Expatman

The Lexus LBX is the new small self charging hybrid. Based on Toyota Yaris Cross but different body and heavily modified drive train - balancer shafts etc. What Cars car of the year.

The Toyota Yaris Cross has scored well in reliability surveys - as have all Toyotas. I don’t see why Lexus should be any worse and maybe better after all the work they have done in modifying the basic drivetrain. Also warranty is ten years providing you have the car serviced at a Lexus dealer. As with any newly released car there is inevitably a learning curve for production so wait 2-3 months before buying to allow for initial start up gremlins to the ironed out!

Lexus 98.3% and Toyota 97.4% reliability index according to Whatcar 2023 survey. Lexus has topped the chart for several years. Seems a good bet to me. In comparison Skoda achieved 91.4% .

Probably! Honestly I am confused as to what to do. Fact is Yeti is now 7 years old and while it has been faultless there comes a point when things are going to need attention, inevitable with any mechanical device. I am too old to be bothered with the hassle of dealing with any problems so am tempted to swap for a new car. Favourite so far is the new Lexus LBX hybrid which is big enough for us - 95% of the time only 2 in the car - and I fancy seeing how a hybrid performs. Not ready for a pure EV but a hybrid might be nice; Lexus has the best reliability record of any make so that tempts me. However...... still not made up my mind!!!

Advice I got from Editor of a motoring magazine was - don’t sell your Yeti, best car Skoda ever made and one of the best everyday affordable cars anyone’s ever made. Similarly we met a couple when we were on holiday in Dorset last year and got talking about cars, when I said I had a Yeti they said they had sold their Yeti a year ago and were still regretting it!

I intend to sell my 2017 SEL Drive 1.2 Tsi DSG with Smart link, electric memory drivers seat and adjustable boot floor, Satnav in Onyx grey and main dealer serviced since new. Unmarked with Gobi sand leather interior, Goodyear Vector All season tyres (215/60 R16), 51,000 trouble free miles averaging 44 MPG on a brim full to brim full basis. Currently valued at between £11,500 and £12,500 by on-line companies. Values vary by mileage, age and condition. This one's an excellent one!! Interested? PS Avoid a sunroof for your peace of mind!

Alfasud - that brings back memories, colleague had one that rusted as he looked at it. He managed to keep it going for 18 months then the rust won!

Talking about Company cars the best by far was a 1991 Vauxhall Cavalier 2.0GSi, smooth, surprisingly fast and a bit of a wolf in sheep’s clothing when it came to performance. Surprised many a boy racer from traffic lights- older and wiser (and retired) now but did enjoy that car.

Make sure your DSG oil changes are up to date, otherwise just service to schedule and drive happy!

The Morris Marina was a terrible car. I still have shivers thinking about it and the gamble everytime we went out as to whether we would get back. Probably the most cynical car hoisted on the public by the dying English motor trade.

Morris Minor convertible - Ah driving with wind in my hair (had some then) King of the road!! Triumph Herald convertible - I was so cool man ...😎

Only used it as an Aux in.

Bearing in mind the state of UK roads and the widely reported expensive damage to low profile tyres and large wheels caused by potholes etc., as well as the far better ride comfort, you would hope that buyers would be educated to the benefit of higher profile tyres. Of course car salespersons push bigger wheels to increase profits and fail to explain the drawbacks, so nothing changes until they make smaller wheels equally financially attractive to salespersons. Don’t hold your breath!

But with a bit of clever marketing they could offer smaller wheels with more attractive alloy designs. Base models with 16” wheels tend to have basic alloy designs - no black highlights or diamond cut finishes - so put those more “up market” designs as an extra cost option and make money both ways!

You're right. But if you can have larger wheels as an option why can't you have smaller wheels as an option? Bearing in mind the state of our roads higher profile tyres much preferable to cope with potholes etc.