Bugsy

Hi MAc, thanks for the fast reply - but why have I never had this with any other car? ← Mac's right - you will have to try different settings on each window to minimize the noise. Mine has ' those plastic things around the windows' and they do help- to a degree. They are good for 5-10cm but when they are right down they wont help much. Save your money!

Like JohnRX, we had a Mk1 with audio bleepers and now have a Mk2 with the camera to rely on. Takes a while to live without the bleep but the camera is good, even in low light and we learning to trust it with use. I imported my car direct from Japan earlier this year and one of the bonuses is that it comes equipped with 3 cameras- the additional ones being in the L on the grill, and in the passenger door mirror - helps save your wheels when parking. Don't know why it's not on the export models; Bugsy. ← Did your car come with any other extras Bugsy. ← Some- yes. Mine is the equivalent of the SE-L.If you look at my posting of June 19th you will see the cameras, together with the rear spoiler and standard wheels. Where everything - almost - is standard on UK models, the Japanese have various 'packages' and then have options you can add as you please. Although mine has the items above, it doesn't have the headlamp washers, side curtain or heated seats all of which were not specified. The sun-roof is a full length affair unlike the UK 'roof- window' as they call it. Cheers -

I saw the guy yesterday about converting the sat-nav. The unit to make the sat-nav work, get the TV working and have a 6 DVD changer fitted is £600 fitted. I'll pay when I see it all up and running; will get it installed early July and let you know the outcome. I didn't use Bonsaicars; I have a contact out there who is really good;if you want to pursue an import let me know what you're after and I'll put you in touch. I would suggest you stay with the 3.0 litre model with 4 wheel drive as that is the Lexus model imported into the UK. You can however get the top of the range AIR S model; a 240G and 300G Premium L Package; a 240G and 300G L Package; a 240G and 300G models. I believe all are available with either 2 or 4WD, but I'm not certain of that. My wife knew the spec she wanted so it was a question of putting in our request and waiting for the right spec to come along.It took about 5 months as blue isn't a popular colour in Japan. Black, white, gold and silver are the easiest to locate. Again, hope this helps - Bugsy.

Hi; my 2003 Harrier has the sat-nav and TV -which I hope to be converting shortly to Uk use; I'll let you know if it all works out okay. I wont need to change the screen - just fit some gismo between the player in the boot and the screen. As I say, I'll let you know if it works out - I dont have to pay until I'm happy it all works. The screen does cover the temperature and A/C controls as well as the TV and sat-nav. It has a host of on-board computer items such as the trip computer,outside temp. The clock is also operated from the screen and the radio tuning can be done on screen as well as on the set. If you want any help in importation proceedures, let me know. Mine is a Mk2 3.0ltr - 4x4 and I have the model report on it for rent. I can put you in touch with an excellent sourcing company in Japan who have found my last 2 Harriers. Hope this helps - Bugsy. ← If you don't mind my asking how much did it set you back for the Harrier? ← It's a pristine 2003 car, AIR S, (SE-L equivalent),7,000 miles; cost £14880. There was £525 to ship, £1305 import duty, £2560 VAT, £585 ESVA which still gave me change from £20 grand, which I used to fit roof rails over there (£145). I've attached photos of the standard -alloys, wing mirror camera, front grill camera and standard rear spoiler ;plus one of the engine bay. I'm away tomorrow for 10 days but if you want to see the car any time let me know - I'm on the Leics/Northants border. Cheers Bugsy.

Hi; my 2003 Harrier has the sat-nav and TV -which I hope to be converting shortly to Uk use; I'll let you know if it all works out okay. I wont need to change the screen - just fit some gismo between the player in the boot and the screen. As I say, I'll let you know if it works out - I dont have to pay until I'm happy it all works. The screen does cover the temperature and A/C controls as well as the TV and sat-nav. It has a host of on-board computer items such as the trip computer,outside temp. The clock is also operated from the screen and the radio tuning can be done on screen as well as on the set. If you want any help in importation proceedures, let me know. Mine is a Mk2 3.0ltr - 4x4 and I have the model report on it for rent. I can put you in touch with an excellent sourcing company in Japan who have found my last 2 Harriers. Hope this helps - Bugsy.

Got my grey one in the States; You will find them on Autoanything.com - look up Husky Liners on their site. If you've got contacts over there you could ship through them as I think they only deliver across the US.

Hi Amanda; I wrote my XK8 convertible off a couple of years ago. No other car - just me and lot of loose gravel on the curve. Insurance company offered me £23,000, which I felt was a little undervaluing the vehicle. So I went to my dealer who serviced the car and asked them for a written valuation. They happily obliged and gave me a valuation of £28,500 which the insurance company accepted. I would recommend you do the same. Insurance companies usually go for 'market value' at best, but if you can supply some independent valuation of your particular car, you could stand to benefit. Good luck; Bugsy.

Like JohnRX, we had a Mk1 with audio bleepers and now have a Mk2 with the camera to rely on. Takes a while to live without the bleep but the camera is good, even in low light and we learning to trust it with use. I imported my car direct from Japan earlier this year and one of the bonuses is that it comes equipped with 3 cameras- the additional ones being in the L on the grill, and in the passenger door mirror - helps save your wheels when parking. Don't know why it's not on the export models; Bugsy.

Did you ever get round to changing your trim on the Rx 300? I'm looking for a replacement walnut tray piece in the rear armrest .Let me know if it's salvagable- cheers, Bugsy.

Rocky - what was the outcome with your Aristo brake problems? Yesterday I was with a buddy driving his Aristo when suddenly the same thing happened to us as happened to you. Dashboard warning lights flashing, shrill warning buzzers going off, squeaking from under the bonnet.. We stopped at nearest Lexus dealer -Kings Southampton - to be told that the brake actuator needed replacing....£1850 +labour + VAT !! It was still drivable because it only seems to affect the ABS, VSC and servo. It seemed a long way back to Leicester with that noise sheaking away!! Did you have to go to dealer to fix it in the end or did you find a better source for the parts? Did you find second hand parts for it from salvage. Hope you can help and share your knowledge; cheers, Bugsy.

Hi Martyn; I seem to be in the same predicament as you regarding the GPS,TV etc on a 2003 Harrier. As far as I could determine, the systems are made by Aishin Aw in Japan, but getting in contact the company has so far been unsuccessful. Trying to source a wreck as I have tried - even through a friend who was a vehicle insurance assessor - is almost impossible; they seem to find their way back into circulation and carry on, such is the demand. There seem to be plenty of wrecks in the US but that doesn't solve our problem. From other posts, I have picked up some leads from people who have contacted the following; one was Kevin at ICEBeat in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent - not spoken to him personally; another was Darren at incar_tv.com, 93 Lancaster Road, Enfield, 07836589109. He quoted me £1500 for both sat-nav and TV convertion.I suspect this is a complete new system using the original screen. Anyway, they may help you. Have you managed to find a really good waveband expander for the full band? I'm thinking of using N E Automotive. They offer speedo units too;where did you get yours? Cheers, Bugsy.

Hi; this is my first topic raiser being a relatively 'new boy'. Hope the vast wealth of information out there can help me out with a few questions. I brought in a 2000 Harrier for my wife in 2001 and we've been so happy with it I'm bringing in another one at the end of the month. The original one will be for sale next month if anyone is interested. The new one ,2003, will be subject to an ESVA test as I can't find a model report on this newer model - UA-MCU36W. Has anyone brought in a similar model in the last 9 months and have a model report I can rent? Alternatively, does anyone know where I could try to locate one? I've tried modelreports.com so far. There seem to be quite a few SVA test centres out there -has anyone got any recommendations from past experience? Regarding the sat-nav, which I know wont work, has anyone now found a solution to get these up and running? Hope someone can help out with the above. Thanks. Bugsy.

I have just got the latest 2003 Toyota Harrier and have the same problem also i want to incorporate the bluetooth mobile phone facility onto the touch screen..have you found anyone???? ← Interested to see you have recently got a 2003 Harrier. I'm bringing one in from Japan this month, same age.Did you buy yours here or was it a personal import? I'm looking to rent a modelreport on this vehicle; can you or anyone else help? Have you had any joy sorting out the sat-nav? I guess I'll have the same problem too! I did follow up on getting info on the converters someone suggested a while ago - the website was converters.tv/products/converters/digital_video_system_converters/138.html. Sure would like to know if they are the solution. Cheers - Bugsy.