MLW

I did get some Autoglym leather cleaner and leather balm in a kit from Ebay. As the leather is ivory/cream it was a bit engrained on the driver seat and especially the driver's right bolster. The Autoglym stuff is amazing. It cleans really well and the balm gives it a satin protective sheen. I reckon I will get about 9-10 goes out of a bottle.

The anti-freeze looks very pink/reddy but I will change it as we get into September. Underneath the bonnet it all looks tip-top.

Got it for £4,500

In my experience an auto-electrician is a class apart. They go straight to the issue and are not afraid of electrics as many of us are. They can also work out miles cheaper than a main dealer or even an independent.

Being debt free is a wonderful thing, and the feeling of freedom is well worth lowering your sights a bit. If you have £2,000, I would be tempted to get a £2,000 car in the sense that a car has a natural/market price. Going for a Mercedes or big Lexus is maybe trading outside this zone. If they go wrong a bucket of money is needed. I might suggest a strategy of looking for a car that will give 2/3 years good service, till your finances improve and savings accrue. I'd look at a SAAB 9-3, or Toyota Camry. Get a low mileage one from a private buyer. Remember 'rough people and rough cars ' go together. When ringing up ask about 'the car for sale'. If he says which car.....he is a dealer. Ask if the log book, car, house, and owner are all at the same address. This is because 'normal' people buy a car, park it outside and register it at the DVLA. If he is 'selling it for his brother', walk away. That is not normal. If you can service it, that is great. Allow £200 and do all fluids, brake pad/disk check, and a cam belt if needed. Plugs and filters too. Get a petrol as they are less trouble and I think diesel will soon be hunted down by the government. Get it HPI checked for £20. Absolutely critical.

3 pictures as requested. How easy is it to adjust the handbrake. It is very powerful. but maybe clicks on a few clicks too many for my taste?

Many thanks. I have always been a 'spanners man' and hope to service this as much as I can. Love the satisfaction of doing the job oneself. I have had SAABs, Mercedes, and a Prius; all very good, but this car is a different league...... we shall see after 2 years.

I bought it! I have been looking for LS 430 for sometime, but having had a Prius which was amazingly reliable, I was a bit reluctant to take a chance. I think the car is a cracker. I've only done 400 miles in it but everything is spot on. It was owned by an elderly gentleman who died, hence the low mileage in recent years. His son was reluctantly selling it, on behalf of the estate....he and his sister. It was bought from Lexus as a demonstrator in 2003 (one year old) for £45,500. Before he sold it to me, he fitted a new battery, had a cambelt change done at Lexus, and had it MOTed. It drives beautifully on a set of 4 match Yokohama tyres, which have 6-7 mm on them. I have all the paperwork, all the service history, and all the old MOTs. It was stored in a double garage out of the sun and weather. I am a great believer in 'rough people and rough cars go together'. The seller was a real gent.....straight a die. He even delivered it to my house so I could SORN it till I sold the Prius. It easily passed an HPI check, which was a waste of money, but I knew I had to do it. I plan to clay-bar and wax it, but the bodywork looks like a 3 year old car. I will have the steering tracked as we have an American Hamilton machine near here that is amazing (only £25). I'll also have the brake fluid changed (£39). The only iffy point (which he was honest from the beginning about) is a 'slight misting on one rear suspension unit' noted 5 years ago and occasionally commented on. It does drive and lift perfectly. If it needs doing, that is OK, as I plan to keep it for years, as having driven it, I can't imagine driving a 'normal car' so wonderful is it. Hope this site will help me in the future. Would love a good workshop manual.