Linas.P

It is factual mate... I don't want to go into statistics again. This time around I mentioned it because the guy reviewing tyres drivers BMW320d and states the car has no power to overcome tyres grip... which is this case is directly applicable to IS300h as it has very similar power and acceleration as BMW320d (actually poverty line BMW is even a bit faster at 7.5s). What matters is that it is in same ballpark and not something like MB C63 AMG or BMW M4 which you see most of the time in these comparisons. As such I found video being very relevant and directly applicable in this discussion.

I assume that mk3 Premier comes with ML standard. Nothing definitive in terms of reduction of power - mk3 ML has 15 speaker (835w) over 14 in mk2 (315-415w deepening on model year). https://www.marklevinson.com/in-lexus.html Maybe you need to play around with set-up a little bit to get best sound. Good start woudl be to reset all settings first before doing anything, maybe previous owner had say Bass reduced (on way of resetting is to disconnect the battery, not sure what other ways there are).

I think we have already established the fact there is no simple way of finding the owner or distinguishing it form keeper... and that system is not ideal. The more straightforward answer is 2 fold. The ownership document is original receipt or in case of finance the statement showing that car is paid-off, if that is not present what matter for you is to check if car is not stolen or not financed, if it is then you walk away. If it isn't then you need to make sure you get sale agreement/receipt in your name and V5C in your name in case you ever going to have issues (as you still can). I would say even my car wasn't simple buy - I bought it from the dealer, but V5C had previous owners name on it and the dealer sold it from his home address, because it was Sunday. In short he could have stolen that car and pretended to be dealer, because V5C was not in his name and I just had to trust him for his word. As such I just made sure he gave me the receipt and I have paid him via bank, that is all - I bought it "in good faith" and thus have law protecting me if the thing would go sour.

Thinking about it, as for Brexit they would probably do opposite i.e. if they build Avensis in UK it would remain tariff/duties free. Whereas if they import it from elsewhere it will be subject to additional delays and fees. Obviously in reality is not as simple as most of the products made in UK (especially complex machinery, cars planes etc.) have very international supply chains, so in fact most of them are barely assembled here, thus paying one off fee on Camry might indeed be cheaper, then paying fees individually on many components. I know it sounds like I am contradicting myself here, but Brexit is such a mess it is impossible to talk about it without contradictions. I personally don't believe Camry/Avensis has anything to do with Brexit, much more economy of scale and product development costs associated, but it might well be... who knows. @st4 - same here - I would take RC-F straight away, however my circumstances are such that I can have only one car. Daily driving RC-F in London would be mental (some people already thinks that I am mental to daily drive in London anyway), as such I would be leaning hybrid or if that meets my needs PHEV (actually PHEV makes a lot of sense, because I would be able to daily on EV range alone and almost never buy the petrol). Now 300h is clearly too slow for me.. I am not trying to ignite new discussion, just stating same as it is enough for others it is not enough for me. GS450h would be just right - best of both worlds, more fuel efficient then my current IS250 yet almost as fast as IS/RC350, but sadly I just don't like GS looks, nor I need large 4 door car, I need coupe. Mere existence of GS450h in line-up meant some hope that maybe one day we going to have say RC450h... That is probably the only reason why decision to discontinue GS is so annoying for me. Much more for 450h power plant, much less for the car body itself.

Most major manufacturers do their own Carbon fibre on volume models e.g. BMW, MB... the smaller ones outsource it e.g. McLaren, Pagani.. I think Ferrari as well outsourced the carbon on say less volume LaFerrari, but makes most of parts of say 458 in house. By now carbon weaving technology is nothing new, it is matter of volume which decides if it is worth building weaving line in-house or rates outsourcing it to specialist. I believe BMW was the first company to mass produce Carbon Fibre (though for accuracy BMW M3 roof is CFRP as well). What is different with Lexus and LF-A is that Lexus knew they only going to make very limited numbers, yet they still gone with in-house weaved carbon fibre body.. which at the same time impressive in technology and in the amount of money wasted to build robotics just for few car.

Amazing indeed... Just to be clear don't confuse Carbon fibre with CFRP.. net the same thing...

Yep... but they should have done that long ago, now next "big thing" are PHEV's.. Like several of my neighbours have PHEVs - Audi eTron, BMW 330e.. and I know for a fact thet they have nowhere to charge them, so they drive them as simple petrols recharging the battery sometimes... If I would get company car that woudl have to by PHEV as well - not other type is compatible with 75g Co2 rule... So I would have PHEV as well with no options of properly charging it. I feel government pulled the plug on hybrids far too early and now in result it will take even longer to reduce emissions.

Interestingly this just came out: Quite relevant to the tread, first of all the comparing under-powered car, which is basically what IS300h is and the several different width of the tyres. Now obviously he uses 18" as a reference, but my take from the video and why I think it is relevant - is the balance. Square vs. Staggered and as you can see on dry that is what matters (that is what I said previously was an issue with RT2's). Goodyear Eagle f1 Asymmetric 3 is basically the same tyre as RT2, it is sister brand, it is same HP tyre, same ratings, same soft side walls (that is to make walls thin and light for better fuel economy). Anyway, my point was that key to your issue was lack of balance in high speed corners (just my opinion on the issue).

Those better be reliable thought... 😄

I was already in the bed and damn tapatalk notification came - this literally me now: @Ala Larj - OK! Lets close the shop then... people not happy about 300h performance, cannot make objective criticism and can go buy something else, ones who don't like IS220d reliability can go buy something else as well - why IS220d owners should listen to something negative about their cars, people who don't like IS250 can yet something go somewhere else again if they don't like it is EOL model and not as fuel efficient.... Sounds great?! What is the point of being on forum if we cannot criticise the flaws or compliment the great thing about our cars? Do I have problem with 300h... no not at all, it could be even 200h.. as long as it performs as it should. I don't care what they do, I don't care how they do it, if it can do what BMW 330e does - I would be happy, if anything I would praise it. As long as it is going to be as slow as it is I will criticise it. @mpls I didn't say (or at least didn't mean) that PHEVs are better then hybrids full stop, there are circumstances where one or the other will have an edge. My point is that - sales are where government support is. It was on diesels, now it is on PHEVs... it has never been on hybrids, they never sold in great number (exception prius) and they will never do. Secondly PHEVs like BMW 330e does better then say IS300h in several aspects - acceleration, EV miles, MPG, taxation, availability (I simply cannot order 300h on company, it is not eligible due to Co2). @First_Lexus - I haven't missed what you said, I just don't think you deserve any response.

Nah... adblocker on.. forgotten how the adds looks like....

Yes, but Germans already found an answer to Diesel issue. They took all the best from hybrid and made it better in form of PHEV, sad story for Lexus - in 2005 they were too early with hybrids, when everyone (including government schemes) wanted diesels, now in 2018 they are too late with hybrids, when everyone (including government schemes) wants PHEVs. It seems pretty obvious (at least for me), that you should make what government supports and subsidises, there was diesel era, now it is PHEV era.. Lexus has missed the point again. Now obviously PHEV's are nothing new.. strangely enough Toyota was one of first to make it, but for some reason German makes are the first ones to sell it in Premium segment. Why Toyota haven't pushed it through the Lexus is beyond me. I can only speculate, that it is because PHEV thing is mostly European and thus European makers are mostly focused on in. Europe is not focus for Lexus, they are much more focused on US where neither hybrid, nor PHEV is that big of the thing... so even though they clearly understand EU and PHEV thing, they not really interested in fighting for it.

They are doing already, I believe Volvo and even Lexus considering "car as a service" proposition, where you don't own the car you just pay for the service. I think they even trialling that in US. In other hand that is nothing new, car share schemes are just other way of doing it, car leasing is the same. The difference is that under "car as a service" it will be significantly cheaper then lease and more personal than car share ~something along the lines $50/month and you get premium car of certain model every time, to drive when you need it. As for you generation not interested in cars... is partially true, but it depends what we are talking about. In UK - yes, in some very urbanised Western EU countries - yes, In developing wold - definitely not (China, Brasil, Russia, India.. most of Africa, Middle east etc), US as a whole - definitely not, US urban centres especially richer more developed states (NY, CL) ~ somewhat. So geography would be key for this statement to be true. Same goes for car banning in 2030 or 2040 or what ever year, depend where you talking about it (still don't see how they going to scale-up low carbon electricity to sustain it). Now we can say yes - but this forum is UK based, so lets take only UK. That would make no sense, because car manufacturers are global companies selling globally. Yes UK has decided to wage war against the cars and clearly we already getting less of the choice then other countries, but that doesn't mean something fundamentally will change in car industry only because of UK. Finally, when I was growing-up in my country there were no media campaign against cars. Car was something everyone wanted, all my classmates wanted the car, it was symbol of freedom, of adulthood. most got they licence at 16, all but few "weirdos" got license at 18.. everyone got a car. By contract in UK people start telling kids disinformation from small age (literally brainwash) - cars are bad, cars pollute, cars are symbol of .. capitalism or whatever, to drive is stupid, to drive is slow etc. Obviously, current generation grow without interest in cars, very few ever get to even try driving. That is by design - that is what goverment is seeking.. but don't be mistaken - it is not new generation naturally not being interested, we have told them not to be interested, educated not to interested and in the are they are not interested.

Yes, but if you already know that car has finance outstanding, checking for ownership documents becomes irrelevant. Same as if you would know already that car is stolen - would you still try to figure out who is the actual owner, obviously not - by that point it is no longer relevant form the purchasing perspective. I agree with you that separating keeper and owner is messy way of dealing with car ownership and unnecessary problem e.g. in country where I came from the ownership documents would literally say - owned by "car hire ltd" and you would further have some sort of contract to show that you hiring the car, but you would never have any form of ownership document which could be used for car sale like V5C. Funny enough, if we would try to register British car there, the only document they ask is V5C - so basically I can buy car with outstanding finance here, take it abroad and register it there as V5C is acceptable as ownership document!

But that is clearly subjective... I am sure you agree with that. I understand that it is impossible to be always objective (if at all, because we all see facts in different light), but we should at least try for the sake of relevant discussion. Why 10s... this is clearly arbitrary number, why not say 6.5s?! Back in 60's (probably more 40's) for average premium car it might have been fine to do 0-60 in 20's. But it is no longer 60's, it is not hard to find somewhat objective criteria to measure what is acceptable car acceleration nowadays (e.g. statistics I provided above). Again speed limits are just arbitrary limits set by group of people, the national limit doesn't represent "safe speed"... as you mentioned yourself it is not even always safe to drive at the limit, sometimes you have to drive slower for safety.. equally sometimes it is completely safe to drive faster. If anything... speeds limits are just guidance and Highway code to your surprise is not "a law", it is rule book which applies for license holders. By speeding you not actually braking the law, you braking the conditions of the license... anyway I digress. It is misconception that acceleration within limits can be inappropriate. Yes - if you rev the engine, spin your tyres or try to race somebody in the street you are potentially braking the rules, but not the "acceleration rule" - there are no such rule of how fast or slow you can accelerate provided you don't brake other rules. You can accelerate Bugatti in 2.9s to 60MPH without braking any existing rule on public road, when we going to have car which accelerates in 1s - that will be perfectly legal too. Again what does it mean "driving fast" or "driving aggressively", those are not definitions in rule book. "Fast" - is it faster then speed limit (which is arbitrary), then yes you braking rules.... within limit? - perfectly fine. I don't even know what "driving aggressively" means ... Ok.. if you changing lanes without indicating, maybe tailgating, undertaking.. but that is not "driving aggressively" - that is braking list of other rules which exists on their own accord.

https://www.theguardian.com/money/2014/aug/04/car-buying-private-sale-protection-hpi-check I am struggling to find specific reference, I am sure that in late 2015 the law has changed regarding repossessions and it became much harder for finance companies to reposes the car from new owner, forcing them to go back after original debtor. That might have been case law - if I find reference I will update... However, what we are talking about here?! - if car has finance you walk away, don't even waste your time (or ours for that matter)! It is not question of who owns it and not an opportunity to complain about system (which arguably isn't perfect)... Any car with finance is dodgy proposition and not worth even considering or discussing.

It is not that much off topic (the examples are), the point we discussed was quite simple - Is ES300h fast or slow, is it fast "enough" for modern premium saloon or not. It seems taking away how much people are "willing" to pay for something it is statistically slow car and in it's segment represents minority's choice.

What somebody is willing to pay for something is not indicator of quality or value. Leonardo da Vinci notebook with few illustrations sold for $30.8mln - you not suggesting it is that valuable... in other hand not bad price comparing with this piece of sh****... sorry I mean "modern art" which sold for $140mln: My point - if we are trying to keep discussion somewhat relevant - we should avoid criteria like "what somebody is willing to pay".

@dutchie01 I see what you trying to say - statistics is such thing, you can manipulate any way you like, but you need to understand that it is just a tool - how you use it is different thing. In the way to tell good statistics from bad statistics you need to "ignore the numbers". First of all you need to consider what you trying to figure out from it e.g. do I want to find out what is average acceleration of all cars? no not really, because that would include old, compact, SUVs etc. That comparison would make no-sense trying to understand if modern premium saloon is fast or slow. Checking acceleration of specifically premium saloon from last decade is much more indicative of the trend in such case. I understand that you example is just trolling, but if you have some reasonable objections to criteria I chosen... I am happy to review the number and recalculate the percentage. For example in European countries with better road infrastructure and more positive car culture or cheaper fuel, the speeds will be higher... in poorer countries with more old car the speeds will be lower etc. etc. @First_Lexus but even then you can have 2 houses on the same street, both listed for £900k, but one realistically only worth £650k and another maybe a £1m. Buying the first one would be bad value for money and the second one a bargain.

I agree with you that for that specific purpose Potenza 001s is better tyre, however there are much more for tyre then just high speed cornering. In fact as I mentioned in UK any corner over 70MPH would be illegal anyway, so kind of pointless to make that comparison. Other thing, I actually agree with... Dunlop marketing is a bit misleading - by no means RT2 is UHP tyre... it is probably at best HP (high performance). GT would be UHP, but based on Dunlop marketing material you would never have guessed. That compounded by inherently wrong decision by Lexus to even fit such size and pressure tires on RWD car results in experience you have. However, say in UK with ancient 70MPH limit and potholed roads RT2 would be rather brilliant tire - especially on front axle.

@First_Lexus you will be surprised, but at least using Autotrader data nearly 20% of people chooses to drive something faster then GS300h/250 or for that matter IS250, 3% actually chooses cars under 5s 0-60. Based on that 1 in every 5 car owners in UK would be of opinion that GS300h is slow. That is 20 times more then you stated (even thought I understand you didn't actually mean 99% and it was more of expression rather then statistical claim). I agree that is not majority, but again here we talking only about UK with retarded speed limits and terrible anti-motorists culture, still 20% is not exactly small percentage or 1 in 5 something we can consider rare. If I go further, that is based on all cars on sale made from 1900 (443000 cars), if we refocus statistics on something more relevant - say premium saloons cars of last decade, that percentage will change significantly - we have total 6640 cars listed in this category, 5208 of which are faster then any car fitted with 300h, over 1400 are faster then 5s 0-60. That means in premium saloon category 79% of car owners would consider car under 8s 0-60 as slow. 4 out of every 5! - and that is not my values or opinion - it is cold hard statistics. Now I appreciate you understand that there are different people with different choices, but I don't think comparison with houses captures the point of discussion. If we compare like that, then you can get very nice flat in London in new modern development and run down terrible hole in ex-council housing, or equally you can get mansion in scenic country side or rotten cottage in ex-mining town. What I am saying house in country side even if you choose to live there (certainly I would) is not necessary equal to another house in country side. Equally premium saloon is not necessary equal another premium saloon - one can be brilliant and another can be complete rubbish.

If it is finance company then no - actually you own the car and finance company is just creditor, you are debtor and own them money. If it is lease company then yes you are right - you are merely hiring the car from them. In such case I don't see the reason why would you have V5C (which I know is fact). My point - lease is just long term rent, they could deal with it same as if you would get fine on car hire abroad, simply forward the fine ant that is it. In fact even when you are registered keeper of the car, car owner (lease company) will still be liable to pay fine if you fail to do so - as such "registered keeper" concept is just legal loop without purpose. Of course there are other types more in grey area e.g. Hire purchase, but anyhow system could work without separating owner and keeper.

I tend to agree with you, there is not reason why registered keeper cannot be considered the owner (at least for the purpose of the sale) of the car at the same time. This separation in law does not make sense and adds no value... In most other countries I have dealt with car purchases (Germany, France, Denmark) that is not the case and the owner is the one who is on the documents - full stop. However, as mentioned above - the only thing which is important for you (that actually applies in case law and in court) is to take reasonable steps to establish the owner. It doesn't matter if person lies for you as long as you have V5C in the persons name and you have invoice from the person, then you will be safe in case of any issues arise in future. If you as well can prove that you ran vehicle check for £2.99 to check there is no outstanding finance or stolen record, then you certainly be left alone. Since 2015, creditor cannot confiscate the car from you even if you bought it with outstanding finance - now they can only go after original debtor. That is not to say I advise to buy car with outstanding finance as you might still be summoned to the court and harassed by debt collectors, but at least legally they no longer have any power, provided you legally bought the vehicle (still kind of more issues then it is worth).

Generally... it doesn't matter in most of the cases you will be fine as long as you have V5C and you have sale agreement/invoice in your name (can be written on tissue or back of cigarette packet.. no difference). To check whenever somebody is an owner, could be difficult, but not necessary needed - what is important is what I said above - after sale you must have V5C in your name as a keeper and some sot of invoice/sale agreement. What you should care about is to check - if vehicle is not reported stolen, and to lesser extent nowadays (after 2015) if there are outstanding finance on it, except of that nothing matters.

I tend to believe wheels are identical 8J front and rear, again I don't see reason adjust aspect ration. Exactly same car comes out from factory with 18" and 255/40 in the rear which are clearly not same ratio as 17" 225/45 and certainly not the same as 16" 205/55. So aspect ratio plays no major role in thing like ABS working, otherwise Lexus themselves would not allow so much discrepancy between grades.