PRT68

Just browsing an American forum about driving the car in manual mode. Using the paddles is not a problem of course. What does bug me is that the console gear lever seems back to front when using the stick. When watching touring cars, they always go up the box by pulling the lever down, but in the ISF you have to push it forwards. The only time I really use the stick is pulling away at a roundabout when the wheel is turned and your fingers can't find the paddle. The American forum suggests the wiring within the console can be swapped about to make the stick more logical. Anyone done it?

The car looks stunning in the video, but the colour change has been very poorly done. The slam panel and behind the front bumper are still blue, and close up, there's plenty of orange peel. I'd run away from that.

As mentioned above, I'm also glad I went down the F route. I looked at the usual contenders, C63, M3 etc, and looking at the owners forums, just couldn't face the worry of frequent expensive bills. Had mine 11 months and 4000 miles and have spent nothing on it. And sleep at night, knowing that with the warranty, I should be covered. Since the Aston Martin Vantage came out, I always lusted after them, and one was also on my list. Again though, they seem to have regular battery, clutch and body work problems. I looked at some at a place called Mcgurks, and was very tempted to call in again after the recent F meet at the airfield café. Then I thought, do I really want the prospect of potentially having to budget £2-3000 per year to keep one going. A good unworried blast home opening that second intake cured me. For a while.....Or will an RCF be next??

Thinking of changing cars. Occasionally have to transport 2 grandchildren, aged 3 and one. No problem in the ISF with a forward and rear facing set up. So, once the seats are in an RCF, is there enough room to get the kids in and then strap them up? I realise the rear facing one is going to take up the most room, and fortunately my wife is on the small side, so the passenger seat can go forward a bit. Not thinking of long journeys, just 15 minutes or so from nursery etc. Anyone do this?

All being well, I'll be there. Might I suggest owners could put login names on a sheet of A4 and place on the dashboard? This would help putting names to cars...

I imagine it would be to prevent sticking calipers. I used to drive a Prius as a taxi, and it was a very common problem. Every Prius that I knew of suffered from it, especially those that were rented. It didn't help having them washed often, the jetwash blasting the brakes a couple of times a week. The problem was solved by stripping, cleaning and greasing them every other oil change, ie twice a year. The Prius specialist I used would do this very quickly whist you waited. He has pre built bearings and suspension units on the shelf. If you pre booked, a front wheel bearing was done in 25 minutes, the whole hub being replaced. The worn hub was then rebuilt and put on the shelf. He obviously charged his labour for the whole job, not just the 25 minutes! He's brilliant, saving drivers being off the road for long periods.

I use Tesco momentum. Usually costs the same as BP 95 Ron. Don't use ordinary supermarket fuel though.

Or you can use ' man maths' to justify the £555. Wife's Aygo, £0.00. My Prius shopping etc car £10.00. The ISF, £555.00. Total, £565 divided by 3. £188 each. Not so bad then!!

Agree with above. Ive kept my ex taxi Prius. 187,000 miles, so not worth very much, despite being in very good condition. Had it since 57,000 miles, and maintained it regardless of cost, so know it well. Tax, MOT, a service and insurance costs me about £6.00 per week over a year now. Use it for shopping and running about. I'm retired now, and firing up the burbling monster makes every journey an exciting event....and so, so worth it.

Can't help with the supply. There should be a little catch chord with a barb on it that threads through the cover so that it dangles if coming out. Suggest getting that as well if it's gone.

I just don't get all this depth of colour business. All the polishing is not touching the colour, only the clear lacquer covering it. Years ago, you were enhancing cellulose. I have a Prius that gets a quick going over with Mr Sheen after a wash and looks very presentable. I've fallen into the trap though and use Meguars products on the ISF, but only because of the Halfords gold discount.

I have a Prius as well. My alarm always goes off if a phone is left inside. I used it as a Taxi, and a customer dropped hers under a seat. That night the alarm was constantly going off. Eventually left the car unlocked to stop it. Found the phone next morning when the office called me.

Didn't really buy as an investment, just always had an interest. Whilst it may not gain , it certainly shouldn't depreciate. Recently having a grandson pushed me a bit. Something nice for him in 18 years if I'm no longer around!

Ordered a Rolex Submariner non date 19 weeks ago and picked it up yesterday. Very lucky, as there seem to be huge waiting lists for the sports models. So much so, that unworn examples command a fairly high premium over list price. The dealer insisted on removing the protective stickers and retained the guarantee for 6 months, to discourage selling it on. Haven't even put it on yet or had the bracelet altered. Put masking tape on the back and sides to protect it and put it aside. Better than money in the bank. Also have a very battered Oyster, purchased 1989. Omega Chronostop, 1972. And Various Citizen Eco Drives for daily wear.

Yes, really wonderful cars as MarkG says, ( I've got his old one ). Had it 6 months now, and really feel at home with it. Haven't seen another one yet, and I love the fact that people just don't know what they are. And the noise, that wonderful noise when you open her up.......

64 years old, 2 cars on separate policies, fully comp, both max NCD, protected, wife driving, etc etc. 2008 Prius runaround, £237.16 2011 5 litre V8 ISF, funcar, £239.27!!! Yep, £2.11 difference. I did check to make sure there hadn't been a mistake. Obviously being an old git and eligible for Saga has benefits!!

A number of cyclists have had expensive bikes stolen because their Strava route started from their house and theives worked out where they lived. If you do use it, make sure your start point is well away from it.

I seem to get a different reading every time I check the level. It seems about right 5 minutes after switching off, as the manual recommends. I've had other cars which have shown a different level on the other side of the stick! Using a rag that has previously had polish on it can also cause a different reading. Clean the dipstick with thinners or similar and try again with a clean rag or tissue.

I would rather change at 60k miles or six years. After having problems removing on some cars, trying to get a restricted access plug out that's been in there for 12 years is something I wouldn't relish. Unless by that time you've sold the car....

I really don't think sellers push the emphasis on warranty enough. Most on here know the cars are bullet proof, but I imagine most potential buyers don't know this. Many will have looked at the main contenders, C63 and M3 etc, read about the problems on the forums, and been put off. They may then assume the F range is the same. I chose my ISF in June after much research here and elsewhere. I realised I could buy a very high performance car, and have a warranty until it was 12 years old! Purchased from Lexus Coventry at 7 years old, it came with the usual 12 months warranty. At the same time I also signed up for the 2 for 1 extended warranty at £66 x 12 months. Total 3 years. My intention is to keep the car for 2 years. I can then try to sell privately with the balance of the warranty being transferrable. If I keep it, I can renew the warranty before it's 10 years old and within mileage limit, hopefully for another 2 years. I hope my assumptions are correct. Shoot me down if not!!

Not a design flaw, just progress I guess. Older cars used to have seams as part of the build process which used to form gutters. Worst is water on a hatchback that pours into the car when opening. Used to have a 96 Mercedes C180 with a single wiper. When the screen was wet and the wife approached, a flick of the wiper always caught her with a quick shower, every time!!

Having a 2007 Prius, and previously using it as a Taxi for 5 years, I would say yes, replace it. The inconvenience of getting into the car and seeing the 'red triangle of death' is annoying, especially if you need the vehicle for work. The only problems us drivers had seemed to revolve around the 12v battery, causing odd electrical glitches. The majority of us would replace after 3 years, or when purchasing a 'new' vehicle if the age of the battery was unknown. For about the cost of £90, the loss of a mornings takings and inconvenience was avoided. It was a small regular price to pay for the otherwise superb reliability.

Playing around on the DVLA site, came across L15 FSO. With a bit of spacing, L* ISF 5*0 . Not really for me as I already have a couple, but for £250 all in, may appeal as a show plate to someone

Mark. Don't forget I bought it from Coventry....

I think the ISF is already a classic. I bought my USB with white leather because it's a beautiful vehicle. Everyone that sees it loves the colour combination, and it does have a 'wow' factor. Whilst I don't think it will increase in value, I do think and hope that it will stabilise and not loose too much. Because of the few numbers, future purchasers will seek them out. They will not fall into the hands of the people that have abused early M3's and C63's. These were on my look at list, but their problems and reliability put me off, and I wanted something of distinction, hence my choice. Mine isn't a garage queen, but I cherish it and don't use it everyday. In 11 weeks since purchase, I've put 1500 miles on it . Being retired , we use it for afternoons out etc. The Prius does shopping trips and running around and anything that involves nasty carparks. Cars from my earlier days are classics now. Stag, Scimitar, RS 2000 and five XR4i's etc. Wish I'd kept them!! So here's hoping .....