GS450h or GS460 which one to get?
04-02-14, 08:31 PM
#31
Driver School Candidate
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Location: Alberta
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Well, I'm not convinced that faster, by way of fractions of a second, means very much when you take into account the challenges of everyday driving -- especially in bad conditions. If you have an "h", I guess it depends on battery technology, age, discharge / charge cycles, and how long you leave your vehicle outside when it's -40F (or, for us Canucks, -40C). I have suggested to others that a non-hybrid could be a better choice in non-temperate, more severe climates. Fact is, though, there are a lot of hybrids up here, and I don't hear a lot of mewling and puking about that being a bad thing. So, I guess today's hybrids do reasonably well even in bad conditions. But, I would still suggest that "fast" isn't terribly important when the ice and snow set in for many consecutive months.
Along with Palm Springs and La Jolla, most of Florida doesn't tend to have a lot of heavy winter conditions (the US half of my family mostly lives there). So I can well understand that studded tires, windshield washer antifreeze and block heaters aren't very common in the Sunshine State -- and fast takeoff at a green light could be seen as important when pavement is in good condition for years, and ice is almost always found only in drinks at the bar or slushies you make for your kids out on the deck. Anyway given that the practicals of life up here further to the north require reliable and dependable technologies that do well in the cold, for the time being I'll stick with my GS460. It's great in all four seasons. Even if filling up in a blizzard is a real PITA! Cheers to all / Lexleezard
Along with Palm Springs and La Jolla, most of Florida doesn't tend to have a lot of heavy winter conditions (the US half of my family mostly lives there). So I can well understand that studded tires, windshield washer antifreeze and block heaters aren't very common in the Sunshine State -- and fast takeoff at a green light could be seen as important when pavement is in good condition for years, and ice is almost always found only in drinks at the bar or slushies you make for your kids out on the deck. Anyway given that the practicals of life up here further to the north require reliable and dependable technologies that do well in the cold, for the time being I'll stick with my GS460. It's great in all four seasons. Even if filling up in a blizzard is a real PITA! Cheers to all / Lexleezard
04-02-14, 11:09 PM
#32
I just drove about 345 miles and averaged 30.1mpg on my 07 450h. It was mostly highway driving and with lower temps of about 40F. If it was summer time or a warm climate like in Florida, I would have got closer to 33mpg on this same trip. You really see the advantages of the 450h fuel economy in highway driving, city not as much.
I think the 450h you had been driving had issues specific to that vehicle. I talked to a Lexus hybrid specialist technician and he told me he only knows of 3 GS450hs that had batteries replaced since 2007 in all of Ontario, with 1 of them having an unknown service history. He said the hybrid components are the same as the Toyota Prius and that I should rather focus on the traditional engine components that would fail before the hybrid components.
I think the 450h you had been driving had issues specific to that vehicle. I talked to a Lexus hybrid specialist technician and he told me he only knows of 3 GS450hs that had batteries replaced since 2007 in all of Ontario, with 1 of them having an unknown service history. He said the hybrid components are the same as the Toyota Prius and that I should rather focus on the traditional engine components that would fail before the hybrid components.
About the temps, MY 430 drives a lot better in cold climates, I get a few extra 0.x mpg's compared to summertimes (considering I don't use A/C, I like fresh air from outside, windows rolled down.... Even in this latest 90F weather
).It may have been HIS bad experience with a hybrid, but until I see otherwise with my own two hands, I can't agree with anyone else's issues....
Aside from your comments Majek, we all need to focus on the OP's question:
He said he's in A LOT of STOP and GO traffic. The consensus says get the 460 > 450h.... And I still agree the 460 would probably do better in stop and go, as I've driven both and compared both.... Granted the platform was on a LS460 vs a GS450h.
Either way, OP HAS to of made a decision by now, and GL to him and all of you, whichever choices you made
.
05-07-15, 12:37 PM
#34
I'm confused. Isn't a hybrid better in stop and go traffic since the engine won't be running when you're stopped or driving in slow speeds?
05-07-15, 12:54 PM
#35
Driver School Candidate
The GS450h's hybrid system is for extra 'torque' not decreased MPG. Hence the label 'performance hybrid.'
The only time you realize you're driving the GSh vs GS is when you FLOOR it--that thing ACCELERATES much quicker.
Many people don't recognize the difference between a car that is "fast" vs "accelerates quickly." The "fastest" cars in the world, like the Bugatti, can reach speeds upwards of 200+mph... But the "quickest" cars can't reach these speeds--they just accelerate at figures of 0-60 in 3 seconds or so. BIG difference. The GS460 is "faster" as it can reach a max speed of 146mph, while the GS450h maxes out at 131mph (electronically governed).
The GSh can do 0-60 (with full battery) between 4.9-5.2 sec while the GS460 can only do 0-60 at 5.4 sec. The GS460 is "faster" but the GSh will SCREW it 0-60.
05-07-15, 12:54 PM
#36
Everyone suggested either the 450h or 460? Op why not a GS350? Cheaper on maintenance ( does not require timing belt change). We have a member here who passed 200k mile mark while still being reliable on the GS350. Reason I am asking, you are very limited for the 460 and the 450h. Just checked ebay, they don't even have a GS460 listed anywhere. Good luck finding it.
Last edited by GS350Lexus; 05-07-15 at 01:01 PM.
05-07-15, 01:00 PM
#37
I had a 2008 RX400h hybrid, and now have a 2011 GS450h hybrid. The RXh could stay in 'hybrid' mode for 5 mins at a dead stop in traffic before turning on--very different with the GSh, however. The GS450h DOESN'T stay in hybrid mode. At all. The engine constantly turns on to re-charge the hybrid battery... for PERFORMANCE readiness.
05-07-15, 05:58 PM
#38
Because I like sharing....I decided to go with the GSh and I couldn't be happier. The acceleration sensation is different from a traditional car and I consider this an evolution in car power delivery. The CVT was a concern of mine until I drove the car and accelerated from 35mph. It's quieter, a tad bit more fuel efficient, faster, and it comes with special oem parts...at the end of the day you have to drive both and make your own decision. What I know for sure is that either way you won't be disappointed. 
Oh yes one important thing...If you need trunk space, gs460 is the better choice.
Below is Best Motoring clip of their Gs450h vs gs430 vs fuga 45 (M45). Enjoy!
Oh yes one important thing...If you need trunk space, gs460 is the better choice. Below is Best Motoring clip of their Gs450h vs gs430 vs fuga 45 (M45). Enjoy!
Last edited by rl9010; 05-07-15 at 06:46 PM. Reason: Because grammar is important.
05-08-15, 08:05 AM
#40
Pole Position
I was concerned with the cvt transmission and the hybrid components, when considering my purchase. Just had a higher comfort level with gas/traditional trans. Not sure about Lexus...but in general, when it comes to reliability and cost to repair....hybrids and cvt's are more costly..according to companies that underwrite mechanical risk. Best of luck to ALL Lexus owners!!
05-08-15, 02:48 PM
#41
I was concerned with the cvt transmission and the hybrid components, when considering my purchase. Just had a higher comfort level with gas/traditional trans. Not sure about Lexus...but in general, when it comes to reliability and cost to repair....hybrids and cvt's are more costly..according to companies that underwrite mechanical risk. Best of luck to ALL Lexus owners!!
So what did you end up getting?
05-08-15, 09:47 PM
#42
Pole Position
05-11-15, 09:28 AM
#44
Pole Position
I was going to drive one, a slick silver on black GS450H that a local dealer had a while back, but by the time I got there...they realized the head gasket was blown and Lexus said it was going to be about $3500 to repair motor. Considering the car was in pristine shape and had only 70k miles....that whole experience probably didn't help me give the hybrid model much more consideration while still shopping for the GS.
05-11-15, 09:30 AM
#45
I was going to drive one, a slick silver on black GS450H that a local dealer had a while back, but by the time I got there...they realized the head gasket was blown and Lexus said it was going to be about $3500 to repair motor. Considering the car was in pristine shape and had only 70k miles....that whole experience probably didn't help me give the hybrid model much more consideration while still shopping for the GS.