Tonyw

10 hours ago, Expatma said:

I am in a similar position after test driving the LBX, a beautiful car, but my wife found the passenger seat to be so uncomfortable we are forced to look elsewhere. Yaris Cross felt a poor relation after the LBX (though maybe the new Premiere Edition might be better). Mazda CX-30 felt gutless and I missed the power of a turbo at lower revs, had to really rev the Mazda to get it to go! Not a fan of the CH-R looks, felt I should be 30 years younger to admire it!!!!

Now booked a test drive in a 1.5 litre VW T-Roc tomorrow, a quick sit in a neighbours entry level T-Roc proved the seats were okayish so hoping the top models leather seats are better. Mini Countryman and Volvo 40 are really much bigger than we need, how can they still call it a Mini when it’s nearly 4.4 metres long?

Any other ideas welcomed.

 

Out of interest was it the skyactive X or G you took out on test? I agree my X is a bit disappointing from standstill (it’s the lack of the Battery boost as well on the hybrids) but the G is even worse apparently. If Mazda have us the turbo engine from the US it would be perfect. 

5 hours ago, First_Lexus said:

Lots of interesting views on this thread, it does show how different drivers have different priorities and opinions.

I looked at the new CH-R, Yaris Cross, and LBX yesterday and back to back (to back!). There was also a UX in the Lexus showroom.

For me, the LBX feels like a higher quality car than the UX. That’s mostly about perception, and it is a newer model, but for me the interior is ‘proper Lexus’ whereas the UX has never been quite there in my opinion. Seeing them both side by side yesterday reinforced that for me.

The Yaris Cross felt good. I like the higher seating position, and it’s a practical thing for the size. The downside was it felt a bit ‘tinny’ and there were harder plastics in areas such as the door tops where the others are softer. The LBX was at the other end of the spectrum and I was impressed. The boot was larger than I’d have imagined, and the rear space, although tight, allows feet to go under the front seats quite easily. Rear space isn’t important for me tbh, but it was interesting that it felt quite spacious, albeit not as much as the Yaris where the greater glass area made it feel brighter inside.

The CH-R felt like a high quality product, and is bigger than both. I wasn’t a massive fan of the dashboard layout - it seemed to be form over function when compared with the other two - but as with all things you get used to things you use every day.

Next step is to drive all three and see if, actually how readily, I can live with the downsize from an RX. Price is also a consideration. Broadly, based on discussions with the dealers and for comparable (top ish) specs and with indicated discounts factored in, it would be about £29k for the Yaris (AWD), £34k for the CH-R (FWD) and almost £40k for the LBX. I still feel like the LBX is overpriced in comparison despite clearly being a lovely thing. The question will be whether I think it’s worth it vs other priorities.

I’m also looking at and driving a Mazda CX-30 on Tuesday for a further option.

I just dumped my 8 month old ES in favour for a top of range CX30, 4wd, skyactive x . Tried to order an LBX but it was A too expensive and B the trade in value on my almost new ES was so ridiculous, I walked away and sold it on Motorway for an extra £6k

The Mazda is a firmer and sportier setup comfy and fun and a good size, and has every extra needed. The only thing I am missing is the slightly better fuel (missing the hybrid)

8 hours ago, MartinH said:

And how are you liking it? Oh I see you have already answered that

 

Firmer sportier than the ES, as to be expected 

It is slower 0-30 without the instant hybrid push, but once it picks up in the higher revs it feels more capable.

Not missing the rear seat space as I pretty much drive alone anyway, in terms of equipment it is almost the same, sunroof, CarPlay, heated seat and wheel etc, I do really like the heads up display but am really missing the auto start from indoors on a cold morning. The Bose setup is better than the standard Pioneer but no where near the ML

I have averaged 30ish around town and hope to get the 45+ on my motorway trip later, so economy is looking OK. I was getting 45-55 in the ES 

My insurance has halved 

2 hours ago, First_Lexus said:

I have a test drive in one of those at the end of March. Takumi grade nearly new £15k less than a new LBX! 

Mine is the Gt sport tech, 3yrs old skyactive x 4wd. Only had it a week. Previous owner fitted it with every extra and only done 4K miles a year. Half the price of a Takumi LBX 
Got a 200 mile drive tomorrow, so will get to test properly 

On 2/3/2024 at 1:15 PM, First_Lexus said:

I have a test drive booked at the end of the month. The car looks impressive, and the reviews are excellent, but the initial PCP numbers I’ve been given aren’t encouraging…I’d end up paying over £100 more per month than on my current RX deal!

I know that’s because the world has changed since 2021 when I bought mine, both in terms of interest rates and trade in values. I also know that I got a huge discount for the RX at purchase, and there don’t seem to be any discounts on the LBX at the moment, nor are there any finance offers. Why would there be to be fair, as it’s a brand new model.

What has depressed me is the staggering drop in value for my RX over the past six months, one can only assume because of theft/insurance issues affecting desirability.

Anyway, I’ll go and look at the LBX as it may be a future contender. For now I can’t see why I’d downsize and pay more, which offsets increased insurance on the RX. 

One other thing. I’ve looked at a couple of other brands - one premium, one not - and both dealers offered significantly more for my RX than Lexus have! That’s disappointing, but may be resolved with a bit of a haggle. One option is the new MINI Countryman which I’ll drive in March. Looking in the showroom, it’s more practical than the LBX, helpfully cheaper for a like for like spec (£4k approx), and has an impressive and high quality interior. At the other end of the scale I’ve been impressed by the Skoda Kamiq, which is £10k cheaper than the Lexus for the top model, and as I’m now doing fewer than 5k miles a year may well be a good ‘value’ alternative.

I just had the same depreciation problem with my 8month old ES and an equally embarrassing offer when asking about a deal on a new LBX. I was offered less than what was outstanding on my PCP, meaning 50% (on rrp) loss in 8 months. Instead I have sold it on Motorway for an extra £5k (to a Lexus dealer elsewhere in the country) and picked up a Mazda CX30 instead 

27 minutes ago, ColinBarber said:

Sad you were forced into this Tony but seems like it has worked out okay for you.

Nothing but great things to say about the car, can see myself in a Takumi LBX in a few years time 

Well after 3 years (8 months in this one) I am dropping out of the ES ownership lottery 

to be fair, where I live and where I go I wasn’t too worried about the theft issues, and I do love driving my armchair, my biggest concern was the amount of depreciation, being negative equity in a years time and soaring insurance.

As mentioned in other posts, my first car lost almost nothing in two years, this one has (according to my dealers offer) lost over £10k in 8 months, they initially offered me less than the PCP balance.

I have secured a 3 yr old 10k mikes Mazda CX30 gt tech sport, with the quicker X engine, 4wd and every extra possible including the soul red paint for £18.5k from my local Mazda dealer, elderly lady owned who just swapped it for a new one. The only thing I am going to miss is the remote starting in the winter.

Even better news, I just sold my ES to a some supermarket dealer in Wales on Motorways for £30K, a full £5k more than Lexus offered. 

Will probably keep the Mazda a few years and see what happens, but for now at least I have £400 a year insurance and a car that has already had its biggest depreciation hit. Plus a few thousand back in my pocket.

i will stay on here just to follow the updates

Looks like I have made my choice

after my disappointing attempt to order an LBX (depreciation issue covered in other threads) I am going back to Mazda.

Holding deposit down on a 3yr old, 14k mile Cx30, Sport tech, with the quicker X engine, auto, 4wd in the soul red of course.

Lexus MK offered me £25.6 for my ES, to clear the PCP

Mazda will give me £26 then sell it to Lexus MK, already agreed?

Motorway say it is worth £32 today, so will list it their first and see what happens

disappointing that my Lexus experience is ending this way, but need must

Thought of another option today, whilst scrolling Autotrader 

The car itself has great reviews but the 2.5l engine and auto gearbox are hated by journalists (where have I read that before)

I had one as a company car at launch in 2013, the 2.2 diesel and loved it

Mazda 6 GT sport is the ES Takumi equivalent in spec, few years old low mileage cars are often under £20k from main dealer. I only do 6k miles a year so the fact it is not a hybrid and will use a bit more fuel doesn’t really bother me (work gives me 25p per mile back anyway)

33 minutes ago, Shahpor said:

Really glad I bought mine when I did and have no plans to get rid of it any time soon.  If you can stomach the running costs, then it is a very good buy.

Very jealous, I would settle for the 2.0l GTSline with all the toys. Just so hard to find one 

don’t need a really fast one, they just look cool, rare and great specs 

I have started to keep an eye on different 3yr old PHEVs, ranging from the Kia Optima through to the 5 series. Other completely different car on my watchlist is the 3.3 Kia Stinger

Yep, agree with all the theories, been around cars a long time now. I know all about the heavy first year losses on most brands 20-30%. I have followed trends for decades and have never known a Lexus to loose 30% in 6 months on the price I paid.

if you base it on retail of £40k, I have lost over 40% in 6 months.

its mad.

i am trapped now, and will have to carry on (with a really nice car that I love driving) until my PCP needs paying next May. At which point I will give back the keys and find something else a few years old.

2 hours ago, Spock66 said:

If you sell a nearly new car you will definitely take a big financial hit in depreciation.

If you keep the car it may get stolen, (but however bad the stats are the majority of vehicles are not stolen), if it is you make an insurance claim, albeit you may not get a full market value pay out.

The disadvantage of keeping a car at potential risk is peace of mind and insurance costs.

This is my logic at least.

I agree on the depreciation hit

but it has surprised me this time how big (for a Lexus)

as mentioned I bought a new ES in Dec 21 (1st of the touchscreen models) for £34k with £24k on the PCP after deals, done 5k miles went back to the dealership after 18 months and they gave me £30k, paying off the PCP and leaving £6k as deposit on my current car.

skip forward to now, I paid £35k this time with £25k on the PCP after my initial period. I have done 2700 miles and it is 7 months old. But they are telling me it is worth less than my PCP balance.

how can I go from only loosing £4K over 18 months to this time loosing potentially up to £12k over 7 months

A car with £40k list price, ok it’s is normally nearer £35/36 with discounts has lost 33% in 7 months

46 minutes ago, Linas.P said:

You got me confused here - so if I understood you correctly... you afraid of CANBUS vulnerability, but you looking to replace it with UX, which has same vulnerability? 

Or is it because Lexus offers some sort of protection for UX, but not ES?

To be honest it’s more the depreciation that is killing me.

At least at 3yrs old the UX has taken its biggest hit, you would of thought 

They have come back saying they will clear the PCP balance, but that still leaves me needing to find a new deposit and it also means  I will have lost £1k per month since taking delivery last July.

as an examples of the current losses and the value drop, in June 2023 I traded in my Dec 2021 ES (16 months old) for £30k against my current one, paying off the £24k PcP and giving me £6k against the new one. I only lost £4K over 16 months on my first one.

In the six months I have had my new one, I have lost that £6k equity.

unless I can get a dealership through Motorway to buy it for the estimated £30k. Which will give me £4K back at least.

I think it is a case of the second hand market falling fast now delivery times are back, a flooding of used ES on the market recently.  I saw 14 parked up at the dealership yesterday

Hi

went to look over an LBX Takumi, it is quite nice and perfect for just me. Also looked at a 2yr old UX Fsport premium plus.

the salesperson has given me some new PCP deals based on a £5k deposit 

Im looking at downsizing, leaving ES ownership before it leaves me and maybe even spending less which is why the second hand UX

to leave my PCP on my 7 month old ES will be £25k, which is fine as Motorway estimate it’s worth £32

Steven Eagel have offered me the same as we buy any car which is £23k!

so I will have to pay to get out of the ES, and I have lost over £2k per month on depreciation 

now thinking try and sell with Motorway, if it goes for a reasonable amount I take my cash (if I have any) and go elsewhere 

6 hours ago, Ken R said:

Local test drives are now being offered throughout the coming weeks. Check with your dealer as to when they will have the car on site.

I am trying one next Wednesday evening, will give my opinion after

I also had a look today, not due till April but best to prepare myself for the shock.

£630 this year with Lloyds, compare meerkat came up at £920 or £810 with a tracker 

a tracker really, I have been driving nearly 30 years

Mine is 6000 miles with business use

Mine isn’t going blank, but when I turn off the car it does flash very brightly, almost like an old style camera flash going off. It is quite blinding especially at night 

I’m guessing one of the problems here is the extreme thermal efficiency of the engine, which doesn’t heat up the surrounding area in the engine bay as much as an old diesel. I have noticed on journeys that the bonnet can still be frosty even after driving for an hour 

7 hours ago, HPS13 said:

Lexus Carlisle sent me an email last week with all the models / prices. 

I quire like the look of the LBX from the photos but would like to see it in person before committing. 

My only concern would be the 3 cylinder engine and having less power than I'm used to but I'm sure around town it will be a nice car. 

The UX F-Sport design model is less than the base ES? 

The UX is missing loads compared to the £40k ES when you compare side by side. You need the premium plus pack at over £42k to match like for like 

Not sure if anyone else has noticed, the prices are now showing on all models.

https://www.lexus.co.uk/new-cars/lbx/pre-order

I am tempted by swapping for a Takumi next year, being cheaper than my current 6 month old ES. I have had two ES in a row now over 3 years and fancy dropping down a size. Trouble is a good spec UX is more than a base ES. So hoping the LBX will satisfy my needs. 

10 hours ago, Baggers said:

My ES took 18 months to arrive (in June 23) and both the list price and interest rate on the finance increased in the meantime. To their credit the dealership honoured the original deal to the letter including the various incentives so, if my experience is typical, you don’t have to worry.

18 months wait? 
 I collected my new one also in June (premium spec) after just under 4 months. Is yours a Takumi? I know they had long delays on the ML audio chips

37 minutes ago, Mincey said:

I can only speak for a 20MY model but I've not been able to get my work iPhone working alongside my personal Android phone. It may be possible but I've not really thrown too much time at it to be honest because I like being left in peace whilst driving! I'll be interested to hear how you get on though. 

Not possible to have two phones connected even on a new model. I tried with my own Iphone and work android, but it’s one or the other 

As you may have seen in previous posts, I made a jump to a different colour interior this time with the tan and so far love it. With no regrets. It lifts the cabin and changes the whole feel compared to my previous Mesa with black.

I really would like the F sport blue (like yours Mincey) with the red trim, the so called Pepsi spec on other brands, but have to think of budgets. 
Aren’t we ES owners lucky that we even have the options of interior colour available at no extra cost