Get rid or keep?
Discussion
I recently bought a Lexus IS300h Executive Edition (~£15k with extended warranty and service plan).
The problem is that I hate it.
Before I bought it, I did test drive a few other serious options (330d, A4 3.0TDi, Q50h). The 330d was the best but Lexus reliability etc won the day.
My job has me doing quite long motorway miles (25k per year) so a hybrid really doesn’t make sense. I didn’t know they were that bad on the motorway. The CVT is annoying, the car feels like it has half the horsepower it actually does and the lack of response at roundabout etc takes some getting used to.
Dealer is asking £1k to get out of it. Hard to swallow a £1k loss in a week but it feels like the right solution to me and I’ll almost certainly do that.
Had anyone else had this experience with the IS300h or any other hybrid? Will it grow on me or always be this annoying?
All that said, the interior is nice and I like the look of the car generally.
The problem is that I hate it.
Before I bought it, I did test drive a few other serious options (330d, A4 3.0TDi, Q50h). The 330d was the best but Lexus reliability etc won the day.
My job has me doing quite long motorway miles (25k per year) so a hybrid really doesn’t make sense. I didn’t know they were that bad on the motorway. The CVT is annoying, the car feels like it has half the horsepower it actually does and the lack of response at roundabout etc takes some getting used to.
Dealer is asking £1k to get out of it. Hard to swallow a £1k loss in a week but it feels like the right solution to me and I’ll almost certainly do that.
Had anyone else had this experience with the IS300h or any other hybrid? Will it grow on me or always be this annoying?
All that said, the interior is nice and I like the look of the car generally.
When does the £1k loss return agreement expire?
The questions I would be asking are, you must have liked something to buy it in the first place and secondly do you think what you initially liked will outweigh the negatives you are finding now?
Judging by your reaction, I suspect not and and the loss is initially hard to stomach but probably the least costly outcome.
So what are going to do with cash in the bank and no car? Rush out and buy another one?
I got into a similar position but the car was right but just not the example I bought, I ended up renting something for a while to avoid having to buy something. Did buy another example of the same car, totally different to the dog that was the first one.
Maybe get a £1k shed as a stop gap before looking again.
The questions I would be asking are, you must have liked something to buy it in the first place and secondly do you think what you initially liked will outweigh the negatives you are finding now?
Judging by your reaction, I suspect not and and the loss is initially hard to stomach but probably the least costly outcome.
So what are going to do with cash in the bank and no car? Rush out and buy another one?
I got into a similar position but the car was right but just not the example I bought, I ended up renting something for a while to avoid having to buy something. Did buy another example of the same car, totally different to the dog that was the first one.
Maybe get a £1k shed as a stop gap before looking again.
StuntmanMike said:
You hate it after a week when it’s all shiny and new to you.
Yeah, spend the grand and eff it off.
I would agree with this. If you try and stick it out for a year say, you will be down more than a grand. And have a year of hating your car. Write off the cost and move on.Yeah, spend the grand and eff it off.
Good luck.
The question is what would you replace it with? You've tested the others. I personally wouldnt buy a newer used BMW as the quality is a bit hit and miss. The A4 doesnt seem to be a better solution and I think the Q50 will have horrific depreciation.
I suppose theres the C class which is good and maybe your namesake the Alfa Giulia? Volvo S60?
I suppose theres the C class which is good and maybe your namesake the Alfa Giulia? Volvo S60?
This thread has certainly helped clarify my thoughts. Fortunately I’ve got a backup shed.
I did have a brief test drive of the IS300h and my main observation was that the interior was nice... The CVT felt crap from the start but I thought I could live with that and the rest seemed okay.
I thought the Lexus was a bit different and I do like the look of the car but I couldn’t recommend it.
I loved the 330d and started looking into comoaraisons with the 335d and xdrive vs non-xdrive etc but my wife had an X3 and that has been a bit of a moneypit (which perhaps explains why I was drawn to the Lexus)
I did have a brief test drive of the IS300h and my main observation was that the interior was nice... The CVT felt crap from the start but I thought I could live with that and the rest seemed okay.
I thought the Lexus was a bit different and I do like the look of the car but I couldn’t recommend it.
I loved the 330d and started looking into comoaraisons with the 335d and xdrive vs non-xdrive etc but my wife had an X3 and that has been a bit of a moneypit (which perhaps explains why I was drawn to the Lexus)
Argleton said:
The question is what would you replace it with? You've tested the others. I personally wouldnt buy a newer used BMW as the quality is a bit hit and miss. The A4 doesnt seem to be a better solution and I think the Q50 will have horrific depreciation.
I suppose theres the C class which is good and maybe your namesake the Alfa Giulia? Volvo S60?
This will probably be the subject of my next thread! I suppose theres the C class which is good and maybe your namesake the Alfa Giulia? Volvo S60?
I should say, I very nearly put a deposit on a Q50h after a short solo test drive (due to COVID). That was a novelty and let me get a feel for the car on my own. I was put off but some rather negative reviews online and also when discovering the Infiniti were pulling out of the UK. I also saw the mpg figure and thought they were pretty poor but I honestly don’t think they’d have been any worse than the Lexus.
Back to the drawing board...
Lexus has an exchange policy?
30 DAY, 1,000 Mile, Exchange Policy - Any vehicle purchased from a Lexus Centre with Lexus Select Approved Pre-Owned status may be exchanged for another vehicle at the same Centre. Subject to the T&C.
Is there another Lexus Model you'd swap for?
If not, take the £1000 loss as a lesson to not have a longer test drive
30 DAY, 1,000 Mile, Exchange Policy - Any vehicle purchased from a Lexus Centre with Lexus Select Approved Pre-Owned status may be exchanged for another vehicle at the same Centre. Subject to the T&C.
Is there another Lexus Model you'd swap for?
If not, take the £1000 loss as a lesson to not have a longer test drive
AlphaRomeo said:
Had anyone else had this experience with the IS300h or any other hybrid?
Mate of mine, who isn't really a car person, got an RX450h on lease. He uses it like you do - quite a few miles and often long motorway trips.I don't think it occured to him the hybrid doesn't help on those trips and fueling a 3.5 litre petrol V6 in a chunky body is never going to produce decent MPG. He came out of a 520d BMW - he knew the MPG would be worse, but he didn't realise it would be as bad as it is.
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