Rusty Crobar

My paint is looking very worn, it scratches really easily and lots of stonechips everywhere. My detailer says a full respray is needed. Does anyone have any experience in having a car sprayed? 

I also need to decide if I stick with the standard flat black or change for something different. The choice is metallic black, lotus racing green or matt grey like my wife's car. What do you think? 

Nice video, the cars look stunning. Is it me or does the black one look faster than the others 🤔

😃

This reminds me of my school reports 'Russell has ability must but must try harder'.

😁

I think lexus are great certain areas like interesting exterior design, build quality, luxury interiors and great dealerships but they fall behind in the driving experience. The need to decide if they are sporty or luxury. Stronger engines and lighter weight are needed to make them sporty though. 

To be honest I'm not sure trying to match the Germans for performance is the right approach, apart from the F range of course. I think most lexus owners would prefer a comfier ride and better fuel economy. 

Ultimately Japanese cars don't have the cache of a German badge to the snobs in the UK and America so they might not ever achieve the same image as them. I'm just happy that a lexus stands out from the crowd 😊

I do find it hard not to get in to silly speeds when having fun, it's just so capable. 

Nothing that exotic round these parts! 

So, back on topic ( @Big Rat 😂)...

The O2 sensors are actually in the car, under the centre console so no chance of them being damaged. Mr mechanic checked the fuse which was fine, and when he put it back in the problem was fixed! 

Can't believe you lot wasting money on warrantys, these cars are Rusty proof 😂

Back to more boring drivel and arguing about how good the RCF is then... 😉

'Bring in another truck load boys, I've heard they're planning a Welsh blat '

There are 4 isfs for over  £30k on AT right now, madness!

The weight of the rcf may be similar to the isf but it might feel heavier. For example the steering could be slower, the brakes softer and the suspension less direct. This could make it less fun than the isf, which I find very direct in all these areas. I'm just theorising here but big 4x4s and Bentleys can be made to feel lighter than they are by good tuning. 

It makes me think a modified rcf could be made in to a much better car than the reviews suggest, if you like that sort of thing... 😶

Do you think the radiator can be saved? 

On Monday, March 27, 2017 at 8:20 PM, emjay82 said:

Totally agree, that's primarily what's stopped me tinkering with my car. Car is 100% stock now, lip removed, larger tyre sizes switched back to oem, however, the attractive £££ ECP Brembo brake pads aren't technically oem, surely they would give a little leeway in the event of a claim, but as you say, want to give them as little as possible to pick on. 

Can't believe you would doubt the Admiral...

11 hours ago, emjay82 said:

Nice snow foam @Rusty CrobarI've been frequenting the hand car washes a bit too frequently. Although they're better than the garage roller washes,  they still don't do it properly to avoid fine swirl marks. Now nights are drawing out might invest in a snow foam adapter for the pressure washer. 

 

Hand car washes are evil! We can chat about our snow foam nozzles on the Wales trip 😄

@Tom24 looking good!

Gave mine a wash too, this is how it was supposed to look last Saturday 😶

@Mark G I know, but it could have been! At least it's given us something to talk about other than colour choice! 😁

My dash lit up like a Christmas tree yesterday while on the motorway. Traction control was disabled, check VSC & CEL were on and I was understandably worried! 

There is a lot of info from lexus owners about the vsc light but nothing relating to the isf. Apparently it covers a range of issues from loose fuel cap to broken ecu's 😯. It seems like most issues aren't actually related to the engine or the traction control system!

Got the car to my friendly mechanic for a diagnostic and it turns out it's the oxygen sensors for the cats. There was no voltage going to either of them so he suspects it's a broken wire rather than the sensors themselves. Going back on Wednesday to get it fixed. 

Not really a suprise as the bottom of the car was rubbing on the track so much 😳

This is purely down to how low and soft my coilovers are,  shouldn't put anyone else of track days 🖒

@mrfunex great write up and pics, sounds like we had similar experiences on track. The rain sounded challenging but I guess a road car handled it better than the proper race cars 😊

@Peter P18 stunning looking car, really like the little detail changes that people wouldn't notice at first like the steering wheel and carbon interior trim. Great photos too 🖒

53 minutes ago, Big Rat said:

@Rusty Crobar

Russ those are some great pics thanx for sharing, just one thing now how are supposed to all keep up with you on the Welsh Blat now that, you've got all this new found talent 😂

Big Rat

The car takes most of the credit so I'm sure you won't have any problems. I suspect you are a much more talented driver than me anyway. I did learn a lot though, mostly about how to be a bit more smooth with the pedals 🖒

1 hour ago, mrfunex said:

Were you noise tested? What was the limit on the day? 

There was no noise test conducted but I think they would have black flagged anyone too loud. There were a couple of very loud hondas, much louder than my car, so the limit must have been pretty generous 😁

Now with pictures! 

I was mostly in sport mode as I wanted a safety net and wasn't sure how spiky she would be. It is good to see when the tc light flickers as it helps to show where the limit is and where you need to be smoother with the throttle. 

However, the car had a lot more grip than I thought so I did a few sessions without the tc and it was fine! I was worried about frying the rear brakes but I checked them after every session and they weren't smoking or smelling! Just don't stay out for more than 30 mins and let them cool off and they'll be fine. I do have upgraded pads though.

Lexus would charge you several times what you've paid! 😂

Thanks, I think it was just from replacing the top radiator hose and not topping it back up enough. I'll check the water pump though 🖒

20 minutes ago, emjay82 said:

Great stuff @Rusty Crobar great to see your getting so much out of the car. Did you not get pulled for the exhaust noise?

I got cheered down the pit straight 😁. There was a mk2 astra touring car, lotus exige, classic mustang racer and a couple of very loud vtec hondas but none sounded as good as an F!

Btw, my heater was fine once I topped up the coolant level and didn't lose another drop all day!