SSUR

I should add that my attempts to test drive a Genesis was futile and most frustrating.  The personal assistant never bothered reverting, chasing emails and a quiet chat with the Genesis rep at Goodwood eventually LED to a call back many weeks later.  By that time I told them bluntly this is simply not good enough especially for a Lexus owner given the excellent customer service that we are accustomed to. Recently I have noticed Genesis are using local Hyundai dealers so that is another big no from me. 

My prediction is that Lexus standards will also slip in the future due to mass sales of the new LBX baby.  In years to come there will be thousands of them requiring servicing and already as the brand has grown, it often takes one month to book in for service.  I fear that unless more dealerships are opened the previous excellence cannot realistically be sustained.  However, I would still be confident of receiving a vastly superior service compared with our German and other friends.    

Genesis make high quality and individual cars and I respect them for not following the herd.

However and contrary to their wholly unrealistic promise at the outset, the Genesis customer experience was terrible as the personal assistant system does not work. I was also told that for any even minor checks the car will be driven up to 100 miles to their “local” facility.  Most unattractive in my view and no reason for me to change from Lexus after two decades where the customer care is consistently excellent. 

CT is an excellent little car.  The sweet spot may be to go for a post 2014 facelift model which improved the build and ride and will have zero road tax. Post 2018 models look even better but I do not know if there any further mechanical improvements.  They really are bullet proof and hugely economical with the best build and interior finish in class.  

Good luck with the purchase. I previously owned the GS300h and thought it rode exceptionally well for its class.  The newer ES definitely rides even better and has a better, smoother CVT and is undoubtedly even more comfortable than the GS. However, the flip side is that the ES has a markedly cheaper interior than the old GS and feels a class below which it is. You win some, you lose some.   

I have the post 2013 facelift LS600hL or "The Beast".  Around one third of the parts were new for 2013 including more durable suspension components.  The main difference is a totally new interior/dashboard with the 12 inch screen which to my eyes still looks modern today with exquisite build quality and finish.  This is such a good car that I am genuinely struggling with a replacement, not sure I'll get on with the smaller V6 in the 500h.  My friend recently test drove the new electric RZ and was most impressed until he tried the Beast.  He was astonished at the refinement of the V8.  Any ideas of where to go next friends?      

Normal noise issue with sunroof on any car in my experience. Even having the shade slightly closed should help. 

From memory there may have been a small difference in emissions between SE, Luxury & Premier depending on wheel size.

43 mpg on pre facelift over several years 55-60 mpg possible on motorways, ridiculous £30 rfl, best build quality in class, a great motor!

I initially went for Halfords own brand “to original spec”. These were truly aweful, I complained and upgraded to their premium top range which are actually very good about £50/60 for the pair and would recommend.

Enjoy the Beast! A very special car indeed.

The mighty 600 is for sure the pinnacle of Lexus, the amazing V8 and hybrid technology alone qualify the 600 for this accolade.

I own the ultra rare 13-17 facelift LS. A truly amazing machine with outstanding build quality, extreme comfort and effortless pace, grace and presence.  Several steps ahead of my previous GS cars which were excellent in their own right.

just returned from a near 2,000 miles driving holiday and the 600 was sublime, pure class and eased my mammoth road trip, really the perfect all round companion in all road and weather conditions. The 600 drove the mountains of the beautiful Highlands as if they were a minor plain, just astonishing to experience this on the open road. Mind, please don’t mention city centre parking challenges! 

I may eventually move to the LS 500 (clearly standout interior) but I have not driven it and am unsure of going to a V6. Long live the 600.

Update friends - the mighty LS is back on the new UK website starting at £92k. Looks like a temporary lapse pending a refreshed website which is good news for those lucky people looking for a nice used one at some time.

Only appears to have been quietly dropped here in the UK, the US version and elsewhere still going strong with both 500 and 500h including Fsport.

Hello Colleagues

Over Easter I noticed the LS is so longer shown on the UK website, there are only 5 used approved models showing.

Does anyone know whether the LS has officially been dropped by Lexus UK? Would not be surprised given they only sell less than 10 every year. Still sad after 33 years of the LS being the mighty flagship model.

10 hours ago, SRVO said:

Same here and nice to hear it's a 'CT' thing. I've never had such a reliable car. Mine's a 2014 with 140k on the clock and still drives like new. It's only ever needed tyres, brakes, bulbs and wipers. Shows the benefit of servicing!

A car trader told me he routinely trades CTs with mega miles and has never had an issue. He swears no other small exec is built to this level.
 

Lexus service manager gave another example by saying roof head liner on CT much thicker and deeper than Prius. That explains the refinement and smoothness.

My other car is a LS600hl for long trips but CT is perfect daily drive as half the size of LS so v easy to park anywhere! 

8 hours ago, Poundy said:

I am on my final year of the paid warranty @ £245 which includes Lexus full breakdown and MOT test and Mot failure insurance, all of which adds up easily to £245.

I will now be changed on to the Relax warranty for the final 10th year, I was informed there will be another paid option after that just don't know what it will cover as yet, will wait and see.

After Relax warranty there is a 11-15 warranty available. There is no information on the website so you need to speak with the dealer. The hybrid warranty is 15 years in any event which speaks volumes for Lexus belief in their cars.

Very sad indeed to hear this news and extended prayers for Roy's family.  I have been a very longstanding Lexus owner and enthusiast but only joined the forum in the last few years.  He made me feel so welcome, was a prolific author and contributor who helped us all, I still see his nice photo on his profile.  I feel I have lost a friend I never met!  What a fine attribute to our colleague and friend.  

We also have a similar 14 model CT, full Lexus service history, only required a new wiper blade, front lightbulbs and recently new tyres in all these years, simply a great little car.

Alas it exists after all! Thanks for sharing Mincey

Yes I understand only about 80 facelift post 2013 LS600 were sold so actually much more rare than a GSF. The spec is also much higher than a LS460.

I spent around 5 hours in just appalling crawling central London tube strike affected traffic today, could not have done that in a more comfortable car than the 600, just astonishing.

There is an ultra low miles (8k)  GS430 on sale on AT, been on sale for a v long time and most likely way overpriced at about £20k. Another one sold recently at about 13k or 15k.

I actually owned 2 GS430s before my GS460, tested the GSF but after so many GS cars (including 300h) fancied a change and went big for a LS600hl Premier.

Hi Neil

Quite amazing to see another GS460 owner here, I owned the penultimate model Lexus sold in the UK back in 2009, no 15 of 16 I believe, black with ivory. What a machine….

Anyone ever seen a fully badged GS taxi? 

Amazing car the 460 and I previously had one of these beauties, still smile and remember it now years later. 
 

Will you go for the GSF next?!

Why not consider the flagship LS600hL Premier from that genre, facelift (big grill) 2013-17.

Extremely rare, amazing flagship (I have one) and I have noticed a recent trend for imported cars being on sale in AT, presumably because UK cars come up for sale so infrequently.  

Buying private is fine if you are brave and seller can show the car qualifies for Relax warranty. Both are expensive to maintain a repair, if you are risk averse then my advice is well worth paying a premium at Lexus but you will need to be super patient and snap one up as soon as it appears.