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Lexus RX 400h

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What is this discussion about? Lexus RX 400h, Hybrid Cars

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#31 of 2334 re: the future of hybrid cars by mytythor Feb 12, 2004 (7:13 pm)
I'm sure there will be a waiting list for the 400h which will justify the premium and a price above MSRP. My wife doens't like buying a new car to begin with although our 2001 RX was bought new because of the Nav. Her 2001 GS was bought from my friend who is a fleet manager(his wife's car)at a substantial discount from what the usual customer would pay. If there is going to be a substantial premium and above MSRP, my wife will opt to keep the 2001 RX and wait for a 400h on the used car market. We still feel that the cost/benefit has to be there. We bought 3 of our 4 Lexus that were used 1 year or less with low mileage.
#32 of 2334 Prius do not get 60mpg by ceric Feb 12, 2004 (11:49 pm)
EPA rating is not how people drive. There was a recent report on Autoweek about this, which is saying that EPA's way of rating fuel consumption is outdated for hybrids. Most consumers get 40~45mpg on survey. In order to get beyond 50mpg, you need to follow a "formula" of driving. (getting up to speed quickly and start cruising, etc..)   Lexus is quoting 30mpg in autoshow. The best you should expect is about 25mpg. Hybrids get better city than highway mpg. 25mpg is pretty good considering most RX owners get 17~20mpg in combined driving.   OK, assuming 7mpg saving for 91+ ($2 in CA). On average 12K drive per year, you save about less than $400 for fuel ($1330 vs $960). You need 10 years to recover the cost. It would be more if you consider $4000's opportunity cost (interest?)   My point is that if people buy hybrids for saving money, they are missing the points. 400h get better response (horse power), which worth $4000 alone for some people. Saving fuel cost is just icing on the cake. Being first in owning one is priceless (as the TV ads says...)   BTW, 400h would only come "fully loaded". That is on top of the $45K loaded RX330. You can expect $50 price tag. For lower-end, they want you to get Highlander hybrids instead.   Just MHO.
#33 of 2334 Gas mileage by lok888 Feb 13, 2004 (7:45 am)
This is what I found from Edmunds and Toyota websites, 60/51/55 mpg in city/highway/combined. And I am not sure how the EPA rating works. But I also heard most people are getting 40+ mpg. And this is what I believe is right.   ceric - I agree with you. But the marketing for these hybrid cars make people think they are saving money by burning less fuel, like 20 mpg gasoline powered car vs. 40 mpg hybrid car.   Beside the clean air issue, Lexus (Toyota) should consider putting its V8 engine on RX from LS430 for more power. Beside the the RX is 1000 pounds heavier than LS, the gas mileage is very close. I think people would agree to spend an extra $4K. And people will put a question mark on RX400h.
#34 of 2334 by maxhonda99 Feb 13, 2004 (8:16 am)
lok888,   Actually both the RX330 and LS430 weigh in at about 4000lbs. I believe the RX330 is about 4,200lbs.
#35 of 2334 400h by carguy1234 Feb 13, 2004 (10:00 am)
Anybody having luck getting info on the 400h at dealers? Neither of my Twin Cities Lexus dealerships will return my emails. I was politely asking about waiting lists, ordering protocol, etc.   Apparently you need to show up in person with a big wad of cash showing in your clenched fist before they will engage you in conversation? You would think they would treat 'live' prospects with at least a little interest.
#36 of 2334 RX400h order by lok888 Feb 13, 2004 (11:28 am)
It is a different story here in MA. I contacted two local Lexus dealers here. One dealer (Lexus of Watertown) told there is a $500 refundable deposit for the RX400h. And I would be 35th on the list if I want it. But there is still no pricing info yet. All information that we know are from the auto show coverage and Lexus website. He added that the available date is between December 2004 to January 2005. I have no reason to believe that he was lying. Otherwise, he would ask me to buy the RX330 now.
#37 of 2334 real-world MPG by john1701a Feb 13, 2004 (2:42 pm)
> I also heard most people are getting 40+ mpg   That's because it is WINTER right now.   ALL vehicles take an efficiency hit during the cold season.   Going from -18F two weeks ago to 25F today, I saw a huge improvement with the MPG in my Prius. Another 50F degrees will account for another signficant MPG improvement.   MPG is lower during the initial break-in period too.   JOHN
#38 of 2334 by mytythor Feb 13, 2004 (7:40 pm)
If a 400h is going to be $50K, I know my wife will say forget about it!! She'll wait for the cost/benefit of a preowned 400h. Actually, we like the new 330 style and the added content such as backup camera, power tailgate,larger Nav screen & etc than we have on the 2001. She is more than willing keep to keep the 2001 for 5-6 years. We kept her 94 ES 300 8 years and it was like new when we sold it.
#39 of 2334 MPG from Motortrend by usbseawolf2000 Feb 13, 2004 (10:38 pm)
"While the 400h achieves 36 city/31 highway mpg and meets California's Super-Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) requirements, it is the power and its delivery that excites us."   Dennis
#40 of 2334 400h cost by usbseawolf2000 Feb 13, 2004 (11:07 pm)
"The RX 400h will be the top-of-the-line RX model, probably with prices starting at more than $40,000."   http://www.evworld.com/view.cfm?section=communique&newsid=503- 2   Dennis

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