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New Lexus GS 450h Owners - Give Us Your Report

66 messages,  Last post on Sep 06, 2007 at 9:39 AM

You are in the Lexus GS 450h Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus GS 450h, Hybrid Cars, Car Buying, Sedan

Messages Page 5 of 7

#37 of 66 Re: The Eagle Is Here [gs450h] by nml

May 06, 2006 (12:28 pm)

Replying to: gs450h (May 04, 2006 10:35 am)
my husband actually turned down the nm version because he didn't want the black interior....they are building him a white with beige/tan leather interior....delivery in 60-90 days.....it's good to know how great this car will be based on your experience...thanks....

#38 of 66 Took Delivery May 1st by bmwconvert

May 01, 2006 (8:56 pm)

Put my deposit down at Lexus of Englewood NJ about 6 months ago. Not sure where I was on the list, but salesman called me today letting me know that a silver/black had just arrived. Said it was their 1st car in and that it arrived on Saturday (the 42 miles on the odo would imply that at least a few customers or salespeople drove it the first day). I paid cash and had title to my trade-in so I was able to drive it out 2 hours after arriving.
 
This is my first Lexus, having owned 4 BMW's prior (3's and 5's). Dealer experience was perfect. Where's the hybrid premium? I paid sticker (no premium at all), which looked about the same as the sticker of the loaded GS430 in the showroom (granted, that car must get discounted several thousand at least). Seems like a reasonable premium for an innovative, powerful and efficient vehicle.
 
Only drove the car from the dealer to home and around the block a few times, so little to report so far. First impression very positive -- smooth as silk and whisper quiet (again, my first lexus and BMW's didn't aim for those characteristics). Very powerful acceleration -- you feel yourself pushed back into the seat.
 
I've got a lot of exploring to do, as I only spent about 5 minutes with the salesman's demo in the dark parking lot. Only negative so far (not unique to the hybrid): the interior lighting in this model is a joke. 4 pin spotlights provide virtually zero lighting outside of their direct beams. More light came from the dashboard gauges than the ceiling lighting. The black interior didn't help. It's one thing to aim for cool looking, but this is ridiculous.
 
Only extras were Sirius radio ($695), which I have to go back for, and the insurance for the wheels/tires ($685 for 5 years of protection seemed like a good idea given the poor road conditions in the NY metro area).
 
FYI: I don't think you're eligible for the $1,550 govt hybrid rebate if you lease -- I believe only if you purchase. If that's in fact right, work it into your financing decision.

#44 of 66 Re: colors, mileage and bluetooth [trungus] by bmwconvert

Jun 06, 2006 (10:06 am)

I'm a few fillup's in and have been getting about 23mpg with little highway miles in there (average speed a dismal 25mph or less on my commute).
 
I use the Treo 650. It was very finnicky during configuration (Lexus dealer was aware of the problem and didn't have a ready solution, but a friend who's pretty good with bluetooth setups managed to get it working). Now it works fine, except the signal strength and battery meter do not show up on the screen.
 
I'm somewhat annoyed that several features become disabled when the car is in motion. For example, you can only speed dial when in motion, leaving me to punch in a phone number using the tiny Treo buttons instead. Ditto for the navigation system. Didn't it occur to Lexus that the front passenger might want to enter a destination or lookup a phone number? I'm told this is not unique to Lexus though. Seems hypersensitive to liability to me. Voice dialing is an option, but it's pretty tedious.
 
To those interested, go ahead and buy... you won't be disappointed. The car's great (except for the lousy interior lighting!).

#46 of 66 Re: colors, mileage and bluetooth [bmwconvert] by flid

Jun 06, 2006 (4:46 pm)

Replying to: bmwconvert (Jun 06, 2006 10:06 am)
This is good information. I intend to go with the Treo 700 which I assume will have the same features as the 650 when interfaced with the Bluetooth. Your mileage seems a little low for mostly city driving...are you in a hilly terrain? I just sold my Land Cruiser and the navigation system also blocked destination input when the vehicle is in motion, which I presume is a safety issue.
 
I am buying when my color comes in and I believe this to be a bellweather vehicle - luxury, performance and environmentally appropriate... My only real remaining concern after all research, test drive and reasoning is the size of the trunk. In rationalizing why the 8 cubic feet is okay, I turn to the old adage, "Don't build a church for Easter Sunday"

Messages Page 5 of 7

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