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After retiring, with wifie still at work, I spent the entire summer 2013 car shopping.
At the time, we owned three German-made and one Dodge Ram vehicles.
Planning for retirement travel and not wanting to be subjected to "German Car Owner Pricing Bias" at every little Burg on our travels - and not wanting to hunt for a dealership in the event of an issue, my "benchmark bias" became either a) Honda or b) Toyota.
Wanting just a bit more, that became a) Acura and b) Lexus.
Now, I loved our BMW/VW stable; but it seems that if the Japanese manufacturers can do "it" (whatever "it" is) with a switch or a lever, the Germans would design in a CPU-relay-fiber-optic control system to move a servo-driven mechanical science project. Both work, only you don't need a PhD to fix one.
So, back and forth between nameplates I went - ultimately leaning towards the RX-350.
Wifie wanted a Prius.
A friggin Prius?!?
I worked at the premier truck U.S. transmssion manufacturer, and was familiar with the CVT strengths and weaknesses - so a CVT was not likely in my future, despite how I liked how it drives in the National Car Rental units.
After investigating how Toyota implemented their eCVT - I realized that it's not a CVT at all, it's a planetary gearset that drives like a CVT.
So with that epiphany, and wanting a bit better MPG than available in my current "fleet", I then looked at the "Prius On Steroids" (the RX 450h).
I read everything I could get my hands on, with respect to the RXh. I liked the little extras that currently entertain me as I drive it - as well as the stability "nanny" that watches over me like an additional Guardian Angel.
The real odd thing, is that while I took points off the Germans for making things more complicated than I thought necessary, I ended up buying a car that challenges the NASA Moon Landing project for electromechanical absurdity.
So Emotion triumphed over Logic for me on this one. Now I just pray that Lexus engineers did a thorough FMEA - and designed/built accordingly.
Last edited by NateJG; 07-18-15 at 09:45 AM.
Reason: Punctuation fixes.
Hello everyone! Well the reason I got myself a RX 350 was because I fell in love with how the car handles. My previous vehicle before this was a Nissan Frontier and that was a pain to find parking with everywhere I went. So here are my five reasons!
1. Size of the car
2. Reliability
3. Value
4. Performance
5. Comfort of the car
1. Luxury - it's an SUV, for business trips first / daily transportation second
2. Refinement / Reliability - Toyota quality is Tops...period
3. Value - Toyoya brands depreciate less / Lexus has highest resale value, on the planet...in the used car market
4. Technology - 5 star safety & lots of air bags / AWD for winter / blind spot mirrors, a bonus / leather mouse & hands free NAV system, a must
($1,000 traffic fines in ON, for driving using cell phone now)
5. Performance - wanted v6 & proven engine design (capable for high miles), and no turbo's or premium gas needed
Split 5-Spoke 19" wheels & more of a conventional grill, on the 2015 - was the exterior attraction.
2 tone interior with saddle tan leather and 8.8" hands free monitor, was nice interior features.
In with the New / Out with the Old - Son's new wheels, what's not to like !!
I had a 2008 LS460 living in FL but I bought a cabin in NC and wanted an AWD SUV for the hills, dirt roads, snow and to be able to tow our motorcycle trailer. So I traded for a 2015 RX350 F-Sport. I didn't find one with a trailer pkge on it so I'm now hunting down the parts to add a trailer hitch and wiring. Only thing I do not like of this vehicle is the front seat, it is too short and cuts into the middle of the back of my thighs. Hopefully it will break in or I might add a seat cushion.
That makes two of us. Sometimes I wish I had the Luxury package because it includes adjustable thigh support.
I totally agree! I have a 14 and regret not getting the Luxury pkg. I love most everything about mine except the short thigh support. I cannot get comfortable in these seats and I'm a shorter small framed person. I sat in a 16 and didn't notice any difference. Maybe someday the extension will be standard.
I have been driving an RX since April of 1998. Currently on my 8th RX lease. They are just plain well built functional cars that improve each year. They lease incredibly well. I have the same lease payment today that I had in 1998.
1. reliable
2 .lots of room inside
3 quiet comfortable ride,great road car. 12-15 hour days are very relaxing
4 my son in law works at the plant, they were suffering around the tsunami time and TMMC followed the Toyota way and kept everyone working.
5 my wife loved the RX as soon as she sat in it.
Last edited by kwbuggy; 12-04-15 at 07:49 PM.
Reason: spelling
Purchased the 450h for my wife and here the order of reasoning:
1. Make wife happy, she loves the 450h and the Blizzard White paint
2. Technology to help her get from point A to B safely (BSM, NAV, Hands free tech, Camera, sensors, etc)
3. Reliability
4. Luxury interior
5. Decent gas mileage for a luxury SUV
I worked at the premier truck U.S. transmssion manufacturer, and was familiar with the CVT strengths and weaknesses - so a CVT was not likely in my future, despite how I liked how it drives in the National Car Rental units.
After investigating how Toyota implemented their eCVT - I realized that it's not a CVT at all, it's a planetary gearset that drives like a CVT.
So with that epiphany, and wanting a bit better MPG than available in my current "fleet", I then looked at the "Prius On Steroids" (the RX 450h).
I had the same thought about the CVT. We also bought a 450h and we are happy with it too.
07-18-15, 09:38 AM
