Bought a Lexus on Saturday

Adrian E · #1 23rd January 2012, 07:53 PM

.....but before anyone gets too excited the S8 is still for me and the Lexus is for my retired parents

It's on completely the wrong side of the country from them so went to have a look and gave it a clean bill of health so did a deal there and then.

What struck me and why I'm posting it on here is how much of the spec on the car is similar to my S8 and in some ways far exceeds it! I know it's about 4 years newer than mine which accounts for a lot of that and it's way too small as a family car (it's an IS250 SE-L) and a bit lacking in poke for me.

lots of airbags - check (has knee bags for both front seat occupants)
leccie memory seats for both front seats - check
leccie steering column with fat ******* mode - check
heated AND cooled front seats - check
touch screen nav - check
reverse parking camera and visual parking sensors - check
flappy paddles - check
leccie rear blind - check
heated front screen - check

About the only things it's missing are TV (it has the Mark Levinson 5.1 setup though), rear side blinds, heated rear seats (which my S8 doesn't have anyway) and any sense of occasion whatsoever lol It goes well enough but it's a bit like a BMW in needing quite a few revs before anything much happens and even then it feels like it could handle a whole lot more power.

Was pleasantly surprised by how it drove and only real criticism is the lack of occasion behind the wheel - lots of plastic switches scattered everywhere that could come from any Toyota and the leather looks a tiny bit low rent. Do like the half black/half leather colour dash though which lifts it a bit.

Lot of car for the money in any case - hopefully my Dad likes it - my Mum loves it already as it's not the Fiat 500 my Dad was harping on about buying until recently!

Adrian

Nollywood · #2 23rd January 2012, 08:28 PM

^^^ Sounds awesome. It'll have Toyota's legendary reliability, and a tranny that won't bust anytime soon, unlike in our D2's.

Would be nice to see some pictures too.

Adrian E · #3 23rd January 2012, 08:38 PM

Yeah reliability was one of the big plus points vs mercs of similar vintage. The gearbox is awesome - 6 speed proper auto too, although most adverts suggest its a cvt which it isn't

Should only need an annual service and routine upkeep, fingers crossed!

I have some rubbish pics I took of details to mail my dad before buying but will get some proper ones on Friday when he calls here after picking the car up. 4 hour train journey to get to the garage....

A8 Doc · #4 24th January 2012, 07:59 PM

Don't knock Fiat 500's!! Fantastic cars!

Sounds a cracking motor.

Adrian E · #5 24th January 2012, 08:11 PM

I love Fiat 500s too, but my Mum requires an automatic and the auto option is only on fairly recent 1.2s which is a bit inadequate for where my parents live in the Mendip hills. My Mum's REALLY short and we've found over the years it is often easier to find a good driving position in bigger/more expensive cars due to the extra adjustability you often get.

Here's some rubbish pics I took at the weekend to send to my Dad via phone to discuss bits I wanted him to be aware of:

Managed not to take any of the seats

sarg · #6 24th January 2012, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adrian E

I love Fiat 500s too, but my Mum requires an automatic and the auto option is only on fairly recent 1.2s which is a bit inadequate for where my parents live in the Mendip hills.

You can get the dualogic auto box on the 850cc TwinAir, which is more powerful than the 1.2.

Adrian E · #7 24th January 2012, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarg

You can get the dualogic auto box on the 850cc TwinAir, which is more powerful than the 1.2.

That's a robot manual rather than a proper torque converter auto box - didn't include that as wouldn't touch one with a barge-pole, even if built by the Germans, never mind the Italians! Once tried one in a 330 Clubsport I was really keen on and it was the most hateful thing I have yet experienced.

My Mum needs a car that will respond when the throttle is buried to the floor when misjudging a gap!

sarg · #8 25th January 2012, 12:00 AM

My brother loves his SMG E46 M3, I believe it is important to make sure you have the latest software upgrades for them

Adrian E · #9 25th January 2012, 07:42 AM

Yeah the SMG box in the M3 is the best of the lot, but it isn't the same as the box used in lesser 3-series despite most adverts stating it is! There's only 2 modes (slow, and fully manual slow) and they are renowned for hydraulic failures and requiring rebuilds. Only 5 speed as well

Adrian E · #10 29th January 2012, 08:04 AM

My Dad picked the car up on Friday and drove down to us for the night - didn't leave here till 4 yesterday but got home about 6.30 and car had averaged 37mpg on the run - that includes quite a bit of shunting about from cold a few times during the day and sitting puzzling over the manual with the engine running to keep us warm!

Took a few interior pics but no new ones of the exterior

Ordered a number plate off the DVLA site for it yesterday afternoon as well - just needs some LED tail lights to make it look like a newer model, if we see any come up.

I'm glad he's happy with it and hope my Mum enjoys driving it for the 1st time today!

Need to start looking at tyre recommendations from Lexus drivers as the Dunlops on it are over half worn now. Has staggered fitment, just to make life interesting.....

Adrian