avenger076

Hi all,

I am a noob to hybrid technology and am looking to purchase a RX 400h. I have a couple of options - a 2006 and a 2008, both having done about 80K miles.

The price difference between the two is 5K, with the 2008 having a DVD entertainment system over and above all the features that the 2006 has.

I am leaning towards the 2006, but what I am concerned about is the battery life in these hybrids. Any suggestions/recommendations on what to look out for when taking a test drive? Any "gotcha's"?

Thanks in advance for your help

~ Praveen

Droid13

I believe the warranty is typically 8 or 10 yrs depending on your location. I remember back in 2006 when I bought my first Toyota hybrid I did a lot of reading and remember some information that suggested Toyota was shooting for a 15 yr life for the batteries. It's been about 15 yrs since the very first Prius hit the road and I think the majority of them are doing ok with batteries, although of course as they age there are some replacements being required for defects or wear from high mileage. My take on it is, consider the battery the same way you consider an engine or transmission. Expect it to last the practical life of the vehicle, but it's efficiency will decline over time and there is always a risk an engine or tranny will pop early, just the same as a battery might and require a rebuild.

philips4

I bought a 2006 RX 400h brand new, ordered right off the barge. As soon as my warranty was over at 100K things fell apart. At 102K my hybrid inverter went out, a cost of $10,000. Since warranty was over they offered financial assistance and cost was only about $2,000, which was later reimbursed for a recall. Then about 150K miles on the car, I was told I needed both front axles replaced, around $3,000. I ended up going to a shop I found on Yelp and spent only $270 with a lifetime guarantee. Now, at 170K I am told that the trans axle is leaking coolant and needs to be replaced at a cost of $7,800. Had I ever known that repair costs would be so insane for a hybrid I would have never bought one, or at lest sold it before it hit 100K. Be careful, who knew they had parts that are $8,000 and $10,000 .... now I'm at a loss, I don't have 8k to fix it, its not worth much more than that. Otherwise I have never missed a service and all highway miles and never driven hard. You are looking at 80k mileage, just be aware

smassey321

I also had the coolant leak from the trans but mine was changed at 75k under warranty. I believe that it was only a freeze plug that was leaking. Perhaps an independent shop can remove the trans, repair the leak, and then re-install.

philips4

Thanks! GREAT idea!

CometVR4

Had a 2006 RX4. Loved the car. Wife ran over a tire in the road a couple things had to be replaced which totaled over $2,500. The same parts on the 350 sister would have been just $750.

As far as battery issues. None. Purchased at 31k and traded in at 72,000 miles. If I were you I'd get the 08 just for the updates such at aux, Sat Radio, better nav screen and DVD.