Stewart W

Thanks to all who have responded to my intro request. Withn these, plus other research, I've now committed to buy the Lexus GS300. Not rushing to get it before New Year, so still plenty of time to absorb informantion. Ref the suggestions to upgrade to the 450h - I may have used " - want a fair bit of poke - " unwisely. I really meant "as opposed to MrsW's 1.2 Polo"! I had looked at this model but decided it was probably too pokey - plus I saw few nice ones in my budget/ at a reasonable distance from home. Johnatg/ Initial P - I appreciate the fuel consumption data, but I think these posts might have been meant for another thread. No problem anyway - I'm anxious to learn as much about Lexus as possible. I suspect I might become a regular poster here come mid-January -- -- I'll assume it's within forum rules (and spirit thereof) to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Stewart

Many thanks for your input & experience. I guess it's not something that can be switched on via ECU, but I wonder if anyone has found a work-around or commercial product to make it work? I think I posted this message in the wrong sub-folder - this one seemed at the time the only one that offered a new post option. I have repeated the post on teh main GS forum.

[Reposted in main GS forum - miss-understood the sub-topics] Hi All, just joined this forum as I think I'm about to buy a 2009 GS300 as my post-pandemic toy. Background - I'm more-or-less retired after running a fleet consultancy for 40 years, so know quite a bit about the overall motor trade, have enjoyed many a launch event and had good access to manufacturer demos etc. Unfortunately, almost all of my pre-covid contacts are no longer in post (retired/ changed jobs/ reorganisations etc) so I'm just about on my own for this. Most of my company cars were of the A6/ 5-series/ E-Class level, many diesel (and latterly hybrids/ BEVs). So my wishlist was for a bit of a barge with lots of toys, a fair bit of poke and comfortable. Now has to be petrol/ possible hybrid (I'm done with diesel and well aware of the ULEZ issues). Options for a car purchase included all these makes plus Lexus (GS over IS) and Volvo (S60 or S80). Running costs for a 4k - 6k annual mileage are not a major priority. My wife runs a 1.2, 66-plate Polo auto, which as served us well during lockdowns etc but I now want a car of my own! I've seen and test-driven a 2009/ 09 GS with 78k miles. Drives well, everything seems to work. (Android) phone connected quickly and my wife reported a clear conversation on test. Car seems clean with a 2-owner history and decent MOT record - but servicing mostly done at non-Lexus sites (last owner was for about 6 years). I have to decide whether to buy this or keep looking. Because it's a bit of an indulgence, I've retricted my budget and searches to a max of £8k.That budget allows a fair selection within a 100-mile radius (SE Hampshire), I'd really appreciate any contributions or advice from forum members with relevant experience/ expertise. I have driven only a few Lexus models before, but have always had a bit of a soft spot for their brand qualities. However, the budget (for a Lexus) and the couple of examples I've tested, indicates that some of the toys I'm "demanding" are quite old-school. I would be keen to change the SatNav & radio etc kit for something more modern (and without the H&S notice to agree to use SatNav carefully every time!); and with DAB radio, and probably Android Auto. I'd want to retain all the steering-wheel controls, reversing camera function etc. I also want the "3-flash" lane-change function which I use extensively (even on the Polo) and which I understand is a feature on later-model GS. Is there a way to achieve this either via ECU tweeking or a ready-made aftermarket do-hicky? I'm very keen on good headlights. I think this era of GS usually has HID headlights - is this correct? Has anyone fitted LED daylight running lights? Is there anything I should be looking for apart from a dealer warranty and a clean MOT? Any help/ guidance/ advice/ tips gratefully received. Stewart

Hi All, just joined this forum as I think I'm about to buy a 2009 GS300 as my post-pandemic toy. Background - I'm more-or-less retired after running a fleet consultancy for 40 years, so know quite a bit about the overall motor trade, have enjoyed many a launch event and had good access to manufacturer demos etc. Unfortunately, almost all of my pre-covid contacts are no longer in post (retired/ changed jobs/ reorganisations etc) so I'm just about on my own for this. Most of my company cars were of the A6/ 5-series/ E-Class level, many diesel (and latterly hybrids/ BEVs). So my wishlist was for a bit of a barge with lots of toys, a fair bit of poke and comfortable. Now has to be petrol/ possible hybrid (I'm done with diesel and well aware of the ULEZ issues). Options for a car purchase included all these makes plus Lexus (GS over IS) and Volvo (S60 or S80). Running costs for a 4k - 6k annual mileage are not a major priority. My wife runs a 1.2, 66-plate Polo auto, which as served us well during lockdowns etc but I now want a car of my own! I've seen and test-driven a 2009/ 09 GS with 78k miles. Drives well, everything seems to work. (Android) phone connected quickly and my wife reported a clear conversation on test. Car seems clean with a 2-owner history and decent MOT record - but servicing mostly done at non-Lexus sites (last owner was for about 6 years). I have to decide whether to buy this or keep looking. Because it's a bit of an indulgence, I've retricted my budget and searches to a max of £8k.That budget allows a fair selection within a 100-mile radius (SE Hampshire), I'd really appreciate any contributions of advice from forum members with relevant experience/ expertise. I have driven only a few Lexus models before, but have always had a bit of a soft spot for their brand qualities. However, the budget (for a Lexus) and the couple of examples I've tested, indicates that some of the toys I'm "demanding" are quite old-school. I would be keen to change the SatNav & radio etc kit for something more modern (and without the H&S notice to agree to use SatNav carefully every time!); and with DAB radio, and probably Android Auto. I'd want to retain all the steering-wheel controls, reversing camera function etc. I also want the "3-flash" lane-change function which I use extensively (even on the Polo) and which I understand is a feature on later-model GS. Is there a way to achieve this either via ECU tweeking or a ready-made aftermarket do-hicky? I'm very keen on good headlights. I think this era of GS usually has HID headlights - is this correct? Has anyone fitted LED daylight running lights? Is there anything I should be looking for apart from a dealer warranty and a clean MOT? Any help/ guidance/ advice/ tips gratefully received. Stewart