GMB

I couldn't agree more; Lexus Preston are excellent.  An example of their fair play and superb service if you please:

IsF  2012 due for 60K service ( The expensive one ). The service manager checked the records and advised me that the spark plugs etc had already been changed at the 54K service, so no need for the expense.

Due to the full service record it was only due an interim service which saved me  many £s.

On the other hand, my son has a 2019 Volvo S60 T5 which I gave him, it had done only 3500 miles by me. He was informed that at the 2 yr service he must change the plugs. What ?§!* .  Despite arguments he was told that if he did not comply then the warranty on possible engine issues would be void.... Over £700 for that service.

Lexus recommend 60K between plug replacements. Volvo was told this and replied that their plugs are "special".

Just who is kidding whom? Or am I missing something here?

PS I still think the T5 is a lovely, capable car, but now I would think twice about ownership........

7 minutes ago, agent_dess said:

My bad.. your right its 40 front and 35 rear

Thank you.

I just had the whole set replaced at a cost of £640 - Michelin Pilot SS TPC.

The fitters put one tyre on the wrong way ( asymmetric )  MOT failure BTW, Damaged two brake calipers, lost a metal dustcap and then while shoving a pastie into his cakehole moaned at me for complaining.

Take care where you go for tyres. At least they didn't snap a wheelstud like the last lot did.

Insurance will not pay if you change the tyre sizes and have an accident.

Mine has  225/40R18 front  255/35R18 rear. 

Incidentally, exactly the same as the IsF. ( As is the gearbox ).

I cannot see any tyre manufacturers recommending a different size.

Can I chuck a spanner in the works please?

Get a Volvo S60 T5 /6/8 You get the performance, comfort and looks BUT you need to get a pre 2020 model if you want the unlimited engine.

If you have a ton of money and want a collector's car then it has to be the Polestar One   - not the 2. A bit like the LFA, a loss leader that cost more to make than its selling price.

I could never understand why there would be a paddle shift on a CVT car. Someone please tell me!

I just don't understand why anyone would want a CVT, especially one that pretends it isn't  (a CVT) by simulating gears.

Maybe I am just old fashioned but my IsF always brings a smile to my face.

If I could afford an LFA I would be scared stiff of getting banned (again) . Plus, the birds will crap on it in your driveway - I know- they did it to my car after a valet.

The only fun that I think I can possibly get away with nowadays is booting it from 0 - 70, and even then some plod in an unmarked Ford Anglia 1200 ( three bearing crank! Big ends gone in 12K miles )  might take exception to that.

There aren't many police about, but you just can't risk it. The problem is that the nice stretch of country road, clear of junctions and traffic, is just the place to give it some stick. Plod know this and are waiting behind the dustbins to catch you -  I know, they got me in France on a lovely clear stretch of dual carriageway. Mind you 150 mph is not exactly the done thing over there. Immediate ban and big fine thank you. 

Sorry, but I would look elsewhere. Too many alarm bells ringing. 

Yes a 200t f sport. I haven't tried the normal one so cannot compare. Many, many years ago I had an Audi 200t. That was an unpredictable 2 ton beast with a 2 second turbo lag and then it would take off, drop a couple of gears in kickdown and front wheel spin off into the distance. Should've kept it!

I just changed my tyres a bit earlier than I expected due to a nasty puncture.

Now that I have Michelin Pilot Super Sport TPCs all round on the car the difference is amazing. The Michelins seem to have more supple sidewalls and a softer running surface. No more clatters over ripples and hard juddery ride. They will probably wear out a little bit quicker but it is worth it.

 To the Bridgestones that were junked I say Good riddance.

It was a pity that the tyre fitters put one tyre on back to front. Not  even an apology and just said it was not dangerous and refitted it - It IS an MOT failure, take care with asymmetric tyre fitting - inside/outside faces.

I get 14mpg, (whatever that is in metric) but if I drive carefully I can get 17 from my Lexus, my wife gets 27mpg from hers.

The price of Shell V power at the last fill-up was £1.63 per litre from our local rip-off garage. I think I will buy a push bike and annoy everybody by riding in the middle of the road.

I also always turn off the stop /start pain in the neck which turns the engine off then on at random. I wish I could disable it permanently. Can't find a setting for this option.

So, it's heating or eating or driving, only one of which is available now.

I reacted with dismay to the new "rules".

We lived in S of France for many years and the prospect of the Tour de France coming up filled ordinary motorists with dread.

Bolshy, agressive  cyclists, who imagined they were pro's,  blocking roads and riding dangerously. The Sunday "peloton" idiots who were looking for trouble usually found it.

OMG it nearly turned me into a potential mass murderer.

I have seen many incidents since coming back to the UK that remind me of the same attitude and it is sad to see.

Pedestrians have always had right of way in France and I cannot count the times having stopped to let someone cross who then turned around and walked in the opposite direction. They just made all the motions of crossing but their mind was elsewhere.

The trouble is that it is a matter of judgement. A cyclist pulls right in front of a car at a roundabout and gets knocked off. Was he 10 yards or one yard from the front of the car when he made his suicidal decision?

It will all end in tears😭.

Run away. It shows that the car has been treated badly. Would not touch it with a bargepole.

Very interesting posts thank you. Based on what I have read I think Linas should buy an old MGB, which are easy to fix and de-rust ( if not too far gone and you know a good welder ). Then junk the engine and gearbox and put in a Rover V8. Don't forget to upgrade the cooling system and brakes and suspension!

BTW I agree that the 200t engine and gearbox are a bad match for town driving - especially when cold, it can't make its mind up whether to change up or down. Once warmed up and on the move it is OK.       

This  8-speed auto is far better suited to the V8s where it is not as eager to change gear on light acceleration, and does not tend to hang on to lower gears when driving a little bit livelier.

On sensible driving 23mpg from the IsF and 29mpg from the 200t. Not a big difference. considering...

Thanks James  She looks good with the correct badge now, but what about the rear?

She is the Lexus puSS 500 sports model. Very good acceleration, cornering and top speed when chasing rabbits and mice etc.

technicolour yawn, chunder

1 minute ago, GMB said:

Yes they are both excellent cars. The 300h makes a lot more sense nowadays. We took one for a drive last year and it was our first experience of a Lexus. They really are a cut above the rest. I am certain that you will be impressed and happy with it.

We saw Fifth gear last night and Jason Plato absolutely slated the Lexus on test because it knew he was abusing it and it would not let him, so It protected itself by cutting the power. He did not like that.

Just waiting now for all the annoyed electric/hybrid owners to shoot me down in flames just 'cos I am stuck in the mud with old gutsy engines.

3 hours ago, agent_dess said:

Oh i love it... i did fear i would be disappointed having had the IS250 for the last 9 years.. but i have seen the light 😄  I was tossing between the 200t and 300h but im glad i went with 300h... im sure the 200t would be a blast to drive.  

Yes they are both excellent cars. The 300h makes a lot more sense nowadays. We took one for a drive last year and it was our first experience of a Lexus. They really are a cut above the rest. I am certain that you will be impressed and happy with it.

We saw Fifth gear last night and Jason Plato absolutely slated the Lexus on test because it knew he was abusing it and it would not let him, so It protected itself by cutting the power. He did not like that.

2 minutes ago, GMB said:

Hi

I know it is too late but I had a test drive in the Hybrid and did not like the CVT or the engine power characteristics. Maybe I am old fashioned but I love the 200T. The eight speed auto and the turbo boost just add that character that I like. The 200T is also quiet at sensible speeds and faster than both the 300H and the 250.

The F-sport 200T has the same auto gearbox, wheels ( sizes )  and similar interior to the IsF.

Mind you the IsF is a joy to drive, but so is the 200T - in a different way maybe😼.

I also got a loan fully electric car when the IsF was in for a service. It just left me cold wondering where was the drama and experience of driving?

It was fairly quick though. I think it was  some kind of SUV thing, can't remember the model.

BTW forgot to mention that our cat has the lexus badge on her face but it is the wrong way round.

Hi

I know it is too late but I had a test drive in the Hybrid and did not like the CVT or the engine power characteristics. Maybe I am old fashioned but I love the 200T. The eight speed auto and the turbo boost just add that character that I like. The 200T is also quiet at sensible speeds and faster than both the 300H and the 250.

The F-sport 200T has the same auto gearbox, wheels ( sizes )  and similar interior to the IsF.

Mind you the IsF is a joy to drive, but so is the 200T - in a different way maybe😼.

I also got a loan fully electric car when the IsF was in for a service. It just left me cold wondering where was the drama and experience of driving?

It was fairly quick though. I think it was  some kind of SUV thing, can't remember the model.

42 minutes ago, RichGS11 said:

Never heard of this before either. My insurance is cheap too, which doesn't reflect the 'stolen for parts' statement. Definitely an odd one. Only 170 odd ISFs on the road in the UK and the number hasn't changed a great deal since I started looking last year.

You may be right. I was with Direct Line. I only have 2 yrs no claims bonus because my time abroad was not recognised despite 20 years of no claims.

They wanted £650 per year and then told me I needed a tracker after I had paid. That added even more cost.

I subsequently went with Churchill ( which is part of the same group ) who charged £400 and the tracker helped to keep the price within reason .

If I ever get to 60% NCD that should bring the price down even more.

When I queried Direct line about the price and tracker obligation They justified it by saying that "this type of vehicle " is high risk and stolen more often.

They did not particularly point the finger at IsF, just the type of car that it is, high powered V8 etc. I can see their point about the engines being taken.

Probably some very reliable stock cars and banger racers out there😊.

BTW when I was trying to get insured on return to the UK 2 yrs ago, I had a hell of a job finding anyone who would even insure me or recognise my full 20 year NCD in France. The specialists wanted even more money even after taking this into account.🙁 Over £1000 was not uncommon.  Not fair!

52 minutes ago, RichGS11 said:

Stolen to order? I've not heard that about the ISF. They don't usually command that much money and are not classed as that kind of car. Mines always locked away or in a place it's safe, but stolen to order is a new one to me.

According to my Insurance broker they are usually stolen in the UK for breaking. For some reason they like the engine😏. Plus the other bits fetch a tidy sum.

After I had paid the insurance they told me that it has to have a Thatcham tracker. That cost over £500 including subscription.

Dubai, Oman and other African countries are the favourites for complete cars. But I see the point, they are not exactly a common sight. But now that the Police don't exist anymore, It's a soft touch.

I agree, Range Rover, BMW, Audi and Mercs are the standard fodder but who wants one of those unreliable tin lizzies?

47 minutes ago, BTCC_ Racer said:

Given the number of cars in the UK one cant be too fussy, for example my Alpina touring is 1 of 73! I waited almost a year for one to come up and was bought within hours of it coming on sale, i still remember sorting out the paperwork and the sellers phone was going of the hook! Being manual and fitted with most of the desirable options makes it rare, although high mileage it will sell quite quickly. A later ISF would be preferred but have no problem getting  an  earlier car and spending the money on the suspension, bushings and potentially the diff. Also probably due to the lack of cars on for sale there is a quite a price difference on preface lift and facelift cars.

Thanks GMB for posting. Tax doesn't bother me i'm playing close to that across both my cars and having owned a RS4 in the past the £600 bracket i suppose its the cost for enjoyment?

These cars are a dying breed and miss having a NA V8, M3 has a special place in my heart but cost of maintenance and crucially reliability puts me off. I can see your not a million miles away from me id love a nosey around your car and will happily pay towards fuel for a passenger ride over some open roads.

 

Hi Imy

I would love to oblige with a test drive if I could but for the following reasons.

The car is in hiding - Insurance company told me they are stolen to order for export and insist on a tracker, so it doesn't go out much and very careful if followed. Sounds a bit paranoid but it happened to a neighbour when they were followed home. I called the Police while they were stealing the car but they were "too busy".

I don't ( or rarely ) extend the performance so the ride might be a bit boring. When the car goes for it I am very quickly in "banned" territory. It has already happened twice (banned for speeding - sorry everyone)!!! It just goes faster even more quickly as the speed rises and you are soon over a hundred without trying ( especially when Audi's are about ).

It doesn't go out in bad or wintry weather - it's a pampered pet.

You will have to take my word for it. It is amazing.

Really sorry to disappoint.

Best car I ever owned. Always a pleasure to enjoy the whole experience driving it.

Buy one - you will not regret it if you have deep pockets. Tax - £600 pa OUCH!

20mpg. Performance - scary. Comfort - superb. Ambience and Style - Wonderful.

2012, 58K miles, Last service £310, Only available when I am dead.

I had a similar problem  a few years ago. It was the Avon Tyres. Got rid of them and put Pirellis on  - Problem disappeared.

My 2012 Lexus ISF has the Hayward and Scott Cat Back System with X Pipe. It is very loud on a cold morning on startup. The neighbours love it!

It does drone a bit but settles down on a quiet run when not on the gas.

But what a lovely burble and then the howl at over 4000rpm.

I even had an Audi RS driver pull alongside at the lights, wind his window down and tell me that it was a "beautiful" sound 🙂

I don't think it affects performance much.