General Car Conversation 2025 - Part 2
Racer
Joined: Jan 2025
Posts: 1,348
Likes: 344
Whether the hybrid option is an upgrade or not depends entirely on the car. I'm sure Steve would argue that his PHEV van is an upgrade over the standard V6. For our Highlander, we chose the hybrid version over the standard V6 because we also felt that it was an upgrade (more power, better mileage, smoother).
In an LC, moving from the V8 to the hybrid V6 is NOT an upgrade in my opinion. The most glorious part of the LC500 is the engine. The hybrid just doesn't work in that car.
In an LC, moving from the V8 to the hybrid V6 is NOT an upgrade in my opinion. The most glorious part of the LC500 is the engine. The hybrid just doesn't work in that car.
Lead Lap
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 4,588
Likes: 94
From: CA, Mid OC
If that were actually the dominant sentiment, then the ZR1 will be an abject failure, because it doesn't offer that. But I don't think it will be.
Those people are already being satisfied, because both the base Stingray and Z06 offer an NA V8. But now there are two additional (soon to be 3) options for buyers who aren't hung up on an NA V8 being the only acceptable option.
For those that want a wicked fast AWD street car, they offer the Eray.
For those that want a twin-turbo V8 and one of the most capable ICE platforms ever, they have the ZR1.
And likely next year, for those that want a hypercar that combines the insanity of that engine PLUS the added grip and streetability of AWD, there will be the Zora.
If money was no object, Zora would 100% be my choice. But since a ZR1 configured to my tastes rings in at exactly $200k, that already isn't in the cards. And I'm assuming I'd be at $220-230k for an equivalent Zora.
Those people are already being satisfied, because both the base Stingray and Z06 offer an NA V8. But now there are two additional (soon to be 3) options for buyers who aren't hung up on an NA V8 being the only acceptable option.
For those that want a wicked fast AWD street car, they offer the Eray.
For those that want a twin-turbo V8 and one of the most capable ICE platforms ever, they have the ZR1.
And likely next year, for those that want a hypercar that combines the insanity of that engine PLUS the added grip and streetability of AWD, there will be the Zora.
If money was no object, Zora would 100% be my choice. But since a ZR1 configured to my tastes rings in at exactly $200k, that already isn't in the cards. And I'm assuming I'd be at $220-230k for an equivalent Zora.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 8,401
Likes: 363
From: Las Vegas
My auto insurance premiums have been out of control the last few years.
When I first bought the BMW in Nov 2023 and added it to my policy, it increased my annual premium to $2200(though the amount I paid was less because I added it mid-policy, but the math checks out). Didn't love that, but it was certainly workable.
The next renewal last summer, they increased my auto insurance to $3,050 per year. That's a 38% increase. Certainly a ripoff.
I just got my policy renewal notice today......$5,200. This is straight up highway robbery. I have a 20 year driving record with zero accidents or tickets. Excellent credit. I take advantage of every possible discount. Last year I had my broker shop around to see if they could get me a better rate elsewhere, and they came up emptyhanded. I don't intend to accept that again this year. I'll be contacting a new broker and doing everything I can to stop being stolen from. The total value of my vehicles combined is less than $40k. I think it's quite unreasonable to charge $430 a month to insure them.
Perhaps we need to start executing DUI drivers and locking uninsured drivers up in El Salvador.
When I first bought the BMW in Nov 2023 and added it to my policy, it increased my annual premium to $2200(though the amount I paid was less because I added it mid-policy, but the math checks out). Didn't love that, but it was certainly workable.
The next renewal last summer, they increased my auto insurance to $3,050 per year. That's a 38% increase. Certainly a ripoff.
I just got my policy renewal notice today......$5,200. This is straight up highway robbery. I have a 20 year driving record with zero accidents or tickets. Excellent credit. I take advantage of every possible discount. Last year I had my broker shop around to see if they could get me a better rate elsewhere, and they came up emptyhanded. I don't intend to accept that again this year. I'll be contacting a new broker and doing everything I can to stop being stolen from. The total value of my vehicles combined is less than $40k. I think it's quite unreasonable to charge $430 a month to insure them.
Perhaps we need to start executing DUI drivers and locking uninsured drivers up in El Salvador.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,368
Likes: 1,801
From: Ohio
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,368
Likes: 1,801
From: Ohio
My auto insurance premiums have been out of control the last few years.
When I first bought the BMW in Nov 2023 and added it to my policy, it increased my annual premium to $2200(though the amount I paid was less because I added it mid-policy, but the math checks out). Didn't love that, but it was certainly workable.
The next renewal last summer, they increased my auto insurance to $3,050 per year. That's a 38% increase. Certainly a ripoff.
I just got my policy renewal notice today......$5,200. This is straight up highway robbery. I have a 20 year driving record with zero accidents or tickets. Excellent credit. I take advantage of every possible discount. Last year I had my broker shop around to see if they could get me a better rate elsewhere, and they came up emptyhanded. I don't intend to accept that again this year. I'll be contacting a new broker and doing everything I can to stop being stolen from. The total value of my vehicles combined is less than $40k. I think it's quite unreasonable to charge $430 a month to insure them.
Perhaps we need to start executing DUI drivers and locking uninsured drivers up in El Salvador.
When I first bought the BMW in Nov 2023 and added it to my policy, it increased my annual premium to $2200(though the amount I paid was less because I added it mid-policy, but the math checks out). Didn't love that, but it was certainly workable.
The next renewal last summer, they increased my auto insurance to $3,050 per year. That's a 38% increase. Certainly a ripoff.
I just got my policy renewal notice today......$5,200. This is straight up highway robbery. I have a 20 year driving record with zero accidents or tickets. Excellent credit. I take advantage of every possible discount. Last year I had my broker shop around to see if they could get me a better rate elsewhere, and they came up emptyhanded. I don't intend to accept that again this year. I'll be contacting a new broker and doing everything I can to stop being stolen from. The total value of my vehicles combined is less than $40k. I think it's quite unreasonable to charge $430 a month to insure them.
Perhaps we need to start executing DUI drivers and locking uninsured drivers up in El Salvador.
Lead Lap
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 3,958
Likes: 409
:Lexus LS400/430/460 have entered the chat:
LS430 is a tomb, and you actually do hear the V8 engine but it's part of the plan. She purrs but it's soothing. For perspective, you hear more engine noise in the LS430 than the Denali in regular driving. It's so crazy just how well Lexus used to have it down PAT. It's a noise you want to hear, part of the experience.
I've been driving it around a lot lately since I got new tires, and lol the Denali is hard to ****** from the ball and chain.
LS430 is a tomb, and you actually do hear the V8 engine but it's part of the plan. She purrs but it's soothing. For perspective, you hear more engine noise in the LS430 than the Denali in regular driving. It's so crazy just how well Lexus used to have it down PAT. It's a noise you want to hear, part of the experience.
I've been driving it around a lot lately since I got new tires, and lol the Denali is hard to ****** from the ball and chain.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,487
Likes: 386
From: ON/NY
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Jun 5, 2025 at 11:30 AM.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,826
Likes: 4,103
From: Maryland
Whether the hybrid option is an upgrade or not depends entirely on the car. I'm sure Steve would argue that his PHEV van is an upgrade over the standard V6. For our Highlander, we chose the hybrid version over the standard V6 because we also felt that it was an upgrade (more power, better mileage, smoother).
In an LC, moving from the V8 to the hybrid V6 is NOT an upgrade in my opinion. The most glorious part of the LC500 is the engine. The hybrid just doesn't work in that car.
In an LC, moving from the V8 to the hybrid V6 is NOT an upgrade in my opinion. The most glorious part of the LC500 is the engine. The hybrid just doesn't work in that car.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,487
Likes: 386
From: ON/NY
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,177
Likes: 529
From: Knoxville, TN
That E-Torque thing that goes in it is awful, so it's actually not the true experience in the regular 5.7.
Car and Driver had one for a long termer and they hated the hybrid assist and averaged 14mpg over the whole 40k miles. I have a live and die Ram buddy with one and he begrudgingly admits he hates it and would rather not have the e-torque stuff.
So, I don't think the E-Torque part will be around that much longer either. But yes, the correct number of cylinders are back under the hood. It's a great thing overall.
People are gonna want Hemis in the top of the line model Rams though, I think it's a mistake to leave the V8s off the table on the best ones. Let it be a N/C option.