Lexus Nerd

Hi Vukie, Try Exclusive Body Werks in Granville, or Northshore Classic in Artarmon. Both of them are Lexus recommended body and paint repairers. When my bumper was scraped earlier this year, I decided to choose someone else who would repaint the entire panel, but these two offered to just repair the affcted area if that's your preference (Northshore Classic would repaint he affected area, but clear coat the entire panel).

ilv is referring to the Prestige model the guy is selling (the guy who's selling both a Prestige and an SL). As for the Sports Lux, we don't know whether it was a repairable write-off or not, but given the common seller and the simultaneous registration dates, it's pretty likely. So, DON'T BOTHER WITH EITHER.

Nicely spotted, x250x ... And to add to that, we can also see the Sports Luxury has already had its windscreen replaced. Granted, the pictures are relatively poor quality, but I can't see any front parking sensors, either.

1. In 2005-2009 IS 250 Sports models, the optional EMV package always included Mark Levinson audio. I'm fairly sure this was also the case with 2006-2009 IS 250 Prestige models. (The base model released in 2005 didn't have EMV as an option.) 2. Some features can never be made available in fully optioned Prestige models, such as radar cruise control, Pre-crash Collision System, Adaptive Front lighting System, seat memory positions, reverse dipping and electrochromatic mirrors and electric rear sunshade. So the answer will depend on what features you want, and what you're willing to pay. Have a look at the feature list here: http://au.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10109 3. Pity, given that it's real wood fashioned by Yamaha and Kawai piano craftsmen. But the Sports Luxury always comes with woodgrain (always Birds Eye Maple in the earlier models; I think the more subtle Slate woodgrain didn't come until the later models). You can buy aftermarket trim, or cover it with adhesive such as carbon fibre tape. There's a very good example with photos in these forums. 4. I'll leave this question to recent buyers/sellers and market watchers.

True. For a number of years, this has upset some Australian IS owners who have seen the sat nav voice command feature available on many other car models. But a recent car quality survey shows that, in a world where quality complaints are increasingly due to the flakiness of electronic gadgetry, Lexus came out on top. If that means omitting voice command software that is only going to work 80% of the time, so be it. (Having said that, voice command is now available in new Australian Lexus models, such as the 2013 RX.)

It doesn't look any worse than any other fob. The logo on the understated casing should speak enough class. The best next step is not to improve the fob, but to eliminate it. Every Lexus should come with a card key. And, once NFC becomes commonplace on smartphones, it should become an optional method for opening and starting the car.

Welcome MikeCitizen. I think you're going to love the standard features, build quality and reliability of the Lexus. Is there a specific manual IS 250 you're about to buy, or are you still shopping around?

I also heard the AT model will have a similar transmission to the IS F - true manual gear selection, with 0.2s changes. Now, they couldn't put that in the 86 without putting it in the third generation IS ... Could they?

That's a similar story to what I heard. A workmate put a deposit down last weekend. It won't arrive until September.

So, we now have a number of members who have owned a CT 200h for 12-18 months. What is your experience with owning a CT? What do you like (or dislike) the most? Given your experience, if you could turn back time, would you still buy the CT?

Welcome, Budi. What made you decide to trade the Scirocco for the CT?

The engine servicing costs are less than most people think, and there are low-cost options other than Lexus dealers if you really want (just search our forums for more details). The most noticeable difference from a non-luxury/non-performance car is your brake and tyre servicing, but the forums can help here (e.g. importing tyres and brake pad discounts). I think the overall cost of ownership of a Lexus IS would be quite favourable, once you consider the DSG servicing costs of any VW.

That would be ***** on the service line. Incidentally, my car's going there for its 24-month service on Friday.

$295: http://www.whereismaps.com/buy-map-updates_built-in-car-navigation_product.aspx?view=13&devicedesc=Suitable+for+all+Lexus+models&deviceid=254

Hi R, It's a pity that people don't call you back when they say they will. Having said that, at least two dealer representatives couldn't resolve your problem without actually looking at the car, so it's probably a fair bet that the third one wouldn't have been very useful, anyway. In such cases, one really does need to bring the car back to the dealership. If you don't need your car for the day, just turn up unannounced one weekday morning before 9:00, and ask for someone to look at the problem. I'm sure they won't mind. There can't be that many parts that make up a storage compartment, so it shouldn't take long for them to identify the problem while you wait. However, just in case it takes some time ... If you do need a car during the day, you'll need to book in advance. The good thing about Lexus of Chatswood is that, even for minor problems, they will loan you a car for the day if they have one (and they have the biggest loan car fleet in Sydney). But let's manage expectations: in the worst case, they will identify the problem, but they will need to order the replacement part, and you'll need to come back again to get the part fitted. That's just a part of any car owner's life, regardless of the marque or dealership.

Yes, Sid Cetindag.

Welcome, Bowen. Glad to hear the forums are helpful!

8/6 would make sense given the model name, although I heard it was released last Thursday, 7/6. In any case, the exact date of release doesn't really matter. If you ordered one today, you won't get it for about three months - the backlog's that big.

Looks like Lexus has been pleased with the response. Suggestions have included turbo hybrids, estate wagons, voice control (for more than just navigation) and even footrest construction. Then there's the requests to bring some things back, like manual transmission and ... gold badges. Submissions to the Ideas Engine has now been extended to 30 June. If you do make a submission, do let us know back in our forums what you suggested!

Yeah, especially the pearl white :P Welcome to the Club!

Welcome, Sue and Peter. With such a history of Lexus ownership, you no doubt know a number of other Lexus owners. Do spread the word!

Welcome, Mavis, and congratulations!