I'm thinking of a bit of mini-barging over autumn/winter...ignoring the dealer premium, is there any reason not to be considering this;

https://sidcup.usedcars.lexus.co.uk/en/used-lexus/...

Thought it looks pretty tidy from the photos but bit out of my normal comfort zone so any thoughts would be appreciated.

Croutons

9,875 posts

166 months

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[news]

Monday 15th October 2018

CharlesdeGaulle said:

True, and about as far from a barge as it's possible to get. I like it!

This place is so quiet, I didn’t think it would matter.

CharlesdeGaulle

26,263 posts

180 months

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[news]

Monday 15th October 2018

Croutons said:

This place is so quiet, I didn’t think it would matter.

It doesn't! Even when busy, we love that sort of random s

Goldfever4

113 posts

74 months

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[news]

Monday 15th October 2018

DavidJJ said:

The MOT history looks very good... The paddle-shift box and suspension would be at the top of my inspection list. It looks like you can buy a 24-month warranty for £900, which might be worth considering. But that makes me wonder what you get out of buying from Lexus, if not a warranty or service?

Edited by Goldfever4 on Monday 15th October 22:06

Edited by Goldfever4 on Monday 15th October 22:09

anonymous-user

54 months

[report]

[news]

Monday 15th October 2018

DavidJJ said:

They are a bit torque shy if you're used to turbos or larger engines, and really very thirsty. We had a few as pool cars when they were new, and while they were pleasant and unassuming I didn't like them enough to swallow with the mid 20s fuel economy and £500+ per year tax. Mid size petrol engines from that era are really in a sticky situation, and only really worth considering if they are a bargain (IMHO); you can tolerate the running costs for 300+ silkly smooth bhp but not for BMW 320d performance with a better soundtrack.

23,900 posts

194 months

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Monday 15th October 2018

Another w123, this time a 280. A temptingly brief ad, and one photo...

“Classic 1978 280E Auto 123 Series, silver with black interior, aircon, sunroof, towbar, bullet proof glass!! Drives beautifully. Inherited but not required sadly!. MOT till November 2018 but will get one done if you'd like”

https://m.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C1045350

Croutons

9,875 posts

166 months

[report]

[news]

Tuesday 16th October 2018

Left-field, and I'm prepared to be flamed:

Take one, low mile, 1998 Mondeo ST24.

https://www.gumtree.com/p/ford/1998-mondeo-st24-lo...

Remove the tints and polish the headlights.

Then add this

http://www.creative-vinyl.com/739-ford-mondeo-btcc...

All for below thread min...

DavidJJ

192 posts

156 months

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[news]

Tuesday 16th October 2018

Thanks for the comments, going to have a look around it today and will report back!

EarlOfHazard

3,603 posts

158 months

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[news]

Tuesday 16th October 2018

0a said:

The bullet proof glass option sounds interesting !!

StonedRollin

1,672 posts

210 months

[report]

[news]

Tuesday 16th October 2018

DavidJJ said:

Thanks for the comments, going to have a look around it today and will report back!

I bought a low mileage 55 plate one of these, admittedly not from a main dealer, for top budget back in November 2016 and have since covered 45k miles in it.

A few pointers to watch out for:-
- gas struts on the boot are prone to give up through age so make sure when the boot is open it literally requires no effort to lift and swings up of its own accord. If it slams closed then the struts are done. They are not an expensive or difficult fit and are a satisfying hour long job. Replacement new struts can be had for £20 a corner and are easy enough to fit once you remove a couple of clips holding the boot lining in place.
- the radio aerial is laminated into the rear windscreen and is a common fault on older ones (mine included) where if you have the radio on a FM channel and put the rear demister and wing mirror heaters on then you get static interference. It is something to do with the aerial separating from the rear window but is more an inconvenience than anything else

Other thoughts:-
- i'm not tall (5'10") and tend to sit closer than most to the steering wheel and there isn't a lot of room behind me. If you regularly transport 4 adults around i'd bear this in mind. If you don't or only have small kids in the back then likely not an issue. There is plenty room in the front for a couple of adults and it is very comfortable.
- in the 45k i've done i've averaged 33mpg and that is a mix of motorway and town rush hour start/stop/static traffic. I don't have a particularly heavy right foot but will be sitting at 80mph as much as possible when on the open road
- if you are looking for sporting pretences then look elsewhere. It can lift its skirt and make decent haste if need be but it more is about making smooth and comfortable progress
- rear seats are fixed in place so unless it can fit in the boot or through the ski hatch then you aren't transporting it
- Tax band is K so i don't think you will be the full £540pa - i think you'll be £290pa which is fine with me
- gearbox is a sealed for life unit that apparently requires no oil change. I've spoken to Lexus about this as it makes me nervous but they swear blind on not changing it. If you google this you can find endless discussions about it with a few people having been able to change the oil. So far though i haven't found anyone saying that their gearbox has failed so i guess that is good news
- paddles are handy when you knock it into 'Sport' mode as it will hold onto gears for longer but if you simply set the ECU to Power then it does exactly the same if you plant the right foot. Good novelty to manually change the gears with the paddles though as they are pleasing to the touch - sad but true
- it should be super smooth and super quiet. I've had a few people ask me if mine is a hybrid
- heated and ventilated seats are ace and on a long journey in winter it is satisfying to cool down your derriere with a little cool air cool