Honda Accord v Lexus IS

[roger.mellie]

Whataguy said:

FYI the CT200 and Auris are almost the same car - same engine/gearbox and if you park them next to each other you can see they are very similar.

The Auris is actually marginally faster than the CT due to less weight. The CT has more sound deadening and more equipment than the Auris.

As well as my own Auris, I've spent several days in CTs as loan cars when I had the IS.

But the CT is also subject to having the cat stolen easily unfortunately

If I asked my wife to describe what she didn't like about the CT200 she wouldn't be able to tell me. One of the reasons I took it as a courtesy car was because I expected her to like it and be buying one for her next car. She just didn't gel with it at all. FWIW we ended up getting her a V40. Tried again in later models and same answer. A bit like Rav4/NX, CT/Auris, I'd pick the Lexus every time but I'd have no problems with the Toyota. A good friend loves his Rav4 company car but moans that the media unit is not a patch on his previous Volvo (S60) which is a generation older. Each to their own.

CAT theft does concern me when considering the RX.

[Artsy]

I remember reading that the cats in the RX are at the front of the car just after the manifold and in a way inside the engine bay and therefore not accessible in the way that a cat under the car is but I may be wrong.

[roger.mellie]

Artsy said:

I remember reading that the cats in the RX are at the front of the car just after the manifold and in a way inside the engine bay and therefore not accessible in the way that a cat under the car is but I may be wrong.

I didn't know that, thanks, I'll look that up.

[Whataguy]

Artsy said:

Do you reckon the cat theft is still an ongoing thing?

Most articles on it are dated 2021.

Yes, just recently in 2022 someone locally had their eye socket shattered when they disturbed a cat thief and were beaten up.

Also groups of thieves just threatening residents when they were disturbed too. Not stopping the theft.

https://www.surreycomet.co.uk/news/20003549.man-be...

https://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/surrey-news/catal...

Edited by Whataguy on Sunday 29th May 13:07

[Artsy]

That's just terrible!

[TJveloce]

The IS250 is one of the best cars I ever had. I'm on my second saloon after it at the moment and none managed to be better.

I considered all the usual suspects when I bought the IS. Accord, Mazda, Insignia and all. They all felt cheaper and less refined. It helped that the IS is still a very good looking car and looked better than the others in my eyes. All that plus Toyota reliability and the extra luxury sold me on the IS250.

My only complains were they stopped making manuals for the next generation. Otherwise I would have gone with another IS. My particular car was a Fsport model and had a manual box with the short shifter. The Fsport air intake and exhaust made for some fun sound when you pushed it. But otherwise silent and comfortable on B roads or motorway. Perfect saloon unless you need lots of space.

[ooid]

I've never thought of changing our daily IS250 too until a few days ago when I tried to put ISOfix (baby car seat base). I had a bit struggle in terms of space, and felt like we will have difficulties in the future. Maybe I bought a big baby-car seat, no idea but RX would have been much easier.

[DrFeelAverage]

Artsy said:

Do you reckon the cat theft is still an ongoing thing?

Most articles on it are dated 2021.

Also, I wonder if cat theft is less likely in central London due to more cameras and people about.

An 07 Accord had its cat stolen on my street just last month. I even saw the perpetrators drop the car back down and leg it before I could see any defining features, and a few hours later, heard the now incredibly fruity sounding Accord leave in a flurry of grim acceptance.

[Whataguy]

I'm not sure if the IS is subject to cat theft, but I do remember that it used to be you could only get an exhaust from the main dealer... for £2,000 without the cat!

I believe they were stainless as standard from the factory, so should last a long time unless damaged.

[ZX10R NIN]

With the IS you'll need a 57 Plate onward's as the earlier cars aren't E10 friendly.

[lornemalvo]

Artsy said:

The Mazda has crossed my mind too if I'm honest.

Good shout-out on the Infiniti. I would, but I resent paying HMRC and Camden council a combined £1140 a year for the car to just exist if you see what I mean. I'd considered a Lexus GS300 but rejected for the same tax reason.

I think many people feel the same resentment as I do about the increasing tax burden that hits us from every direction. Every used car I'm looking at and considering was over 40k new so suffers from the grossly unfair premium car tax for 5 or 6 years after purchase. Even people like me who can afford it are starting to begrudge it now. Same with fuel prices. I can afford it, buy begrudge it. Motorists are being used as cash cows

[Superflow]

Both solid cars.I would go with the Lexus.