Who is considering buying an HS?

[flipside909]

The HS is definitely not a Corolla. Driving one is definitely a lot more substantial feeling than a Corolla that's for sure.

[gs400998]

Save lots of gas money getting a Corolla instead of buying a hybrid that costs thousands more than a gas model. I would rather get a pre-owned SC430 for the price of a new 250h

[flipside909]

Originally Posted by gs400998

Save lots of gas money getting a Corolla instead of buying a hybrid that costs thousands more than a gas model. I would rather get a pre-owned SC430 for the price of a new 250h

Why step down to a Corolla or buy someone else's old car(no offense to those who buy used cars)?

That's kind of like saying, Why buy a car when I can buy a bike? Dare I say... Why buy an IS350 when I can buy a Corolla XRS or a used SC400?

Me personally, I'd rather drive a new Lexus with a fresh factory warranty and high tech features that a Corolla or an old SC430 doesn't have.

[gs400998]

Originally Posted by flipside909

Why step down to a Corolla or buy someone else's old car(no offense to those who buy used cars)?

That's kind of like saying, Why buy a car when I can buy a bike? Dare I say... Why buy an IS350 when I can buy a Corolla XRS or a used SC400?

I would buy a Corolla XRS or a used SC400 instead of my IS350 if the XRS or SC400 does the quarter in 13 seconds

[Feirax]

Originally Posted by flipside909

The HS is definitely not a Corolla. Driving one is definitely a lot more substantial feeling than a Corolla that's for sure.

To the general public, I'm sure many will look on it as a re-badged Corolla. While I haven't seen or driven one, I have a hard time with the pricing relative to a loaded Prius, and the 35mpg for a car like this is quite disappointing. I was also disappointed to see Lexus use their first 4 cylinder here.

I wonder if Lexus may have rushed this car to market so they could "be the first" with a dedicated luxury hybrid.

[flipside909]

Originally Posted by gs400998

I would buy a Corolla XRS or a used SC400 instead of my IS350 if the XRS or SC400 does the quarter in 13 seconds

I could have done the same and saved tons of money, but I prefer my 2009 IS F over a Corolla XRS, SC400, 99 GS400 or a 07 IS350 anyday.

It's all preference and what your needs are.

[flipside909]

Originally Posted by Feirax

To the general public, I'm sure many will look on it as a re-badged Corolla. While I haven't seen or driven one, I have a hard time with the pricing relative to a loaded Prius, and the 35mpg for a car like this is quite disappointing. I was also disappointed to see Lexus use their first 4 cylinder here.

I wonder if Lexus may have rushed this car to market so they could "be the first" with a dedicated luxury hybrid.

35 MPG is combined. As we all know, EPA ratings are understated. I am currently experiencing about 36 mpg in mixed city/highway as i've only put about 200 miles on one for now. True, people in the market may cross shop the Prius with the HS, but they are definitely targeting different demographics. It's just like someone shopping for a Camry to an ES350. Sure you can save thousands with a fully loaded Camry, but you're not getting a lot of features, amenities like you would an ES350.

I think Lexus picked a good powertrain for the HS. The 4 cylinder is pretty torquey...it drives smoother and is much powerful than the 2010 Prius. It handles way better than the Prius hands down. Sure when people buy these cars, they're ultimately looking for fuel economy. It really boils down to preference and need and what package fits them best. People in the entry level luxury market are most likely not cross shopping a Prius, but i'm pretty sure they have the IS250 and comparable in mind.

The HS....tt's a Lexus, it only requires 87 octane and achieves 35MPG plus. What more can you ask for in the mid 30k range? Toyota wont offer you a loaner car or a longer warranty period with the Prius or with any of their vehicles for that matter. You get what you pay for.

[Da Hapa]

Originally Posted by Feirax

To the general public, I'm sure many will look on it as a re-badged Corolla. While I haven't seen or driven one, I have a hard time with the pricing relative to a loaded Prius, and the 35mpg for a car like this is quite disappointing. I was also disappointed to see Lexus use their first 4 cylinder here.

I wonder if Lexus may have rushed this car to market so they could "be the first" with a dedicated luxury hybrid.

I've driven both the new Prius and the HS and they're completely different vehicles.

If you want ultimate MPG the Prius is the obvious choice but from a pure driving standpoint, let alone features, content, and technology the HS is the clear winner.

To me the Prius still feels like an appliance. It's an amazing piece of technology and a great car (esp. at the lower price point) but it honestly doesn't feel like a real car to me. From the odd center guages to the horrible driving position and poor sightlines, it's compromised. The HS feels like a "real" car with good sight lines, decent handling, and the technology (remote touch, HUD, Mark Levinson) is light years beyond the Prius but for the solar panel that Toyota/Lexus has decided not to include on the HS but is included with the Prius.

Lexus has very low expectations for sales of this vehicle and I think they're going to easily sell every one of them. Many people (like me) want a vehicle for around town driving that is safe, drives like a real car, and has the luxury features we've become accustomed to.

[1SICKLEX]

Originally Posted by Da Hapa

I've driven both the new Prius and the HS and they're completely different vehicles.

If you want ultimate MPG the Prius is the obvious choice but from a pure driving standpoint, let alone features, content, and technology the HS is the clear winner.

To me the Prius still feels like an appliance. It's an amazing piece of technology and a great car (esp. at the lower price point) but it honestly doesn't feel like a real car to me. From the odd center guages to the horrible driving position and poor sightlines, it's compromised. The HS feels like a "real" car with good sight lines, decent handling, and the technology (remote touch, HUD, Mark Levinson) is light years beyond the Prius but for the solar panel that Toyota/Lexus has decided not to include on the HS but is included with the Prius.

Lexus has very low expectations for sales of this vehicle and I think they're going to easily sell every one of them. Many people (like me) want a vehicle for around town driving that is safe, drives like a real car, and has the luxury features we've become accustomed to.

Thanks for the explanation!

[coasterfan]

I was planning to use the Cash For Clunkers program to trade-in my clunker ('92 ES300) for an HS250h. My name is on my dealer's list, but there's a problem. The response to the Cash For Clunkers program has been overwhelming. So overwhelming that funding for the program could be exhausted way before the HS250h cars become available.

I hate leaving money on the table (we're talking $4500 here) and feel I will be forced to go with my second options instead (Prius or Camry Hybrid or Ford Fusion Hybrid). I feel like I need to purchase a car that gets at least 28 mpg, both because of the inevitable rise in the price of gas, and wanting to reduce my own carbon footprint. It's too bad Lexus currently has only one vehicle that meets that criteria (the RX450h), and that one is too expensive to qualify for the Cash For Clunkers credit.

Sigh.

[MPLexus301]

Originally Posted by coasterfan

I was planning to use the Cash For Clunkers program to trade-in my clunker ('92 ES300) for an HS250h. My name is on my dealer's list, but there's a problem. The response to the Cash For Clunkers program has been overwhelming. So overwhelming that funding for the program could be exhausted way before the HS250h cars become available.

I hate leaving money on the table (we're talking $4500 here) and feel I will be forced to go with my second options instead (Prius or Camry Hybrid or Ford Fusion Hybrid). I feel like I need to purchase a car that gets at least 28 mpg, both because of the inevitable rise in the price of gas, and wanting to reduce my own carbon footprint. It's too bad Lexus currently has only one vehicle that meets that criteria (the RX450h), and that one is too expensive to qualify for the Cash For Clunkers credit.

Sigh.

You should contact your dealer because I think HSs started rolling onto lots earlier this month...

[KILLERGS4]

are they selling these sucker at MRSP? my guess would be yes?

[01LEXPL]

I fail to see why anyone would want to buy this small POS.

It not only suggests, but SCREAMS 'Corolla' just looking at it.

"Yay! Lets go buy an overpriced dishwasher on wheels ... except this one has a Lexus badge on it, that has to count for something! "

[werewolf]

Originally Posted by coasterfan

I was planning to use the Cash For Clunkers program to trade-in my clunker ('92 ES300) for an HS250h. My name is on my dealer's list, but there's a problem. The response to the Cash For Clunkers program has been overwhelming. So overwhelming that funding for the program could be exhausted way before the HS250h cars become available.

I hate leaving money on the table (we're talking $4500 here) and feel I will be forced to go with my second options instead (Prius or Camry Hybrid or Ford Fusion Hybrid). I feel like I need to purchase a car that gets at least 28 mpg, both because of the inevitable rise in the price of gas, and wanting to reduce my own carbon footprint. It's too bad Lexus currently has only one vehicle that meets that criteria (the RX450h), and that one is too expensive to qualify for the Cash For Clunkers credit.

Sigh.

No way you get a HS250 with clunker money. If you're using C4C, I would try to pencil a deal today or tomorrow at the latest.

[1SICKLEX]

Originally Posted by 01LEXPL

I fail to see why anyone would want to buy this small POS.

It not only suggests, but SCREAMS 'Corolla' just looking at it.

"Yay! Lets go buy an overpriced dishwasher on wheels ... except this one has a Lexus badge on it, that has to count for something! "

Yes b/c people don't call the ES a car that screams "Camry"

Originally Posted by werewolf

No way you get a HS250 with clunker money. If you're using C4C, I would try to pencil a deal today or tomorrow at the latest.

CFC runs out Monday...Lexus missed a big opportunity here