Mike246

Hi Mudzs, I've had my GS 300 for over 3 years. It has a trip computer on the SatNav which I sometimes leave on while driving to get an accurate measure of MPG under all sorts of conditions. Driving in London traffic gives about 16. Not good, but it's a heavy 3 litre automatic. Motorway steady-state at 70 gives 32. The cruise-control really screws things up as it is constantly providing throttle inputs. An open sun roof or high air-con doesn't help either. A 2 litre auto would be better but not much. To get significantly better overall consumption, you need to go to a manual.

Steve, It all depends how you look at it. If the contract runs the full term your ownership cost is £ 93 per week (plus lost interest). This assumes that the car is worth no more than the GMFV. By comparison, The mid-range Vectra SXi is being offered at £ 15,990 with 3 years' interest free. Assuming it is worth 6k at the end, the ownership cost will be £ 64 per week. One great benefit of PCP. The law says you can give the car back and walk away when you have paid half of the credit amount. My daughter did this on a Saxo and I'll bet her payments never covered the depreciation! No one says the Vectra compares with an IS - I'm still getting posts protesting that I thought the new Avensis looks all right

I like it, but then I thought the new Avensis is quite tasty so what do I know?

Re posts above, it does have the postcode feature but haven't really played with this yet. So far as I know, the system uses the same disk as for the early IS but implementation is quite different. The GS has a touchscreen which makes entry of destinations a doddle. The 7.5% discount from Guildford was offered by the Parts Manager as I told him that other franchises give up to 15% off parts. He told me that the disk is an accessory and not a part therefore the markup is much lower. Anyway, it's nice that he showed willing. Re downloading or copying, I'll pass on the moral issues as I don't mind paying for an update every 3 years or so. I'm no expert but this latest CD-ROM defies reading or file identification in DOS. One interesting point I have found. This latest disk allows access to the trip computer while on the move whereas my previous one blocked this along with all of the other useful functions. Therefore the data for what should be dimmed is on the disk and not in the firmware of the system. It's a real drag to have to stop to enter a route when I have a passenger who could do so quite safely.

I've had two cars with the 2.7 Honda unit, a Rover 800 coupe and a Legend coupe. One big problem. The hydraulic tappets wear after 70,000 + and it cost a fortune to put right. The tappet cost £27, but all 24 will need to be replaced and the engine stripped so there's over £2,000 gone. A worn tappet sounds like Edmondo Ross' band when idling and plays havoc with the fuel consumption. Not the sort of problem one would expect from a Honda engine but this was not there best effort. The later 2.5 Rover K-series engine might be better but I would not be certain. Apart from that, the 800 suffered from radiator leaks and steering rack leaks. The steering rack cannot be fixed up and cost £ 800 to replace. Also front pads are a special material and cost £ 110 to replace and the exhaust is a fortune. In short, the 800 is best-avoided.

Should not be a problem! I bought the latest version (3.7) as soon as it came out from Lexus Guildford. It cost £122 plus V.A.T. after a bit of discount. This replaced my 3 year old disk. The new one has the same functions plus - street numbers are included - it is possible to enter post codes, but I haven't worked this out yet - it lets you select the trip computer while on the move. Initial impressions are that rural areas are better covered.

Gary, I'll wager that your battery is duff. Had a similar problem with my GS - you need a load of amps on a cold morning to turn that engine! If I'm right, you will find that the battery is not a standard 'Quick'Fit' size and the Lexus dealers like to charge an arm and a leg to supply and fit. If you are willing to DIY, find a local Bosch distributor for their Part No. 570073051. I got mine from Russells Automotive (branches in northern home counties) at £ 52 plus V.A.T.

Right. . . . so we are agreed then

Well, that settles it. My missus always said I had no taste.

Best place for the display on an IS or GS is on the B-pillar, above the passenger's seat belt mounting. That way it's within line of sight when looking round to reverse.

Not really disloyal as all in the family, but anyone seen the previews of the new Avensis? What a super looking car - at least I think so! It's certainly bigger than the old version and appears to be Passat size. If it is as good in the metal as on paper, it will eat into the Mondeo/Passat/Vectra market. I'm told the starting price with good spec should be around £ 14k.

Matt, Never knew the mountains in Manchester could be so hostile

Rodders, Supercharged is right. The belt must be slipping 'cos the pressure is too high when the fluid is cold. I would get the belt replaced. They get glazed when they have been slipping. If memory serves me correct, you have done a high mileage in yours. I'll bet it's the original belt.

My GS wheels were pitted and Lexus UK readily authorised replacement at nearly 3 years old and 45,000 miles. Work carried out by Lexus Guildford at LUK's cost. Made me a happy bunny . From some of the posts, I must have got them on a good day.

Hi Rodders, I get the same on my GS from time to time when cold. Is it when the steering articulates when you put the key in, or on turning?

I'll remember that next time I'm running late for a business appointment in Birmingham and have to rely on a lousy sense of direction. I've had my GS SatNav for 3 years and wouldn't want to be without it.

Have you checked that the rear doors will be adequate as heat sinks for the power transistors?

Hi Edo, Welcome to the club. So far as I am aware it is not possible to connect a DVD or TV tuner to the GS SatNav. Lots of reasons but main one is the method of scanning to the screen means that no readily-available kit can be hooked-in. Such as shame as BMs and Jags have it and so does the Lexus Soarer in Japan. You should not need to use the transmission override. So long as you have the engine running and foot on the brake, the selector will work freely. This interlock is because of the designers' obsession with safety -goes some way to explaining the lack of TV and SatNav programming when in motion. Having said all that, I assume your new car is a GS300 SE 98+. I've had mine for over 3 years - you can expect rewarding motoring.

Just as well at 1200 quid. I'll start putting away a tenner a week from tomorrow.

Strewth! Better check mine. What mileage has your done Rodders? Mine at about 52k.

Hi Claire, The QUANAN system will be just fine for the Aerodeck. On the Accord (like the Megane, IS, GS and several other cars) you may wish to consider mounting the display unit on the B-pillar above the passenger's seat belt mounting. It looks better there and is in the line of vision when reversing.

Told you it was the bus! Pleased you are a happy bunny :) and thanks for the words of praise.

Mine's a 98 GS Mark 2 which I have had since it was 6 months old. I certainly wouldn't compromise on non Lexus parts and would stick with the recommended oil which the dealers charge a fair bit for - £ 36 plus V.A.T. on my last service. The labour time for a general service is only 1 hour per 9,000 miles so there is not much to be saved by going non-Lexus. Views given on the forum suggest that not all dealers are good so take guidance on that. One potential stitch up I found. I needed a new battery and my local dealer wanted £ 180 to supply and fit. I bought a top of the range Bosch for £ 52 from the local distributor and took care of it myself. You mention the exhaust. A long time ago (pre introduction of the IS) the service manager at the supplying dealer told me that they have never ever had to replace a Lexus exhaust except on impact damage as it is made from thick stainless steel. My LS and GS have never needed replacement but I anticiapte at least a few contradictions!

It's a known phenomenon with Japanese cars. They call them 'clop circles'

Andy, Funny you should say that. The nice salesman at Lexus Guildford (then Lexus Woking) told me when I went to buy the car that all future updates were at no cost. In fact Lexus were upgrading free until the mapping people had completed the UK then they started to charge. The overzealous claims of an enthusistic salesman ..... In any event, the Lexus system seems to be the best around. Just wish i) they didn't cut off the programming when the car is in motion and ii) a TV tuner could be connected like Jags and BMs