Cruiter

It isn't in print yet, it's online. Urkel is very appropriate for all the Techi stuff these cars have.

rxets

Actually I like these wordings.

Fogcutter

kitlz,

Hey, I caught it on a news stand at the airport within the week. Might have been a buyer's guide issue or something.

My regards to Urkel.

Cruiter

I'm not sure you'll be able to open this as it's a subscription that requires a password & Login but I'll try. http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...t/overview.htm

Fogcutter

Couldn't get past the password page. Thanks for trying.
Specifically what I'm interested in are the mpg numbers.
I am 90% sure the edition I saw had the hybrid with 15 mpg city,
31 highway, and 26 combined.

Could you look? Wish I had purchased the issue.

The article was a discussion of hybrids and diesels asking which if any
made economic sense.

I've never seen anything under 23 mpg no matter how cheap the gas and how hard I've pushed the pedal, so that's why I'm very curious about the 15 mpg.

This touches on an issue I've thought about with CR -- sampling errors. From what I remember they buy one item at retail of each product being tested then draw their conclusions. If they happen to pick up a lousy Sony and a fabulous Vizio, people run the risk of taking home a turkey.

I'm sure that's what's happened with several products over the years. The one I took home didn't give me the experience they reported.

On expensive items like cars it's very understandable, can't buy ten of each model and stay in the game. They'd have to charge $400 an issue.

Thanks again.

kitlz

Fogcutter, it might have been the annual car issue that comes out in April. I'll probably get mine in the mail next week. The 450h will be in there since it didn't come out until Julyish of last year. I'll let you know.

I also agree on your assessment regarding CR reviews. I look at it for reference only since they can't be accurate 100% of the time with the products they buy off the shelf/lot. And quite frankly I wouldn't touch some of their recommendations no matter how good they say they are.

jeffmust

Consumer Reports mpg findings for 450h -

CR's overall average, 26 mpg
City/Highway, 22/31
150-mile trip, 28

Cruiter

Correct. My hard copy came in the mail today so it's available on the news stands now. It's April's Top 1020 Cars from CR.

data2009

Try this website http://truedelta.com, click on price, and select in comparison both Lexus models, and maximize the features.

You can argue pros and cons. To me, its dead on the target.

Price Comparison (MSRP)
The sticker prices, before adjusting for remaining feature differences. Usually these are the numbers you will see on the window stickers.

Models in short supply often sell at or even above these prices.
Model Year 2010 2010
Model RX RX
Trim 350 450h
Body 4dr SUV 4dr SUV
Base Price $36,800 $41,660
AWD $1,400 $1,590
Adaptive cruise control $1,500 $1,500
Cargo mat $92 $92
Comfort Package $2,000 $825
Entertainment system with dual headrest screens $2,540 $2,540
Head-up display (HUD) $1,200 $1,200
Luxury Package $4,800 $4,700
Navigation Package $2,440 $2,440
Obstacle detection, rear $500 $500
Towing Package $238 $238
Unbranded 12 speakers $110 $110
Xenon HID headlights $1,175
Total options $16,820 $16,910
Destination $875 $875
Net Price $54,495 $59,445
Lowest Net Price RX 350 4dr SUV
Difference $4,950

Invoice Comparison
Dealer cost before holdback, bonuses, advertising fees, and such. Also before adjusting for remaining feature differences.

Models that are not in demand can often be purchased at or a few hundred dollars over these prices.
Model Year 2010 2010
Model RX RX
Trim 350 450h
Body 4dr SUV 4dr SUV
Base Invoice $32,752 $37,909
AWD $1,246 $1,448
Adaptive cruise control $1,200 $1,200
Cargo mat $55 $55
Comfort Package $1,600 $660
Entertainment system with dual headrest screens $2,032 $2,032
Head-up display (HUD) $960 $960
Luxury Package $3,948 $3,880
Navigation Package $2,052 $2,052
Obstacle detection, rear $400 $400
Towing Package $190 $190
Unbranded 12 speakers $88 $88
Xenon HID headlights $940
Total options $13,771 $13,905
Destination $875 $875
Net Invoice $47,398 $52,689
Lowest Net Invoice RX 350 4dr SUV
Difference $5,291

Feature Comparison
Adjusts for unshared features -- values in parentheses

These are features on some but not all of the displayed trim lines.

In parentheses are the values assigned to these features by TrueDelta or, optionally, by you.
Model Year 2010 2010
Model RX RX
Trim 350 450h
Body 4dr SUV 4dr SUV
Engine 275hp V6 245hp V6 H
Transmission T6 ($1100) CVT-6 ($1100)
Drivetrain AWD ($1700) AWD ($1700)
EPA Fuel Economy (City / Highway) 18 / 24 30 / 28
Tires (rear if not equal) 235/55-19 235/55-19
Audio (watts, speakers) ?, 12 ?, 12
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors
Tachometer ($75)
Total Feature Adjustments The total value of the features listed for a trim, after subtracting the lowest total. -$75 -$0

TrueDelta Value Comparison These are the sticker and invoice prices after adjusting for feature differences, to provide an "apples to apples" comparison.
Model Year 2010 2010
Model RX RX
Trim 350 450h
Body 4dr SUV 4dr SUV
Net Price (from Price table) $54,495 $59,445
Adjustment (from Feature table) -$75 -$0
Feature-adjusted Net Price $54,420 $59,445
Net Invoice (from Invoice table) $47,398 $52,689
Invoice AdjustmentThe price adjustment multiplied by the ratio between the invoice and sticker prices. -$65 -$0
Feature-adjusted Net Invoice $47,333 $52,689
Lowest Adjusted Price and Invoice RX 350 4dr SUV
TrueDelta Price Difference $5,025
TrueDelta Invoice Difference $5,356