Rap03

Thanks Chappy. Buggar! Sounds like a great drive, but unfortunately my wife has made arrangements for me for lunch at home with some of her friends. I will keep my eye on the site for future drives. Update. They had their specialist look at the seat the other day and they are going to try and get upholster to "work" it out, if not successful, then ???? Not holding my breath.

Turbo4. Yep. There is a Red one on the floor. Conflicting reports about how it came to be there - ordered for lady and cancelled - dealer ordered in as special for looks, etc. It is a Prestege model, not sure if auto or manual or if ML system and can't remember if has a Moon roof or not. Dazilled by colour, I guess. If up for sale? I think they want to keep it there for a little while, but if interested, give them a call. I image there could be a waiting list. As for backroom space, yep, a little tight, and I have to move the drivers seat a way forward to put someone behind me. No kids, so, no issue with me and only take people in the back on rare occassion. If you only have small/young kids, then shouldn't be an issue. Yep. The RX is a great car/4WD. And it crusies really well and comfortable ride, with power and refinement. It would be my second choice, but if you want the same features as I have in the IS, then probably another $20k. And then fuel is a lot more. Also, boddy roll doesn't let you "play" like you can with the IS.

So, I see A few people have read my post, but no one has responded. Does that mean everybody's seats are ok, or nobody is driving the sports model.

Hi You have raised a few good points in here. I am 6'2" and have the sports with the moon roof. I have my seat seat in a lower position, something I am not totally sure you can do on the Prestege. I find I have a resonable space to the roof, and I always thought I had a "longer torso". I thought they were offering the ML package separate from the moon roof option, but then when I bought mine, the ML package wasn't available on the prestege and only offered later. As for the motor show, yep, friends went one night earlier in the week and said it looked a very boring stand. All silver. It is actually designed by Lexus Aust and not the local dealership/s. The local dealerships supply some salesmen and some are Lexus Aust. Considering Indooroopilly have a Red IS250, it would have stood out like ".........." if it was the centre piece amongst all that grey/silver. Also, the saleman on the night didn't come anywhere near my friends or other potential customers. Not very good work Lexus!

Hi All. I may be very picky, but I have now had my front seat replaced twice. The first time was due to a squeak they couldn't fix and the second was due to an imperfection in the seat. Basically it was like a gathering of the cloth around the join high on the inside front of the seat. Now I have a new seat, only replaced yesterday by the dealership in Brisbane, but again, almost the same imperfection is in the seat. I cannot understand how they can even replace the seat with a new one that has the same issue, AND, to make matters worst, they have admitted to knowing about it. I am told in is how it has. Comment for Service dept head "what do you want us to do, order in 50 seats to check for the good one!". NO, I don't, just get the people sending the seat to make sure that it has no problems FIRST! So, I am checking with other IS250 Sports owners, as you will be the ones with the Alcantara seats, to see, if your seats have any imperfections. When the car was new, there were no inperfections like this!

Hi Belinda. It sounds like your car is going back to Brisbane for the servicing. Is that correct? If so, they should only be using 10 to 15 litres of fuel. Not a big thing, but the dealership should be taking note of these things as they are picking it up and returning it. As to the policy for about replacing the fuel, I don't know what they say, but considering when they give you a loan car, I have hardly ever put fuel in, I am sure they should add fuel for you. On the rattles, I have a Moonroof in mine and so far (touch wood) have had no problems. I have had noises in the dash and the seat belt area. I have new noises in the dash (could be the old one coming back with a diffferent sound) which they have to look at next time they replace the front seat (again). Persist in getting everything right and keep returning it until it is. Tell them to watch the petrol level as you hate to run out and call the Lexus service to get you back on the road again.

JohnH. Yep. Had those. Mine is a late 2005 make, so it needed the seatbelt recall. They did try to fit it before the recall, but not completely. It has been fairly quiet with just an occasional noise. Will be getting the dealer to look at it again soon. Also, have you noticed any noises from the "oh, sh*t" grab handle on the driver's side. I sometimes hear a little noise from it as well and give it a tap and it goes away for another week or so.

Hey. That's my car, well almost. Mine is the Sports so I don't have woodgrain, but the brushed steel look and a manual. Prefer it over the woodgrain. Mostly happy with the car. Performance and handling is excellent. I have listed some of the nigling issues on other posts on the forum. You can have a read. I do believe they have ironed out all the rattle issues, but I don't work at the dealership, so don't know if people are still encountering rattle and seat issues. I must say that, I have now had my drivers seat replaced (July) and then the new seat started squeaking, which they finally found a fix for, but I found a "flaw" in the fabric, whcih the dealership tried to fix by replacing the cover, but this made it worse and now they have ordered another new seat. I still get nosies from the dash for about the first 5 minutes of driving. I think it must be heat related with wiring or something as the noise goes away with the air-con on (after about 5 mintues). So, it's back the shop AGAIN when the seat comes in.

Idc. I think it is just how it is. The same issues occurs if you open it using the remote key - that is, when you hold down the open button on the remote, all windows will open and the sun/moon roof will open. Obviously, the dial inside hasn't moved, so, to close the roof, either have to move dial to open and then close, or hold down the close button on the remote (fob) key and all windows should close and the roof.

I was in the Dealership yesterday, yes, to again have things attended to (long story, see other posting) and I talked to one of the salesguys while waiting for the car to be brought around, and they say it is about a 6 week wait at present, unless you want a special build and then it will be about 3 months wait. If you haven't seen it, they have a Red one on the show room floor. A special build, but I think it is only a prestege. Very impressive colour. You have to go and see it. I don't believe it is for anybody, just something to have on display.

Idc. Mine is the Sports model and I have Dunlops on. They seem ok as far as road noise goes.

Idc. Check the Lexus website. Option wise, with the Prestege, it's Sunroof and ML sound with Sat-Nav. The Sports has the ML sound & Sat-Nav. Sunroof is already included. The Sports Luxuy has it all. The Lexus web-site doesn't list the other accessories you can buy, so you would have to ask the dealer. Try this site http://www.lexus-parts.com/prodlist.asp?ModelID=151 for some of the accessories available from the US, and probably here. There also now is a towbar.

As for insurance, it is going to vary with the different Insurers and individuals. I how found that Allianz was the best for me on the IS250, but I didn't ask about any BMW pricing. I have seen that BMW give more for trade ins but then the resale price is higher. Most seem to be down % wise in the present market. Again, it will depend on Ks on the clock and how well the car has been maintained. Apples to Apples, you will probably find the BM getting slightly higher re-sale, % of price paid.

Idc. You will never get the dealer to say it is ok. Consumer affairs may be one to ask about it. Just remember, should anything go wrong (touch wood), you will probably end up having a bit of a tussle with the dealer and Lexus over the servicing issue and warranty, but I have to agree, Lexus servicing is very expensive.

I would totally agree with Idc. You are going to find the IS250 has lots more power and performance, even though a lot of car mags, shows, believe the BMW 3 series drives better. Again, you have to look at the 325 to compare performance and like Idc said, the starting price is $80k. In my opion, the IS is better finished inside and as for looks outside, each to their own. Not sure on wheel size for the prestege but is going to be at least the same if not better then the BM. Overall, the IS is going to give you more features at better value, and comparing the IS to the 320, far better power. As for waiting for the 07 model and paying the extra, that will all depend on how long you think you will keep the car. The longer you keep it the less the difference on re-sale and when it comes down to it, with no difference in features or shape, it will probably depend on how the presentation of the car is and how many Ks are on the clock. Push a bit harder on the deal for the 06 model if it is sitting on the showroom floor.

Yep. The standard warranty is as Idc has said. You can extend up to 3 years from 4 years, and on the IS200s it was about $2,000. One year extra was about $1,300-$1,400, so getting 3 years is probably better value. You don't have to do it right now, but has to be done before the 4 year warranty runs out. That is, you can wait till the last week or so of the warranty period. Also, the extended warranty is transferable if you sell the car. As for the oil, I am sure the dealer would put in the best for the car and recommended by the manufacturer, after all, it is under warranty and they have to fix the problems.

thejet. Yep. If I do go ahead with it, I will go though a friend in the industry and get their garage (Holden :o ) to fit it. It is more an issue with the wiring that worries me doing it myself, and I think there may have to be a hole cut in the bumper bar.

Idc. Apart from areas around emission controls, and the UK get voice commands on the sat-nav system and a deisel option (IS220D), the US get the IS350, there's not a lot of difference. Same motor and gear boxes (I believe) and fairly much the same interiors (US left hand drive), with both US & UK getting some other colour options. I think the US can pick and choose the add on options and not packaged. e.g. Sun roof, stereo, etc.

Idc. Interesting comment on servicing. I have always had good service from my local Lexus dealer. I would say, that if you don't want to void your warranty, you should be taking to a repritable place that will give you service book garranty. If you don't think your Lexus dealer is doing the right thing in your servcing, tell Lexus customer service and go to another dealer.

malfunction99. Interesting to say the least. I was lucky that they had the car I wanted (except I had to settle for Silver and not Blue) on the showrrom floor, about this time last year. The salemen have changed since I made my purchase. I am sure, like nutter said, that they can check to see what is being shipped and when they will arrive. That is, the ones that haven't been sold/ordered. If nothing there that suits you, they should be able to give you an indication on how long it will take from scratch to have the one you want built. Seems to be the case with so many people wanting them and the they aren't building excess stock. Andrew Scifleet is the Dealer Principle out there and his office is just behind the IS salesman, so talk to his secrutary and he would be very interested to know your concerns. It's not normally the way they work out there. Having said that, it may be hard to know how long a car may take if there aren't any available on the next shipment to Aust, until they know what specs you want and they check with Japan to see if any with those specs are on the assembly lines. Don't loose faith. They are a good car, great to drive and best value for money when compared to BMW and Mercedes.

roience. If you feel your dealer is no providing adequate attention, contact Lexus Customer service.

Leeman. Lexus website lists the Pretige Auto at $56,990. The moon roof & ML sound system package at $8,437 (for autos). The extra 3 year warrenty is normally about $2,000 and depending on how many Ks you are doing, 3 years of servicing would probably be $1,000. So all up RRP would be $68,427 + on-roads. Hence, it looks like you got a great deal! Was it new, demo or already sitting on their showroom floor?

Hey Jet. I think they are unwilling to budge on price as they are still in short supply with long waiting lists. If you find one on the show room floor with no owner, you might find the dealer will do some dealing, but if you have to order and wait for it, you may have to pay RRP, unless you are lucky enough to have a few Lexus outlets around owned by different organisations. Good luck.

Hi Matt. The Aust forum doesn't seem to get much response. Maybe if you post your question on the UK forum, the guys over there will give you a lot of info. They seem to make a lot of mods to their IS200s. Supercharging and all. I think the Aust guys must be out driving their cars more than looking at computers.

Hi all.