John Adams

It wasn't the accent that three me it was the booze. By the way, the video was first published early this morning

Hi Bob. I know it's in the title but that could just be clickbait. I tried to listen to the video but being slightly p**ed through my wife plying me with booze I could have missed the salient points. Water for me from now on!

I've just seen a You Tube video where it says they are discounting new RZ's in the USA by $10000 to try and shift them. I hope not because what happens in the US usually follows here. Disclaimer: I might have listened wrong as I have just started on a sherry or two for medicinal purposes

Bob, you are right with what you say. But my point about Lexus is that they always used to have the little touches that set them apart from other manufactures's which is now sadly lacking. I mentioned some of the things missing above. But for example, when the first touch screens came out they used to supply a screen cleaner spray. They also used to supply touch up paint with a proper tool kit. (which I never needed but you take my point) Also, every RX and GS I bought up to the last one came with a nice cover to put the tyre in if you had a puncture. The last 2 RX's had nothing. It's little things like that which used to set them apart from other companies and I for one miss it.

I had the original IS 200 and then IS300 (which was the best car I had) and I am sure they had gas struts but of course it could be my memory

On reflection, that probably is the reason they are now plastic. But I can honestly say that on the previous cars I have owned I've never had one corrode.

I've never had a Lexus valve cover corrode and my NX I bought last year had them

Have to agree about the quality of the materials which I think is a backward step against all the previous Lexus cars I have had. In particular the ultra suede looks cheap (to me) and I would much prefer leather particularly at this price point. I've noticed penny pinching in other areas as well. My 15 month old NX450+ which I part exchanged came with a bag for the charging cable and a zipped bag containing a towel and a pair of Lexus branded gloves. The RZ came with nothing. Also, every Lexus I have had have had came with metal tyre valve covers. The RZ has plastic ones. Again, every top of the range Lexus came with passenger memory seats. The last 2 cars have had none for the passenger. The list goes on.They just seem to be penny pinching whilst charging a premium price. Disappointing really.

Just another quick update. I travelled back yesterday and had a nightmare motorway trip with stop/start traffic most of the way. We also had rain for at least half the journey which obviously required wipers, lights and air con part of the time. Outside temp was around 5 deg lower than when I went down there. Overall I got a very disappointing 2.8miles/kwh. Doesn't bode well for the winter but we shall see.

Just an update on my first long trip in the RZ. This was a 195-mile trip mostly M5 and M5. As I was in no rush as I was leaving the car at a relative prior to going on holiday the next day. I decided to see what the maximum range I could comfortably get. We started out with 100% battery and a range on the app showing 245 miles without AC and 195 miles with AC. We started off in eco mode and only used the AC when absolutely necessary to stop the boss complaining. I set the cruise to 60mph throughout. The first 40 miles were across country with a 60mph limit. I did a route plan on Zap Map and it wanted me to stop near Swindon on the M4 with a predicted 30% battery left. This was too low for comfort for me so I decided to stop at various service stations to see if I could get a top up. Our normal stop is Gordano services near Bristol which is around 2 hours from home. Now Gordano only has 2 Gridserve chargers but 1 has been out of service for at least the last couple of years so there was little chance of me finding it free when I got there. On the way I stopped at 2 services before Bristol but all the chargers were in use. Finally got to Gordano and of course the charger was in use, so I was getting a little anxious about getting a charge when I needed it. Arriving at Gordano we had completed 98 miles and the predicted range was showing 102 miles left and roughly a 50% charge left which I thought was good. Got to the Swindon charger as per Zap Map and there were 4 Instavolt with 1 free which I used. Charging went without a problem, and I resumed my journey. Got to the destination and the trip was saying I had done 3.1 miles/kwh which I thought was good. Overall the car performed well although I am not convinced it is as comfortable as the NX I sold but we shall see. We will be travelling back home tomorrow so it will be interesting to see what happens with Friday traffic.

Hi Bob, Well I just woke up and saw your comment. As I said in a previous comment, Toyota have issued a software update for the BZ4 to increase the range by reducing the buffer and I should imagine this will apply to the RZ as well. When I get back I will report on my near 200 mile motorway journey. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. Anyway off to breakfast!

Bob, I was told they had charged it to 100% but I am not sure they did. I only put the aircon on when it was raining to stop steaming up but it was on for most of the journey. I have just finished charging at home and it is saying on the app 245 miles without aircon and 196 miles with. I will be driving just under 200 miles on the motorway Tuesday to park the car up at a relatives for 2 weeks whilst on holiday. The forecast is good weather with no rain so I intend to have a steady drive in econ mode at about 60mph to see what the range is. I think Saturday was a bad day to make a judgement what with the weather and bad traffic and I am hoping for much better going forward. I will let you know on my return.

Hi Bob.Just a brief update. Picked up the car 10am Saturday morning. Everything fine and was expecting a nice drive back on the motorway to do a range check. Fully charged and showing 194 miles. The drive back though was horrid. Heavy stop/start traffic and then heavy rain with a thunderstorm meaning my nice new car didn't stay clean for long. Obviously lights, wipers and air con were on. At some parts of the journey we didn't get above 45mph with the traffic and weather. Finally got home and the range left was only 35 miles which was disappointing and suggests a range of 147 miles. I'll get a better idea later this week when we go on holiday and have my first experience of rapid chargers. All I need to do now is find a decent car wash. I would do it myself as I always do but we still have an hosepipe ban down here.

It might not be a deterrent but they should still be supplied with the car, same with the second key. If they did get nicked, why should I lose my no claims bonus because of Lexus?

I'm picking up my new RZ tomorrow and the locking wheel nuts may take "a few months" according to the dealer. I've asked if Lexus will be picking up the tab if the wheels are stolen and I've yet to have a reply. The second key should be with me in a couple of months. No handbook as they expect you to download them now. Not good enough when you are spending that amount of money

Thanks for the kind words Bob, but unfortunately it isn't going to happen today. For some reason there has been a delay in getting the car delivered from Derby. It is now at the dealers and I have seen a video of it and the agreed delivery date now is this Saturday. The air was blue when I found out -this Monday- as I had all the insurance sorted out etc which I have had to re arrange. I will try and find out the reason for the delay when I collect the car. I have never had a problem like this with any Lexus I have bought before. Given this, I feel even more apprehensive and I hope I have done the right thing. Time will tell and fingers crossed.

Based on the test drives I had, I was expecting about 3miles/kwh. Be interesting to see what it does when the winter comes. I am picking mine up on Wednesday and have a drive of 112 miles to get home. About 70 miles motorway and the rest 60mph A roads. Lets see if I get near or better than that.

Have you done many rapid charges yet? Zap map says that I only need to charge once on my journey when they indicate I should have 25% left. My problem is that if I get there and the chargers are full I have to go to a back up plan which will make me nervous. My view at the moment is charge when I can not when I need to and I might stop early even though it will take longer. As I say, once I have done it -hopefully without problems- it will give me confidence for the future

"The last 20% I think takes as long as the 10 - 80% so nerves of steel required ! " Well that's made me feel better this morning!!!

Bob, yes I have Zap Map and all the charging apps set up in anticipation. I've also got the Tesla app because there is a location near Wokingham which I go past regularly when visiting the outlaws. I've seen it on You Tube and it has the standard CCS cable. I'm really not bothered -within reason- about cost as I am more interested in availability. I'll be doing a 200 mile trip there in 3 weeks and I have a lot of charger locations marked out for the trip just in case the first one is full or broken. Once I get the first trip done I might feel more confident. With regards the home charger, Lexus supplied me with the free Hive charger last year which I use with the NX. It works but the app is useless as it often fails to communicate because we are in a poor reception area. Wifi would be better but Hive are not interested in sorting out the problem

Thanks for the update Bob. My delivery has gone back 2 days and is now 7 June due to a delay in Derby. I've been told that that have to put in a warranty claim (??) for the second key and I should get it in a couple of months. The locking wheels nuts might take a couple of months also. I asked them to confirm that if by any chance my wheels should get stolen Lexus will pick up the tab so that it doesn't cost me anything on my insurance etc. So far the silence has been deafening ! Still wondering if I have made the right decision. Time will tell. A lot of scare stories in the Times yesterday and today about lack of public chargers etc. and the usual anti EV guff from the comments.

Hi Bob Any update on range yet or problems/niggles?

I saw a You Tube video yesterday by Bjorn Nyland about the Toyota BZ4. Apparently it has had a software update which now shows the percentage SOC and also more importantly they have reduced the buffer in the battery to give a bit more range. I assume this update will come to the Lexus soon, hopefully before I take delivery

Hi Bob Yes, I downloaded the manual some time back and have been working through it. I've also been downloading Zap Map and a few charging apps on my phone in preparation. Puzzled to know what the grumbles are caused by Euro regulations. I've gone for Sonic Platinum Takumi model. I'm also pleasantly surprised by the insurance costs. I was expecting a steep increase but all I have to pay is £40 more than my NX. I suppose being an old g*t also helps. Delivery is on 5 June so not long to wait and I will update you then. All the best and have a good weekend

I've had free paint protection, matts, free service for 1 then 2 years and finally a big increase in the px.