IS 300h SE

Very smooth comfortable car marred by poor reliability

I've had the car nearly two years and was initially very impressed with both the way it drove and the service from the dealer. It averages 48mpg, which is impressive for a 2.5L petrol automatic. I can see why some motoring critics don't like the CVT transmission, but it works exceptionally well. Using the Sport mode at junctions is very handy to make a rapid and still very smooth getaway.
However, thing started to wrong after it's 50,000 service (I bought it two years old with 40,000 miles). It took the dealer 4 attempts to solve the 'sticking steering' problem - they eventually fitted a new steering rack. Having a car that doesn't respond instantly to a minor steering correction on the motorway is disconcerting to say the least. Then it needed all new discs and pads, which I thought was a bit premature for a 2.5 years old car. Then it had it's 60,000 service - £545 just for a service! That was a bit of a shock.
The latest problem was last winter when it developed a fault with the (non automatic on this model) wipers - they would only work on double speed. Again it took four visits to get it sorted, over a period of 2 months. They did provide a courtesy car when I insisted, which was fair enough, buy why 4 visits?
I doubt if I'll buy another.

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