IS300KK

Sorry, Rsarin, wasn't intending to be "silly", just to point out that, whilst lap times etc are relevant, they are not the only thing that would influence my decision to buy or not. With new (better handling / faster/ prettier) cars coming out almost every month, I would have to be sure that I was getting more than just track-day speed from my ride. But then, I'm not a bloke. Cheers Amanda

Just my two-pence worth. I have an IS300, boyfriend has a 328, which is probably the faster of the two. There is, I think, a noticeable difference in throttle response between Japanese and German cars - I find Jap cars much easier and more predictable. Had an IS250 on loan over the w/e and was really pleasantly suprised by it. Smooth engine, excellent auto box, nicely weighted and completely solid even in awful weather. Very comfortable ride, nice seats, but a bit underpowered perhaps. People stopped and looked at it in car parks. I loved it, b/f thought it was 'a bit of a barge' but grudgingly admitted that it handled nicely and had a good quality feel. (I had to ask repeatedly to get the keys back from him...............) I love my Lex, it feels special and different - every third car around here is a BMW. If you haven't alreadly done so, have a prolonged test-drive eg over a w/e, it really helps you reach a conclusion about what compromises you're prepared to make when buying a car. All the best Amanda

Forget the numbers. Unfortunately, there are a lot of anti-Lexus journos out there, so the car with undoubtedly live up (or down) to their expectations. For me, it's about freedom of choice - everyone has different priorities / needs / pre-conceptions when buying a car; I just want something that puts a smile on my face after a crap day at work, and has bullet-proof reliability. It also helps that the IS is still reasonably rare in these parts, unlike its competitors, so it feels special. So what if the Audi/Beemer next to you at the lights has 4 more horsepower? Buy what you love and enjoy it. All the best Amanda

Thanks for the replies folks. Spent another two hours yesterday trying to sort it out, but I think it is going to need specialist attention, so I'd be grateful for any relevant telephone numbers. Cheers Amanda

Am very upset about this, and really hope someone out there can help. A few days ago, some **** pulled out in front of me causing me to brake sharply. Nothing new there, but it caused the contents of a 'moisture trap' sitting on the parcel shelf to be spilled over my beautiful, pristine oakham leather back seats. I wiped off all the gunk I could find almost immediately, but the leather has become hard and puckered - the seats are ruined. I'm so upset, this car is my baby. Is there anything that would make the leather soft again? Alternatively, does anyone know of a leather specialist who might be able to help? All the best Amanda

The donations go to the Yorkshire Air Ambulance Service, which relies on charitable donations. Amanda

Such sad news, can't imagine what his family are going through. Came across this link, if anyone's interested - at least something positive could come out of this tragedy. http://www.justgiving.com/PHRichardHammond...1#donationtable Amanda

I didn't reset the ECU, I just assumed that the car would feel more normal if the cleaning had done the trick! I gave the sensor a good blast with contact cleaner - I could see three 'fuse-like' pieces, that all got a blast - then screwed the cover back on. How do I reset the ECU? I'm keen to sort this out myself, not pay Lexus Cardiff - especially since they 'oiled' my cream mats. Thanks guys Amanda

I took it for a drive, and it doesn't feel any better, still not kicking down properly to overtake etc . Is this likely to be sorted if I reset the ECU (I know the light will go off, at least temporarily if it's not fixed). Oh well, maybe I'll have another go tomorrow, then bite the bullet and get it fixed if it's still not OK. Also, I'm pretty annoyed with Lexus Cardiff - my brand new cream floor mats, which have been in the car all of two weeks, came back with oil on them! :tsktsk: Not impressed. All the best Amanda

Update Well, I cleaned the sensor (thanks to Mr Morse for piccies) and unfortunately nothing happened. I don't know whether this is normal, but one side of the 'filament' (that looks like something out of a lightbulb) was black, and the other side metal and brown. I am becoming resigned to paying a fortune to get it sorted, but plan to email a few different dealers for prices first, I don;t really trust Cardiff somehow. Thanks for your suggestions Amanda

I will buy some contact cleaner tomorrow and let you know how I get on. Thank you so much for your help, it's much appreciated. Cheers Amanda

Do I need to reset the ECU after cleaning the sensor? If so, will that wipe out any settings I need to know about, eg auto-lights switch on? Cheers Amanda

Thanks Mr Morse, will print out piccie and see if I can sort it myself! Yep, Lexus Cardiff state that the sensor will be one of a choice of four, ranging in cost from £123 to £150 + labour!!! I have to say I'm not terribly impressed with them, they always seem like they can;t really be ar**d to be particularly helpful. The car got washed, vaguely, with no interior cleaning as far as I can tell. 40K service with coolant and brake fluid change cost me £511!!!!! Think I might try Bristol in future. Thanks again Amanda

Air passes into the throttle body? I obviously know jack about how cars work!!! Where is the MAF sensor? (And could a mechanical moron like me take it out and clean it to save £180?!) Cheers Amanda

Well, I took it in to Lexus Cardiff, and it turns out to be an air sensor problem. They couldn;t fix it today, because they didn;t have the part, so I'm still driving round at snail's pace. Stupid question: what does an air sensor do, and why would it stop working? The dealer asked me whether I used supermarket petrol, which I don't, because this can apparently cause problems. I don't have the actual code as yet, but will find out when I get the job done this week. All the best Amanda

I live out in the sticks - proper 4x4 country - mine is the only Lexus for a good few miles, and not many garages either. It's going for a service tomorrow anyway, so I might as well see what Lexus Cardiff have to say about it. Guess I'll just have to allow twice as long for the journey to Cardiff!! The car will do reasonable speeds, it just has the acceleration of a geriatric milk-float. I'm quite annoyed, because I bought the thing largely on the basis of Lexus reliability. Think I'll just buy a Hilux and be done with it! Cheers Amanda

Hey Blodwyn...doesn't your old man know scoot about motors (like just in case you don't wanna break your nails)...? No Mike he dont :D she let hm have a drive, and she was not to happy with what he got up to in it :o The 'old man' is generally kept away from my car!!! I drove it again today - warning light still on - and realised that it is not kicking down, and is driving around in 5th gear all the time. I can change gears with the e-shift with no problem, so they're all working. Very frustrating going slowly all the time - I live in an area which is infested with caravans at weekends, and can't muster the power to overtake them!!! I hope Lexus sort this out pronto, I hate seeing the light on the dash. All the best Amanda

It's going in for a service on saturday, so I'll keep my fingers crossed that it's not something expensive. I'm beginning to think that this particular car is jinxed. All the best Amanda

Was driving home from work today, when a light came on in the dash of my IS300. Looked it up and it said it was a 'malfunction indicator', spoke to Lexus, they said it was an engine management warning light. What is this likely to mean? The car seems to be running OK. I'm worried this is going to cost me a packet on top of the £360 they want for the 40K service. Cheers Amanda

30.1 .......................and I'm a girl! 27.4 on level 2

Via the e-shift in 'manual' mode.

LOL He won't be driving it again for a very long time......................

Boyfriend was driving my IS300, dropped it into 2nd to overtake, then forgot to change up as speed picked up. Engine made strange noise until I 'politely requested' that he change up. Once in the correct gear, the car drove OK, no warning lights, no odd noises. Should I worry about damage to the transmission?! Cheers Amanda

Hi there Sorry to hear of your bad luck. I know how it feels, I have twice had my pride and joy damaged by other people in car parks, who have driven off with no note, costing me hundreds of pounds. The one thing that has cheered me up a bit in reading all these similar posts (ie 'it happened to me') is that, within LOC at least, there are still some decent people around, who get off their as**s and work for what they have, and respect other people's property and values. Whilst this is the case, the jealous scumbag chavs will not entirely take over the country. Take care Amanda

Thanks, I appreciate the help. (Will fit on the drive :D ) Amanda