First family car... RX450h
Discussion
After a huge amount of procrastinating I chose a Lexus RX450h, despite growing up with Alan Partridge... It’s a massive change from the Scirocco but so far I’m really enjoying it. The change was needed as my first baby is due in July and I do a fair bit of biking, DIY, gardening etc so wanted more space in general. I also need to be able to transport 4 adults and a baby in comfort.
Toyed with getting a ‘fun’ family car but decided to look into a second small sports car at a later date... he says hopefully.
Only downsides so far - this being lockdown I’ve not been using it much- are a loose piece of external door trim and lack of DAB radio which I got used to in the old car and quite miss. My first encounter with the CVT box that everyone appears to loathe... and... it’s fine. In this application at least, it’s fine.
After the horrendous Scirocco seats these ones are bliss!
Came with 4 very new Cross Climate tyres. Which was nice.
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Toyed with getting a ‘fun’ family car but decided to look into a second small sports car at a later date... he says hopefully.
Only downsides so far - this being lockdown I’ve not been using it much- are a loose piece of external door trim and lack of DAB radio which I got used to in the old car and quite miss. My first encounter with the CVT box that everyone appears to loathe... and... it’s fine. In this application at least, it’s fine.
After the horrendous Scirocco seats these ones are bliss!
Came with 4 very new Cross Climate tyres. Which was nice.
Good cars, almost bullet proof, we ran one next to our Scirocco for a couple of years as a my wife had a wedding planning and support business but didn't want a van, this thing with seats folded etc swallowed all sorts of crap and huge amounts of it, wafted around really well and went under the radar unlike FFRR's, Discos, Cayennes etc ..... we got most our money back too .... tech is old but its not the end of the world, did 2 4 up trips in it to Six Hours of Spa as well, lots of room for everyone and comfy as you like ...
I have been looking at exactly the same car as a family wagon to replace an ageing V70, been trying to understand the battery warranty, servicing requirements/costs & local independents that can look after it. As I understand it (happy to be corrected), to keep the battery warranty it has to have a visit to a main dealer every 12 months, service every 12 months or 10k miles with a bigger service every second one. Be interested in how you find it.
Im looking at one of these or an earlier rx400h as a replacement for my Subaru Forester....as much as the forester suits my needs, i just want something with a bit more space and a lot more quality!
They look nice in silver as always see them in black or dark grey, as is said, definitely fly inder the radar compared to the 'look at me' discovery, cayenne etc
They look nice in silver as always see them in black or dark grey, as is said, definitely fly inder the radar compared to the 'look at me' discovery, cayenne etc
Edited by AceKid on Wednesday 8th April 17:01
Daninoxon said:
I have been looking at exactly the same car as a family wagon to replace an ageing V70, been trying to understand the battery warranty, servicing requirements/costs & local independents that can look after it. As I understand it (happy to be corrected), to keep the battery warranty it has to have a visit to a main dealer every 12 months, service every 12 months or 10k miles with a bigger service every second one. Be interested in how you find it.
I got from a Lexus dealer (my first time in a main dealership to actually buy!!) so it comes with a 12 month warranty, not sure it covers the battery though - probably should have checked, but from what I've read they can do mega miles with no battery issues and it's only on 66k. Have seen loads of Prius with huge miles too so i think it's a fairly robust thing. I'll report back if not...AceKid said:
Im looking at one of these or an earlier rx400h as a replacement for my Subaru Forester....as much as the forester suits my needs, i just want something with a bit more space and a lot more quality!
They look nice in silver as always see them in black or dark grey, as you say, definitely fly inder the radar compared to the 'look at me' discovery, cayenne etc
I wasn't that keen on a silver car in general but it does suit the car - black interior on mine rather than the beige/ cream option... Saw a red with cream leather and brown wood version... but not sure I could live with that. Plus all that beige carpet would be filthy in no time.They look nice in silver as always see them in black or dark grey, as you say, definitely fly inder the radar compared to the 'look at me' discovery, cayenne etc
dibblecorse said:
Good cars, almost bullet proof, we ran one next to our Scirocco for a couple of years as a my wife had a wedding planning and support business but didn't want a van, this thing with seats folded etc swallowed all sorts of crap and huge amounts of it, wafted around really well and went under the radar unlike FFRR's, Discos, Cayennes etc ..... we got most our money back too .... tech is old but its not the end of the world, did 2 4 up trips in it to Six Hours of Spa as well, lots of room for everyone and comfy as you like ...
Good to hear. Yes, the satnav etc is a bit pixel - ly against newer stuff, but it all works and the reversing camera does the job. Quick update for anyone considering these...
Flat battery - to be expected as it was on the original one... annoyed I forgot to check it. AA were unable to source the right 12V one... bizarre... RAC came and sorted first time. Needed blocks, as a weird shape or something vs the factory battery.
Observations...
A bit crashy at low speeds around town oddly, and in pot holed car parks etc. Then very smooth over 20/30 ish. Lovely ride on NSL and Mways.
Some nice touches - reminder on dash to close all windows centrally via steering wheel if left open, grab handles have almost a soft close action... no need, but good design! The iDrive type knob thingy self centres when you turn engine off! Only just noticed this..
Loads of floor space by rear seats.
Seems to follow road cambers more than expecting... does it slightly pull to the left, or just the camber... not sure.
No DAB!
Surprisingly brisk when called on to be, but encourages wafting.
MPG sub 29 - 37 max depending on the journey.
Interior dash etc is pretty plain and uninspiring, but very functional.
Flat battery - to be expected as it was on the original one... annoyed I forgot to check it. AA were unable to source the right 12V one... bizarre... RAC came and sorted first time. Needed blocks, as a weird shape or something vs the factory battery.
Observations...
A bit crashy at low speeds around town oddly, and in pot holed car parks etc. Then very smooth over 20/30 ish. Lovely ride on NSL and Mways.
Some nice touches - reminder on dash to close all windows centrally via steering wheel if left open, grab handles have almost a soft close action... no need, but good design! The iDrive type knob thingy self centres when you turn engine off! Only just noticed this..
Loads of floor space by rear seats.
Seems to follow road cambers more than expecting... does it slightly pull to the left, or just the camber... not sure.
No DAB!
Surprisingly brisk when called on to be, but encourages wafting.
MPG sub 29 - 37 max depending on the journey.
Interior dash etc is pretty plain and uninspiring, but very functional.
Macron said:
You bought from a main dealer but it had a flat battery straight away?
Not straight away - after maybe a few weeks. Battery worked fine to start with. Dealer should have pre-emptively changed it given the age in an ideal world of course. I should have gone back to them but circumstances meant I couldn’t, so just sorted it myself. Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff