dantheman

Thanks ever so much, guys, for your rapid and well-informed response. This has saved me money and embarrassment. Nothing worse than being duped into buying a so-called wonder product by a bit of hype about cleaner running and fuel economy. I treasure my car, treat it like a baby and don't want it damaged by some dodgy additives. Thank you again. :shutit: :shutit:

Has anybody come across this product. I was talking to someone recently who swears by it. The claim is that it makes engines sound quieter and that it gives a significant boost to engine efficiency. MPG is lifted by a good margin according to my informant. Has anybody tried it? Given the cost of fuel and the GS300 3 litre engine, I for one am looking to save money on juice.

That's my question too. I never realised what a good set of wipers were like till I swopped my tatty ones for PIAA ones. PIAA's really do make a difference.

This story has been one of the best adventures of recent times - and I mean that sincerely. It's great that you've fallen for the Mk1 GS300. I hope you like it as much as I like mine. I bought mine last year and I don't regret it for a moment. This is a fabulous car. My car had only done 58000 on a P reg. I'm up to 66000 now and have put the car through its 'big' 63K service at the main dealer at a cost of £700. But, hey, it's worth it. This is a luxury car. I can enjoy sitting in jams as much as cruise controlling down the motorway. The car has a real presence and stands out from the usual dross. It gets respect. Take some of your friends and family out in it. You'll find that they'll love it too. As to support on this site, it's just outstanding. I admit that I don't add much to it but I admire the efforts of all those selfless folk who do. Welcome to this friendly little club.

This is a really small point, but I'll mention it because I've just done it. I have just swapped to PIAA wipers and the difference is really impressive. I know it's about £30 for the pair but I reckon it's worth doing.

I've just looked on the Lexus.co.uk website for the 163k LS400 at Lexus Nottingham and it looks stunning - so stunning that it looks dodgy. If this is a case of deliberately misrepresenting one of their cars to make it look better than it is, then Lexus Nottingham should be ashamed of themselves. You might expect this from Arthur Daley Boneshakers & Sons, but not Lexus! Poor show.

I just love this story. I dig your wife's commitment to thrift. I hope that I'm getting it right - that this coincides with your enthusiasm to get the most out of your car before replacing it. You must let us know how you get on between now and the planned replacement date!!

I'm 53, live in Greater Manchester and insure my 1996 GS300 through Zurich for £628.

Hi Guys I am staying with my Mk1 GS300. I love the shape. I sincerely believe that it is a design classic. It goes fast enough for me. It is nearly as long as the LS400 but does not seem to drive like it is. I've just spent over £700 getting it through the big 63k miles service, plus front ball joint replacements, but that is it in terms of major outgoings for some while. Purely on the 'what's it worth?' front, there are some really cheap LS400s around Manchester right now ie decent sounding Mk3s for £5000-6000. But I reckon that my GS300 will hold its value better. It is a first generation, ground-breaking car with Italian styling that still looks good 11 years after its launch! I figure that the Mk4 LS400 is a nice car but I can't afford it - yet. In three or four years time, maybe. For now, I'm a very contented GS300 man.

You might have been unlucky. I've seen a number of Mk 3 LS ads in Autotrader around Manchester where traction control has been inclued as a feature. Maybe traction control was available as an option and the one you bought did not have it fitted. Here's a current ad from a garage in Stockport to illustrate my point. 1996 N Reg LEXUS LS 4.0 V8 4 Doors, Automatic, Saloon, Petrol, 72,000 miles, Metallic Silver. ABS, Adjustable steering column/wheel, Air conditioning, Alloy wheels, Central locking, Climate control, Computer, Cruise control, Driver airbag, Electric mirrors, Electric windows, Electric sunroof, Electrically adjustable seats, Head restraints, Headlight washers, Heated seats, Immobiliser, Lumbar support, Passenger airbag, Power assisted steering, Remote locking, Radio/CD Multichanger, Side airbags, Rear headrests, Traction control, Leather upholstery. This car is a superb example and is complete with full lexus service history £7,695. Motorhouse Performance Cars Dealer's Website Dealer's Location Tel: 0161 4845440

I'm not an LS owner but a GS Mk 1 owner. However, I did look very carefully at the LS before falling for the curves of the GS. In my research I am fairly sure that the Mk3 LS comes with traction control and took a reasonable leap forward over the Mk2 LS. However, the widely held view of contributors to this site is that the Mk 4 LS is the real star of the 1990-2000 LS line-up. I knew that I could not run to Mk 4 prices and opted quite consciously for the Mk 1 GS, which I think is a classic, graced by Italian styling, as opposed to the Mk2 GS - a Mercedes lookalike designed in-house. I admit that I was quite tempted by the Mk3 LS but I'm hanging on for a few years until the Mk4 LS drops into my price range. However, if you do want a Mk3 LS I think you'll find that it comes with traction control.

Thanks for the solid advice, guys. I love my GS but I was just intrigued about whether the LS experience was so much better that I should switch to an older LS at a cost of a few hundred quid. On reflection, I think maybe I should just keep on enjoying my GS. Why do I love the GS Mk 1? It looks ageless - it does not look out of place in 2004 even though it started life in 1993, I love the curves, I'm pretty impressed by the mpg, a 3 litre engine is all I need and I love the power mode for exchanging pleasantries with boy racers. Lastly, as Colin said, it is also cheaper to run than its big brother. I'll finish philosophically by offering a few words from Cheryl Crow - sorry if this sounds cheezy - "It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you've got". Enjoy.

I have a GS300 with 62K miles, 96P reg, mostly main dealer service. A local garage has an LS400 with 92K miles, 95N reg, full dealer service history, Metallic champagne, £5990. I have two questions - is it worth moving up to LS? If the answer is yes, what is the most that I should pay him to make the swap? Any thoughts from my knowledgeable co-members would be gratefully received.

I've just had my rear tyres replaced with Federal SUPER STEEL SS535 at £162 the pair. I've checked on the web and Federal are built in the Far East and seem to be big in Australia. The Federal website in Oz has loads of satisfied Aussies saying how well they ride and how well they wear. For those of you in Greater Manchester, I got them from Top Ten Tyres on the A6 in Hazel Grove, just down from the new Sainsbury's. I'll let you know how they drive in due course.

I have been puzzled by this myself and so I asked a guy who ran a small garage about it. He said it was simple. Each garage is a business that has to pay its way. Therefore, if it has high costs - rent, rates, wages, etc. - it will pass them on to you so that it can keep making a profit. There is no standard charge set by Lexus for a standard service. Each franchise is a separate business that runs its own affairs and charges what it thinks the customers will pay. The trick is to shop around for the best deal. I hope that this helps. :duh: