rich1068

Crackers.

Read about this only the other day. Tried it the last couple of mornings and it definitely helps.

Before you wheel out the big guns try the AmorAll kit. You can get it from Halfords. It's a chemical rather than abrasive solution and I've used it with good results on various cars. Note: The sealant takes a while to dry so once done the car is best left under cover overnight. https://www.halfords.com/motoring/car-cleaning/clay-bars/armor-all-headlight-restorer-wipes-kit-805736.html

They're certainly not money pits. Not sure why he said that. Post '94 they're cheap to maintain and still fairly cheap to buy. There's quite a bit of nonsense about parts etc but they're easy to get hold of and the cars themselves are easy to work on.

Actually had a 9000 briefly too. A very rare V6 Griffin saloon. A mate bought it, got shouted at and I had it off him. Lovely car but needed loads spending on it to get it right so I moved it on. The 2003+ convertibles are nice but if you're used to Lexus build quality you may be disappointed!

Spoilsports.

Tricky one. I've never owned the "classic" Saabs because a) good ones are out of my reach now and b) I need cars that can be pressed into daily service. Running an 80s/90s car just wouldn't be practical. I really enjoyed my '99 9-3 Convertible because it was my first unnecessary car if you know what I mean? Had a couple of 9-5 Aeros but they were a bit leggy and too firm I thought. I'm really liking my current MY07 9-5. It's in good nick, low mileage and it's a bit softer because it's not an Aero. Though I have had it mapped to Aero numbers. But I think the most satisfying one is my MY06 9-3 Aero Convertible. It's just such a good drive. Comfortable, practical, can be used in all weathers and I can get my kids in it. I'm currently on my 7th and 8th Saabs

Am I doing this right?

What are these "CDs" you speak of? The ones you then "rip"?

If streaming Bluetooth music is an issue but you do have an aux input and power/USB socket I recently purchased this for one of my Saabs. https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B07C78WV6J/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Works very well. Powering up with ignition on, connecting to my phone, pausing and powering down at ignition off.

I don't think I even got that. My daily driving is very similar to the OP's. I do remember though it improved considerably during the first lock down. Still working and empty roads. Christmas Day traffic every day.

Justify it with man maths. I'd love to be able to tell you what I got out of my GS300 but I tried not to think about it. I just concentrated on enjoying it

As always I'd recommend Tony Banks in Leeds but again, quite a distance.

Some fairly major parts are either unavailable or eye wateringly expensive. I needed a power steering pump and alternator for my MK3/UCF20 not long after purchase and had to gamble with non-Lexus parts. Turned out OK but with the lack of available body parts it was one of the reasons I decided to stop using mine as a daily and eventually moved it on. The possibility of some idiot pulling out in front of me and my car getting written off was too much of a risk, lovely though it was. That said, everyone should experience an LS400 at least once.

Have a look here Spen.

Tbh I've always found them to be very reliable. I'm currently on my 6th and 7th! They're not engineered like the Lexus/Toyota/Honda stuff but they are easy to fix and unfortunately since I had Lexus and Toyota everyone else seems to have caught up and the market's gone a bit daft. Since selling the LS 400 I've had an MR2, BMW E39, an Alfa GTV and now back into Saabs. Very happy with these two so you never know, I might keep them

Oh yes. Sold it November last year. Had one or two vehicles since and now settled on a couple of Saabs.

I've always used https://www.carmats-uk.com/ (not to be confused with any other manufacturers with a similar name). I've probably bought at least half a dozen sets off them. When I had my LS 400 they didn't have that model listed and I popped down to Mansfield and did a made to measure set for the same price as the ones listed on their site. Recommended. Probably more detail somewhere in here

https://lexuspartsdirect.co.uk/product/lexus-is200-phase-1-service-kit-1998-2004/

Someone will probably offer it but it's really not worth it on n/a engines. Gains would be minimal to tiny.

It's usually bone dry due to the heat from the engine. On my (I think) GS I just broke it up into bits with a long screwdriver or similar and then used the crevice nozzle of a vac to get it out.

https://www.willtheyfit.com/

I can't imagine the current owner has caused any damage over such a short period of time but he is using the wrong fuel and I wouldn't want to run that car on E10 long term. V Power is £2.05-£2.10 per litre around here so unless the GS would be an occasional use car I'd think twice too.

I just texted you. I assume you've changed your number?

Should add, the badly placed rear number plate has now been repositioned