Lexus GS450h ?!

[paulcockermouth]

Currently have a V70 D5 (163bhp) as my daily. I have had it 14 months so I have the need to change. (I tend to change every 12-18 months, stupid I know). Have an average of 42-44mpg.

I was initially looking at 2.0d Legacy estates - had a quattro A6 and gf has an s3 so like 4wd (my reason is I live in the Lakes with untreated back roads in the winter).

Since the decision to change I have started looking at what 8-10k buys...

Legacy 2.0d
Outback 2.0d
Octavia Scout

Then I noticed the Citroen C6 (30-35mpg and loaded with toys) and have recently stumbled on the Lexus GS450h.
35-40mpg and pretty quick, also loaded with toys..
Would be a car with 50-80k miles and 4-5 years old, something like:

www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/20121346015...

My commute is 16miles each way at a steady 40-60mph (A-Roads) and the occasional 400mile motorway bash at the standard 70-80. Annual mileage is approx 12-15k.

Am I mad for even considering it?! Is it opening a whole can of hurt?

[excel monkey]

Have you looked at the midsize diesel models from the German big 3? I guess they are the most obvious competition to this car.

I have always liked the look of this model GS, but have no experience of driving/running one.

[Andy665]

Great build quality - hybrid tech is at least as reliable / durable as a conventional drivetrain and its Lexus policy to (seriously) look after a hybrid problem in the unlikely event one occurs

As safe a buy as you are likely to buy - just don't go expecting fantastic fuel economy - until the CT200h it was the stated policy of Lexus to use hybrid to enhance performance rather than maximise fuel economy

[paulcockermouth]

The fuel economy (and the boot size) are my only quibbles so far..

Is it unreasonable to expect 35+ mpg?

Reviews are very mixed, from 20's to 40+ mpg!

I have considered the German 3....

I used to have an A6 3.0tdi (was great but p/ex against partners S3 hence the cheap V70d5 for me) so would have another..

BMW dont do it for me (had a Z4 3.0i... not that impressed) would consider a merc actually..

I think i want something else now though! Something a little different...

Edited by paulcockermouth on Monday 2nd April 12:26

[excel monkey]

Andy665 said:

its Lexus policy to (seriously) look after a hybrid problem in the unlikely event one occurs

Even when 5 years old and out of warranty?

I do like these cars, but I wouldn't fancy running one without a comprehensive warranty.

[Andy665]

excel monkey said:

ven when 5 years old and out of warranty?

I do like these cars, but I wouldn't fancy running one without a comprehensive warranty.

Absolutely - you'll never find it written down but the failure rate is so low that they look on goodwill gestures extremely favourably

[paulcockermouth]

It would be a bit of a gamble, possibly paying more for a main dealer (£2K+) is worth it? Then are you into more expensive and consquently better cars?

[XitUp]

A lot more interesting than a German diesel, and better quality.

Someone do the maths and work out cost per mile at 35mpg vs 45mpg in a diesel.

[frosted]

The gs450 is foooking rapid , something about keeping up with a cayman springs to mind

[paulcockermouth]

I did a 42mpg diesel v 35mpg petrol at 15k miles a year and I think its roughly £250 difference......

[paulcockermouth]

What kind of Cayman?! Its not that quick?!

[frosted]

paulcockermouth said:

What kind of Cayman?! Its not that quick?!

If you got a bit of electric saved up from braking or coasting then it has around 450brake

Edit: SE-L is the only trim I would buy even if it's a bit more expensive

[excel monkey]

paulcockermouth said:

What kind of Cayman?! Its not that quick?!

Straight line 0-60 is probably not far off a base 2.7 Cayman.

[XitUp]

frosted said:

If you got a bit of electric saved up from braking or coasting then it has around 450brake

You sure about that?

[frosted]

XitUp said:

You sure about that?

I hope so, as you quoted me and now don't have enough time search google and edit my post thus fooling everyone like I know what I'm talking about



Edit: 341 bhp combined, the electric motor is good for 197bhp so not completely sure how Lexus got 140bhp from a 3.5l v6 . Anyway , it's fast

Edited by frosted on Monday 2nd April 16:25

[XitUp]

338, according to wiki.

[paulcockermouth]

Whats the difference between the SE and the SE-L? The only diff I can see is the Mark Levinson audio, but lots of the SE's appear to have been upgraded?

[XitUp]

Is the L longer wheelbase? That's what L usually means.

[Sump]

L means luxury.

Includes adaptive cruise and comfort access as STANDARD.

Lexus is one of those marks where you either get half of everything or everything as default. No some of this and some of that.

It's either half or everything.

However with the ACC this changed around 2007 57 I think.

[paulcockermouth]

What is comfort access?