Can you buy a US version? Or is that a huge headache?

 

My understanding is that yes, we can buy a US version. We would have to pay GST on the sale price (Gov't sales tax @ 5%) and make sure that the vehicle meets Canada Transport regulations. There is also the consideration of the exchange rate, which is running somewhere in the neighbourhood of 22 cents on the dollar.

It's interesting that the vehicles are made here in Canada yet we have to pay more for them.

I'm not suggesting that the RX be dropped as much as it is in the US, as I realize our economy isn't nearly as bad as yours. But I do think that it should be a little more realistic. If they are able to drop the price in the US, they should at least be competitive up here. If the price jumped say only $2K, I might be a little more comfortable. (Our taxes and dollar hurt us).

 

The base cost is $900 less. When equipped, it's about $700 - $1300 more.

 

That price drop for the base FWD RX is just a marketing tool, when was the last time you saw a RX FWD with no options on it.

 

Kalvano, do you have an estimate on the change in the MSRP for the RX450h compared to the Rx400h?

 

My 2004 lost 40% in 4 years....To tell you I was pleased would be an understatement. I have friends that have done very well on the depreciation factor with similar aged vehicles. I have a 2008 now and will probably keep it for many years.

 

No, no word yet, but if I had to guess I would say roughly the same increase, maybe a little more. Around $1000 or so...much easier to make it small now and bump it a $100-$200 every few months than start big.

 

Exactly.
I wouldn't lease or buy one now.

 

I now know more about the 2010 RX and I'd add to the list:

*The sound system is better
*better integration of iPods, cell phones and other gadgets
*better voice recognition - it's really good now
*more airbags
*more safety features
*ventilated seats
*extendable front seats
*better suspension
*XM traffic and weather updates
*increased cargo space
*AFS
*OLED displays


Still not enough? I mean come on.

 

Does the '10 have the brights headlight auto turn off sensor?
That's a nice feature.

 

It does (although I haven't seen one with it yet).

 

AFS is what you are talking about and it's on my list

 

AFS is Automatic Front Lighting System, which is what swivels the headlights around curves.

The auto-dim for the the brights is, right now, only scheduled to be produced on the Luxury packages.

 

I think my '09 has HIDs with AFS
it barely swivels at all, unless you pay close attention.
i didn't even know i had it until i took out my receipt.
also HIDs are kind of annoying - they're great in that they light up almost in a "square" shape and no light is scattered throughout but there is a noticeable "cutoff" point on the road, where it is completely dark. i have to turn on high-beams to compensate for this.

 

If it has HID, it has AFS.

Where I live, there are no streetlights or any type of illumination on the roads, and I wouldn't trade my HID's for anything.