jones1950

BTW - If you're going to need to replace the tires soon, look into the Bridgestone Alenza. I just got them put on a few weeks ago - dramatic improvement in road noise and handling over the old Cooper Sport AS tires.

mandyfig

I have heard great reviews on the Alenza's. They have a wider footprint, too.

tfischer

My understanding from reading about these cars is that, when all the numbers and costs are factored in, a hybrid does not make financial sense for most people. I think the exceptions are those who put a lot of highway miles on a car every year (really a lot). For the rest of us, the payback period to recoup the extra cost is far too long, even after government "rebates" or "discounts" or "credits."

tm510

I too doubt whether the Hybrid makes financial sense for most people. But for some people its not just economics, but rather other factors.

Rather, I suggest the exception the H not being worth it is ONLY for people who drive a lot of CITY miles per year, where the economics of the Hybrid kick in. At least on the hybrids I have read about the highway mileage doesn't vary noticably. But City mileage does.

h265dcs

The Hybrid / battery module std warranty expires in 8 years or 100K miles and once your are out of warranty this stuff is expensive, Lexus ECP will not cover this item there after, Please also ask the dealer for the vehicle "in service date" the date the vehicle was first sold and not the model year! Nav in Lexus seems to have issues, and is not driver friendly! Garmins or tom-toms are better choice!

If you plan to keep the vehicle for more years then 2007 rx 350 is a better choice. Other then rattles and squeak so far no major problems, Get used to the transmission slow shift on these vehicles, with all said you will enjoy the ride!

tfischer

TM's correction of my prior observation is correct; best mpg in a hybrid is obtained by driving in urban, stop and go situations, not on expressways or a constant higher speeds. The former uses the electric motors, sometimes exclusively, which essentially shut off at higher speeds, rendering the car almost indistinguishable from the gas only version, apart from, of course, the weight of the batteries and electric motors that you are hauling around all the time.
I had it backwards - how could that have happened?

PharmD

ok..I finally picked up the RX 350 for $24,700...I will post some picture later..thanks for all the opinions

jones1950

Congrats!

How many miles?

PharmD

44,xxx...CERTIFIED..

jones1950

That's a pretty good deal.