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Hybrid Vehicles Lexus RX 400h Lexus RX 400h
2334 messages, Last post on Oct 11, 2009 at 10:42 AM
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Replying to: wwest (Sep 13, 2007 11:35 am) The I4 has now even been dropped from the HEAVIER HL line. " Toyota is catering to the customer desires (or their perception of customer desires). The view is that an SUV driver wants good power and acceleration. To get that in an SUV that weighs over 4500 lbs, one needs either an enhanced I4 (SC or Turbo) or a V6. It would be expensive to develop an I4 just for the hybrid SUV application. They would rather bask in the glow of having SUV hybrids without having said vehicles get really good MPG (for an SUV). The Ford website does not list the weight of the Escape (hybrid or ICE). I think it weighs around 4000 lbs in hybrid form, which is considerably less than the HH or RX. And in any case the FEH has "adequate",not stellar, acceleration. Another issue is the towing, which really requires a V6. I would not tow ANYTHING with an FEH. Of course, many people would say that a hybrid SUV is kind of pointless anyway (due to the higher weight and cross-section of the SUV). The current system provides a modest increase in MPG over the ICE only model; an I4 could double that increase. |
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Be sure to check out Senior Editor John O'Dell's newest addition to our lineup, the Green Car Advisor for news and commentary on environmental automotive trends and technologies. Looking forward to all your comments! |
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Replying to: stevedebi (Sep 14, 2007 9:30 am) For quite a few years now I have suspected that the towing package for these vehicles was developed for other reasons, yet another SECRET "protect the drive train effort" at the customer's expense. When I bought my '01 AWD RX300 I was told that the only way I could get one without the tow package was with a special order. Say WHAT...??!! So I now suspect, strongly so, that the use of the Camry transaxle in the RX300 required a few design measures to help extend the transaxle life. Obviously a failed effort for the '99 RX series.
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Replying to: wwest (Sep 15, 2007 8:31 am) People drive a vehicle, play around with some creature comfort they didn't know they wanted, but go for it because it is 'neat' and/or "it only adds $9/month to my payment". In the case of a tow package, probably only $1/mnth. Yep. I think it probably has more to do with dealer profits than reliability. Why would a dealer care about a possible super slim improvement in reliability between a tow package vs. a non-tow package vehicle? After all, if it breaks or wears out, you pay them to fix it or you buy another vehicle!
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Replying to: chadx (Sep 24, 2007 12:42 pm) I'm not so sure. Dealers tend to "pile on" lots, tons, of needless, USELESS options, 3M treatment, paint preservation, rear bumper protectors, etc, etc, etc. Plus I have no doubt that dealer added features/options have very HIGH profit margins due to the dealers being "CHEAP" in their selection. Insofar as I know none of the towing packages are a dealer option. An additional point.... How many customers are like myself in that we refuse, absolutely refuse to pay for these dealer options that they "throw-in" automatically at the "port". I don't buy many new cars, and even fewer under custom order, but again and again I have had dealers try to BILK me for these "standard" options. I do not pay. The last special order I did was a '99 Chrysler T&C and after it arrived the dealer piled on almost $1500 worth of these options and he got to EAT every one. I was buying it for my daughter and I suspect the dealer thought that under those circumstances I wouldn't be likely to walk away from the deal.. WRONG...! He blinked first. |
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Replying to: chadx (Sep 24, 2007 12:42 pm) Bottom line.... The "dealer" doesn't care, literally doesn't give a DAMN..! It's the factory that would be paying for warranty repairs and suffering the adverse PR. "super slim improvement.."??? That's a line I would expect to see put forth by someone "shilling" for Lexus. Not even changing the scheduled ATF drain/refill period from infinity to every 15,000 miles could be referred to as a "super slim improvement" issue, let along the potential for total transaxle failure in as little as 70-80,000 miles. |
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| Just got my new 2008 RX400h vehicle the other day in Matador Red and it's great! The color is exactly what I was looking and it drives like a dream! There aren't many new RX400h cars out there right now, so I guess I was very lucky! | |
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Replying to: erc66 (Oct 02, 2007 3:26 pm) 
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I recently replace my original tires at 26K miles due to inside edge excessive wear. The Lexus dealer insists the alignment was within specification. After putting on new Michelins I took it to a specialty alignment shop. They reported the camber was OK but toe-in on both front and rear needed a 1/8 in adjustment. Also recommended tire rotation with crossover of front to rear and bring rear directly to front. Today at the Taste of Lexus event, the Michelin rep asked me about uneven tire wear. He had heard quite a bit about it and Michelin is very concerned because they do not want their tires to be blamed for something that is a flaw in the alignment coming out of the factory. So if your RX has excessive tire wear on the inside edge, take it to an alignment shop. Jerry |
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