Lexus RX300SE 2001
January 2009 - August 2011
I looked long and hard for a vehicle that would be at home pulling off the road on our lanes, quick on cross country runs, fast on motorway overtaking, have a presence in London traffic, be reasonably economical, reliable, good in snow, elegant, and carry our dog.
Considered were the X5, ML, XC90 and the Touareg, some being three times the price of the Lexus.
We found this one in Ipswich, 59,000 miles, full Lexus history, one owner, silver with black leather, immaculate, and at just 20% of its new price, it seemed a bargain.
Over a year later it still impresses. It has totally ticked all the above criteria, except for carrying our German Shepherd; and that is
only because I have become a bit anal about getting the black interior full of white dog hairs.
Used for 200+ mile trips to work, main transport going out places, and Derinda’s choice to take to Tesco, it has covered around 18,000 miles in our first year together.
Two new tyres, two services and one MOT have passed without incident. Just nothing to report.
A trip up the M11 in heavy snow impressed, as does the handling – the stability control will cut in on the limit – which is more Impreza than Range Rover.
Discrete image and quality prevails, and yes, I do still press switches to feel their operation, and close doors just to listen to that satisfying thud (sad I know).
Faults, there are some. I researched all the above cars prior to a purchase. The X5 was gearbox, ML electrical, both poor build, XC engines, and Touareg electronic complexity and reliability. By comparison the RX can suffer a squeak on the passenger seat, and the alloy wheels corrode – I have both on mine.
Shortfalls, there is one, no memory on the drivers seat.
Economy is pretty acceptable at 25/26 mpg, but most of all life is easy with a Lexus. No fuss, no drama, you just get in and know it will start, know it will get you there and back, and know you can have fun along the way, or just relax and listen to the radio; driving is never daunting.
Second MOT just passed and still the same story, nothing to report, 89,000 on the clock, two years use, wheels still need refurbishing………. Oh, bit of excitement next service, it will need new rear brake pads!
I looked long and hard for a vehicle that would be at home pulling off the road on our lanes, quick on cross country runs, fast on motorway overtaking, have a presence in London traffic, be reasonably economical, reliable, good in snow, elegant, and carry our dog.
Considered were the X5, ML, XC90 and the Touareg, some being three times the price of the Lexus.
We found this one in Ipswich, 59,000 miles, full Lexus history, one owner, silver with black leather, immaculate, and at just 20% of its new price, it seemed a bargain.
Over a year later it still impresses. It has totally ticked all the above criteria, except for carrying our German Shepherd; and that is
only because I have become a bit anal about getting the black interior full of white dog hairs.
Used for 200+ mile trips to work, main transport going out places, and Derinda’s choice to take to Tesco, it has covered around 18,000 miles in our first year together.
Two new tyres, two services and one MOT have passed without incident. Just nothing to report.
A trip up the M11 in heavy snow impressed, as does the handling – the stability control will cut in on the limit – which is more Impreza than Range Rover.
Discrete image and quality prevails, and yes, I do still press switches to feel their operation, and close doors just to listen to that satisfying thud (sad I know).
Faults, there are some. I researched all the above cars prior to a purchase. The X5 was gearbox, ML electrical, both poor build, XC engines, and Touareg electronic complexity and reliability. By comparison the RX can suffer a squeak on the passenger seat, and the alloy wheels corrode – I have both on mine.
Shortfalls, there is one, no memory on the drivers seat.
Economy is pretty acceptable at 25/26 mpg, but most of all life is easy with a Lexus. No fuss, no drama, you just get in and know it will start, know it will get you there and back, and know you can have fun along the way, or just relax and listen to the radio; driving is never daunting.
Second MOT just passed and still the same story, nothing to report, 89,000 on the clock, two years use, wheels still need refurbishing………. Oh, bit of excitement next service, it will need new rear brake pads!
Land Rover Discovery ES EDC 300Tdi 1997
June 2009 - April 2012
Loosing track of the number of Land Rovers we have had.
First choice is always going to be a V8 classic Range Rover, nothing quite like it, immense ability off-road whilst sat in a leather armchair surrounded by walnut and kept cool by
the A/C. But with the window open, just to hear that V8 rumble, especially on the 3.5.
But practicalities dictate. The diesel does 26 mpg
against 17 with the V8. The Disco seats seven, the dog can jump in the back easier, you can see to adjust the
heating at night. Less problems with the diesel, a 500 mile range, same off-road ability, you just sacrifice the sound and the endless reserves of power of the V8.
The Defender has an appeal of its own, a sort of charisma, a classless persona in its simplistic build. But at four times the price
of the same age Discovery you miss the central locking, auto, leather, heated seats, electric seats, heated windscreen, modern dashboard, decent A/C, electric sunroofs, electric windows, auto dimming mirror, electric mirrors, the list goes on.
So the Discovery is the sensible choice in diesel form. It is (for a Land Rover) pretty reliable. And most of all it is relatively cheap,
so you can off-road without worrying too much about getting it scratched.
This one took some finding, not too much corrosion, the right colour combination in Epsom Green with grey interior, and just 100,000 miles with history, together with the top ES specification.
Plans are many, but modifications so far are few. The underside has been cleaned and any rust primed and coated with Hammerite, prior to underseal. One weld was done on the rear N/S body mount, and the boot floor sorted, although it was still
pretty good. A set of alloys with some cheap muds was sourced off eBay, which have proved useful so far this winter. And the ridiculous exhaust recirculation for US emissions has been removed. Oh, and the drivers window mechanism has been replaced (must be my fifth one!). I have some wheel arch trims to fit, and am looking for a winch bumper and bits and pieces, but time is proving elusive so far this winter.
Was impressive doing a hundred mile run taking an emergency Doctor across the county in a blizzard a few weeks ago, but other than that has mainly been our second vehicle for a while now: and of course our transport for Tess!
Update under ‘Vehicles’ and ‘Disco’ February 2011 - click here
Loosing track of the number of Land Rovers we have had.
First choice is always going to be a V8 classic Range Rover, nothing quite like it, immense ability off-road whilst sat in a leather armchair surrounded by walnut and kept cool by
the A/C. But with the window open, just to hear that V8 rumble, especially on the 3.5.
But practicalities dictate. The diesel does 26 mpg
against 17 with the V8. The Disco seats seven, the dog can jump in the back easier, you can see to adjust the
heating at night. Less problems with the diesel, a 500 mile range, same off-road ability, you just sacrifice the sound and the endless reserves of power of the V8.
The Defender has an appeal of its own, a sort of charisma, a classless persona in its simplistic build. But at four times the price
of the same age Discovery you miss the central locking, auto, leather, heated seats, electric seats, heated windscreen, modern dashboard, decent A/C, electric sunroofs, electric windows, auto dimming mirror, electric mirrors, the list goes on.
So the Discovery is the sensible choice in diesel form. It is (for a Land Rover) pretty reliable. And most of all it is relatively cheap,
so you can off-road without worrying too much about getting it scratched.
This one took some finding, not too much corrosion, the right colour combination in Epsom Green with grey interior, and just 100,000 miles with history, together with the top ES specification.
Plans are many, but modifications so far are few. The underside has been cleaned and any rust primed and coated with Hammerite, prior to underseal. One weld was done on the rear N/S body mount, and the boot floor sorted, although it was still
pretty good. A set of alloys with some cheap muds was sourced off eBay, which have proved useful so far this winter. And the ridiculous exhaust recirculation for US emissions has been removed. Oh, and the drivers window mechanism has been replaced (must be my fifth one!). I have some wheel arch trims to fit, and am looking for a winch bumper and bits and pieces, but time is proving elusive so far this winter.
Was impressive doing a hundred mile run taking an emergency Doctor across the county in a blizzard a few weeks ago, but other than that has mainly been our second vehicle for a while now: and of course our transport for Tess!
Update under ‘Vehicles’ and ‘Disco’ February 2011 - click here
Toyota Landcruiser Colorado VX 1998
September 2010 – June 2012
It was really my idea to replace the Disco with a Landcruiser 90, well that was the plan.
A pretty immaculate 5 door petrol with air and leather in a nice colour, full service history, 139,000 miles, all for Disco money.
Best of all, no known faults with these, pretty much on par with the RX300 reliability.
Not the most economical, but with very little likely in the way of repair bills, quick performance for an off-roader, good road manners, a silky smooth V6, it had a lot going for it.
It all went awry when Derinda took it to Tesco shopping, she did the weekly shopping, then next day had to pop back again, then again the next day – this went on for several weeks, going out for no reason other than driving the Cruiser.
The first month I had driven it back from Chelmsford when we bought it, and once down the garage for a check, otherwise it had spent most of the time in Tesco’s car park. She had began muttering about it, a bit like a dog with a bone, phrases like ‘you’re not
selling this one’ and ‘over my dead body’ were heard.
If I went to use it, the keys were always ‘lost’.
It is getting better, sometimes I am allowed to drive it, but not on my own……….
It was really my idea to replace the Disco with a Landcruiser 90, well that was the plan.
A pretty immaculate 5 door petrol with air and leather in a nice colour, full service history, 139,000 miles, all for Disco money.
Best of all, no known faults with these, pretty much on par with the RX300 reliability.
Not the most economical, but with very little likely in the way of repair bills, quick performance for an off-roader, good road manners, a silky smooth V6, it had a lot going for it.
It all went awry when Derinda took it to Tesco shopping, she did the weekly shopping, then next day had to pop back again, then again the next day – this went on for several weeks, going out for no reason other than driving the Cruiser.
The first month I had driven it back from Chelmsford when we bought it, and once down the garage for a check, otherwise it had spent most of the time in Tesco’s car park. She had began muttering about it, a bit like a dog with a bone, phrases like ‘you’re not
selling this one’ and ‘over my dead body’ were heard.
If I went to use it, the keys were always ‘lost’.
It is getting better, sometimes I am allowed to drive it, but not on my own……….
Toyota Previa GX Auto 1997
April 2010 – 2011
So we had really got fed up with the white van, however practical it might be.
The gear change was abysmal, the performance non-existent, the maintenance constant, the parts expensive, and Derinda had got to the point of never driving it.
Ahh, I thought, lateral thinking. What will take an 8’ by 4’ sheet, has a tailgate, a side loading door, auto gearbox and air
conditioning?
So we end up heading off to Basildon one dark night, and acquire this presentable but rather neglected Previa, no MOT, not much in the way of brakes, but very cheap.
A day for me and a couple for my trusty mechanic, plus some bargain hunting on replacement parts, and we have our new ‘van’.
Took all the seats out, and hey presto! A bit over my original budget, but it has provided a much more refined way of moving things. It still has a few niggles; surprisingly the Previa does have a few weak spots, but a great improvement on the Citroen. The built in refrigerated cool box and double A/C was wonderful when we got it working, which sadly wasn’t for long, as it obviously still has a leak somewhere!
Nevertheless, providing sterling service on an occasional basis.
So we had really got fed up with the white van, however practical it might be.
The gear change was abysmal, the performance non-existent, the maintenance constant, the parts expensive, and Derinda had got to the point of never driving it.
Ahh, I thought, lateral thinking. What will take an 8’ by 4’ sheet, has a tailgate, a side loading door, auto gearbox and air
conditioning?
So we end up heading off to Basildon one dark night, and acquire this presentable but rather neglected Previa, no MOT, not much in the way of brakes, but very cheap.
A day for me and a couple for my trusty mechanic, plus some bargain hunting on replacement parts, and we have our new ‘van’.
Took all the seats out, and hey presto! A bit over my original budget, but it has provided a much more refined way of moving things. It still has a few niggles; surprisingly the Previa does have a few weak spots, but a great improvement on the Citroen. The built in refrigerated cool box and double A/C was wonderful when we got it working, which sadly wasn’t for long, as it obviously still has a leak somewhere!
Nevertheless, providing sterling service on an occasional basis.
BMW E65 735i
May 2011 to July 2011.
As is normally the case, I had been looking at cars, a sort of
addiction I seem to have.
We had cut down to three, which seemed a sensible thing to do, and we pretty much had the best of everything for the money.
The Disco is the third vehicle for 4x4 Response and Search and Rescue duties, the Landcruiser 90 for Derinda as she seems to think it is the ideal vehicle for Tesco’s car park, and the Lexus RX for me, mostly for work.
I had been lusting after the usual suspects – Range Rover, Disco 3, Amazon, you know, the sensible family cars suitable for healing a late life crisis. Trouble is, good examples
are so much money, and certainly the former duo will undoubtedly break down at the most inconvenient moments.
I have also had this recurring thought of buying a third 7 series, but the least practical of all as regrettably it is only available as a saloon, which poses the difficult decision of where do we put Tess, our German Shepherd Dog?
However, browsing on eBay, as I do, I stumbled across a 735i just a few miles away. It was a 2002 version of Chris Bangles original Avant Guard design, complete with iDrive. At just 10% of its new price, and a third of the price of the trio above, it was worth a look.
It was difficult to fault, 73k, full BM service history, new MOT, full tax, just serviced, newish tyres, the right colours (grey with grey / green leather), and a few extras. We struck a deal; I parted with some cash, a few days later I drove it to work.
As much as I love the continent cruising abilities of the traditional 7 series, the Bangle version is different, very different. Still there underneath is that wonderful engine full of endless power, and an unbelievable ride and handling balance that seems to combine a luxury limo ride with sports car handling without any hint of compromise.
But all in a different package.
I might be an adventurous traditionalist, but no key, no gearstick, no handbrake – you really need to read the handbook, not before driving, but to enable driving. But luckily the gadgetry includes a Help screen which senses when you have done something wrong
and advises what you should be doing.
And that is just to start the engine!
So the trip to work was interesting.
The 220 miles passed without incident and I did dispatch slower moving traffic at locations I would not normally consider, with such consummate ease. A few bends at 80 on one of my favourite roads just bought a smile at how conservatively I was driving. And virtually 27 mpg on the trip was an added bonus. However, I have discovered the front headrests automatically adjust for drivers with a waist only a third of the way up their body, so you sit there inexplicably with your head under the headrest. And the
extremely complicated navigation system, which is not a patch on a Tom Tom, but does get you to your destination, has decided I need to go to Stevenage, and nothing I do will make it change its mind.
The iDrive is good, if only in being different, not necessarily better. After a day I can find my way around it, but I must admit I have omitted to read the 100 pages of the handbook dedicated to the built in mobile phone. I did also program the radio stations, but it seems to have reverted to more crackling than a burnt pig, so I will have to revisit the manual. The gear selector I have nearly
mastered, although I start off by instinctively raising my left arm to operate the stalk on the right hand side. A bit like driving a Japanese car after an English one, and operating the wipers every time you turn. Little things I miss, like the accurate mph display on the Tom Tom, and being able to show average mpg at the same time as calculated arrival time.
I suppose it is best summed up as a Citroen CX/XM cabin in a BMW, but with quality, bags of quality. After only a day of driving I see why it is the Marmite car, although so far I love most of it, and hate only a little.
The big surprise to me is how much I have under-rated the Lexus after two and a half years, and just how close it is to the big BM in providing my ideal transport. Ok, so the RX is an SUV, and the 735 an executive saloon, but for my purposes so far I am unable to
choose. So the Lexus is uninvolving, but in Bangle form the BM is demanding too much driver input. Life is easy with a Lexus, so much so that maybe I have started to take its qualities as the norm.
I shall take the RX tonight, just to see how it feels after the BM.
It’s a tough life, but someone has to live it. Maybe an RX350 might be the solution? Tess will be pleased.
As is normally the case, I had been looking at cars, a sort of
addiction I seem to have.
We had cut down to three, which seemed a sensible thing to do, and we pretty much had the best of everything for the money.
The Disco is the third vehicle for 4x4 Response and Search and Rescue duties, the Landcruiser 90 for Derinda as she seems to think it is the ideal vehicle for Tesco’s car park, and the Lexus RX for me, mostly for work.
I had been lusting after the usual suspects – Range Rover, Disco 3, Amazon, you know, the sensible family cars suitable for healing a late life crisis. Trouble is, good examples
are so much money, and certainly the former duo will undoubtedly break down at the most inconvenient moments.
I have also had this recurring thought of buying a third 7 series, but the least practical of all as regrettably it is only available as a saloon, which poses the difficult decision of where do we put Tess, our German Shepherd Dog?
However, browsing on eBay, as I do, I stumbled across a 735i just a few miles away. It was a 2002 version of Chris Bangles original Avant Guard design, complete with iDrive. At just 10% of its new price, and a third of the price of the trio above, it was worth a look.
It was difficult to fault, 73k, full BM service history, new MOT, full tax, just serviced, newish tyres, the right colours (grey with grey / green leather), and a few extras. We struck a deal; I parted with some cash, a few days later I drove it to work.
As much as I love the continent cruising abilities of the traditional 7 series, the Bangle version is different, very different. Still there underneath is that wonderful engine full of endless power, and an unbelievable ride and handling balance that seems to combine a luxury limo ride with sports car handling without any hint of compromise.
But all in a different package.
I might be an adventurous traditionalist, but no key, no gearstick, no handbrake – you really need to read the handbook, not before driving, but to enable driving. But luckily the gadgetry includes a Help screen which senses when you have done something wrong
and advises what you should be doing.
And that is just to start the engine!
So the trip to work was interesting.
The 220 miles passed without incident and I did dispatch slower moving traffic at locations I would not normally consider, with such consummate ease. A few bends at 80 on one of my favourite roads just bought a smile at how conservatively I was driving. And virtually 27 mpg on the trip was an added bonus. However, I have discovered the front headrests automatically adjust for drivers with a waist only a third of the way up their body, so you sit there inexplicably with your head under the headrest. And the
extremely complicated navigation system, which is not a patch on a Tom Tom, but does get you to your destination, has decided I need to go to Stevenage, and nothing I do will make it change its mind.
The iDrive is good, if only in being different, not necessarily better. After a day I can find my way around it, but I must admit I have omitted to read the 100 pages of the handbook dedicated to the built in mobile phone. I did also program the radio stations, but it seems to have reverted to more crackling than a burnt pig, so I will have to revisit the manual. The gear selector I have nearly
mastered, although I start off by instinctively raising my left arm to operate the stalk on the right hand side. A bit like driving a Japanese car after an English one, and operating the wipers every time you turn. Little things I miss, like the accurate mph display on the Tom Tom, and being able to show average mpg at the same time as calculated arrival time.
I suppose it is best summed up as a Citroen CX/XM cabin in a BMW, but with quality, bags of quality. After only a day of driving I see why it is the Marmite car, although so far I love most of it, and hate only a little.
The big surprise to me is how much I have under-rated the Lexus after two and a half years, and just how close it is to the big BM in providing my ideal transport. Ok, so the RX is an SUV, and the 735 an executive saloon, but for my purposes so far I am unable to
choose. So the Lexus is uninvolving, but in Bangle form the BM is demanding too much driver input. Life is easy with a Lexus, so much so that maybe I have started to take its qualities as the norm.
I shall take the RX tonight, just to see how it feels after the BM.
It’s a tough life, but someone has to live it. Maybe an RX350 might be the solution? Tess will be pleased.
Three Minutes
…..that was all it was. I was going to work in Stevenage, Derinda was going to Cambridge. She got in the Lexus and just drove straight off first. I got in the 7 and had to carry out the usual pre-flight checks, set up the sat-nav, bring up what displays I wanted for the journey, zero the trip computers, go through the start-up procedures in the right order. Off I set, just three minutes behind.
As I hit the main road, I thought it was Derinda in the distance, which turned out to be a Honda Jazz when I came up behind. Oh well, I thought, she is not far in front. Traffic was heavy, lorries interspersed with queues of cars, nose to tail. I mostly just followed.
Twenty miles on I get a call from Derinda, ‘where are you, I have just passed Diss’,which was where I was, so I was close.
The traffic thinned, and I started minnowing my way past the slower moving traffic. No sign of the Lexus. I upped the game and
used my intimate knowledge of the road, passing several cars at the same time, sometimes on bends where I had glimpsed the road to be previously clear. That V8 howl propels you to insane speeds with consummate ease, bends make no difference, you just have to pay attention. My efforts paid off, although the fuel computer displayed the cost, as the Lexus appeared just five
vehicles in front. Thirty miles it had taken to make up a three minute advantage. But a few bends later it was gone.
It was about this time that I began to question the point of my technological steed. OK, I was having fun, but not in an essential way. It wasn’t an ‘empty road lets enjoy’ drive, it was a ‘I must be able to catch up’sort of quest.
The seven is still cutting edge, little things like electronically controlled hydraulic rams that stiffen the anti-roll bars, a whole new level of variable valve control that dispenses with a throttle butterfly, aluminium suspension to save weight, a six speed gearbox, 40 profile tyres.
But faced with catching a three litre 4x4 driven by Derinda, in a real world situation, it offered little practical advantage.
Next thing was the A14. I started off at 80, but then realised that would not do, as Derinda’s‘pottering’ speed is 80, and I wouldn’t catch up. Just into three digits was better, but still no Lexus. I slowed for what looked like a Council van in a lay-by well ahead, luckily, as it turned out to be a camera as I got closer. Did it, or didn’t it?
At my normal speed it wouldn’t have mattered so much. Why was I doing this, why can’t I catch up?
Just as I hit the A11 joining the A14, the Lexus came into sight. I slowed down and drew in behind her. She was just doing
her ‘80’potter. The cars I had just overtaken with such vigour now sped past me. 60 miles it had taken me.
My speeding pursuit had gained just 3 seconds each minute over Derinda’s potter.
Is the 155mph supercar redundant?
As I hit the main road, I thought it was Derinda in the distance, which turned out to be a Honda Jazz when I came up behind. Oh well, I thought, she is not far in front. Traffic was heavy, lorries interspersed with queues of cars, nose to tail. I mostly just followed.
Twenty miles on I get a call from Derinda, ‘where are you, I have just passed Diss’,which was where I was, so I was close.
The traffic thinned, and I started minnowing my way past the slower moving traffic. No sign of the Lexus. I upped the game and
used my intimate knowledge of the road, passing several cars at the same time, sometimes on bends where I had glimpsed the road to be previously clear. That V8 howl propels you to insane speeds with consummate ease, bends make no difference, you just have to pay attention. My efforts paid off, although the fuel computer displayed the cost, as the Lexus appeared just five
vehicles in front. Thirty miles it had taken to make up a three minute advantage. But a few bends later it was gone.
It was about this time that I began to question the point of my technological steed. OK, I was having fun, but not in an essential way. It wasn’t an ‘empty road lets enjoy’ drive, it was a ‘I must be able to catch up’sort of quest.
The seven is still cutting edge, little things like electronically controlled hydraulic rams that stiffen the anti-roll bars, a whole new level of variable valve control that dispenses with a throttle butterfly, aluminium suspension to save weight, a six speed gearbox, 40 profile tyres.
But faced with catching a three litre 4x4 driven by Derinda, in a real world situation, it offered little practical advantage.
Next thing was the A14. I started off at 80, but then realised that would not do, as Derinda’s‘pottering’ speed is 80, and I wouldn’t catch up. Just into three digits was better, but still no Lexus. I slowed for what looked like a Council van in a lay-by well ahead, luckily, as it turned out to be a camera as I got closer. Did it, or didn’t it?
At my normal speed it wouldn’t have mattered so much. Why was I doing this, why can’t I catch up?
Just as I hit the A11 joining the A14, the Lexus came into sight. I slowed down and drew in behind her. She was just doing
her ‘80’potter. The cars I had just overtaken with such vigour now sped past me. 60 miles it had taken me.
My speeding pursuit had gained just 3 seconds each minute over Derinda’s potter.
Is the 155mph supercar redundant?
Lexus RX300 SEL
June 2011 - Well, I lusted after the RX350, but they were too much money. However, I had been watching an RX300 SEL on eBay which had not sold. It was unusual in being a SEL, and rare in having grey leather. After a while I emailed the seller, resulting in an evening trip up to Nottingham soon after.
I must admit the big BM came into its own on the A1 north. There is nothing quite like a 7 series V8 given a fast road. It was early evening with fairly heavy tail end of the rush hour traffic. We tagged along with a Bentley that was obviously a frequent northbound flyer, just keeping a few hundred yards behind. He was hitting the slower moving traffic in the outside lane, and then hurtling up to 90 as soon as given a clear road, and the BM just loved it, there was nothing he could do that we couldn't with total ease.
The RX was fine; we struck a deal, and then attempted to find our way home. This was fun, as I was using the RX sat nav, totally unaware that it was set to avoid motorways. Our third lap of Nottingham I stopped and sussed it, much to the consternation of Derinda following in the BM.
The RX is impressive; it just gets on with it without the driver demands of the BM. The standard RX specification is excellent, but the L is indulgent. The remote controlled power tailgate is extremely practical and the height of laziness. The air suspension that matches the Range Rover in sophistication, but unlike the big LR, actually works. The 5 speed sequential auto gearbox that defies you to notice when it changes gear. The rear view camera, the self-leveling headlights on an already self-leveling car that also adapt to shine around corners. The eleven speakers on the Mark Levison Hi-Fi, the instant Sat Nav built in, memory seats and auto dipping nearside mirror when reversing. The auto dimming rear view mirrors, not just the center but also both doors. And finally the way the steering column moves out of your way when you remove the ignition key.
But the biggest trick is that it all works flawlessly, and after 20,000 miles continues to do so. Pads and oil services, plus one A/C re-gas and some new tyres are all that there is to report. And an average of around 26 mpg cannot be bad.
Mid 2012 we had a brake re-call notification from Lexus. Right I thought, this is a 2004 car that hasn't seen a Lexus dealer for several years, this is going to cost something. But no, we booked into our local Lexus dealer, drank their tea and coffee, looked at their cars, they washed mine before bringing it back, and then gave us two bottles of wine for the inconvenience. The cost, absolutely nothing! Impressive!
I must admit the big BM came into its own on the A1 north. There is nothing quite like a 7 series V8 given a fast road. It was early evening with fairly heavy tail end of the rush hour traffic. We tagged along with a Bentley that was obviously a frequent northbound flyer, just keeping a few hundred yards behind. He was hitting the slower moving traffic in the outside lane, and then hurtling up to 90 as soon as given a clear road, and the BM just loved it, there was nothing he could do that we couldn't with total ease.
The RX was fine; we struck a deal, and then attempted to find our way home. This was fun, as I was using the RX sat nav, totally unaware that it was set to avoid motorways. Our third lap of Nottingham I stopped and sussed it, much to the consternation of Derinda following in the BM.
The RX is impressive; it just gets on with it without the driver demands of the BM. The standard RX specification is excellent, but the L is indulgent. The remote controlled power tailgate is extremely practical and the height of laziness. The air suspension that matches the Range Rover in sophistication, but unlike the big LR, actually works. The 5 speed sequential auto gearbox that defies you to notice when it changes gear. The rear view camera, the self-leveling headlights on an already self-leveling car that also adapt to shine around corners. The eleven speakers on the Mark Levison Hi-Fi, the instant Sat Nav built in, memory seats and auto dipping nearside mirror when reversing. The auto dimming rear view mirrors, not just the center but also both doors. And finally the way the steering column moves out of your way when you remove the ignition key.
But the biggest trick is that it all works flawlessly, and after 20,000 miles continues to do so. Pads and oil services, plus one A/C re-gas and some new tyres are all that there is to report. And an average of around 26 mpg cannot be bad.
Mid 2012 we had a brake re-call notification from Lexus. Right I thought, this is a 2004 car that hasn't seen a Lexus dealer for several years, this is going to cost something. But no, we booked into our local Lexus dealer, drank their tea and coffee, looked at their cars, they washed mine before bringing it back, and then gave us two bottles of wine for the inconvenience. The cost, absolutely nothing! Impressive!