Montmat

Hi guys, I'm a new member and I'm looking for a used Lexus rx450h.
I've found a couple of these, 2012 and 2013, both with 110K km.
What do you think? There are any kind of reliability issue? Is the mileage too high?
Thanks!

lexusrus

Either year is good.

We have a 2013 RX450h with F Sports package with 19 inch rims and F Sports front bumper.

BC of the 19 inch rims, the tires will cost more versus the 18 inch and the ride is firmer. Wife tested the regular RX350 and the RX450h with regular 18 inch rims and did not like it. She felt the 18 inch rims/tires were sliding too much.

Anyway, no problems so far at almost 40k miles.

We replaced all 4 tires at around 30k miles.

I changed the front two halogen fog lights to LED aftermarket light bulbs. The low beams are OEM HIDs.

We get around 24 to 26 mpg in mostly highway driving. In Los Angeles stop and go traffic, it gets better at around 29 mpg. We calculated it would take us at least 9 years to recoup the price difference between this hybrid RX vs regular gas RX. We certainly did not buy this hybrid for the slightly better mpg,. LOL. This hybrid just rides and drives firmer vs regular gas RX.

Overall we loved our RX450h.

Montmat

Perfect, thanks for the reply!
At this moment I have a BMW X1, but the family became bigger and I thought to a RX! The alternative is an Audi A4 2.0 tfsi, but the fuel consumption is almost the same (maybe worse).
My concerns are related to the mileage, because all RX on sale are around 100K km (about 62K miles). My guess is, why all RXs on sale have this mileage? Could be an hybrid engines/batteries issue? I've read that Lexus in UK won a prize about reliability on used cars...
Anyway, I hope to be a happy Lexus owner!
Thanks

vlad_a

100K KM is nothing for a Toyota. Mine is at 54K miles, or 87K KM.
Toyota corporate standard is for a motor to outlast 200K miles. German standard in comparison - outlast the warranty period.

Montmat

I'll keep you posted guys! Thanks!
Have a nice day!!

NateJG

"...We calculated it would take us at least 9 years to recoup the price difference between this hybrid RX vs regular gas RX..."

LOL

I figured 350,000 miles for mine - based on the 27.4 MPG for the first 50K miles (I quit keeping records after that, since the onboard computer was so consistent with my calculations).

I think you'll be there first.

(Buy the RXh - the entertainment is worth the risk.)

lexusrus

I think many people just trade or buy something new and got the new car itch.


In the USA, especially in the state of California, Lexus hybrids are warrantied to 100k miles. Other states are a little bit shorter. I think it is a state of California mandate for hybrids?

As soon as I step off the airplane and get to the baggage area and go out to curb side at LAX ....... literally hundreds (OK, 😃maybe just 15 at each terminal) of Toyota Prius's taxis line up waiting. Also many more hundreds more at the taxi holding lot. Talking to the taxi drivers, many already got 200k+ miles on the original hybrid drive batteries. They are saying good for like 300k+ miles.

The 12 volt car battery is different. This will wear out like in 4 years or so depending on usage and weather, and etc. So you might want to budget around $150? For the 12 volt battery?


Also make sure the one you are buying has a good history of timely services done. It's all good.

I say go buy it, you will like it.

Htony

Don't have CPO program over there? I had BMW, Audi, Acura, etc. Speaking of maintenance costs Lexus will beat others hands down. I logged 26K km so far.
Purchased a set of winter tires/rims. one oil change, that's it. My one year old BMW X5 had passenger seat heater, both rear seat heaters went kaput which was covered under warranty. RFT, that was another turn off for me.

lexusrus

LOL.

As I stated we did not buy the hybrid for its better mileage.

vlad_a

FYI, in some European countries, Lexus sells hybrids exclusively. So, there's that.

Htony

That is for sure. Car price is determined in part by how much the vehicle pollutes. I heard Lexus hybrids are very
popular as a company car for that reason. Other choice is Diesel powered cars for better MPG.... I did not buy RX
hybrid for that reason we thought it fits our life style as aging seniors. My last vehicle was Bimmer X5. Still kids drive Bimmers.

vlad_a

Diesels are a win on two fronts - better MPG and, unlike the US, lower cost of fuel.
Having lots of torque, one doesn't need as big an engine either.
In Europe, I try to rent manual Diesels - they are lots more fun and better in traffic.

Htony

[QUOTE=vlad_a;9739118]Diesels are a win on two fronts - better MPG and, unlike the US, lower cost of fuel.
Having lots of torque, one doesn't need as big an engine either.
In Europe, I try to rent manual Diesels - they are lots more fun and better in traffic.[/QUOT

Not many kids specially know how to drive with sticks. I trained my son and daughter using stick shift.
Son still drives one with manual shift complaining about diminishing car with manual gear box.

vlad_a

[QUOTE=Htony;9739157]Manuals are a dying breed. I've been driving "unicorn" manuals myself.
My Lexus IS300 was a manual. Lexus is no more. My Audi S4 is a manual - I jumped on it when Audi announced S4 will be an auto-only.
If there was a decent manual SUV out there, I'd own it instead of the RX.
I keep telling myself - RX450h has no gears, so that's as good a compromise as I will get.

Ironically, if one is to go overseas, good luck finding an Automatic rental. It'll cost twice as much as well.

I heard someone smart bought her kids manuals to keep them safe - can't text and drive a stick!

riredale

Daughter is now 26, and for many years I wanted to rent a manual transmission so she could learn how to use one. But none are available as rentals here in Oregon. Almost felt like buying an old beater with a manual just as a teaching tool.