '14.

As I've said before, the 4GS is the nicest car I've ever sat in, bar none. Can't believe there aren't more of them out there!

It's 12,000 for intermediate service, 24,000 for full.

Sorry, there was also mention somewhere of the folding mirrors: these close on parking automatically only in the Premier trim; I have the Luxury. I had automatic folding mirrors on my last car but it doesn't bug me - as a matter of course, when turning the car off, I just incorporate pressing the fold button alongside applying the foot brake.

I've had a few private messages and those above, so I'll try to address them all, though as per the above agreement this still isn't my final report... :) "Rattles" - I drove nearly 100 miles today and heard no rattles at all. I'm beginning to suspect actually that I had the sun shade rattling against the windscreen; easily resolved! Nevertheless, I'll keep an ear out. "Audio" - I don't have ML; I'm not a huge music fan but if you are and want to listen via bluetooth, I'd suggest the upgrade is worth it. The sound off CD or DVD is exceptional; off DAB it's pretty good; off anything else it's distinctly average. That said, I'm so enthused by how quiet the car is, I've generally had the audio off - it's fun just listening to the silence! I haven't by any means explored the audio fully yet (I do have nav, which makes a difference to exactly how it works). "Ride" - I'm not sure the ride could be any better. My last car, a current Volvo S80, was smoother in the comfort chassis setting (though not in any other), but the penalty for that was no "feel" at all. So although the ride is marginally harsher, I'll take it because the actual driving experience is leagues better. "Steering" - Worth adding to the above, I am literally finding myself going around familiar corners without braking where in other cars (Audi, Ford, Volvo) I do brake; the steering is that good (i.e. direct). "Consumption" - I drove 90 miles today in all terrains (hills, motorways, urban, country etc) at exactly *60.0mpg*. So yes, reviewers suggesting you can't hit 60 are suggesting that *because they don't know how to drive a hybrid car*. "300 vs 250" - I cannot understand, honestly, why anyone would buy the 250 over the 300. The latter is two cars in one - drive it properly (as above) and you have a luxury cruiser with truly stupendous steering hitting 60mpg in silence; stick the shift in "S", turn up the synthetic noise, use the paddles and turn on the sport mode and you have something seriously resembling a sports car (and you'll still get over 40mpg, by the way). "Looks" - A final bone of contention was the looks; anyone who's looked at mine has thought them superb (but very masculine, whatever difference that makes). I haven't noticed the lights in the back of other cars, but will look out! Hope that covers most bases!

I should be clear, to get the "seat back" acceleration you need also to have the shift in "S", not "D". I suspect reviewers have missed this distinction.

Heh heh! First impressions are overwhelmingly positive, including countering a lot of alleged negatives I've heard elsewhere. To try to remember them: - the DVD player is astonishing, coming with the full range of features as a home player would, worth the nav upgrade almost on its own; - the acceleration in sport mode *does* push you back into your seat (unlike what has been suggested elsewhere; you do have to be in sport mode for this); - the "mouse" interface really isn't that bad, and you can change the speed anyway; - the ability to split the screen up to three ways any way you choose is brilliant; - the footbrake is really quite good, placed where the clutch would usually be; - I have had two passengers thus far and both have commented that it is, essentially, the most comfortable car they've ever sat in; - I had heard stories that you couldn't set the nav destination on the move or that indicators didn't self-cancel - I have found neither to be the case; - I'm getting mid-40s mpg even having spent time pushing it in sport mode; and - folding mirrors work well. Just two negatives: there's a hint of a rattle from the dashboard (which, in such an incredibly quiet car, is really noticeable, although I have to say it was very infrequent); and the windscreen wash doesn't quite clear the windscreen, leaving a trail of water to the right. I'd have to add the boot isn't huge, and the stereo system isn't *great* for playing music via bluetooth (but it's superb for CDs; and it is *passable* for bluetooth). I reserve the right to change any of this by Monday, mind!

A couple of pictures of the new IS: this one is an IS300h Lux (i.e. non-F-sport) with navigation and leather.

Delighted to be owner of first 3rd Generation IS sold in Northern Ireland (attached). Having spent a couple of hours driving in heavy traffic due to the World Police and Fire Games, I'm struggling to fault it. What's more, the HD DVD player is a real treat.

Picking it up in next hour!

Yes, the non-F-sport model is already plenty firm enough for me! Seems to be the trend - Mercedes seems to have gone that way too.

You'll see my review elsewhere. I pick up my new 300h tomorrow lunchtime, and will look out for the armrest!

With Audi and Lexus you are talking entirely different experiences. With the former, you have 50 models and an array of engines and options. I feel this is why Audi is doing so well. With the latter, you have six models, and within those generally only 2-3 engine options, 3-4 trim levels and a few extra "packs" as options. I wonder whether that's the best strategy, but it does have the benefit of making it completely clear what you are getting. So just abandon any assumptions based on one brand when looking at the other!

The GS is a great call too, given the unbeatable value nearly new. I didn't go that route because it's just too big for me. But it's comfort levels are supreme.

Darren, Welcome, and great post. I expect to pick up my 300h tomorrow; my wife drives an Audi Q3; and actually my father-in-law drives a Jaguar XF. So I'll post my honest comparison in a couple of weeks to help your choice. The truth is, whatever you decide, you are going to get a fine car! Regards, Ian P.

A lot of questions! I take delivery of my new IS 300h on Monday. I went for the IS 300h over the 250 for the UK tax benefits. My immediate impression from the test drive is that Car Buyer has it about right. Good: comfort, design, options, steering, quietness. Bad: ride. I can't comment versus a 2IS because I never had one. My impression is that the 3IS is no faster, but is more comfortable. There are no particular extra options on the 3IS, but there are improvements to the options (advanced sat-nav and so on). I don't imagine there'll be much discounting right at the start, but there are some decent lease deals out there. We don't need a 350 or AWD here; there are both unaffordable and uneconomical in menu. The 300h seems plenty fast to me and the 250 is faster still.

I think they made an error in the original GS differential. As noted elsewhere, I've hardly seen any about. I hope the 300h begins to change that, because it's a fantastic car.

Agree with the responses. Lexus is scarcely present at all in Continental Europe and well behind the German premium brands in the UK in terms of sales. Just doing what it has always done won't change that. The 2IS was not a successful car for Lexus anywhere - as noted above, it was too much of a copy of the larger GS and LS when in fact that segment calls for a sportier approach. I have to say, for all that, that I've found the new 3IS incredibly quiet and extremely comfortable.

Yes, test drove it on Friday - I reviewed it myself elsewhere but I think this video review is really quite fair: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yfOvqeofjx0 I am awaiting my own black 300h, to be delivered by end of month. I am reliably informed it will be the first actually owned in Northern Ireland. So keep your eyes peeled for it! :)

Must admit I haven't got around to sitting in the back yet! What I did find (I posted another thread with my own test drive views) was that the whole car seemed astonishingly spacious, given it really isn't *a lot* bigger than the last one and is actually significantly smaller than the one I'm coming over from (a 2008 Volvo S80). It depends on your circumstances of course, but with the savings (I'm able to put it through my business admittedly) in running costs you may just find it's more affordable than you think. Nevertheless, hang on a year and I'll report back on what the fuel consumption etc *really* is! :)

Road tax is still only £10 on the other variants. If you are considering paying hundreds to upgrade to higher than SE (I've gone for Lux plus leather/navigation), I'm sure an extra tenner annually won't break the bank!

Road tax is still only £10 on 17-inch tyres, so really not an issue.

I could actually see the fun value in the paddles on today's test drive. Sure, most of the time I left it in auto but, for example entering a motorway uphill, the paddles gave it some extra oomph (or at least the welcome impression of such). I found the synthetic noise relatively unintrusive, a pleasant surprise really.

4/5 is more like it. I seriously question Auto Express' neutrality on these things.