Any advice for possible new 400h owner?
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2008
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From: Connecticut
Any advice for possible new 400h owner?
I just came accross this forum and thought I would say 
I am going to test drive a 08 400h today. Any advice from veteran or new 400h owners? Pros/Cons would be appreciated. Does anyone know for sure when the 09 will be coming out (not sure if the dealer will be forthcoming with that info) and what (if any) the changes will be? I'm not in a big rush so if the changes are worth the wait (and the higher price tag), I can wait. I'm looking to trade in my 03 Sequoia for something that gets better gas mileage. My sister owns a 300rx and has been very pleased with it, so I thought I would check out the Hybrid as I do alot more driving than she does. Thanks!
I am going to test drive a 08 400h today. Any advice from veteran or new 400h owners? Pros/Cons would be appreciated. Does anyone know for sure when the 09 will be coming out (not sure if the dealer will be forthcoming with that info) and what (if any) the changes will be? I'm not in a big rush so if the changes are worth the wait (and the higher price tag), I can wait. I'm looking to trade in my 03 Sequoia for something that gets better gas mileage. My sister owns a 300rx and has been very pleased with it, so I thought I would check out the Hybrid as I do alot more driving than she does. Thanks!
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 54
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From: Rancho Mirage, CA
Engine upgrad
I just bought an 08 400h AWD and the only change I've been told will occur for 09 will be a change in the hybrid's gasoline engine; an upgrade from the 3.3L to the current 3.5L that is in the non-hybrid.
I've owned six Lexus vehicles and what I have observed is that there is a major model change/new generation every 7th year in the model, meaning the vehicles remain the same generation style except for a few cosmetic changes over the six years. So, I expect that when my lease is up on this 08, I'll be getting a new generation RX hybrid, maybe even with a Hydrogen fuel cell, at that time. The only thing I see might be coming before the major RX generation model change is adding integrated outside review mirror/lane change signal modules like they did from the 07 GS to the 08 GS. Those are the type changes I've normally seen during a models generation life and they have been few and far between.
By the way, if you have a GS and want the new integrated outside rearview mirrors, it's going to cost you $2,000+ for the new look. I'll wait for the next model change.
Cheers.
I've owned six Lexus vehicles and what I have observed is that there is a major model change/new generation every 7th year in the model, meaning the vehicles remain the same generation style except for a few cosmetic changes over the six years. So, I expect that when my lease is up on this 08, I'll be getting a new generation RX hybrid, maybe even with a Hydrogen fuel cell, at that time. The only thing I see might be coming before the major RX generation model change is adding integrated outside review mirror/lane change signal modules like they did from the 07 GS to the 08 GS. Those are the type changes I've normally seen during a models generation life and they have been few and far between.
By the way, if you have a GS and want the new integrated outside rearview mirrors, it's going to cost you $2,000+ for the new look. I'll wait for the next model change.
Cheers.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2
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From: Connecticut
worth waiting for?
thanks for the responses so far. anyone think its worth the wait or foolishto wait for the 09 with a 3.5 v. the 08 with a 3.3? would the fuel savings really be that noticeable? 
Rookie
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 54
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From: Rancho Mirage, CA
$$$ Savings with the 08
According to my finance guy at Lexus, you will save more money on buying the 08 400h than the money you "might" save with the supposedly more efficient 3.5 V6 in the 09 but I'd bet you won't get anything off the sticker price of the 09 and it would take a lot of gasoline with the hybrid to make up that difference in savings.
I'm finding that my 07 GS350 with 6-speed automatic isn't as fuel efficient (16-17 mpg with A/C on and 18-20 mpg with A/C off) as I had hoped for and I'm not an aggressive driver 80% of the time. I had an 04 ES330 with 5-speed automatic and it got 20-22 mpg in town with A/C on, and my IS250 with 6-speed automatic got 25 mpg in town with A/C on (all three of these cars driven in same locality/same conditions); but who knows, with the CVT transmission that is on the 400h, it might be a different story. But again, how many gallons of gasoline would it take to make up the difference in the cost of the vehicles out the door.
If you are looking for performance only, then I think you would see an improvement in acceleration; but with AWD, I can get from 0-60 in 6.6 seconds when the batteries are 3/4 charged and that's not bad.
Hope this helps and good luck in making your decision.
Last edited by chaitov52; Feb 26, 2008 at 04:00 PM. Reason: Didn't know you had to save changes before posting the first time!
Lead Lap
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,534
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From: MD
The 3.5L won't give you that much of a boost in fuel economy. It will be about having more power. Hopefully, Lexus will utitlize the direct injected 3.5L, in which case I would expect fuel economy numbers to jump 2-3 mpgs vs. maybe the 1 mpg increase of the non DI 3.5L. Horsepower would also be around the 300 range, which may not be worth it to ya, the 400h is already quick.
If you do get one, we have found that the mileage gets better after the first 5000 miles and that running regular gas is okay.
If you do get one, we have found that the mileage gets better after the first 5000 miles and that running regular gas is okay.
Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 452
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From: In my house.... :D
Pro: none really... after a couple years of ownership, i can say this car would be the worst quality car lexus has ever produced. BUT the instant response is crazy. that would be the only reason i would buy this car.
Con: about everything... sorry not a big fan of 400h. you can hear the road noise, ride is very harsh, not really a big saving on gas, interior quality is cheap. not worth the money. mine is for sale if anyone wanna grab it
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Con: about everything... sorry not a big fan of 400h. you can hear the road noise, ride is very harsh, not really a big saving on gas, interior quality is cheap. not worth the money. mine is for sale if anyone wanna grab it
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