I went to look at the RX400h on Sunday and found out that the Canadian prices have been reduced. We will be trading in our 2005 Odyssey Touring. TPP has reported that Lexus does not plan on releasing any more new models this year which means that the redesigned RX won't come out untill next spring and Lexus does not usually release the hybrid model in the same year of the redesign. I have read here that there is a new 3.5L engine that is going to be in the 09 model. I was going to wait till the 09 model year. However, today the government anounced it will not extend the $4000 hybrid incentive past he 08 model year.

So do I wait till the 09 model year and get what ever changes will be made and get $2000 back or do I buy now and get $4000 back?

 

I've had a couple of bad experiences with first year / redesigned vehicles and vowed to never purchase a first year vehicle again. So from my perspective, regardless of the tax rebate differences, I'd buy now, or wait two years for the second year of production on the redesigned RX400h (RX450h?)... As you also state, the Canadian dollar is stronger right now so your buying power has increased, which may be short lived. Alternatively, you probably won't get as good a deal on the first year production of the redesigned RX, since the demand will most likely be high.

Jim

 

Put it this way, is the 3.5 litre V6 worth $2,000 to you?

Sucks that the EcoAuto rebate isn't going to continue (yet the gas guzzler one will).

 

That is the reason why we want to trade in oury Odyssey. We can't seem to get rid of the rattles. As soon as one gets fixed, another one pops up.

Do you know if you can get parking sensors for the 400h? I noticed it is listed on the 350 page but not on the 400h page.

 

I bet you that quarter billion that the feds dished out for R&D won't amount to much if anything

 

I heard from somewhere that the EcoAuto cost them $80M but the gas guzzler netted them $112M. So really, they're in a surplus so I don't know why it isn't continued (other than the fact they prefer $112M rather than $32M).

 

I just picked up my 400h yesterday and you will only get $3000 back from the government for 400h + $7200 discount from Lexus Canada. That's a very good deal for me. I ordered my car in Jan, but my car came in Feb, MRSP dropped another $1000+, lucky me~

I heard the 2010 RX hybrid model will come with 3rd row seats, and I don't want the extra weight of it, so I didn't wait. Since you are going to trade in your van, maybe that's a plus for you! I bought my car with Regency Lexus, talk to Mario, he will give you a good service!


Andy

 

This is what you have to determine.

No doubt that with the 3.5L this thing will be putting out more than 300 hp. Gas mileage should be slightly better as well and there will be the EV button. But $4000 is quite a chunk. The 400h is already quick.

 

Indeed the 3.5 litre is a new engine, it's lighter. The 3.3 litre was just a stop gap between the 3.0 litre and the 3.5 litre.

I love the EV button. Got it installed on my Prius!

 

Hey Andy,

I went to Open Road Lexus Port Moody. The first question the salesman as me was "would you like to apply for financing?" Well, I never intended to finance the car. I was going to pay it all in cash. That guy just lost a sale.

Do you plan on buying winter tires for your RX? I have Blizzack WS-60s on my Odyssey this winter and the thing had excelent traction. Also what is the EV button everyone is talking about? What does it do?

 

Hi,

I live in Richmond, but I bought mine from Regency Lexus in Vancouver because they have the best deal + the newest service department. You don't need winter tires for 400h, since it's AWD already, you can get a FWD in the US thoguh >< my friend drives 400h too and we went to Whilster last Dec. with light snow, no problem at all!

I am not sure about the EV button, guess it's not same as the start button, it might have it on the new model, but...it doesn't matter for the 400h anyway, since you won't feel a thing when you crank the key!! Newer model always get better technology anyway~ Just like when you compare RX400h with GS450h, no smart key, no push button, no ventail seats, but 400h has better fuel performance, even with 4WD, way bigger trunk, LED tail lights! 450h can't even fit a full golf set, but it's damn fast! Overall, I think 400h is more practical for "me". lol


Andy

so...it's all depends on when you are ready to buy it. The redesigned hybrid model won't come out in 2010/2011, so you will have to wait another two years. If you need a third row seats, then you should wait, if you don't, buy it now! I had my car for 4 days and I love it! I am getting around 8.6~10L/100km and still learning it!

 

Do you mean you had it installed post delivery by the dealer or aftermarket on your 2005 Prius?

Jim

 

That's fantastic mileage! Keep it up


aftermarket. The Prius already has the program included in the vehicle (cause elsewhere on this planet, the Prius comes with an EV button. For whatever reason, it was removed for Canada/US). I just basically added the button so I can access the function.

Their reasoning was something about the way the EPA tests cars and you can't have control over the engine or some other excuse. But guess what? The LSh and HiHy now have the EV button so I'd like to know the real reason or rather, how the LSh and HiHy got around that.