Chris Skelton

:) Just had to say, Matt, that your bouncing babe reminds me of a time when :tsktsk: :tsktsk: :tsktsk: :tsktsk: Is it wishful thinking on your part, or did you get lucky. Thinks....it's one of the (only?) advantage of middle age is that, assuming an interesting life of course!, you can look back on all these related variants--blondes, redheads, brunettes,.....and recall all those :tsktsk: :tsktsk: Hmmmmm...lovely!

:o I've had one on my LS400 for over a year (you didn't hear me say that!). Think I'll try the AA, and see what happens with THEM! Will post back when I've done it :)

:P Yes, I was only being flippant! But now I wonder what we are doing inthe middle of the day sending notes about cars instead of boosting the nation's economy! (I'm trying to get this :tsktsk: computer to operate on ADSL, which has been a problem for a while. Hope I've cracked it now....tho it has switched itself OFF twice since, so...... Don't envy you being in London. I use my LS400 sparingly, usually on M-ways, as last we-end trip, Bristol to Liverpool and back. Lovely drive. Love the way it kicks down at 90+ and GOES! (The handbook says it'll do 90 in second gear!) I bought my series three for the reasons you highlight. It was a distinct improvement on the 1-as was the 2,and on the 2. More speed less consumption, more hip room...even slightly thicker glass to reduce noise (WHAT noise? I bought it to listen to the stereo in perfect clarity at 90!) :zee: Sorry chaps...shouldn't be having pointless chats here....... :winky: (As for Quiche.....I run 'Royce Rolls ' Cafe, Bristol's oldest/best vegetarian cafe/take-away. Great quiche..as well as lots of other delicious food!)

Good to hear you got value for money out of the car. I can't imagine how your car got 20k out of brake pads. My Mk1 EATS front brake pads every 6k, and REAR pads every 10k or so. The Mk1 brakes are too weak for the car, that's why they upgraded them from 1993 with the Mk2 setup. :winky: :zee: Ah, you heavy footed Man-eesh! Did you know that the Advanced Drivers say you shouldn't need to use your brakes much? You drive according to road conditions/traffic density, slowing speeding to match the traffic.....NOT rushing up to lights and slamming on the brakes! ;) :P

Yes, agree re London! AND (any)car charges! (including Parking!) :yack:

Wear a mask when driving! Cover your number plates with mud!I've never been NEAR to having an accident through my own driving, yet often find I'm speedingtechnically! Hide those detectors behind your grilles? :tsktsk:

:zee: I'll have the Gold Emblems from you! Ring 0117 9824228, Chris. If you're redundant, don't lose even more by selling cheap. It must be worth more in running order. Find someone who knows about cars...it'll be worth it. Or even researcg it yourself; you may have some time free! Good luck with you future though. It may FEEL bad now, but you'll find yourself in a different place, maybe better. Keep positive. :)

;) Yeah, the man who taught Beckham new tricks!

:P Oh no! You can't do that! there are so few chimneys properly working these days to send children up. But they fit through very small spaces, so burgling is an option? Plus; all those plates you see from the Orient with little designs on are done by children-or were......... Other than that, it's an alternative to 'pathetic dog' accompaniment when selling 'Big Issue'? :D

Good luck! THe story on Mark Levinson is this. He's a VERY prestigious Hi-Fi maker in US. Equipment goes for £10k for an amp-at least- etc (domestic, not car!) All the major car makers wanted to get him to do stuff for them, but he declined saying that the cars weren't good enough to put his equipment in (bad sound conditions) ONLY a LS400 satisfied him; that silent interior/quiet engine

B) But seriously! A major factor has to be that you can't SEE dark cars in a lot of situations. (Such as dappled shade etc. ) MY car is dark grey. I often 'do a volvo' and drive with lights on, because while MY reactions may be quick (?) I don't trust others and want to be SEEN not hit! So white and red should be good in this respect (and Yellow! But let's not go TOO mad!) All this personality/colour connection? I bought my grey car 'cos it had low mileage and I got to trade my LHD BMW850! Didn'y much care for the colour at first. But no copper ever notices itso.........

Tee hee! What a funny pic! Great! He never could get past anyone, unless he had Gary to assist. Now a gopher!?

:yack: Beckham? Was he playing? Portugal had 70% possession! England on Mogadon? Portugal played as if they WANTED to win. England as if....something might turn up. Thought at one time Gary Neveille was getting so ****** off with the non playing mid-field, he was going to go and do it all himself. Last minute goal? If it had been PORTUGAL....would you all have been saying 'ROBBED'? Becks for Wigan (Rugby) club soon? :D

Hmm. MY experience of a thorough AA test was quite different. The better of-I think-two tests was very thorough. I was selling a car (Citroen CX GTi) and the buyer invested in this £200+ test. It took about two hours, including jacking the car up at an alarming angle to scrutinise the underside. He seemed to find every little fault. (I was glad; cos there was nothing TOO bad and it sold!) I guess the answer is to be sure yourself about things. Know someone who's expert on cars who can check for you?

B) ...Honda best engines? Best SMALLER engines, you should say! The Lexus 4 litre is very highly rated as excellent! You can't defeat the laws of physics though. If an engine revs higher, it is wearing more! You don't get owt fer nowt! I reckon the IS by nature of it's exclusivity just carries this argument.

Doh! If it's like my series 3 plip button thingy (two buttons; one plip, one red for 'PANIC!!!!!) there's also a slidy button on the side that switches it off. You DO feel a fool when you find you've done that. May be different on ser 2? But I also have two plips so no problem. Good to know about the button inside tho; will look 4 that.

:zee: EH, lad! And I recall the days when my Citroen DS23 had nice big shiny hub caps! I like a 'solid look' to a wheel myself. I'm about to single-handedly change wheel fashion! Going to have my (standard) LS400 wheels done in body colour (Graphite grey!) . Chrome and alloy out! Colour in!? Picking up a spare set next week. Or...should I do them in glitter black.....Hmmm B)

Wow! This is a good day! First I find out (see 'Windscreen chips') about a 'freebie' from an Insurance Co. NOW I can get my series 3 starter rebuilt free too, (If it hasn't already been!) Great tip. Will look into this!

:zee: Wow! Something FREE from an Insurance Company! We should ALL know about this!

Could just be that the door isn't closed properly. Mine doesn't always close all the way, annoyingly. Good bargain perhaps, but why's it sat about? Suppose I'll have to buy a new 430 with self closing doors now?

54567 miles; and going nowhere! Bought new battery this morning. Terminals wrong way 'round! Shop closed at 12........ Bought low mileage car with intention of keeping for 10-15 years (assuming MY body doesn't wear out sooner!!??)

....or go the other way...get even BIGGER badges! Write LEXUS down the side in glitter and...... ain't life hard?!!

Yes! DEFINITELY look into LPG. I talked to a guy in Cornwall who'd had it done about 3 years ago. Will save you 25%-say- which, on your mileage is worth it. You fit a tank in the spare wheel bay (and pray you don't get a flat? or have little boot space!) I've seen other stuff about this topic relating to Lexus', so you should be able to fish around (on this site even?) for back-up info to steer you to someone who's already DONE a Lexus.

Big tank, but....... or big hat,, no cattle, as Randy Newman sez. :winky: Siphoning is the next big thing?

Yes, I tried 'Confused' today. Takes a while to get all the pages filled in; then their site switched out with an error! Currently insured with Hill House Hammond, but theu're being closed downby their parent, Norwich U. Like the Co-op (ethical, plus I can talk to a local rep anytime. Good for cheap house/content etc stuff too, but not big Lexus') Will try Confused again, when my patience returns, (or I get , finally onto a fast computer line) Tip for today. Read somewhere that it's sometimes cheaper to have TWO people on an insurance. Beats me why.....