Help with the car

[FARMER22]

Hi I am looking for advice and views on the Lexus RX 4x4 range looking at buying an older model with a budget of 10 K it will as a second vehicle there is also a hybrid version would it be a better option TIA

 

[FARMER22]

Looks like nobody has any experience of or any views of this model maybe it is not a very popular brand, maybe I should be looking at other makes ?
Any help greatly received

 

[Cowabunga]

Lexus is the premium-price Toyota brand. Exceptional quality but dubious styling. If you like it, go for it.
It will probably be a high milage and/or older model at your budget. However don't confuse 'cheap to buy' with 'cheap to run'. If you are lucky, it will be cheap to run, but if you do require a major repair, it could be more expensive than average for the class. Most people are lucky with the brand. My NFU local secretary had one some 15 years or more ago and he was very happy with it.

 

[FARMER22]

Lexus is the premium-price Toyota brand. Exceptional quality but dubious styling. If you like it, go for it.
It will probably be a high milage and/or older model at your budget. However don't confuse 'cheap to buy' with 'cheap to run'. If you are lucky, it will be cheap to run, but if you do require a major repair, it could be more expensive than average for the class. Most people are lucky with the brand. My NFU local secretary had one some 15 years or more ago and he was very happy with it.

Thank you for that information I could probably push the budget to around 15k is there any other vehicles that you think would be more suitable Volkswagen Touareg as an example ?

 

[Mursal]

VW/Audi (VAG Group) but that's just our preference.
Watch secondhand hybrids, as the battery packs are expensive to replace. But I'm sure Lexus will give extended warranty on that, just double check.

 

[Cowabunga]

Thank you for that information I could probably push the budget to around 15k is there any other vehicles that you think would be more suitable Volkswagen Touareg as an example ?

Touareg is a good bet and can tow 3.5 tons. Get one that has had city/motorway use, not one that has had a ragging from extreme farm work. Plenty of choice in Autotrader online. Audi Q7 is also in your budget. Neither are cheap to run, although fair on fuel, although Derrick seemed to have one with a hole in its tank.
Honda CRV. Sell you my 2.2 diesel for £14k. Full dealer service history and 100% reliable with 80% good tyres. 42mpg average. Very roomy and top spec with pano roof, leccy tailgate, sensors and reversing camera, full leather. New price today around £35k after discount.

Between 10 and 15k there is plenty of choice of some really nice cars with absolutely nothing wrong with them. Obviously you need a bit of luck but the savings are there.

 

[Robt]

im looking at a 14 plate VW Toureg, are they as heavy on tyres as the Q7 Cowabunga? arent they pretty much the same chassis. Budget is 22-25k so should get a good 30'000 mile one for that.

 

[Cowabunga]

im looking at a 14 plate VW Toureg, are they as heavy on tyres as the Q7 Cowabunga? arent they pretty much the same chassis. Budget is 22-25k so should get a good 30'000 mile one for that.

They are the same chassis and drivetrain, although a two speed transfer case is a [rare] option on the Touareg. Yes they used to be ridiculously hard on tyres but do check whether post-2010 models have a modified drivetrain that sorts the tyre wear issue out. I really don't know but I've heard it said.
What was @Forage Trader experience with tyre wear? I know his drank much more than normal for some reason. Driven carefully facelift ones with the low friction version of the V6 should easily achieve 30mpg as an average if driven half-tidily and over a reasonable distance. Adblue ones even better, which might just be within budget.

Just checked Autotrader and yes, here's a Bluemotion one for £21k
50 of them between 20 and 22.5k

 

[___\0/___]

If buying a VAG group car make sure it hasn't had the emissions fix.

 

[Cowabunga]

If buying a VAG group car make sure it hasn't had the emissions fix.

Very good point. I don't think they will have started on the V6 diesels yet but the fix is optional and the reports are NOT GOOD on the four cylinder after the software fix has been applied.

 

[Robt]

Thanks guys, looking for the bigger hp engine , as I'll drive it occasionally.
Don't want the r design as suspension is too stiff. I know air is an option but very few used. So I'll look out for se with xenon lights... just don't want her to be yet another Suffolk yummy mummy with an XC90

 

[Cowabunga]

Thanks guys, looking for the bigger hp engine , as I'll drive it occasionally.
Don't want the r design as suspension is too stiff. I know air is an option but very few used. So I'll look out for se with xenon lights... just don't want her to be yet another Suffolk yummy mummy with an XC90

Older XC 90 are to be avoided for the school run. The steering lock is somewhat worse than an artic truck

 

[FARMER22]

Touareg is a good bet and can tow 3.5 tons. Get one that has had city/motorway use, not one that has had a ragging from extreme farm work. Plenty of choice in Autotrader online. Audi Q7 is also in your budget. Neither are cheap to run, although fair on fuel, although Derrick seemed to have one with a hole in its tank.
Honda CRV. Sell you my 2.2 diesel for £14k. Full dealer service history and 100% reliable with 80% good tyres. 42mpg average. Very roomy and top spec with pano roof, leccy tailgate, sensors and reversing camera, full leather. New price today around £35k after discount.

Between 10 and 15k there is plenty of choice of some really nice cars with absolutely nothing wrong with them. Obviously you need a bit of luck but the savings are there.

Thank you very much for your suggestions I will look into those models your car sounds like it would be a very good deal for somebody but unfortunately I am living in Europe at the moment so a left-hand drive is a necessity[emoji33][emoji1]

 

[Mursal]

.......................

 

[Yale]

Price a tow bar for the Touareg.

You may have a shock!

 

[Cowabunga]

Price a tow bar for the Touareg.

You may have a shock!

Depends. For the genuine folding towbar, fitted and including VAT, the going rate is around £900 these days I believe. Of course that includes fitting, the wiring and 13 pin plug plus the installation or activation of the towing mode and trailer stability control. VAT is reclaimable on the towing hitch irrespective of the status of the car.
Cheaper removable and fixed hitches are available.

 

[Robt]

That's what I'll use to sweeten the deal. I've spent enough years selling to crafty farmers to know how to get the salesman all excited then drop the bombshell of a free (2k) towbar!

 

[Robt]

Cowabunga dude, doesn't it need a cooling package upgrade too? Or is that an urban myth

 

[Cowabunga]

Cowabunga dude, doesn't it need a cooling package upgrade too? Or is that an urban myth

I haven't heard of that. There was no warning about that in my 2006 Q7 manual. Do check in case that has changed with the newer eight speed box.
There's a version of the 8 speed Aisin Warner [AW] box used in the Touareg and Q7, using shorter shafts and a band brake instead of a pack to fit front wheel drive vehicles, in my XC90. There's no warning in the manual that it needs any cooling upgrade either. However the Volvo is limited to towing 2.7 tons maximum if I remember correctly.

If considering a hitch, there's a lot to be said for the electrically deployable folding hitch which tucks up out of the way and is completely invisible when stowed.
Part of the reason these hitches are so expensive, apart from the engineering and wiring for the swivel, is that the rear bumper and crush zone crossmember is removed and the latter replaced by a towbar frame and cushion that is designed to provide equal or near equal crush and passenger shock protection in a rear ender as the original bumper. Some cheap aftermarket hitches just don't provide such protection. What price the safety and protection of your family?

 

[FARMER22]

I think I have narrowed the search down to the Lexus RX range after looking at other manufacturers ,so at least I am making some progress[emoji106]