IS300H

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Discussion

STS121

Original Poster:

12 posts

80 months

Sunday 3rd September 2017
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Hi guys
Have used the search function but couldn't find any info relating to my question

A few weeks ago I put a post in the buying section over advice on whether to go for an A6 or a 5 series m sport. I was pretty much set on an A6. That is until I walked past a Lexus in Tescos car park yesterday.....

Now I realise the Lexus isn't aimed at the A6, more the A4 and to be honest I aren't interested in hybrids as a way of saving the planet or
Anything. What caught my eye was a similar mpg figures to the A6 but without the tractor engine under the bonnet. Plus I love the look of the Lexus and quite like how the interior cocoons the driver.

Now I do around 8k a year which isn't much but would still like low fuel costs. I have around 17k to spend and he hybrid falls into this bracket quite nicely. So here goes....

1. How does the hybrid work for my kind of journeys, will the battery charge enough to give me decent mpg in line with a tractor engine doing the same thing? My work is 8 miles away so I do this twice a day, takes half an hour each way and a fair bit of time is spent I traffic. Will the Lexus be using just the engine for this time and return crap mpg? Weekends are a little different but lots of time there isn't much motorway stuff going on. Will the battery ever charge?

2. Is buying a second hand hybrid a good idea. In terms of battery life etc etc. Looking at around 2013/4 models and keeping it upto 4/5 years. Will it be any good when I sell it and will I get anything for it?

3. Does it have to be serviced by Lexus (who I hear are very good ). Or would an independent be ok to get their hands on it?

I have done the YouTube videos and reviews so I understand it's not mega sporty with handling etc. But to be fair I'm
More concerned with it looking sporty than ragging it up and down country lanes.

Obviously if i bought something German it would be diesel and with my journey times etc I realise the dpf could be an issue so was wary on that score

My current car is a Mondeo petrol ecoboost with the power shift box which is very good but returns at best 23mph round town. Needs to be a decent improvement on that to be fair

Thanks in advance!!





Edited by STS121 on Sunday 3rd September 10:07

STS121

Original Poster:

12 posts

80 months

Tuesday 12th September 2017
quotequote all
Thanks guys, pretty much what i hoped to hear. Answers my questions regarding the hybrid side at least.

Just need to get it out of my head i should be buying a big german taxi.....

STS121

Original Poster:

12 posts

80 months

Friday 3rd November 2017
quotequote all
Sorry mate but am afraid I will be of little help! I’ve delayed buying until after Christmas but should be changing in January at the latest now

As for deciding, well the more I look the more confused I become.

As it stands today this is what I would buy or at least in this order....
1. Audi A6
2. 5 Series M sport
3. IS300H

I can’t really put any logic to the above, yes I know a diesel with my mileage won’t be great. Yes there’s the dpf but hopefully with weekend driving I’m hoping it will be ok

The 5 series is a nicer car to drive. But I prefer the A6 interior. The rwd BMW could cause me issues in snow as work is in an awkward place and I’m self employed. So that’s the basis I’m talking myself out of this one. Plus there’s an independent audi place round corner from work which might be good for service and mot time.

Right the Lexus, makes total sense for my kind of driving and is a great looking car especially in sport trim but here’s a few things putting me off...
1. Is it too small? Seems more A4/3 series size to me.
2. Boot is defiantly small but that’s a trade off for batteries etc
3. I can’t really work out the mpg. I’m assuming it depends on where your driving. So for me it’s hard to work out. Will I get 30mpg? Will I get 50? Will it be lower on a longer run than a diesel? I feel i will only know once I buy one which may be too late.
4. Lastly, I know diesels will be banned by 2040 or perhaps even sooner, my current car is petrol so I realise I’m going backwards in wanting a diesel and things like the Lexus with it being a hybrid is the future, but I can’t help thinking it isn’t for me just yet. Maybe in another 4 years time when I change next time but I think my brain cannot deal with owning a part electric car yet

Don’t get me wrong I’m not slating the Lexus at all. Still probably need to test drive one as well but like I said perhaps not for me at this moment

I did look at other stuff, XF is gorgeous from the front but I hate the back and the inside. Seems a little bit like a ford to me and I have a Ford now so want something different

Also looked into Merc cls 4 door coupe. But felt it was a little bit over the top for me

So hope that helps but doubt it does