Blue Thunder

Hey David Thanks for coming back to us with your views. As you know I had the Golfs before and would be reluctant to return to one after driving the IS for a year, but each to our own. One thing I dont miss is the snotty Audi/VW dealer near me.

My car is Royal Sapphire and yes the stone chips are a problem and yes they do notice on dark cars. The paint is so soft that I was hit in the drivers door by a stone and it took off the paint!!

Ive had a total of 6 new wheels replaced on my 12 month SE. The dealer has been very good and didnt raise an eyebrow when I mentioned the problem I had. I have the new finish on the latest set of wheels and so far they do seem much better.

Let us know how you get on and what you think.

The laquer falls off and they get very pitted, can be expensive if out of warrenty. I have had 6 new wheels in the first 10 months of ownership, but the latest ones are fine. If you are buying from a dealer get down and dirty to give them a good look. Tyre wear at the front can be heavy (again lots of stories on that) so have a good look. Aside from that the usual "rules" about buying a car apply

All I would say is paint and wheels. You will have read the threads about paint quality, and also fact that early cars have problems with wheels. The rest is mechanical and Im sure you will get advice from someone better qualified in that direction. Oh yes I also like the fact you were happy to talk to me about this until a pretty face came on the scene!! TUT we men are al the same so predictable!!

No dont sulk I did say nice things about you!!

Let us know how you get on and your first thoughts. I would be interested to hear if your thoughts were much the same as mine

Wow Java gotta give mine some extra stick cause I must be tooooooooooo gentle. Mojo dont forget its got 6 little pistons going bang and to get the V V T to cut in you need revs, and once you use them you never go back, hence the consumption. Never driven in snow with this car but I have a button on the dash that says snow, cant work out if it makes it snow if I press it, havent been that brave...no seriously it allows easier traction in the snow when you move off, someone with a bit more knowledge can explain it, it eithert remaps the engine or changes the traction control, help!!

Gotta be careful here as Claire is obviously a lady, and size is a man issue!! But I gotta say 1/36........ whimpy or what, and lets not forget, mine is still and always will be bigger than yoursssssssssssss

Lecky sunroof, as well as Climate control. 6 Stack CD radio cassette as standard (It is a double DIN size fitted in the dash and all 6 discs load through 1 slot) Electic windows all round The kit is generous. Remember Subaru spent all the money on engineering, which is why it goes like stink but isnt the pretty. Lexus spread the money more evenly, which is why the car is really pretty is nicely specced, but has an issue in the "puff" department. It does have 6 smooth cylinders though!!

Hey man thats bad news glad you are OK,See that goes into the why I dont miss the Scooby box! I have not had any agro in the 12 months I have had Lexie, I dont worry about parking it and all I have to put up with now are the arses in BMWs who always want to take me on, In the Scooby they allways seemed to be XR2s and 3s!! Better class of wally when you have a Lexus!! You will enjoy teh Lexus experience

It doesnt handle anything like the Scooby, but I dont really miss it (lie lie pants on fire) Taking into account the looks, style, comfort, interior space and size of boot, the fact that no body is trying to steal your car to use for a ram raid, the fact that the Police leave you alone (get the picture) I have no hesitation in recommending the car. The traction is good, I only provoke the traction control occasionally (but I am older than you!!) but remember it doesnt accelarate like the Scooby and low down torque is quite poor, but the engine is smooooooooooooooth and it makes a lovely noise. Why did I lose Scooby, well it was a company car, loved the car hated the Boss.!! Just after I lost the Impreza a new Dealer opened just around the corner from where I live, so I see new Subarus every day. I still think about my car which was more or less the same colour as Lexie and I did check out the new model before buying the IS, pound for pound the Lexus won, in my book but it is chalk and cheese. If I could afford a second car, it would be an Impreza, guess this hasnt helped much!

I had a Subaru too!! Totally mad motor. I think the SE is a group 12 and the sport a 13. My last renewal on the Lexus with full protected bonus was £370, so do the maths!! Cant answer the question re difference as I had set my heart on an SE. Others out there will be better qualified to answer, although I would have liked the dark tinted windows

Hi Claire I see trouble ahead, as there are now 2 factions, your gang the 1/36 "crowd" and my gang the 1/18th scale super league We need a referee Mine is bigger than yourssssssssssssssssss is!!!

Hi and welcome. I run an SE, get about 350 miles between fill ups (Thats not empty to Brim), but works out to about 30-35 to the gallon on my type of journeys. Service every 10000, the first cost me £170. I run the car on Shell Optimax, which means a fill up is about £42 (it does run better on this stuff) The Insurance is good for a car of this class,(although some insurers rate the Sport 1 group higher than the SE,) because they have excellent standard security. Yes they do have some problems and I am sure you have seen all sorts on these pages, but there aint nothing finer on the market for the price!! What are you waiting for sign on the line and get driving!!

Time to start saving again I guess!

Watch out for the Rozzers thats exactly how my friend got caught

Come to think of it, last time my car was in for work, the loan car was an S, I didnt think about it till I got my car back, dont get me wrong the S is a fine car, but I do love my SE. It does seem to drive and handle so much better I guess beacause of the bigger wheels. If you can afford to hold out for the SE (or Sport if you like the suspension)

Hi Trev Ask away my man, we are all here to help, enjoy the car!! Old Japanese proverb, never look back, sod the Sport, it was probably a heap of "dung" (Japenese didnt actually say the last bit......perhaps they should have):smilegrin:

Used to years ago when I had a Subaru, even though its illegal, stopped when a friend of mine got "pulled" and fined for using fogs in good visability.......cost him £40 I think!!

Andy I agree, since joining the club I have bought no end of "stuff" for the car. The spolier last month, chrome dash the month before, and I have just had confirmation from US that my white rear fogs and chrome ring for the fogs are in the post, when will it end??!! You are all a bad influence...........keep up the good work !!!!

Hi David I too swapped in a Golf GTi for the IS. Like you I found the Golf quality had deteriorated (the last one I had was my 4th!!) My wife found the ride quality of the Golf to be harsh as at crashed and bumped down the road, and yet despite the "firm" suspension it wouldnt go round corners without feeling like it was scrapping its mirrors on the road. Anyway, I went for the SE, I would have liked the Sport but was worried about the lower suspension, having had sports suspension on the Golf. At the time I felt the extra spec of the SE over the S was worthwhile ( bigger wheels ,seat facings etc) My wife says the IS is the most comfortable car we have owned, so on that basis the SE was the right choice for me, but I expect other members will have their own views. I dont drive the car hard very often and a lot of my driving is on motorways and A roads so I dont miss that extra tautness, prefering the "softer" ride. In the end the hardest thing for me was choosing the colour!!! Good luck

Hey Super Hows Finland? According to Lexus these items are not available in UK . Has anyone heard different as I have little faith in Lexus Customer Services at the moment

I know its sad but I have got to ask...........Whats under the bonnet do you think, surely it cant be a standrd civic, no way that little engine could pull all that plastic and filler down the highway!!:P