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.
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...
So I’ve handed the car back and just waiting on refund (minus £1k). The sunk costs fallacy comment seemed particularly apt.
Despite the fact that I didn’t get on with this car, I can see why it suits some people. I wish I had done more research. Haven’t bought a used car for a while so I’ve learned a few lessons.
It’s obvious how important the test drive is and I was surprised just how different each one was for the four cars I tried. I guess the assertive buyer dictates how they would like to test the car (certain roads or duration etc.). I just went with whatever the salesman said and thought that would be enough.
Either way, I’ll make more of an effort to learn about the car next time before I put down a deposit!
I read a comment in another thread that the perfect motorway car is a 2.0+ Diesel with adaptive cruise control. I would still love a car with Lexus reliability and would like RWD/AWD. The 3 series ticks most of those boxes (apart from reliability?) but I’ll try to find out what else is out there.
Despite the fact that I didn’t get on with this car, I can see why it suits some people. I wish I had done more research. Haven’t bought a used car for a while so I’ve learned a few lessons.
It’s obvious how important the test drive is and I was surprised just how different each one was for the four cars I tried. I guess the assertive buyer dictates how they would like to test the car (certain roads or duration etc.). I just went with whatever the salesman said and thought that would be enough.
Either way, I’ll make more of an effort to learn about the car next time before I put down a deposit!
I read a comment in another thread that the perfect motorway car is a 2.0+ Diesel with adaptive cruise control. I would still love a car with Lexus reliability and would like RWD/AWD. The 3 series ticks most of those boxes (apart from reliability?) but I’ll try to find out what else is out there.
AlmostUseful said:
I took a £4k loss on a 335D over 5 months, that was having put 10k miles on it but it just wasn’t the right car for my life, if I’d have bought an estate things might have been different - swapped for an E220cdi wagon that I love and still have 19 months later.
If you’re unsure but think you want a bmw, I’d get on the AUC site and find what you can get for £14k, you’ll get the first years warranty included and be fine, then you can extent after the first year. If it’s a 25k mike per year car a 320D auto will be perfect, and if you can stretch to a 330D you’ll love it. Don’t worry about mileage (I.e trying to find a low one) because it’s warrantied anyway.
I’ll check out the E-Class - haven’t checked if it’s in budget but I didn’t look at any Mercs first time round. If you’re unsure but think you want a bmw, I’d get on the AUC site and find what you can get for £14k, you’ll get the first years warranty included and be fine, then you can extent after the first year. If it’s a 25k mike per year car a 320D auto will be perfect, and if you can stretch to a 330D you’ll love it. Don’t worry about mileage (I.e trying to find a low one) because it’s warrantied anyway.
MJ85 said:
I’m going to go against the grain and say keep it. Enjoy the hassle free motoring from a modern Lexus; use it for a couple of years. I’m sure it’ll only suffer modest depreciation, especially compared to German diesels. Then get something you really want.
I won’t rule Lexus out but near enough their whole modern range is CVT/Hybrid but I’ll look at older ones with traditional gearbox/engine. BrettMRC said:
I think you either gel with the CVT or you don't no middle ground.
It defintely feels better on the bigger engined versions.
Is there a GS in stock with the 450 lump that you could take as a swap?
I had a look when I saw your comment but there doesn’t seem to be too many of these around. Would this have felt much different to the IS300h? I haven’t given up on Lexus but I’d definitely try to get a decent test drive if I ever looked at one of these CVT/Hybrids again. It defintely feels better on the bigger engined versions.
Is there a GS in stock with the 450 lump that you could take as a swap?
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