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I've had 1 MK1 GS300, 2 x new MK2 GS300, 1 MK3 GS430 in the UK and 1 here in AU. I've had nothing but Lexus since 1994. When the lease on my AU GS430 ended after 5 years, I looked around, thought very seriously about a 2010+ GS460, tried a new GS350, and decided that the handling and drive was just not good enough (plus this time it really did look like a Toyota). Luckily I get to drive a lot of different cars and was really impressed with a Mercedes S-class I tried in the UK. On the back of that I decided to try a recent CLS500 and loved it. Both my wife and I think it is a much better car than the Lexus and above all it is much more of a feel good car. The engine and handling are truly awesome and the torque is addictive. I'm not writing this to complain about Lexus as I think I can safely say I've been a bit of a brand amabassador, but I'm so pleased we bought something different. Lexus need to match the interiors and equipment levels it already has within its own cars with the external styling, torque, handling and "feel good" of its competitors. Simple as. Hopefully soon there will be something else that will appeal, but I don't see anything at this point except maybe the GS-F. (I'd still recommend a late GS430 for sub $20K as a very good value and reliable car though). Cheers....

As a follow up... In the end, I decided not to bring the car as it was too much hassle / potential risk alongside actually emigrating. We decided to give it back - you could do that on the lease there, you just have to get you local dealer to give you a price and hand it back. However, in the UK, the market was such that the dealers would not even take GS430s (mine was perfect condition, FLSH and 40K miles) as they could not sell them. We negotiated with an embarrassed Lexus UK who agreed to take the car back themselves and did us a reasonable financial deal. We arrived just over a week ago and have been car hunting, as one is needed urgently for work. We tried the following - 2008 Toyota Aurion Presara (not bad, many of the same gadgets as a Lexus, and loads cheaper but front wheel drive); 2006 Audi A6 wagon Quattro (expensive, hadn't worn very well and hard suspension); Subaru Liberty 3.0R B spec and STI (not bad actually, especially the STI - but a little too focussed and too much of a compromise); BMW X5 3.0d and 4.4i (not bad at all, but expensive and poor spec comapritively); Lexus RX350 (not bad, but not as good as the GS) and lastly - what about two cars Impreza STI plus Presara (too complicated, maybe another time). Guess what we went for in the end? 2007 GS430 with 14K kms, cheapest in Australia at nearly $60K off original list. That will be GS number 5 and it will be a keeper at these prices!! Interestingly, at the current conversion rate and in the current climate, it is actually cheaper than my original car cost me in the UK and is a better deal than importing - nevertheless a fluke I think!! Cheers, Marcus.

Many thanks for the info, looks like the only way to sort it is to buy the Australian reader unit. Perth Lexus have asked circa $7000 for this, so no way am I bringing the car. Bit of a shame really, car would cost me £25K to pay off finance and ship / pay tax etc, so $50K-ish Australian, against $80K to buy the same 2005 model in Australia. Mind you I am told imports are worth 20% less when you come to sell, and taken with the cost of sorting the satnav (unless I can find a wrecker) I might as well wait until I get there and see how the land lies before buying something else. I like my Lexii though, I have had a mark 1 GS300, 2 marks 2s and this mark 3, solid since 1996. Thanks again for going out of your way and helping me out on this one smelly tofu. Best regards, Marcus.

As a follow up... Lexus Perth (Australia) didn't try very hard to find out why the satnav box and Australian DVD in a UK GS430 might be incompatible and what could be done to resolve. They just told me what a bad idea it was to export to Australia and that I should think about buying one of their Lexus GS430s. I am pushing them further and have asked for a quote to make a conversion (if this is even needed). Lexus UK customer services said they don't know and that I should ring their £1.50 a minute technical advice line. Smelly Tofu - any luck in finding out more? Thanks in advance. Marcus.

You have seen a UK model RX400h satnav work with an Australian DVD? Hmmm. I wonder if the dealer is mistaken?

Here is a bizarre one. I am emigrating in October and thinking of bringing my GS430 with me. The UK and Australian GS are the same / very similiar but one area they (apparently) are not is the compatibility of the DVD satnav. For some reason (according to Lexus Perth) the UK market satnav and Australian disk will not work together. I am hoping that someone from the Lexus technical community may see this and be able to find out - is there any way of solving the problem? Thanks in advance. Best regards, Marcus.

Hi, I posted on the UK site and a member suggested I should post here also. I will shortly be emigrating to Perth and I am planning to take my 2003 GS300 SE satnav / levinson with me. I wondered if anyone on the forum had done anything similiar or knows anyone that has done and had any experiences they could share? Taxation for imports from the UK to Australia seems quite complicated (and expensive - duty + GST + luxury car tax!) but I have made a calculation that I'm happy with. Nevertheless I'd be intrested if anyone has experience or tips in relation to the Perth dealer, Lexus Australia, servicing imports, type approval modifications, costs, the private sale value of my import car in Australia compared to an "Australian" GS300 etc etc. Many thanks in advance for your help. Best regards, Marcus.