GMB

47 minutes ago, Cotswold Pete said:

Makes me think that when time comes to replace my car it would be a pair of shoes and bus pass as the replacement

Not a bad idea but you are more likely to get stabbed on a bus nowadays.

On the IP issues, I think the canbus security is so useless because it costs money to make it better and the manufacturers did not, or did not want to, see the proliferation of attacks coming.

What ever happened to simple IP security, Firewalls, managed routing and containment of IP addresses ( Physical and Virtual ).   They just couldn't be bothered or did not see the expense as necessary maybe.🤨

Check out the old threads particularly Linas' opinions. But as they say "Chacun a son gout"  Sorry about that I lived in France for 20 yrs and some expressions are priceless.

The Is200t is a very odd car and homework needs to be done, but then again I like cars with character and "what some may consider faults". For me it's interesting - like old school turbos - don't expect a quick getaway from the traffic lights, but it will go like the clappers from 50mph on.😄

BTW Insurance last yr (November) £ 435 fully comp 3 yrs no claims.  27 mpg Av🙃. 145 mph on the *** and still picking up speed😊until The plod fear set in.

Make sure that you have a test drive in one. It was pretty good but not for me. Ended up with an IS200t which everyone on here, except, me hates. I like it, but maybe I am old fashioned?🫢.

BTW - no Canbus I am told. And no CVT, just good old fashioned engineering - tried and tested 100% No problems since new April 2017. If you get the opportunity try one out and judge for yourself.

I had an occasional clunk noise from the rear end when going over a ridge. It took me 2 yrs to find out that it was the boot lid not sitting firmly down and clunking up and down sometimes. I am using some draught excluder to temporarily stop it until I find some bigger bump stops or adjust the closing mechanism

10 minutes ago, Malc1 said:

That price sounds a “ bargain “ for a go-faster sports car type

I suppose it's not too bad compared to the ridiculous prices for some electric vehicles. Maybe Admiral know that the isf has no CANBUS and has no mega expensive Battery to replace or write off🤔 in the event of a bump. I don't really know?   Some of the other quotes were in the thousands though, maybe they were just plain ignorant or trying it on?

What a palaver! It's taken me 5 hours to get insurance sorted.  In short the problem ( apart from the price ) was that I declared an exhaust modification in the compare site and on the insurers website and it all entered correctly. When you go to the summary it wants me to declare NO modifications and will progress no further.  Only Admiral's website and helpline worked. All the others seem to use the same forms and formulas which create the error/impasse.   Finally got it done WITH the declared exhaust mod.

Flippin 'eck!!!      FYI - ISF with H&S exhaust Fully comp with legal cover £600 - not great but not too bad considering all the grief some of us have had.🥶😵‍💫

5 minutes ago, DamianLEX said:

Better check that £625 insurance, you might be surprised...

Tell me more ... It was £475 last year. Has it gone up even more? God forbid! I will check mid May to see what I can get. Fingers crossed. It actually came down from the month previous when I last looked it up - that was £725

5 minutes ago, Malc1 said:

Oh My God ……… please please please wake up every day and think

“ I’m awake and it’s a brilliant day and I’m going to make the very best of this glorious day “ 

Coz one day you won’t be able to …….. when you’ve almost been “ dead, dying every waking day “ with some cancer whatever ……. and you think you know it’s really your last day ……. and then, seemingly miraculously, each day seems to improve ……. Then you’ll realise each and every day is to be relished and blessed 

Malc 

But it's raining!🫥

34 minutes ago, Nigel Walker said:

"Always look on the bright side of life"

I would like to look on the bright side but I can't because ( as my wife tells me ) I'm a miserable old sod who does nothing but moan.

At least the cat loves me.😼😻

On 4/28/2024 at 5:33 PM, caldera said:

Just working out the budget but things I'm looking at include the following

• Wheel refurb (not terrible but would benefit) - like for like
• Proper detail in/out
• Stone chips and minor scratches sorted
• Possible radiator replacement (pre-emptive - not an issue currently)
• Suspension updates (coilovers? - providing non-stupid insurance impact)

I am in a similar situation and have done/or will do the following:

Wheel refurb - the paint is coming off in loose slivers along the sides of one or two of the spokes and there is some kind of marbling effect on some wheel paint, so a refurb is on the cards but not urgent.

Stone chips - had the bonnet repainted 2 yrs ago and it was a great job, undistinguishable from original and other panels - John Alker, Adlington.

detailing not particularly needed

Drivers seat refurb - deep creases in drivers seat but not urgent

Rad replace - no evidence of any issue

Suspension update - Will not get done as the suspension is firm enough and the ripoff Insurance companies will crucify me for the change.

Underbody cleanup and attempted rust prevention - It's pretty awful underneath but not too bad or MOT risk. A specialist said just keep it dry and put up with the unsightly look as the damage is already done, just try to halt it where possible. Maybe a dinitrol??   - BTW it does not go out in the rain!🫡

Exhaust update - done - H&S catback sounds awesome.

It's gonna cost me to bring it out of SORN after winter - tax, insurance, major service, MOT but I just hope I can afford to do it in June - approx - 735+625+775+45 = 2180 or thereabouts  OUCH! I could get a week in Spain in a 5* hotel for that!😬

Sounds like they are having a larf. But at least you got some coffee just before they nick your car. Not all bad then ?🙄

Sadly I think you are absolutely right.😟

10 minutes ago, larryadler said:

rely on a crime number, and insurance claim!

That's why there is so much crime and insurance rises - no risk of getting caught and no penalties. It's disgraceful.  I wonder if Labour will try to improve things when they get in?  Something certainly needs to be done.

There's not many dogs that would mess with this bad 'un

True story - in a cafe in France a customer had a hunting dog under his table and the owners cat came in. The cat sat next to the dog and lifted its right paw. extended his big claws as if to say " Come near me and you will get this". The dog went round the other side of the table.  It was so funny to see.

13 minutes ago, Boomer54 said:

You wouldn't wish it on anyone (other than the guy with the dog that craps at the gate).

We have some neighbours like that. They are another pain. They stand there while their dog does its business on our lawn  ( admittedly they do trespass to pick it up). But they are oblivious to what is happening and seem to see no wrong in it. The smell attracts other dogs to do the same. My wife won't let me go out to tell them off in case it causes issues.. We tried some "get off" sprinkles and it works for a while but is a bit expensive.

57 minutes ago, Boomer54 said:

I started with Sciatica this year

I fully sympathise. I have had it for years in shoulder and leg and it's a real pain - literally. I am actually getting used to it now and just live with it! But it's nothing compared to GOUT - Aaaaargh!  Ibuprofen works but I am not allowed to take it. I take nothing for any of it.

I had a gear lever lock on my convertible sports car in the late 60's. Two attempts were made to steal it in 6 months, one in Liverpool city centre and one in St James' London. Neither was successful. Mind you, the Maserati air horns linked to the ( Selmar ) motion sensor alarm helped too.😃.  It would probably still be very effective if used today.

5 minutes ago, NemesisUK said:

Where are Lexus cars made?

Mine were allegedly made in Japan ( The ISF being especially well made too, so I have heard )  and there is supposed to be a plate somewhere that says so.   BTW It's not an import - sold new by Stephen Eagell Cambridge.  However, the only ID plates I can find say "Europe" all over them????🤔

1 minute ago, larryadler said:

Thanks chaps, but not for me I’m afraid, declined to quote !

It sounds like things are getting worse by the day. I have been testing the market for when the ISF comes out of SORN  June 1st and prices have settled at about £600 -cheapest -  from a lot more ( £800 plus )the month before  ( £450 last year ).  I just hope prices aren't going up again.🤞I was hoping maybe things had settled down a bit🥲 .

My expensive thatcham tracker with subscriptions only saved me £40 per year on insurance quotes, so I stopped paying £175 per year for the subscription and stopped declaring the tracker and saved £135 per year. Right or wrong, I don't really want the car back after it has been ruined by a thief.

55 minutes ago, Spock66 said:

I went from LV to Hastings Direct.

Me too - they were the cheapest better known company.

For me the noise was a piece of gravel stuck between the disc and the inside weather guard. But that was a helluva screech! Simple to get out.

The big question is why has insurance gone up so much.

I suggest 2 simple answers ( like it or not )

1   Insurance companies just want to make a load of money and have got together to rip-off the public, 'cos they can.

2  ( probably more fact based as opposed to opinionated )  For many years the Police have refused to investigate burglaries and car theft and they normally just say claim on your insurance, here's your crime number. This has exacerbated the rise in thefts and therefore claims and therefore insurance costs. Plus the crimes are not investigated or solved and continue to rise and increase premiums.

OK you are now free to shoot me down in flames for my opinions.😆

The car looks in nice condition.

Last Autumn we did Madrid and while there got a rail card to visit some great places nearby. I would highly recommend a visit.

Avila, Segovia, Toledo, Escorial, Aranjuez. 70€ for a travel pass for the week covers all of it.