HenryHippo

7 hours ago, Shahpor said:

Well, it is up to you, but I wouldn't worry too much about a £40 a year road tax saving.

Both their MOT histories have strange bits.  The blue one (GV08) went 7 months without an MOT in 2014, while the silver one (EO57) had 2 within 5 months in 2010.

The blue one does have the cleaner MOT history though.  Although what is it with GS450h's and tyres?  It seems to come up a lot on MOT's.

Obviously with its lower mileage and less age the blue one seems better, but who can say?

I am of the opinion that you should always buy the best you can afford, but GS450h's are thin on the ground it seems, so you might have to wait if neither of these seem right.

Afford is a pretty subjective term. Sure I can afford to blow a £12k on a car instead of £6k, but I'd rather keep the change and have a few nice holidays

GV08 could have simply forgotten (granted for a long time) about their MOT, as we don't get reminders for those

EO57, 2 MOTs in 5 months is odd though. I wonder what the dealer would say if I brought that up

My dilema is between these two, as I want the black leather interior, under 140k and under 10 years

£6,950. 72k, 2008. Facelift (so £40 a year road tax saving). SE-L trim, but has some patchy MOTs I didn't like

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201611230018967?radius=1500&postcode=sl14en&seller-type=trade&year-from=2007&model=GS 450H&make=LEXUS&sort=price-asc&maximum-mileage=150000&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&page=1

£5,695. 130k 2007. Not facelift. MOT history looks a lot better, only one fail and just from consumables http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201612220784139?radius=1500&postcode=sl14en&seller-type=trade&year-from=2007&model=GS 450H&make=LEXUS&sort=price-asc&maximum-mileage=150000&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&page=1

3 hours ago, Shahpor said:

Do you mean the one on autotrader for £8750?  Reg GY10 HNT

For some reason, I can't get the autotrader link working.

No, it's this one http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201611230018967?radius=1500&postcode=sl14en&seller-type=trade&year-from=2007&model=GS 450H&make=LEXUS&sort=price-asc&maximum-mileage=150000&advertising-location=at_cars&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New&page=1

Hopefully that works?

37 minutes ago, Hangie said:

It depends what are yours expectations. I like nice proper carpets in my car. They look proper are pleasant to put your foots down on. They also got proper mounting kit which holds them in place.

Same for you living room you can have something from Tesco or proper nice hand made carpet both with work. So if you would be happy with something from Halfords in your GS that fine with me. They probably wont fit so nicely will be worse quality and wont last for so long.

As for mats this is one of important point of my pre buy checks-up. Does the car have proper mats ? Proper tires etc ? If so there is good chance that owner was looking after the car and wasn't trying to save every single £££.

I'm not fussy about car mats :)

Granted I haven't seen a £110 set

9 minutes ago, Hangie said:

Yes I know I bought mine with driver ones missing so I was -£110 straight ahead. So just in case I got passengers and both rear as spares - maybe someone needs one ? :) 

Would a Halfords set not suffice?

39 minutes ago, Hangie said:

As a general remark about pre/post facelift I'm very happy with post facefilt as I don't really like front of the pre model - a little bit too much 90s style :)

As a addition audio system is upgraded input wise- streaming audio from BT, DAB and USB (not sure if it was in pre model). Whole system looks also a bit more modern like power flow screen. Finally I like post face lift models in general as those got all early model problems solved - like faulty pump in gear box.

 

As for your list:

-there is no electric hand brake

- acceleration wont be linear in the 50-60mph area due to ratio shift in the gearbox. There will be very short (if it is longer than 1-2s be careful) loss of power.

- Check floor mats as new ones are £110 :)

- Some early models got some problems with VTC (change of ignition timing) so when you start it cold listen for rattling during the first 2 seconds

- If car is near to 100k miles check if cooling liquid was changed in both engine and inverter

- If it is near 60k or 120k check if new spark plugs are fitted (extra £200 for service to do it)

 

Beside that good luck and I can fully recommend GS as an previous owner of 2009 2.4L Honda Accord :)

 

 

Wow expensive mats. It's facelift I'm seeing tomorrow

44 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

 

Thanks John. Yes didn't mean electric handbrake, just meant it wasn't a conventional one

Appointment booked for tomorrow (with a trader)

I understand that if there are any "significant defects" that turn up after a Lexus inspection then I am covered.

I imagine this is a somewhat subjective term, that means I still need to do my own checks on the car tomorrow.

In terms of checks:

• Tyre treads, are they all the same brand?
• Alloy condition
• Bodywork
• Electric windows, sunroof, rear blind, speakers, mirrors, central locking all work
• all 8 parking sensors
• electric seats (all adjustments), heating and cooling functions
• indicators, fog lights, head lights
• air conditioning/ heating
• wipers, washer fluid
• spare wheel and locking nuts

Whilst driving:

• reversing
• linear acceleration up to the legal limit
• braking
• electric handbrake
• range calculator

Have I missed anything, that I won't be able to get fixed as a "significant defect" after the sale?

10 hours ago, Shahpor said:

Not necessarily.  Failures for tyres and brakes isn't an issue in itself.

It just depends on the condition of the rest of the car.  Does it have a full service history?

As for the gap between MOT's, it is possible that it was just overlooked since we don't get reminders for when MOT's are due, unlike road tax.

What spec is it?

Yes, full service history, but I'm assuming not a Lexus one as it would say if it did

It's the SE-L trim. Sunroof which is cool too :)

Thanks for all the replies chaps. Certainly difficult to pin a number down on her bhp for pub bragging rights, but I suppose that's not the point of a Lexus, discretion is!

Found a couple of interesting prospects. Naturally looking under 10 years and under 140k.

This one is 2008 registered and last week passed its MOT with no advisories; sounds like the dealer 'pushed' it through after I checked the history

She's failed 3 MOTs in her life which rings a few alarm bells. (My 12 year old Honda has failed 1, and that was because of a headlight bulb)

2 fails were for tyre tread and another was for brake pads. A few advisories on both over the years too

There was also an 8 week period between one MOT expiring and the next test being taken

Looks like she hasn't been that well looked after. Would this put anyone else off?

21 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

292bhp Jamie plus 197bhp (275Nm of Torque from a standstill), from the Electric Motor,gives you a rarely experienced glide.

Regards

John

Thanks John, seems you're the expert around here!

It's a shame they can't work together for nearly 500 bhp for a brief period

But why do some places (i.e. Parkers) list it as 342 bhp?

Forgive the newbie question, but why does this car appear as "342 bhp" in a lot of adverts?

It's a 292bhp petrol engine, and the other 50 bhp is the Battery? From my brief test drive I think that the Battery is far more than 50 bhp.

3 hours ago, Z28DUNC said:

I did what you are planning to do, buying trade and taking out a warranty and Lexus service scheme. I've had to use the warranty as the aircon system stopped working and it took Lexus a full day of stripping it to find out it was down to corroded connections. This would have been a pretty penny if I had to pay for it. Whatever you do get the warranty. If I was buying again though I would buy directly from a Lexus dealership. Its so much less hassle as you'll get a years warranty anyway and the sort the car out properly before sale. Maybe something like this? http://usedcars.lexus.co.uk/used-GS/GS-450h/3.5/Stoke-on-Trent/1833775-606136054-1607044.aspx?srcmdc=se_na_re_

These costs are getting a little scary

If something breaks after my 2 year warranty period it sounds like it's going to be an expensive job to fix

£8.5k, a bit over my budget unfortunately but thanks

4 hours ago, Shahpor said:

i think the biggest difference seems to be parts availability.

Most parts for cars such as BMW's tend to be available after market, whereas Lexus seem to keep a tight grip on theirs.

So when you factor in dealer prices, it can be more expensive.

Fair, so I won't see them on EuroCar Parts? :P

11 hours ago, royoftherovers said:

Jamie,the estimate assumes that you do not have any problems and that all goes well with buying from a suitable Dealer/Trader and that Lexus will accept your purchase for the Extended Warranty Scheme. All of that may indeed happen and I hope it does go well for you.

I would suggest however that you build in an appropriate cushion of contingency amounting to approx 30%, say £900 to bring your anticipated first year expenditure to £4,000.(£333 pm). This would cushion the effect of having to deal with matters such as replacing wheel bearings, changing transmission oil,replacing brake pads and possibly discs,miscellaneous bulbs and wiper rubbers. If some of these items occur (bearings,oil and discs) in the first 6 months of purchase from the Dealer/Trader,he may stand the cost.But if they occur after 6 months, then you would have to meet the cost.

Whatever occurs Jamie, I think that some sort of contingency should be built into the figures.

Just my view Jamie and I do hope that all goes well for you.

Regards

John

Oh of course, a contingency will be budgeted for (like any car)

All in all, this model is pretty reliable (compared to German rivals), but if it does go wrong it would cost more to fix than said rivals?

Oh and does the 10 year limit on the extended warranty apply to when the car was first registered or was first constructed?

Assuming the former but want to double check!

Looking at the extended warranty now. Rather than buying it as a one off, does anyone buy it every 2 years, keeping it under warranty until the very end of the 10 year/ 140k threshold?

So in terms of projected costs for my new steed for the first year:

-Purchase price, £6k

-2 year warranty £1,050

-Road tax £260

- Fuel (9k a year @ 30 MPG) £1,600

-2 new tyres £240

-Insurance £800

-MOT £22

- Service £199

Essentially: £7k to stump up front, and then £3.1k a year of running costs thereafter (£260 a month)

By comparison, my current Accord is £2.3k a year(£192 a month). That increase is acceptable to me

Am I missing anything in my estimates?

4 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

Just paid £84 each for Lexus to provide and fit 4 Kuhmo All Season tyres to my GS450h.

Not a bad deal, so it is worth asking your Lexus dealer to quote you.

Regards

John

That's not much more than I pay for a Honda Accord on 16"s !

The £250 figure I quoted was for 18"s. I'd rather buy a car with 17",s . Never understood the fashion for big wheels

39 minutes ago, cruisermark said:

Hi Jamie - Hybrid battery solutions would of refurbed the battery cells and associated parts for the £800 - The Lexus dealer will only change the whole battery - just thought you should know the difference - Generally it is not the whole battery which fails - it is individual cells and I believe Richard checks each cells and replaces or refurbs as required.

I think the key points here are if you are buying private then get Lexus to inspect and get the warranty. The shock absorbers can be faulty even if a leak is not evident

hope this helps

 

 

 

Did not known this, so better off with Lexus replacing it than the refurb (assuming money no object)

I think my route will be as follows:

- Buy trade (under 10 years and under 140k)

-Take to Lexus for test

-If there are any problems take back to trade to fix

-Take out 2 year lexus warranty

Any more anecdotal service/ consumable costs from anyone? I noticed that tyres are ~£250 a pair for midrange which is a little steep but not horrendously so

12 minutes ago, Shahpor said:

Lexus to cheaper servicing for cars that are 5+ years old called Essential Care.

The prices can be found here:

https://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/servicing-and-maintenance/#ServicingYourLexus

The £399 service is a bit steep, but the £199 isn't too bad.  What's funny is that the dealer asks you which service you want, and seeing as the stamp is the same, you could just opt for doing the minor services and take care of the rest yourself, or just leave it.

Is the £199 service the 10k service and the £399 the 20k service?

Meaning that I'd be forking out £300 for every 10k miles effectively?

14 hours ago, royoftherovers said:

I do not believe that there is any other warranty at any cost that will include cover for the Lexus Hybrid battery.

if Jamie reads the detail of what is covered by the warranty,I think that he will be surprised.

 

Regards

John

 

Regards

John

The car I viewed recently had the Battery changed by Hybrid Solutions. I'd heard about them before and it's £800, versus circa £3k from a Lexus Dealer

Seems that the consensus here is to go for the warranty which I will do then

It does seem that this model doesn't go wrong often but when it does it is much more expensive than a comparable 5 series/ E class/ A6 to fix. Is this true?

Are servicing costs also higher for this car than a comparable German motor?

1 hour ago, Chris111 said:

When I bought my 450h 7 years ago I did a lot (and I mean a lot!) of research into this car and I found a few differences between the original and facelifted models, one being the cost of car tax. The original model is stated as emitting CO2 emissions of 186 g/km placing it in tax bracket J whilst the emissions on the facelifted model are stated at 185 g/km, meaning it is in tax bracket I. The difference is only £40.00 per year, but to some this might be important.

I would also add that the first mild facelifted version was introduced in 2008 (wing mirror indicators, tax bracket change and other minor changes) and was further followed in 2010 by the changes mentioned above by Shahpor. From my research I also noticed that some of the 'toys' that came as standard, depending on the original model's trim level, became optional extras on the facelifted models. As an example mine is a 2006 Se-l and came equipped as standard with adaptive cruise control with pre-crash saftey system (ACC/PCS) and an electric sunroof. These became an optional extra on the facelifted Se-l model so consequently not all facelifted models in Se-l spec will have this equipment fitted.

Hope this info might help and good luck with your search

Chris

 

Cheers Chris. Really sounds like the facelift isn't worth it

1 hour ago, royoftherovers said:

Yes Jamie.Emboldend text applies to all/any cars purchased privately.

You could ask on this Forum if any member has one(Lexus)  to sell ,or knows of one?

My advice would be to go to a Lexus Dealer to buy and do not seek a vehicle which "has lots of bells and whistles" Even a basic Lexus is well equipped. What you do not have cannot go wrong!

Do not rush into a purchase, the new reg is coming soon and more pre-owned cars will come onto the market.

If you seek to buy from a non Lexus Dealer, then try to ensure that the Trader/Dealer has had good reviews as there are a lot of sharks out there who are simply after your money.

 

Regards

John 

I will ask on here. One appeal of Lexus over german rivals is that the former is less likely to have had a hard life so I would be happy to buy from an enthusiast

My budget is about £7k, which I think is too low for anything sold at a Lexus Dealer

15 minutes ago, Shahpor said:

I am going to have to disagree slightly with John here.

The other option is to buy from a trader/private, then buy a Extended Lexus warranty.  It would cost you an additional £1095 for two years cover, but you would probably save that by not buying from a main dealer.

Obviously if you have the visual safety inspection done which is required for the warranty and they find something wrong, you are going to find it difficult to get anything out of a private seller.

What I did with mine was buy it from a car dealer which offered a warranty, and then drove it straight to the Lexus dealer to buy a Extended Warranty.  If the Lexus dealer had found a problem, I would have used the warranty the dealer offered to fix it.  As it turned out, the car was fine and has been covered by the Lexus Warranty since.

I also don't necessarily agree with the what you don't have cannot go wrong philosophy.  Being a luxury car, I love all the toys on my SE-L, which have been perfectly reliable so far.

£1095 is pretty steep for 2 years is it not? Not much less than the cost of replacing 4 dampers in the first place

How much did you have to pay for the Lexus inspection ?