JamesIS220

My 1989 Volvo 240 GLT had 2 reversing lights and 2 fog lights.

When I bought my 1996 Volvo 940 that has 2 reversing lights but only 1 rear right fog light. It looks balanced with matching lights.

I have since added the 2nd with new lights.

My 2015 Auris only has one of each.

James.

Crazy price for an old car with 300,000 miles!

I bought a 2015 Auris Hybrid estate with 26,800 miles for 13.5k in January. I know car prices are higher in Europe but I wouldn't touch a car with high mileage of 300k.

James.

3 minutes ago, Dan.Scott said:

No leather sadly - I can't wrap my head around a Lexus with velour seats... (sorry, vain I know)

No probs. Were all different.

My 1989 240 had black leather.

1996 Volvo 940 part leather.

Auris cloth.

Leather is best as easier to keep clean, especially with higher mileage. Think of all the toddlers who have peed on your back seats over the years!

James👍

https://usedcars.lexus.co.uk/en/used-lexus/Lexus/CT/200h-Advance-Lexus-Navigation-ULEZ-Approved-r1cc56q

This one is low mileage but 2014 reg. Lower spec. No mention of reversing camera!

James👍

I would probably go for something as new as possible with the least miles.

Whether that was with less spec then, so be it. I would  buy through Lexus to get minimum 12 months warranty.

In January I was looking for a newer car.

I chose a 2 year older car as it had done 15,000 miles less and 2k cheaper. Could of had a 2017 Toyota Auris hybrid estate with 42,000 miles but chose a 2015 one with 26,800miles instead. Later car had the Toyota Safety Sense and was the facelift car. 15k miles is around 18-24 months motoring for me.

I have no regrets as also bought the car as I liked the colour. Island Blue!

I felt happier buying through an official main dealer.

Also at the moment a pre April 2017 model is free road tax. Would presume CT is, as same engine/hybrid system as Auris hybrid.

James.👍 

Definitely yes to the warranty and service plan.

I'd have new tyres. Brakes probably ok for a while.

My 2015 Auris hybrid with 29k went in to the dealer as AC had failed and did a health check as well.

When I viewed the car  I noticed NSF tyre had slight side wall damage and slight cracking. Would not change it and said perfectly sound.

Mentioned it on health check Wednesday but did say ok structurally. Mentioned rear or front disks in amber as 1cm pitting starting.

Plan to fit all new tyres before they MOT it in January as all original and so old. Current tread depth between 3.5-4mm.

James👍

Sorry to hear of what's happened. I would of hoped the rad would of lasted longer than 120,000 miles and 12 years old.

If it was my car I would probably part it out or sell for spares. If your good at DIY you could buy a non genuine rad and flush everything yourself and refill and see if the gearbox is affected.

On my 1996 Volvo 940 I changed the rad when I bought it as weeping coolant at 184,000 miles. My car is an automatic with AW70 gearbox and has the same system of the Lexus where the gearbox cooler runs through the cooling rad. I installed a Nissens brand for £100 4 years ago.

It would seem if you buy a used Lexus to change the rad. Seems a weak point.

James

After a Daihatsu van and driving my Nans Volvo 340, My first car was a.

1986 Volvo 740 GLE Estate 2.3 carb manual. Bought it in 2002 for £425.00. Around a year later had a few running issues, driving from the Midlands to Normandy France  and had a weber carb fitted and still not running right. Turned out to be the fuel pump relay! Even asked Volvo dealer and said it didn't have one!

After around 5 years ownership, started cutting out and revving high. Cleaned carb jets and fix for a while. Grandparents wanted a new car in 2007 as needed something dependable as lived in a rural area. Never left us stranded or recovered.

Bought a 2007 Toyota Corolla 1.4 D4D hatchback and got 2,500 euros off by part exchanging my Volvo 740 which was French registered. Had to wait 2 weeks for the new car and my 740 ran perfect!

Had the Corolla for 30 months and decided to sell up in France and move to the County Kerry in the Republic of Ireland.

My Sister saw a Volvo estate in Sparkbrook, Birmingham for sale for £350 and I, along with my Nan flew from Dinard to east Midlands/ Birmingham Airport and went and looked at the car.

It was an elderly disabled couple, husband who drove, had died and wife didn't. One tyre low. No oil leaks, 2 tyres perished, started good, bought it for full asking price of £350.

It was a petrol 1989 240 GLT auto estate in Silver with 159,410 miles on clock. Next day sorted out road tax and had fitted 4 new budget tyres then drove it back to France that evening. Drove fantastic and did the 200 miles without an issue. Arrived home around 1am.

I had the 240 for 10 years. 8 as my only car then sold it 18 months ago with 4 months MOT for £500 and 234,000miles.

2 years prior to selling the 240 I bought a petrol 1996 Volvo 940 estate Auto for £250. Still have this 4 years later. Now on nearly 203,000

My worst car was a 2006 Lexus IS 220d as headgasket went. Should of gone for the IS250. It was high mileage at 187,000 when scrapped.

Now apart from the Volvo 940 have a 2015 Toyota Auris Hybrid estate, now on 29,000miles, Good MPG, zero tax but AC packed up Friday! Going to Toyota dealership tomorrow to see what the issue is. Hope it doesn't cost me dear.

Most expensive Volvo repair was £400 for used auto gearbox tail output bearing, gearbox crossmember and gearbox mount.

James.

1 hour ago, Mitcheyfex said:

Hi @JamesIS220,

Thanks for your response, the link you sent me is actually quite good, a lot cheaper than I thought.

I think I'm going to try get this welded, and if something goes wrong again I will certainly look into one of these.
 

Exhaust place could also be worth a try but they'll probably charge a fair bit.

No probs 👍. If it can be welded would give it a bit longer and know the fit is good. Stainless custom job is the way to go. It just depends how long your going to keep the car.

Hope the welding works out.

James👍

4 hours ago, royoftherovers said:

Is Rose White different to Old English White?

My first car was a Minor......................only available in Black however.

I'm probably getting mixed up. Probably should be English White. A relative has a Minor. He would know if there is also Rose white.

I am. Rose white not mentioned as a Minor colour.

https://www.morrisminor.org.uk/67-morris-minor-colour-schemes

James. 

48 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

Thanks James, I was forgetting that we both had/ have a succession of Volvo`s.

I do however simply love British Racing Green !

Looks great on a Morris Minor or Rose white.

James.

3 hours ago, Mitcheyfex said:

Hope everyone is well!


Greetings from the UK, I'm still fairly new to this group, I picked upa  second hand Lexus IS250 fairly cheap and I'm mostly impressed.

However, while driving the right exhaust came our of the centre pipe while driving and an inspection confirmed it had been welded, and quite a terrible job I might add!

Anyway, I wondered if anyone has ever had to replace their exhaust or upgraded the standard stock exhaust and what you went for?

Also, any suggestions as to where I might look? I have a Lexus IS250 2006, and the exhaust is a twin pipe coming from the centre.

 

Any help appreciated!

eBay, may need a bit of modification, ie not quite lined up in bumper cut outs. Cheap. Rear section from Y pipe. https://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_trksid=p2380057.m570.l1313&_nkw=lexus+is250+exhaust&_sacat=0

Or custom made in stainless by exhaust place.

James.

22 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

James, it is difficult to argue with figures that have legitimacy and statistical validity,and I feel that UK studies show similar results.However in my opinion the statistics and the colours have no regard to the idiot behind the wheel?

A dark colour remains difficult to see in poor visibility when the driver fails to observe the requirements of the Highway Code and fails to switch on his/her lights.Until recently  DLR`s did not light up the rear of a vehicle.Many drivers were oblivious to this fact. Many drivers do not switch on lights in poor conditions , early in the morning or at dusk.Dipped headlights are required when driving in the rain, etc.

Volvo piloted studies years ago which led them to fit day driving lights as standard on their vehicles, because a lit vehicle could be seen by an oncoming driver in a fraction of a second than would otherwise have been the case..

If all cars on the road were white you would still have roughly the same number of accidents as you would have the same number of idiots behind the wheel

Yes my 1989 Volvo 240 and current 1996 940 has day running lights permanently on. A good idea. Also a bulb out warning system!

If you are going to be selling on, then as said, I would avoid green. 

James.

No idea on the codes but have you checked the gearbox oil level?

What colour is it? Black/dirty,  Does it smell burnt?

When did you last renew the gearbox oil?

James.

At least you were not pulled over by the police. Probably a fine. Must live, where no fixed ANPR cameras are!

Thankfully your car wasn't involved in an accident. Always pays to write down the dates as you have now done!

James.

My IS 220D was my worst car! Cost £1,475.00 scrapped for £350 

Ok it was an old 2006 with high mileage 187,000miles when head gasket went. I hated the gearbox, turbo lag and poor MPG 33-37mpg. Liked the build quality, radio, safety and colour.

No, just buy the 250 instead, I should of. Lesson learnt.

After bought a 2015 Auris Hybrid estate.

Love my 1996 Volvo 940 automatic estate, 2.3 litre petrol. Cost me £250 to buy 4 years ago and just keeps going like my 1989 240GLT Estate. 940 now run in with 203,000miles. 

1 hour ago, SlowV6 said:

How much is the new CatLoc fitted? Is it too early to know whether it is an effective deterrent or are reports good!?

Apologies if off topic but are RX450H's less vulnerable due to recessing the cat or A.N.other design change?

i have previously mentioned that cat theft has put me off an RX400H, a car that is otherwise my #1 choice 😞

I have a Toyota Auris hybrid and have fitted a steel plate from eBay. I had 16mm steel bars welded either end to make it harder to cut through and once fitted, body filled over the fixing bolts. Hope it works. If it is stolen I wouldn't claim on the Insurance, as even if you decided to sell the car after fitting new cat, what you would get for it would probably pay for 2-3 replacement cats. I would then have made a custom cat cover in 10mm stainless steel with rebar bars instead.

As I have an extended warranty I would have to fit a genuine cat.

I also quite like the Lexus RX400H and if not in warranty I would be free to fit a non genuine cat. Around £180 on eBay I believe.

James👍

Looking good. Glad your winning!

The results so far look worth waiting for.

James👍

2 hours ago, steve2006 said:

I could but as you mention the paint is not cheap and neither is the prep stuff. It is also very time consuming hence why I started it during lock down ( I have continued to work on call front line power distribution) but now moving towards normality so out and about a lot more with less spare time.

Hope you can get the colour matching company to re-mix another can for free. As colour was nowhere near!

Your idea of sending a headrest was good, just hope it doesn't get lost in the post!

I'll look forward to the finished result.

Looking for grey electric front seats with memory for my 1996 Volvo 940 from a 960/V90, so will probably need some TLC once found a set.

James👍

Couldn't you spray all the seats so they match each other? Or is the paint too expensive?

James.👍

I like older Volvo's. The phase one V70 though is quite good I have heard.

Had a 1989 240 GLT auto estate for 10 years, 8 as only car and daily driver. Excellent reliability. Recovered once in that time as gearbox output bearing went. £400 to sort. Sold the 240 for £500, only paid £350 for it so got my moneys worth and covered 76,000 miles with me. Sold with 234,000miles

For the last 4 years, I have a 1996 Volvo 940 SE LPT auto estate. Again great reliability and just keeps going. Now on 203,000. Used as my works van. Last week been tidying up the body and fitted some new AC O rings and replaced AC condenser clamp for a better condition one, so now have working AC. Looking for a 960/V90 grey leather interior as fancy electric adjustment front seats with memory function.

James.👍

10 minutes ago, Evis said:

Thank you. That's about my experience with the car as well, minus the gasket (hopefully).

It could of been a great car with a bit more product development. Auto, my preference, better engine/ gearbox response.  Oh no I'm describing an IS 250! Liked all the airbags even passenger knee as well.

Loved the colour too and shape. Hope your head gasket lives for a very long time.

James👍

I like the mods!

I had the same colour car, a 2006. Basic spec. Head gasket went at 187,000 miles. Got £350 in scrap. Picture of sale advert.

Liked the comfort, build quality, standard radio, interior colour. Disliked gearbox mismatch, turbo lag and poor economy. Mine got around 35 winter 38 Summer.

James👍

Do like the blue one. Colour really suits it.

James

Id say to the seller you will buy, if they sort out the warning lights once you have a satisfactory test drive.

You really need to view/drive the car. May be more faults, like AC, not working etc.

I wouldn't of put any deposit down, without viewing/test drive. I'm very untrusting of all dealers and Garages. Service as said is probably oil/filter change, if they do it! I would rather do it myself, so know what oil and filter has been used. 

The LS is a nice car. Would of liked one myself but insurance 1k for me!

Around 10 years ago I was looking for a Volvo 940 estate. Advertised as full service history, one owner, drives faultless. Immaculate. Pictures looked ok. Spoke to dealer and all sounded great. Arrived at car. It was unlocked. Stunk of dog. Boot all stained. popped bonnet and no coolant in reservoir. Absolutely filthy engine bay, leaking oil, old service items.  Head gasket staining down block. A right shed. 60 miles wasted!

James.