thoughts on older LEXUS

SauRoNZA said:
Why would you buy an older Lexus and then take it to the dealership?

This is the only way costs would be outrageous.
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Lexus' service pricing model is the exact opposite of Mercedes Benz.
 
Sarg3_ZN said:
That quoted fuel consumption is very, very generous. I get 12l/100km driving it work and back, but my daily commute is only around 20km. On the freeway you get get it down to 8l/100km going at the speed limit. But let's be honest you gonna drive it like you stole it with the pigs on your tail.
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Last week I did a trip from Orania to PE, the road was mostly good and I was in a hurry. For much of the open road I had the speedocruise on 160, I don't generally go faster than that due to lock up if over 40km/h over speed limit, and I only did 200 when overtaking. I did have a bit of wind behind me, but was still quite surprised when I filled up in Murraysburg and I saw that my consumption was 8.7l/100km. Arriving in PE it had climbed to 9.7l/100km. Maybe it was the fuel in Orania ☺️
 
Stephan Maritz said:
I have been driving a 2011 Lexus is250 since 2016 without any problems. It's by far the best car I've ever had.
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Indeed, it's a great vehicle.
Something to watch for though, is that the silky smooth 2.5l V6 motor (4GR-FSE) has Toyota's D4 direct injection system, and not the D-4S twin injection system (direct and port fuel injection) of the 2GR-FSx. This means that the engine is prone to carbon build-up, so be sure to give it an Italian tuneup every now and then. :cool:
 
RonSwanson said:
All cars can have expensive maintenance and repairs, it depends on what needs to be done. And then there are sometimes huge differences in models of the same brand.

Generally speaking, I have found Lexus maintenance to be quite fairly priced, unlike the usual German suspects (Audi, Mercedes and BMW). My own 2014 IS350 went in to Lexus for its 165,000km service last year, and if I recall correctly, it cost around R4000. I paid R2000 extra to supply 2 new front control arm bushes, because the old ones were cracked (i.e. roadworthy but serviceable) and another R2000 for fitment. So around R8000 in total (R4000 maintenance, R4000 repairs) which, whilst it isn't cheap, isn't all that bad. She will be going in again in 2-3 months and I expect to pay around R4000 again. Brake pads will probably need to be done, but I will do it myself because I think that the dealership is quite expensive on that at around R4000 - R5000.

Lexus have an undeniable reputation for their excellent build quality and slightly conservative design choices, the result is a car that doesn't break often. By contrast, the usual German suspects are quite leading edge, and they are not afraid to try out newer tech which might not have fully matured (at the client's expense). For example, ask any owner of one of these who has needed repairs on their DSG gearbox recently. I am very happy with the 8 speed ZF box in my IS350, it may be 0.05 milliseconds slower to shift than a DSG, but then again who cares? It works, all the time, and when it reaches 500,000km it will still work. The same with the motor: it is a tried and trusted 2GR-FEx which Lexus has improved upon, making small incremental improvements every few years, to the degree that today it is virtually perfect. Incidentally it is also fitted to the Lotus Evora S and Exige S, as well as many Toyota models.

The IS models will generally cost slightly more to maintain and repair than the ES, GS and LS models, that is just how the car is designed and set-up (higher performance has a reciprocal cost). That's even truer for the ISF, but you have to appreciate that the car's drivetrain, brakes and suspension experience far greater forces and wear, so quite understandable.

Generally speaking, if it's a respectable dealership (so not one in Marshalltown or Rosettenville, for example) and you have validated accident-free status and service history, they are all good buys. If you are looking for an especially good one, I personally prefer private deals, and you must not be in a hurry to buy. Set an alert on Autotrader for a private seller deal. When you spot a car that you like, view it, and set a mental price that you are prepared to pay. Make an offer, and be prepared to walk away. Some private sellers are hard-headed, but some are very reasonable. About 2 months ago I spotted a 2015 GS350 in showroom condition with 135K on the clock for R145,000, private deal, and I felt like screaming "Take my money!". Yet whilst I was sorely tempted to buy it, I don't have storage space nor use for it. Had it been an LSxxx, I might just have bought it (and a new home with 4 garages!).

Some good YT channels to help you:

ReDriven:
and
and

The Car Care Nut:
and
and
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJkjE2-O3wo

Scotty Kilmer:
www.youtube.com

Scotty Kilmer

I've been a mechanic for 57 years and I'm here to share my knowledge with you! Over 3 Billion YouTube views. New car stuff every day. The most watched individual car channel in America. Never any sponsored content, just the truth!
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
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Welcome back!
 
3-5k for a minor service and up to 9k for major service? Good lord. I have never paid over 2k for a minor service on a VW. Bigger service with filters etc around 3k or less. Only time where you get close to 9k is with cambelt included in service every 90 000-120 000kms.
 
There is a reason people cant buy a new or at least less than 5 year old luxury car. You can't afford it. That is the same reason you should not buy an old luxury car. You will not be able to afford it when something goes wrong. I literally know people that was ruined financially because of luxury cars breaking down.
The only people that should drive old cars are mature people that don't speed from robot to robot. People that never go above 4000rpm in a petrol car or 3000rpm on a diesel car except if your cruising speed on highway at 120/130 is just a bit over those revs.
We all know those people that have problems with every single car they ever buy. Its not the cars, its how they drive them.

So of you want to drive a old car with little problems. By it new or at least less than 3 years old because you do not know how the previous clowns drove the shyte out of it. Then you drive that car like a mature adult, service it regularly and drive it for 15 years.
 
Jean Claude Vaaldamme said:
3-5k for a minor service and up to 9k for major service? Good lord. I have never paid over 2k for a minor service on a VW. Bigger service with filters etc around 3k or less. Only time where you get close to 9k is with cambelt included in service every 90 000-120 000kms.
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cambelt? what year is this Ford Model T car you speak of...

the world has evolved to timing chains, literally never ever change them. Welcome to the 21st century! lol

you don't need to do anything to an engine ever, just oil + filter. Blow out or change your air filter every so often if you drive on a dusty road. Car dealership services are a joke and they're designed to catch people, mainly lazy people..
 
epah said:
Its a big No no... and that lexus they posted has been in an accident, the front half doesnt match the back half. First thing I noticed.
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Mine is the exact same colour. It was parked mostly in the sun for the first 4 years I had it, and I did not ie significant yellowing and fade on certain areas, like the one fender and part of the door where the mirror is.

I also had the bonnet resprayed. The car has never been in an accident, I don't know if perhaps there is a problem with that particular colour.
 
Hemi300c said:
Lexus (all models manufactured from 2018 onward)
Most insurers have it listed as above and 2 tracking devices required one auto activating and another usually a cell recovery type
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Probably because they are affected by the CAN bus attack like some of their Toyota counterparts

CAN Injection: keyless car theft

This is a detective story about how a car was stolen - and how it uncovered an epidemic of high-tech car theft. It begins with a tweet. In April 2022, my friend Ian Tabor tweeted that vandals had been at his car, pulling apart the headlight and unplugging the cables.
kentindell.github.io kentindell.github.io
 
RonSwanson said:
Lexus' service pricing model is the exact opposite of Mercedes Benz.
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How is that relevant?

If you are buying an old model out of warranty taking it to the dealership would be silly. And then Mercedes isn’t much different at all, potentially cheaper for being more popular and readily available but talking very small margins here.

Welcome back though!
 
RonSwanson said:
Last week I did a trip from Orania to PE, the road was mostly good and I was in a hurry. For much of the open road I had the speedocruise on 160, I don't generally go faster than that due to lock up if over 40km/h over speed limit, and I only did 200 when overtaking. I did have a bit of wind behind me, but was still quite surprised when I filled up in Murraysburg and I saw that my consumption was 8.7l/100km. Arriving in PE it had climbed to 9.7l/100km. Maybe it was the fuel in Orania ☺️
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It's an amazing vehicle on long trips and does give you great economy.
 
Jean Claude Vaaldamme said:
3-5k for a minor service and up to 9k for major service? Good lord. I have never paid over 2k for a minor service on a VW. Bigger service with filters etc around 3k or less. Only time where you get close to 9k is with cambelt included in service every 90 000-120 000kms.
Click to expand...
Wait, what? are you comparing the servicing costs of a luxury vehicle to an economy vehicle?
 
FiestaST said:
I am actually super keen on an old IS 250, will 100% consider one after doing my DD.
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I didn't take my own advice but this was dropped off, paid on Friday for it. Arguably the next best thing ito of reliability & longevity.

Details in the thread.

Bangernomics - What R65k Can Get You In H2 2024

I've mentioned numerous times on this forum the concept of Bangernomics, I've been a massive proponent of the concept. Rather use the surplus funds elsewhere, not a very "car guy" thing to say but that's how I roll. It was time to upgrade the "banger", my povo spec Fiat served me well for 3.5...
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RonSwanson said:
Indeed, it's a great vehicle.
Something to watch for though, is that the silky smooth 2.5l V6 motor (4GR-FSE) has Toyota's D4 direct injection system, and not the D-4S twin injection system (direct and port fuel injection) of the 2GR-FSx. This means that the engine is prone to carbon build-up, so be sure to give it an Italian tuneup every now and then. :cool:
Click to expand...
The 4GR-FSE engine is as prone as any other modern engine using direct injection only. I think the issue is a bit exaggerated as not much else goes wrong with it. Unfortunately an Italian tuneup isn't very effective for direct injection engine either.
 
FiestaST said:
I didn't take my own advice but this was dropped off, paid on Friday for it. Arguably the next best thing ito of reliability & longevity.

Details in the thread.

Bangernomics - What R65k Can Get You In H2 2024

I've mentioned numerous times on this forum the concept of Bangernomics, I've been a massive proponent of the concept. Rather use the surplus funds elsewhere, not a very "car guy" thing to say but that's how I roll. It was time to upgrade the "banger", my povo spec Fiat served me well for 3.5...
mybroadband.co.za mybroadband.co.za

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Tell me about the Accord type S. I absolutely love that vehicle but I'm pretty sure any one that I find today has had the crap beaten out of it.
 
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