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looking at buying a 2nd hand Lexus

G1BB0

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So, my 54 plate c-max is boring and being 1.8 petrol I dont really get decent economy so whats the point in keeping it :)

I fancy a lexus, around 2008 plate and either a 220d or a 250 petrol (I dont do lots of miles so economy isnt the be all and end all for me).

Anyone had one or have any knowledge of these? They look great and now having passed the big 40 I fancy treating myself :thup:

I did fancy a BMW or a Merc but wanted something slightly different so any other suggestions/models to consider also most welcome
 
Do it.


My Dad has an 06 plate IS250 - It had very little miles on it and he paid around £14k second hand I believe...This gave him the top spec model, low profile tyres, auto box with flappy paddle gears (as well as tiptronic stick), sat nav, Mark Levinson sound system (which sounds awesome), rear reversing camera, Xenon Headlights, electric everything and even a little button which makes a screen cover the back windscreen (completely useless, but quite cool all the same! :D). Seems a lot, but it's not considering how much they are new! Get rid of the sat nav and reversing camera and you'll find one properly cheap.

On the odd occasion I've persuaded him to let me drive it, it's very comfortable handles like a dream and goes like stink. Like you he doesn't drive that many miles any more, so economy wasn't a problem for him.

I will say, he also test drove the 220 diesel with manual gearbox and he said it was clunky in comparison.

If I were buying a car for myself, I'd have bought one in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, HID had final word, so we got a Mondeo instead (which I do love, for the record).

Only downsides (from a golfing point of view) is the boot is pretty tiny and going from your C-Max to the Lexus might be a bit of a shock, but it will be totally worth it.

Also, they're usually bought by middle aged or older, classy gents (you're the exception, obviously :D ;)), so they tend to have been well looked after.
 
Again, I don't think you can beat a Passat. And I would tend to stick to the usual Jap or German engineering.
 
Since a Lexus is really a Toyota, it should be fine, but I have heard a few say that they don't cope well with high mileage and age badly. No personal experience mind, as I don't rate Jap cars, and will never buy one.

Had a Saab 9000 once (as a company car), it was one year old, and fell apart big time. I would never buy one.

Mrs Mog has had about 6 BMW 3 series. I would never buy one of these either.

I like Audi, or Mercedes, but would go Audi at the moment.
 
I fancied SAAB but worried about parts etc with them now being defunct.

you shouldn't have any problem with Saab parts someone one like Europarts will provide non oem parts. You may have an issue with Manufacturers warranty but that won't matter with a 08 plate.

Lexus would be a cracking choice, but if you want something a bit different, you could get a VW Phaeton for peanuts (compared to what they cost new) you'll gwt a load of car for your money, running costs aren't cheap though.
 
We see loads of Saab, all mileages and conditions.

I wouldn't give you a fiver for one, ever.

The Phaeton is a great car but very expensive when they go wrong.

If you're after luxury, Lexus petrol models are a good buy, look carefully at the history of the car.

Parts and repairs can be costly although they seldom go wrong apart from the usual high mileage issues.

I'd have one in a flash.

HTH

Steve...
 
The IS series are great cars. They are reliable (as all Toyotas) but are expensive if things go wrong....which is the same for German cars too.

If I was looking in this category, I'd have one tomorrow. Far less stress than BMW 3 series, which have some permanent issues.....like Air Mass sensors, road springs, trip computers, electric windows, cats....need I go on.

I don't know why everyone is so down on Saabs...thousands of companies and individuals rely on manufacturing/selling after market parts for Saab, that's not going to change overnight.....Prices are rock bottom around here. I saw one (07 plate) go for £900 at the auction and it was on a forecourt for £3999 the next week. Nobody is buying. :(
 
as I don't rate Jap cars, and will never buy one.

More's the pity.

I must have had 20 cars over the years. The best have all been Japanese.

Currently homing one and looking for another. Our estate (my Golf car - a Mitsubishi Galant) is 13 years old. Only thing it has ever needed was a coil pack. Our other estate (BMW 3 series) has cost £4k to keep on the road for a similar amount of time.
 
I don't know why everyone is so down on Saabs...thousands of companies and individuals rely on manufacturing/selling after market parts for Saab, that's not going to change overnight.....Prices are rock bottom around here. I saw one (07 plate) go for £900 at the auction and it was on a forecourt for £3999 the next week. Nobody is buying. :(

Hi Dave,

No issue with parts although the electronic modules are not readily available at the moment, there was a shortage of key blanks for a while.

I diagnose cars all day long, its all I do. www.autoelectronix.co.uk

We see far more saab & vauxhall then any other make, closely followed by ford then all the french rubbish.

I myself would avoid Saab like a pox riddled whohar from the soho back streets.

Cheers

Steve...
 
How much do you want to spend G1BBO?
I've just had a lovely Jax X-Type 2.2 Diesel Sovereign come in part exchange. Not the sort of thing I'd usually go with being a Nissan dealer but it's so clean we thought we'd have a pop at it.
Full leather, Sat Nav etc. 6 speed gearbox, done about 44,000 miles with full service history.
I owner plus Jag, in Metallic Grey.
Nice car and fairly economical.
 
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