Spottedlaurel

Hmmm, I suspect if they were selling such a repaired car that's exactly what they would say, but completely the opposite if you were trading it in with them....... Sorry to hear it's not fully resolved yet. Modern cars are so complicated it must be very difficult for them.

I think this is an excellent and concise summary of RX ownership (and probably most hybrid Lexus models). Certainly my experience of a previous-gen model, I'm sure a 4th gen RX is similar but better in most aspects that count in day-to-day ownership and use.

I went for it on my 2014 RX when the Lexus approved warranty ended after its first year. It's low mileage and showed no signs of the warranty being necessary, but I felt it was worthwhile for peace of mind. The MoT test fees get paid, and the two years of AA European breakdown cover is useful to me as we visit France each year (well, usually).

It certainly looks like you're there or thereabouts to get an RX of that age/mileage for circa £10k from an independent dealer, but going by what Lexus Sheffield are asking for a 2010 SE-I with 95k miles you'd need to find a couple of thousand more if you wanted the comfort of buying it from a main Lexus dealer. If you're fixed on that budget probably better value to go for a reputable independent and ensure it's got good service history and a previous owner who's had it for a fair while, maybe upgraded to something else from that garage? If it could qualify for the Lexus extended warranty then that'd be good. To be honest even buying from a Lexus dealer I'd say consider the same things - I got an approved one for over £24k from Lexus that had a worrying enough issue for me to exchange it. Is there an expensive service at 100k/10 years? If so it would be good to get one that's had that done properly, or factor it into your costs if not. As you already own an older RX then you know why they're good, and somewhat overlooked? I think it's the blend of abilities they offer that makes them worthwhile. I bought mine to replace a Toyota Avensis estate, as I wanted something a bit special for my (borrowed) money than just a means of transport. RX isn't quite as good at being a loadlugger as the Avensis or other big estates. It's not really any sort of off-roader, as a luxury car my 1993 LS400 does a better job in many ways (certainly rides better), and any number of diesel SUVs will give better economy, but it offers a sensible compromise between all these requirements. There aren't too many others around my way, it's nice to have something a little different. Driven in a way that lets the hybrid thing operate effectively (which doesn't necessarily mean slowly) it offers a smooth, luxurious drive. I quite often have no idea of whether the engine is running or not without looking at the graphics. Assuming my circumstances permit, I like mine enough that I'll be looking to buy it outright at the end of the PCP. I'll be getting an under 8yr old RX with two owners from new, full Lexus history and 60-70k miles for around £10k, so I'd be silly not to.

Barry on here recently had to replace components on his despite it being a low mileage example, at some expense too.

Good point, gives something to think about even on a mundane journey. I think it would be pretty decent on a journey like that, my 450 is good at around 50. Have you got somewhere safe to park either end of your journey? An RX400h in London is going to be quite a target for the cat thieves.....

Really sorry to read this Barry, but at least everyone was OK. You've put time and effort into your RX, it didn't deserve that! A few years ago I had my Camry hit up the back, similar story with minimal visible damage to mine but the Audi A4 looking rather sorry for itself with the crumple zones having done their job and the airbag going off (with subsequent damage to the windscreen). Camry was written-off due to its low market value, but I kept it and got it back on the road with spares I had and I still use it now. There was no issue with the other person taking responsibility. I can't recall if my claim went through my own insurers or his but they certainly provided me with the loan car. Since that time my wife and I both had a couple of lesser non-fault accidents. The only issue I recall was that despite the accidents not being our fault my insurance premiums were loaded for several years afterwards. I didn't realise until it went down quite a bit one year and they said that was why. Seems a bit harsh, but insurance seems to be like that.......

It'd be nice if there could be a bit of common sense about this issue. I know some people remove cats for performance, but in this case it's being done because of criminal actions by others. The victim has to struggle with a whole load of issues not of their making.

I think the LS represents such a significant step forwards that it has every right to be considered as a 'proper' classic and command a decent price. I've used mine today and still marvel about what it does, and how it does it. I didn't pay a lot for mine, but it was a case of being in the right place at the right time and the price agreed was one which will allow me to fund future works and try to keep it on the road for a few more years. As I reported on here when I got mine, the issue is that some insurers don't see the early LS's status in the same way. FJ only seemed to accept it on my classic policy as I already had five cars insured with them, if I'd have gone to them as a new customer then they'd have turned me away.

Not quite! Admittedly that was the kind of music the previous owner removed from the CD magazine when I purchased it from him. It's a mid '90s Jungle compilation I recorded off a housemate's LP - sounds good on the decent stereo in the LS 🙂

Being used to things like LS400, Toyota Camry and various large Nissans the size wasn't something I really noticed when I got my RX - the large mirrors, rear camera and better visibility from being higher-up all help it feel reasonably wieldy, certainly in the rural area where I live. Narrow parking spaces are probably the only time I have to really consider its size. I think the boot should be bigger (and better-designed generally) - I'm sure it's not as large as the Avensis estates I had previously, and the Camry estate's loadbay is definitely longer. I fear this comes from being designed with the US market in mind, which seems to have a dislike of 'proper' estates/wagons. I find the steering lock to be pretty good for what is essentially a FWD car, definitely better than the Camry. At the end of the summer I was getting close to 40mpg much of the time, now it's colder and wetter I'm down to 36-ish. That's with some reasonable length journeys though, on shorter runs I'll be down to 32-34mpg.

Significant achievement made on my Mk1 LS400, when I used it for dad's taxi duty last night - found out that the cassette player works.

Isn't the thing with bulbs not that you have to carry a spare set, but that you shouldn't drive with a light not working? Given the complexity of changing bulbs on modern cars, even wher there replaceable, how much use would a spare set be for a roadside repair?

We visited Belcastel last year as we stayed not too far away. A very nice area indeed. All being well we'll be not far away again next year. It's a fairly mild frustration compared to a lot of what's going on, but one reason for getting the RX was for pleasant cruising when visiting France and it was a shame we couldn't do that this year.

Must admit it's not something I've felt massively in need of. The door mirrors are big and the camera gives a good view when reversing.

I recall the suggested advice is to turn off the AFS function (if fitted) on the headlights. That's what I did last year. Normandy would be a good bet, especially if you cross via Newhaven-Dieppe or the like. You can easily get onto some very pleasant, quiet roads and get into the swing of it without using autoroutes. Some really nice scenery there, whether it's coastal or countryside. We've enjoyed several holidays in that area.

Mine has gone off several times in the last week, I think because I ended up with a fly or wasp in there. The sensor can be turned off if you think there's a risk of it happening, but I think it has to be done manually each time you leave the car (unless there's something buried in a setting). Whenever it happens I am always mindful that it might be a sign of the 12v battery being on the way out. I know mine isn't as good as it should be, and I did have the alarm go off when the battery was the failing on an LS in the past.

Pleased to see you have one on your driveway now. Alongside an LS too? Similar combination to me (K-reg Mk1 in my case). The seamless and mostly inaudible way it switches between petrol and battery power is remarkable, it definitely adds to the driving experience. With the stereo on there's no way of knowing a lot of the time. In today's busy driving conditions there's still pleasure to be had on the must mundane journey in getting a big, heavy luxury SUV to give decent economy. In warm weather on some gentle, cross-country trips of decent length my 450 was getting over 40mpg recently, although now we're back to more traditional autumn weather I'm down to low-mid 30s on shorter runs. By way of contrast my LS does around 22, but I can't resist letting the magical V8 do it's thing in that one....... After odd use of the Energy screen I've settled on Consumption. That's much easier to take in at a glance, and it's easy to see the instant readout on the right go up to 60mpg with just a gentle lift of the throttle, often with no perceptible loss of speed. I also reset my trip each fill-up, and like to see the total mileage and distance to refuel figure gradually increase.

As a complete aside to the excellent advice above, and completely regardless of condition/mileage, do bear in mind the cat theft issue that 400s seem to suffer. If you're confident that it's in a pretty safe place at home, work etc then that's great, but if it's constantly on the street or in a public car park you might not be so lucky. You might find that the previous owner has already suffered it and had a straight-through pipe fitted to replace the cat.

Just had my 40k/6yr service at Ipswich. Didn't bother with Essentials as the cost difference wasn't significant, MoT was free as I have the extended warranty, total cost just a few pence short of £470 - not cheap, but exactly as quoted. 6yr service would usualy require plug replacement, but there was no need for them to be done at 40,000 miles. Ended up with a 20-reg Yaris Hybrid loan car - not really an issue as there was just me and I wasn't doing a large mileage in the day, but still a bit odd I thought. It'd only done 50 miles when I started, easy to get 55-60mpg+ out of it. We talked about the fact they don't have so many gen 3 RXs go through the forecourt now, as they're getting a bit older. The receptionist expressed interest in buying mine, not that I have any plans to get rid of it and I'm hoping to buy it outright when the PCP has finished.

Ouch. Really sorry to read this Barry. Your car is of similar age and mileage to mine (luckily one without air), I'd certainly be feeling pretty sick if I got a call like that. Just hoping I don't, as mine is in for a biggish 40k service as I write this. Having looked online I know it passed the MoT OK, haven't yet had a call about anything else..... With regard to the rears I assume what they're saying is that they'll be covered for replacement under the extended warranty should it ever become necessary. I presume the fronts would have been covered if you'd had the warranty? I suppose the lessons here for the rest of us are avoid air suspension and to take out the extended warranty if it's available. Just thinking, isn't this the second time we've heard about a car passing an MoT and then almost immediately needing significant suspension work? Is this down to things the MoT doesn't adequately cover, different standards being applied, or 'just' an oversight?

Motorline. You need go no further than that - I certainly wouldn't buy a car from them again......

I suppose these are big, heavy things with the centre of gravity at a less than optimum height, so the springs need to be firm enough to keep it under control and give handling that's as car-like as possible. I can see it being a tough compromise to reach - if it was too soft then it would feel like it was wallowing around on the bends.

Great to see an H-reg model, and in that lovely maroon colour too. I've found excuses to use my K-reg Mk1 for the last three days - haven't got a clue what issues the MoT will throw at me, so I'm just enjoying it while I can. Compares well to my RX in many ways, but not economy - 22 vs. 38mpg.....

Ride on mine isn't great and it's done less than 40k, and it was no better when I bought it with around 24k. My '92 LS400 is much better..... I believe 18" wheels only came on the gen RX on the rare entry-level SE model, although I'd imagine those from an earlier 400 may well fit (but check first!).