I posted this on the hybrid forum as well. Have been considering the 450H for the fuel savings. But, looks like I would have to pay $7,000 more and fuel savings over 5 years would only be $3,500 using today's gas price. Anyone out there find other benefits for the 450H v. the 350. Or, any preferences for the 350 v. 450H setting aside the fuel savings?

 

Do Governments provide any incentive or tax deduction each year? If so, this should be counted, right?



To me, I'll buy 450h in the future, the only concern I have is "battery" and the maintenance.

 

benefits of the hybrid powertrain:
extra power, contributes to the already low NVH of lexus vehicles, the knowledge that you are doing something good for the environment, individual readings for tire pressure.

battery and hybrid powertrain is warrantied for 8 years, 100,000 miles so you shouldnt be worried there.

 

Just bought a 350. Originally wanted the 450h, but the premium was just too much. I was under no illusions of making it up with greater fuel economy; I just wanted to do my part for the ecology. Burn less gas to go a given mile. But I couldn't see past the extra cost. Not only the difference in sticker, but the fact that dealers aren't dealing on the hybrid like they are on the 350.

I will say, however, that better economy would have been nice for the convenience. I can almost see the gas gauge going down as I drive my 350.

 

If you hug a tree in the morning before your spouse, buy the 450h. If you just want to do what is best for the environment without regard to cost, buy the 450h. If you're going to take a calculator and determing how many miles at x per gallon you need to drive to justify the 450h, don't buy it. You'll end up being unhappy. If fuel savings is more important that the space afforded by the RX450h, you may want to check out the HS250h.

 

450h...the benefits to me go beyond gas. quiet and powerfull. Premium RX and Hybrid. And Hybrid. Being Hybrid will continue to carry more value moving forward. It is GREEN. Resale is strong.

 

If your looking at price, sure theres a big difference. Because its MSRP and the fact dealers are not willing to make a deal on the hybrid.

Beyond that, theres more to the 450 beyond fuel mileage. As others have mentioned, the CVT powertrain is wonderful. Extremely smooth. The warm up times (compared to my previous IS) is very quick on the Hybrid as well at 30 degrees. And the ride really is quieter on the hybrid compared to the non-hybrid imo.

 

I'm making the leap to the 450h because I drive primarily under 40 MPH to work in stop and go traffic. The extra mileage is great but I'm not looking to save a few bucks. I'll be driving more efficiently. The other reasons to go hybrid have been mentioned already - extra horsepower, tire pressure reading, quiet, resale. I believe maintenance costs are lower too. I'd recommend doing test drives of both back to back for comparison to see if it's worth it.

By the way, my dealer gave me a discount on my special order 450h. While it wasn't close to what some people have paid for their 350, it made the decision a bit easier.

Good luck.

 

From my calculations, the RX hybrid actually have worst resale value than the RX350. If we consider the RX350 can be bought for about $1000 over invoice and the RX hybrid is going for MSRP. Let’s just stick with the last gen RX for the sake of fair comparison. The 2009 RX350 invoice for $34604, add a $1000 to that and it will cost $35604. The 2009 RX400h cost $42080 MSRP. A two year old 2007 RX350 with 20000 miles, according to the Kelly blue book trade in value in excellent condition goes for $28550. A used 2007 RX400h with the same mileage will get you $30250 in trade in. If we calculate the percent of the original value after two years, the RX350 retain 80% of its original value and the Hybrid version only 71%.

 

I have the 350, but I wish I bought the 450H. I live near to the core of Montreal (think Manhattan styled streets) and my 350 burns so much gas, my mpg is horrific, definately near the worst of all participants on this site. I would find it hard to believe you wouldnt get at least half the price difference between the 350 and the 450H back when you sell.

 

So, what do you 450h guys receive from the tax deduction each year? What benefits would you receive from Governments? Is there such a thing?

Thanks.

 

Another reason for the hybrid--albeit not concrete--is the what if we have gas rationing in a few years--then the extra mileage will be rather important

 

lexus/toyota vehicles do not qualify for tax rebates anymore.

 

Thanks. Wow, what a bad news!

So, Prius isn't qualified either?

 

The Prius is the reason the rebate is not available anymore. Too many sold under the program. I wish they separated Lexus from Toyota