First_Lexus

A quick update on fuel economy. I’ve read a few times on these pages that RX 450h economy is ‘…not much worse’ than economy in the NX 300h. Having owned an NX for almost four years, I would regularly achieve 38-40mpg, almost regardless of whether it was Winter or Summer. I’ve now completed 1200 miles in my RX - driven in exactly the same way, on the same journeys and by the same driver. The best I’ve managed is 34mpg. Seems like I’m achieving 30-32mpg typically. Should add that in both cases I’ve simply used the on-board computer figures. I’m aware they may not be completely accurate, but at least I’ve used both so should be closer to a fair comparison.

One of the main reasons Ancient Greek used to be taught alongside Latin was the - seemingly largely lost to history - fact that so many of the Germanic languages were heavily influenced by both in antiquity (see what I did there?!). Nearly everybody knows about Latin, but these days fewer people seem to recognise words of Greek origin. My personal experience was that the main (only?) reason we were taught (force fed) Ancient Greek was so we could recite passages from The Iliad at an annual event in front of our parents. In lower school we were allowed the script, but in upper school the relevant passages had to be recited from memory. I’m sure our parents were thrilled having to sit through that every year…😆 Like most people of my vintage, we also had to be word perfect on a selection of hymns sung at the daily school assembly or in chapel. This brings me to a proper moan. I’m not a religious man, although I do confess (sorry, couldn’t resist it) that I enjoy going to church. It’s something about the routine and the comfort that something so familiar, attended with others, brings. Anyway, I digress. What on earth is the point of ‘updating’ hymns or prayers into more modern language, when the whole premise is ancient? Madness I say, madness! While I’m adding moans, and on a totally unrelated subject, I’ve completed two long motorway journeys in the last couple of days. People who cut in too early when changing lanes. Idiots. They mess up my radar cruise control…😡

Seem to remember we spent a term learning that…

Looks nice. It’s no Toyota Crown, but still…

Agree that vocational training is a great idea, but only from the age of (say) 14 or 16. Before that, allow children to learn and explore. I’ve heard many youngsters tell me that they don’t like Shakespeare, or poetry, or history…but they’ve never really had the opportunity to experience it ‘just because.’ Tests and assessments and an obsession with ‘technology’ are making a decent education almost impossible - unless you can afford to pay for it, and that simply reinforces a ‘two-tier’ society. ^^ Barbarian!

No particular comments on tyre choice as don’t have experience of the IS, but the variety of online options is well worth investigating if you haven’t already. I’ve found some quite surprising difference in price between them, and brands available. Over the years have used Oponeo, Black Circles, Kwik Fit and Asda tyres and had good service from all of them - yes, even Kwik Fit who were nothing short of exceptional in sourcing a rare tyre size for me and then travelling to me to fit. Nobody else could help beyond “if it’s not listed, we can’t get it…”

Latin was mandatory at school for me from age 5. Has it helped me in any way? I think from a general knowledge perspective it comes in handy from time to time. I hated it at the time (hopeless at languages), but look back rather more fondly now. Ancient Greek on the other hand… When my Upper School stopped Latin being a mandatory subject (after I had left I should add) it actually made the front page of the Daily Telegraph. Shocking…but different times! A new moan for me on an old theme. The insistence that schooling should be about ‘training’ for a future career rather than for ‘education’ for its own sake. We all have long enough in a career without having to specialise when we should simply be enjoying learning new things just because we can. I feel increasingly like a dinosaur. What’s that bright light in the sky…😬

Also, fossil fuels are running out - or at least becoming more difficult, and expensive, to extract. There has to be another solution eventually, either because sea levels will rise and we’ll all drown or because we’ll run out of oil (depending on your viewpoint, obviously).

Personally I would not risk second guessing the development engineers…but that’s just me. I like not being on fire.

I think @Boxbrowniehit the nail on the head earlier in this thread, and a few weeks ago I listened to an ‘industry expert’ say much the same thing on the radio. Electric vehicles will become the default choice for ‘shorter’ distances - say up to 300 miles on a round trip. The infrastructure will improve and, as long as there is capacity for most EVs to charge to 80% in 10-15 minutes, then electric will become the norm in Europe and metropolitan America/Australia etc. For rural areas, or those areas where longer distances are regularly needed and/or electricity infrastructure is more limited, then either there will be a new solution such as hydrogen, or internal combustion will continue. Heavy goods may also require a new solution. Battery technology will evolve just as internal combustion has evolved. It will become more efficient, and hopefully production less impactful. For now, the answer is a mixture of technologies depending on the circumstances of the user - both in terms of lifestyle and economics.

Anecdotally I do wonder whether culturally (in the UK) cycling was seen as ‘working class’ or for ‘poorer people’ if you go back to the 1920s, 30s, 50s etc. Certainly when I was growing up cycling (well, bicycling as it was called then) wasn’t popular at all. Obviously the local Police Constable rode around on a bike, but he (and it WAS a ‘he’ at that stage) wasn’t typical in my experience which I accept was growing up in Buckinghamshire. Britain has had a love affair with the motor car and motorcycle for generations. Owning a motor vehicle has long been a sign of affluence. I don’t really remember cycling being popular - and even then mainly for health reasons - until the 1990s.

https://www.whatcar.com/news/what-car-awards-2022-best-car-in-every-class-revealed/n24029#27 Lexus wins the reliability award (as usual) - which is nice. Perhaps even more promising is the win for the new NX450h in the ‘plug-in’ hybrid category. KIA EV6 overall ‘Car of the Year’ for What Car? this year.

Nothing

You noticed that too…🤣

Beethoven

Surely the issue here isn’t how fast he’s going, but the fact he’s on the pavement… But again, this must be an isolated incident. Also surprising - and impressive - that the cyclist himself must have uploaded it…

I found this to be quite a balanced video. Interesting. Spoiler alert, the conclusions aren’t exactly what you might expect from the title!

From memory the Coalition Government consulted on a ‘licence’ type scheme, along the lines of the old Cycling Proficiency, but it was a non-starter - as @doog442notes it would have been virtually unenforceable and with little benefit but additional cost and administration. I’ll say again - 90% of Road users, regardless of what they drive or ride are reasonable and just want to get along with their fellow citizens. Most people don’t want confrontation - why would they! As in society more widely, generally it is those who take an extreme view who cause problems - ‘fundamentalists’ for a cause if you like - but they really are low in number if not in the noise they make.

Lard

As much as I love a Volvo - the design and the comfort are almost unrivalled - recently I’ve heard some slightly worrying things. My brother had one (which he loved) as a company lease, and almost every major component was replaced under warranty for one thing or another. It never left him stranded, but something was always going wrong… A close friend has a new XC40. Again, it’s a lovely car but…lots of minor issues. Nothing major, but why a car was allowed to leave the factory - and got the through a pdi - with poorly fitting bumpers, doors and tailgate, not to mention trim rattles ‘cured’ by the dealer fitting a soft tape around the dashboard? Certainly wouldn’t inspire confidence longer term! The good news is that in both cases the dealer service to resolve the issues was excellent. Personally I’d take a reliable Japanese car with a lower spec interior over the alternative every time, especially if I was planning to keep it beyond expiry of the warranty. Although tbh I do lust after a mid 2000s V70 or S60…

Love that exterior colour, just lovely.

Sorry to hear about your Vauxhall woes… In terms of the RX, I’m sure those with more knowledge will be happy to help. In the meantime, this thread may be of interest. https://www.lexusownersclub.co.uk/forum/topic/131341-possible-new-rx-owner-any-things-to-watch-out-for/

Beef

Glider

That’s very odd. I always use Waze and have never had a problem. Google Maps on the other hand always seems to get me to the wrong place!