Lexus RX400h / 450h or something else?!
Discussion
Hi All,
Since selling the S-Class which I really miss, I've been driving around in various Toys like the 911 or my Mk2 GTI.....
Now the winter in drawing in and the ride is a little harsh, I'm after a luxury 4x4 cruiser, which is not going to break the bank.
With a budget of £10k, I was originally looking at diesel X5, ML, XC60 etc.........but the Lexus has caught eye on ebay recently and I started to look in to them.
They seem to have all the kit, even if the overall package is a little unassuming.....but what are your thoughts and experiences?
These 3.3 or 3.5 V6 + hybrid systems run 260-302bhp and can return 33-40mpg which sounds great.....a bit of poke and economy.....The main thing I've been impressed with, having read lots of reviews and watched videos is that they are bullet proof, with the best build quality!
So over to you, am I mad or is this a hidden gem?
Remember I want, luxury, waftability and reliability.
IceBoy
Since selling the S-Class which I really miss, I've been driving around in various Toys like the 911 or my Mk2 GTI.....
Now the winter in drawing in and the ride is a little harsh, I'm after a luxury 4x4 cruiser, which is not going to break the bank.
With a budget of £10k, I was originally looking at diesel X5, ML, XC60 etc.........but the Lexus has caught eye on ebay recently and I started to look in to them.
They seem to have all the kit, even if the overall package is a little unassuming.....but what are your thoughts and experiences?
These 3.3 or 3.5 V6 + hybrid systems run 260-302bhp and can return 33-40mpg which sounds great.....a bit of poke and economy.....The main thing I've been impressed with, having read lots of reviews and watched videos is that they are bullet proof, with the best build quality!
So over to you, am I mad or is this a hidden gem?
Remember I want, luxury, waftability and reliability.
IceBoy
When I was considering an RX my friend in the trade put me off a bit. Nothing major but said due to the weight you get suspension issues and the like.
I'd be more worried about the aged hybrid gubbins, if you do have an issue it might be costly but the same can be said for a diesel specific problem such as DPF, Turbos etc.
There are a few readers cars threads on them I'd check them out h one has 'facebook marketplace' in the title.
I'd be more worried about the aged hybrid gubbins, if you do have an issue it might be costly but the same can be said for a diesel specific problem such as DPF, Turbos etc.
There are a few readers cars threads on them I'd check them out h one has 'facebook marketplace' in the title.
I used to work in the trade at a second hand dealership. Our buyer had a good relationship with a Lexus dealer and we'd get all their part exchanges which often included RX400's and 450's ranging from 2004's up to 2013 cars. Within that, mileages ranged from 20k up to 160k and most had full Lexus history or full history with a mix of Lexus and independents.
With this, I would often find myself in and out of X5's, ML's, RR's and these RX's. The RX's held up so much better than any of the other marques - their build quality is second to none and everything would work properly on them. I have seen the issues that come with older X5's, ML's and Q7's and wouldn't touch one with a barge pole.
We never had any big issues with the 40+ RX's that must have been sold in the year I worked there and we never received a single complaint or issue once the car sold and went out. They are very very smooth, incredibly wafty and loaded with tech if you go for a top spec model. I'd go for a 450 only because the interior and infotainment system is updated and for the newer engine. The downside is that the bootspace is compromised but it's a trade off for the amount of car you get for the money. Buy one with full lexus history if you can but high miles wouldn't put me off. They're fantastic things.
With this, I would often find myself in and out of X5's, ML's, RR's and these RX's. The RX's held up so much better than any of the other marques - their build quality is second to none and everything would work properly on them. I have seen the issues that come with older X5's, ML's and Q7's and wouldn't touch one with a barge pole.
We never had any big issues with the 40+ RX's that must have been sold in the year I worked there and we never received a single complaint or issue once the car sold and went out. They are very very smooth, incredibly wafty and loaded with tech if you go for a top spec model. I'd go for a 450 only because the interior and infotainment system is updated and for the newer engine. The downside is that the bootspace is compromised but it's a trade off for the amount of car you get for the money. Buy one with full lexus history if you can but high miles wouldn't put me off. They're fantastic things.
Hi,
I bought a 2012 450H last year, it....is...superb. used from Lexus Glasgow with a 3 year warranty.
It's my ideal family wagon and the build quality is everything you have heard. I genuinely cannot fault it.
ignore the scaremongering about the hybrid system, Toyota played a genius move ignoring developing diesels decades ago and putting their R&A in this tech instead.
Try to get one with a pan roof - the advance model I picked up has this
Feel free to ask me anything if I can help you out.
Edit : just noticed your other car a Mk2, this is the perfect sensible partner to my VR6 Corrado and it is surprisingly quick
I bought a 2012 450H last year, it....is...superb. used from Lexus Glasgow with a 3 year warranty.
It's my ideal family wagon and the build quality is everything you have heard. I genuinely cannot fault it.
ignore the scaremongering about the hybrid system, Toyota played a genius move ignoring developing diesels decades ago and putting their R&A in this tech instead.
Try to get one with a pan roof - the advance model I picked up has this
Feel free to ask me anything if I can help you out.
Edit : just noticed your other car a Mk2, this is the perfect sensible partner to my VR6 Corrado and it is surprisingly quick
Edited by Garemberg on Friday 11th October 09:28
They're really good, my dad has one. You don't say how many miles you do and how often you use the car; the only thing to possibly be aware of is that apparently, if you do low mileages and the car sits for long periods (I'm talking weeks) not being used, the battery that operates the starting systems (no starter motor on these) can fail and it'll stop the car starting. Expensively.
But if you drive it at least a couple of times a week you should be alright and frankly little else touches it for reliability and comfort.
But if you drive it at least a couple of times a week you should be alright and frankly little else touches it for reliability and comfort.
IceBoy said:
These 3.3 or 3.5 V6 + hybrid systems run 260-302bhp and can return 33-40mpg which sounds great.....a bit of poke and economy.....
If the economy is vital to you then look into that a bit - my BiL has had one for a few months and he's in discussions with Lexus as the MPG is much worse than he was led to believe. I think that's mainly due to a lot of his use being motorway journeys so I guess the hybrid system isn't doing much, if anything, and you're left with the usual fuel consumption of 3.5 litre petrol V6 in a big heavy car.Sheepshanks said:
IceBoy said:
These 3.3 or 3.5 V6 + hybrid systems run 260-302bhp and can return 33-40mpg which sounds great.....a bit of poke and economy.....
If the economy is vital to you then look into that a bit - my BiL has had one for a few months and he's in discussions with Lexus as the MPG is much worse than he was led to believe. I think that's mainly due to a lot of his use being motorway journeys so I guess the hybrid system isn't doing much, if anything, and you're left with the usual fuel consumption of 3.5 litre petrol V6 in a big heavy car.On the motorway you can get a little bit more but it isn't going to shoot up
My brother, who is happy to sit in L1 on the motorway at lorry speeds, could get 37/38mpg out of it on a run.
Was very happy with it, ran it from 125k-140k and nothing ever threatened to go wrong. Plenty poky enough around town, especially with the eco mode off.
I am watching this thread with great interest. Would love to hear more RX450H reviews.
I have boiled down our next family car choice down to an F25 BMW X3 30d or an RX450H. The Lexus is winning mostly because I would like to get out of diesel.
One current worry with RX4x0H 's the spate of catalyst thefts.
I have boiled down our next family car choice down to an F25 BMW X3 30d or an RX450H. The Lexus is winning mostly because I would like to get out of diesel.
One current worry with RX4x0H 's the spate of catalyst thefts.
Been running a RX450h FSport for a while. Love it. Plenty of space and relaxed cruising on the whole. The gearbox really annoys me though if you do want to make progress...but this can be helped (a little) by putting the car into 'Sport' mode.
MPG wise...you really need to 'learn' to drive the hybrids - mainly how you need to accelerate and then coast thing. The Mrs has yet to so when she drives it around town we get awful figures.
The reliability, dealers and customer service are on another level and this is why i'm sticking with the brand. I run a GS300 from 2008 and despite it being worth about the same as the metallic paint option from one of their new cars they treat me like royalty. NOTHING is too much trouble.
MPG wise...you really need to 'learn' to drive the hybrids - mainly how you need to accelerate and then coast thing. The Mrs has yet to so when she drives it around town we get awful figures.
The reliability, dealers and customer service are on another level and this is why i'm sticking with the brand. I run a GS300 from 2008 and despite it being worth about the same as the metallic paint option from one of their new cars they treat me like royalty. NOTHING is too much trouble.
Toying between a lexus rx450h and cayenne (hybrid) myself
Main plus points for the rx450h is that its self charging so no annoying plug in required.
Got lent a new rx450h for a week, town mpg was 42mpg which was amazing. Motorway without holding back was 32mpg mainly due to no hybrid activity but still found that reasonable.
Try to buy one under 10 years old and under 100k - lexus will sell you a two year warranty for 1k and cover most items.
Main plus points for the rx450h is that its self charging so no annoying plug in required.
Got lent a new rx450h for a week, town mpg was 42mpg which was amazing. Motorway without holding back was 32mpg mainly due to no hybrid activity but still found that reasonable.
Try to buy one under 10 years old and under 100k - lexus will sell you a two year warranty for 1k and cover most items.
mindthegap said:
I take it the extended warranty is only available if you buy the car as an approved one from Lexus themselves?
No, there are age and mileage criteria. As long as you meet them you're ok. I bought my 2011 privately in 2017 at 125k and put a warranty on it.
I think 140k may be the top mileage for taking out a new warranty. £1k for 2 years, seems to be on permanent special offer
The other overlooked option are the Infiniti EX/FX but they're petrol or diesel only:
EX 3.0d GT Premium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
3.7 GT Premium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
3.0d FX GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
3.7 S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
EX 3.0d GT Premium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
3.7 GT Premium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
3.0d FX GT
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
3.7 S
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...
here_we_go said:
No, there are age and mileage criteria. As long as you meet them you're ok.
I bought my 2011 privately in 2017 at 125k and put a warranty on it.
I think 140k may be the top mileage for taking out a new warranty. £1k for 2 years, seems to be on permanent special offer
Thanks. Have you had to use the warranty or has all been good?I bought my 2011 privately in 2017 at 125k and put a warranty on it.
I think 140k may be the top mileage for taking out a new warranty. £1k for 2 years, seems to be on permanent special offer
mindthegap said:
Thanks. Have you had to use the warranty or has all been good?
No, didn't need it. Was reassuring to have tho and made selling it on easier as had a few months left"In order to be eligible for a LexusCare Warranty your vehicle must be a Lexus vehicle less than 10 years old and have travelled less than 140,000 miles (from date of first registration). If you are renewing an existing Extended Warranty and providing there is no lapse in cover between the warranty being renewed and the new one, then the mileage limitation of 140,000 miles is waived. Vehicles with more than 140,000 miles at the end of the 3 years / 60,000 miles manufacturer warranty are not eligible. The vehicle must not be used for self-drive hire, competitive racing, private hire or driving tuition."
From https://d3rvezpmgp265q.cloudfront.net/lexusone/lex...
from https://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/warranty/extended-w...
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