Hi All, I apologize for just joining and asking for help but I have to decide whether or not to return a car today. My wife and I bought a 2006 400h in 2010 and have loved it dearly. This past year everything had started to go so we had to replace it. After much research we bought a 2010 450h from Carvana with 60K odometer. We can’t afford the $40K+ for at 2016 model or more recent. Our budget is around $25 K max.

We have been driving the 450h for five days and are pretty disappointed—cabin noise is loud, the drive is stiff, the interior feels cheap, and torque (acceleration from stopped?) feels weak. Any and all guidance extremely appreciated. We’re pretty devastated. Did Lexus just cheap out and do I actually have to go European for luxury feel? Is 2010 a crap year for this model? I want to stay with Lexus—for years any mechanic we brought the 400h to said it was the best engine they work on. I had a 1999 Acura TL for 15 years that was equally reliably luxe and mechanically sound and powerful. Should I go Acura? as you can surmise we’re a tight budget family trying to extract some luxury car feels for least amount of money, and Lexus used has always been the best. But this car makes me want to leave.

I know I should take time to research all the threads first but I’m really in a pinch and have family stuff to manage all day.

Please Obe Wan Kenobe Lexus Club, you’re my only hope!
With thanks and Lexus love in advance,
Andrew

 

If I understand you, you have a short window to return. It is evident that you don't like the particular vehicle, then don't let other people convince you to keep it. Just return it.

Keep in mind each machine is unique and different. If you want to give 450H another chance, test drive another vehicle.

Salim

 

+1 Not sure why you're asking others if you're clearly unhappy with the vehicle. What we say doesn't matter as we're not buying the vehicle. That said, I don't have any of your complaints with our 2015 450h and we came from a 2008 400h. You may want to try another vehicle if you're still considering the 3rd gen RX hybrid but salimshah also already said that.

 

Thank you, Salim, this was helpful. You are might so we’re returning it.

 

Thanks this is helpful, we’ll try other years and make sure we like the car first.

 

Yes if you don’t like it get something else. No point regretting every time you drive it.

I don’t have an issue with ours, we found a lot of the noise was from the OEM Bridgestone Dueller tires, once we swapped it out for Goodyear Performance SUV, it was night and day. Our RX450h also has dual plane glass.

Also not all 450h are of the same, ours have semi aniline leather which is of high quality.