RE: PH Fleet: Lexus LS400/TVR Chimaera
Discussion
Garlick said:
Fleet wise, I might (might) add a Range Rover....maybe.
That'd be a strong track-record of good taste down the pan in a jiffy 
If the kerbs are that high in London nowadays, best buy the Daddy ...... Landcruiser Amazon. Maybe some of the parts will be shared with the LS?
If you're going for an RR, prepare yourself for some hefty bills!
I just sold my 99 Disco II V8, lovely car, but I must have spent £2k on it in the last 2 years.
Since I bought it I did:
New Stainless Steel Fuel Tank - old one was rotten/leaky
New plugs, leads, belts, + every other service component to try and avoid hefty bills
New crank sensor
New air suspension compressor + airbags
New power steering pump
New alternator
New remote key
New front shocks
Even at decent labour rates from a very handy local LR specialist, it all adds up.
I just sold my 99 Disco II V8, lovely car, but I must have spent £2k on it in the last 2 years.
Since I bought it I did:
New Stainless Steel Fuel Tank - old one was rotten/leaky
New plugs, leads, belts, + every other service component to try and avoid hefty bills
New crank sensor
New air suspension compressor + airbags
New power steering pump
New alternator
New remote key
New front shocks
Even at decent labour rates from a very handy local LR specialist, it all adds up.
I know where you are coming from with the bad timing expense..I have tax/mot on two of mine due in the next 4o days!..not an ideal New Year expense!..still what else is there to spend your money on in the two most depressing months of the year post Xmas?!..
every time you post regarding the Chimaera I spend the next hour or two in the Classifieds and doing the sums!..
every time you post regarding the Chimaera I spend the next hour or two in the Classifieds and doing the sums!..
splitpin said:
That'd be a strong track-record of good taste down the pan in a jiffy
If the kerbs are that high in London nowadays, best buy the Daddy ...... Landcruiser Amazon. Maybe some of the parts will be shared with the LS?
If the kerbs are that high in London nowadays, best buy the Daddy ...... Landcruiser Amazon. Maybe some of the parts will be shared with the LS?
This was my last one, I desperately want another (same era)
Dr Interceptor said:
If you're going for an RR, prepare yourself for some hefty bills!
I just sold my 99 Disco II V8, lovely car, but I must have spent £2k on it in the last 2 years.
Since I bought it I did:
New Stainless Steel Fuel Tank - old one was rotten/leaky
New plugs, leads, belts, + every other service component to try and avoid hefty bills
New crank sensor
New air suspension compressor + airbags
New power steering pump
New alternator
New remote key
New front shocks
Even at decent labour rates from a very handy local LR specialist, it all adds up.
Hopefully the new owner has 'struck lucky' (But don't hold your breath)I just sold my 99 Disco II V8, lovely car, but I must have spent £2k on it in the last 2 years.
Since I bought it I did:
New Stainless Steel Fuel Tank - old one was rotten/leaky
New plugs, leads, belts, + every other service component to try and avoid hefty bills
New crank sensor
New air suspension compressor + airbags
New power steering pump
New alternator
New remote key
New front shocks
Even at decent labour rates from a very handy local LR specialist, it all adds up.
Garlick said:
splitpin said:
That'd be a strong track-record of good taste down the pan in a jiffy
If the kerbs are that high in London nowadays, best buy the Daddy ...... Landcruiser Amazon. Maybe some of the parts will be shared with the LS?
If the kerbs are that high in London nowadays, best buy the Daddy ...... Landcruiser Amazon. Maybe some of the parts will be shared with the LS?
This was my last one, I desperately want another (same era)
Garlick!! You bad bad man....
If I manage to sell the Jag, I have a lot of lust for this... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3404379.htm
If I manage to sell the Jag, I have a lot of lust for this... http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/3404379.htm
This is interesting stuff 
I'm planning on reducing my fleet down to just the Chim within the next few months, and know without doubt that I'll be looking for something interesting to keep the beastie company within days of saying goodbye to my other loves 
You guys have some interesting ideas on this... Lexus never ever occurred to me.... BTW Garlick, my beastie was originally a Fernies car, still has the very nice Fernhurst kick plates on My MOT is due beginning of Feb, another 1200 miles or so before the next 6k service though. Having said that we've only done 1500 miles on the new engine 
Great update, keep em coming 
I'm planning on reducing my fleet down to just the Chim within the next few months, and know without doubt that I'll be looking for something interesting to keep the beastie company within days of saying goodbye to my other loves You guys have some interesting ideas on this... Lexus never ever occurred to me.... BTW Garlick, my beastie was originally a Fernies car, still has the very nice Fernhurst kick plates on My MOT is due beginning of Feb, another 1200 miles or so before the next 6k service though. Having said that we've only done 1500 miles on the new engine Great update, keep em coming and I miss my (immaculate..really as new) Classic Rangie Softdash V8 (Ardennes Green/Tan Leather) more than I miss any of my questionable ex-girlfriends!..sold it to a man from Malta unfortunately!!..it will be time for another in the Spring I think..good choice MrGarlick (if you choose to make it), more than enough room for anything in those LSE fellas..
My 2008 RR is amazing, but doesn't have the character/soul of the Classic...I miss it daily!..especially this time of year..
My 2008 RR is amazing, but doesn't have the character/soul of the Classic...I miss it daily!..especially this time of year..
splitpin said:
That'd be a strong track-record of good taste down the pan in a jiffy
If the kerbs are that high in London nowadays, best buy the Daddy ...... Landcruiser Amazon. Maybe some of the parts will be shared with the LS?
I say old chap - tut tut!If the kerbs are that high in London nowadays, best buy the Daddy ...... Landcruiser Amazon. Maybe some of the parts will be shared with the LS?
My RR was a 1990 Vogue SE 3.9 that I purchased in 2000 just to spite Gordo!
Kept it for 5 years and nothing ever went wrong and I did a lot of miles in the old girl!
Took said old girl to Le Mans and a fella on our crew had a "Dash" across the car park in it, which dually impressed himself!
But a typical whimp (accountant!) he bought a Landcruiser instead of one of Blighties best!
Toyota problems included a blown gearbox (don't ever use low he said) and the engine (3ltr 4 cylinder oil burner) blew up twice!
And don't you know he has gone and got another one (Red) to replace it (Blue)!
Think he may have taken it in place of cash payments!
You kow what these accountant types are like when you owe them money!!
VPower said:
I say old chap - tut tut!
My RR was a 1990 Vogue SE 3.9 that I purchased in 2000 just to spite Gordo!
Kept it for 5 years and nothing ever went wrong and I did a lot of miles in the old girl!
Took said old girl to Le Mans and a fella on our crew had a "Dash" across the car park in it, which dually impressed himself!
But a typical whimp (accountant!) he bought a Landcruiser instead of one of Blighties best!
Toyota problems included a blown gearbox (don't ever use low he said) and the engine (3ltr 4 cylinder oil burner) blew up twice!
And don't you know he has gone and got another one (Red) to replace it (Blue)!
Think he may have taken it in place of cash payments!
You kow what these accountant types are like when you owe them money!!
One can always rely on an accountant to make the wrong decision ...... they know the cost of everything and the value of nothing My RR was a 1990 Vogue SE 3.9 that I purchased in 2000 just to spite Gordo!
Kept it for 5 years and nothing ever went wrong and I did a lot of miles in the old girl!
Took said old girl to Le Mans and a fella on our crew had a "Dash" across the car park in it, which dually impressed himself!
But a typical whimp (accountant!) he bought a Landcruiser instead of one of Blighties best!
Toyota problems included a blown gearbox (don't ever use low he said) and the engine (3ltr 4 cylinder oil burner) blew up twice!
And don't you know he has gone and got another one (Red) to replace it (Blue)!
Think he may have taken it in place of cash payments!
You kow what these accountant types are like when you owe them money!!
I used the word Amazon, meaning the proper job (not that 90 Series pale copy that the bean-counter had/has) that totally demolished RR Sales in seriously hostile environments like Oz Bush Territory because people's lives depended on it. No wimpy 4 cylinders/3 litres in a proper job, just largish I6s or V8s.
My own recollection of the old RR is/was a nice place to be/sit, but an utterly appalling thing to drive (like steering a boat) and horrendously unreliable and expensive to run. Many came off the production line as Friday Cars and unlike fine wine, the passage of something like 20 years probably won't have improved the quality/experience.
Garlick said:
I do, cars are always a factor when moving house. Last place had a drive, now I'm back to on-street so I've rented a garage locally for the TVR at a very good price. The rest are juggled between the two permit free streets near home, with the one I use the most (LS) parked on a street where restrictions are in force between 10.00-17.00 Mon-Fri.
If I get the Rangie (Vogue LSE/ late classic) that will be on street too. As long as the TVR is protected I'm happy enough.
Do it - I just bought one yesterday! 3.9 V8 Classic LPG, 94k Genuine Miles, Trocadero Red. Beautiful woofle from that V8.If I get the Rangie (Vogue LSE/ late classic) that will be on street too. As long as the TVR is protected I'm happy enough.
I too have had to slim down my fleet this year. I've also kept the LS400 over the more efficient Corolla I bought for the wife. There's something about the LS400, despite it's thirst on the cold morning commute, which is stopping me selling it. I don't think there is any other car in the price range that offers so much refinement and utter reliability. It's not been totally faultless though I've had to replace one part so far due to failure ...... A brake light bulb £2.99, oh and fill the washer bottle up twice
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