Newbie needs help deciding between RX350 and RX450h
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Driver School Candidate
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Newbie needs help deciding between RX350 and RX450h
Hello - I am new to this forum and am trading my 2009 ML320 Bluetec for a 2010 RX. I am having a very difficult time deciding between the RX350 and the RX450 - mainly because of the mileage I was getting from the Mercedes diesel.
It does not really make much sense financially - it is about a 9 year pay off, but I am a gadget guy and I also drive conservatively - 45,000 miles averaging 23.5 MPG - several thousand of that towing a boat. I can often get 28 MPG + from the MB diesel. However the urea injection system was very unreliable and the car was often in the shop.
So now I am trying to decide between the 2 models of the RX - I drive a ton, mostly highway miles.
I can get the 2010 RX350 For $42,058 - around $650 below invoice of $42,708
I can get the 2010 RX450h for $47,222 - around $100 over invoice of $47,222
Both vehicles have the following equipment:
Premium 12 speaker audio, 19 inch wheels, Bi xenon, comfort package, Heat and vent seats, Intuitive parking assist, Navi, Premium Package, wood and leather wheel and the preferred accessory package.
So the difference in price is about $5,160 - so with all of you RX owners is the hybrid worth $5160 more? I want it bas as I am taking a mileage hit going to the RX, but I can buy a ton of fuel for $5000!!!
Please any information and advice would be greatly appreciated.
It does not really make much sense financially - it is about a 9 year pay off, but I am a gadget guy and I also drive conservatively - 45,000 miles averaging 23.5 MPG - several thousand of that towing a boat. I can often get 28 MPG + from the MB diesel. However the urea injection system was very unreliable and the car was often in the shop.
So now I am trying to decide between the 2 models of the RX - I drive a ton, mostly highway miles.
I can get the 2010 RX350 For $42,058 - around $650 below invoice of $42,708
I can get the 2010 RX450h for $47,222 - around $100 over invoice of $47,222
Both vehicles have the following equipment:
Premium 12 speaker audio, 19 inch wheels, Bi xenon, comfort package, Heat and vent seats, Intuitive parking assist, Navi, Premium Package, wood and leather wheel and the preferred accessory package.
So the difference in price is about $5,160 - so with all of you RX owners is the hybrid worth $5160 more? I want it bas as I am taking a mileage hit going to the RX, but I can buy a ton of fuel for $5000!!!
Please any information and advice would be greatly appreciated.
Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 7
From: AZ
I read somewhere that it takes about 80k miles to break even. I usually get rid of a car when the power train warranty is gone. I would have liked the technology but the price/ pay off didn't work for me.
Here's an Edmunds article that shows with gas at $2.91 a gal,how many years it takes to break even money wise.
RX350 and RX400h included in the '08 article.
2008 Lexus RX 350 vs.
2008 Lexus RX 400h
Years to Break Even
13.1 years at 15K miles per
7.9 years at 25K miles per.
Edmunds Study: Do Hybrids Make Financial Sense Yet?
There are many good reasons to buy a hybrid. Saving money still isn't one of them.
With rising gas prices and attractive tax credits, many consumers feel they are making a frugal choice when they buy a hybrid car or SUV. Right? Well, not exactly.
Sure, there are a lot of good reasons to buy a hybrid, such as reduced emissions and the conservation of limited oil reserves. However, from a strictly financial point of view it will take years before a hybrid will save a consumer enough money to pay for the added expense of buying one.
http://www.edmunds.com/advice/fuelec...3/article.html
Last edited by Joeb427; Sep 26, 2010 at 04:23 PM.
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,517
Likes: 213
From: San Francisco, CA
hybrids wont make financial sense at all so you should go after the RX350 if you prioritize your cars based on that.
The benefits of a hybrid as Im sure you know is that it will be more environmentally friendly emissions wise, as well as the lower NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) you will experience when driving. And the entire hybrid powertrain is a work of art.
The benefits of a hybrid as Im sure you know is that it will be more environmentally friendly emissions wise, as well as the lower NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) you will experience when driving. And the entire hybrid powertrain is a work of art.
hybrids wont make financial sense at all so you should go after the RX350 if you prioritize your cars based on that.
The benefits of a hybrid as Im sure you know is that it will be more environmentally friendly emissions wise, as well as the lower NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) you will experience when driving. And the entire hybrid powertrain is a work of art.
The benefits of a hybrid as Im sure you know is that it will be more environmentally friendly emissions wise, as well as the lower NVH (noise, vibration, and harshness) you will experience when driving. And the entire hybrid powertrain is a work of art.
The 450h may not make financial sense but I'll add another plus to what you posted,the availability of a few options not available on the RX350.
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Sep 2010
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Hi Jeme...
I asked myself the exact same question when I bought my RX.
Here is the response I got from my salesperson at the time via email:
"As far as the Hybrid goes, in a nutshell, I would strongly advise you NOT to do that now. Unless you drive like, 50k miles per year, it really is not worth the extra money to get a Hybrid RX. It is a nice feeling doing something for the environment, but it would cost you @$6,000 (taxed) more just for the difference in the price of the car. For the typical driver, this difference alone would necessitate you keeping the car for at least 5 years just to get back that $6,000."
Hope this helps... and good luck!!
I asked myself the exact same question when I bought my RX.
Here is the response I got from my salesperson at the time via email:
"As far as the Hybrid goes, in a nutshell, I would strongly advise you NOT to do that now. Unless you drive like, 50k miles per year, it really is not worth the extra money to get a Hybrid RX. It is a nice feeling doing something for the environment, but it would cost you @$6,000 (taxed) more just for the difference in the price of the car. For the typical driver, this difference alone would necessitate you keeping the car for at least 5 years just to get back that $6,000."
Hope this helps... and good luck!!
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No, I don't play soccer!
Joined: Jul 2009
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From: NJ
Having a few extra options is not enough for most people to justify spending thousands more on the hybrid. That is, unless you must have those LEDs 
And it's about more than better mileage like RXSF said. Jeme, IMO the 350 would be better for your situation. I'm sure they'll be a few people in 2nd gen forum willing to take the 3rd gen off your hands when you're done with it
And it's about more than better mileage like RXSF said. Jeme, IMO the 350 would be better for your situation. I'm sure they'll be a few people in 2nd gen forum willing to take the 3rd gen off your hands when you're done with it
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
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Wow - thanks so much to everyone for the help! I need get mentally prepared for the lower mileage in the RX from the Mercedes ML diesel. Regarding the NHV (noise, vibration and harshness) - the RX is already a smooth vehicle - i assume that the big difference in NHV comes at lower speeds when using the Hybrid system - most of my mileage is highway - probably 75%. At highway speeds are you evening benefiting from the hybrid, with exception of the CVT?
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
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The edmunds article was very interesting. Bottom line - there are lots of reasons to get a hybrid, but cost is not one of them.
Does the hybrid system have any impact on future value - I read something in my research that said that they hybrid do not hold their value any more than the non hybrid models.
Does the hybrid system have any impact on future value - I read something in my research that said that they hybrid do not hold their value any more than the non hybrid models.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 542
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From: New Jersey
I would test drive both for a long time. Quick pickup on the hybrid is great! It depends upon the kind of driving you do. Having had the 400h I've experienced both. The hybrid takes like 8 miles to warm up and is great in very low (but not stop/go) speeds. It is terrific at the airport! It isn't great on highways and is ok in the suburbs but you need a long enough drive. Hills will detract from your mpg. Before purchasing my RX 350 (I traded in the hybrid) I drove the RX450h just to make sure. I felt like I was driving my old car. Price was not a consideration, but I'm not used to stopping at the gas station like I'm doing now.
CL Community Team
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,517
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From: San Francisco, CA
^ great points. I would think the 450h warms up faster because it has the exhaust gas recovery system and some other recirculation technology that pumps heat into the engine to warm it up faster.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
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The dealer has 2 cars that I want - a tungsten pearl with a black interior RX350 - (a color combo I really like) and a smokey grey with grey interior RX450h. I am very concerned that the grey is so light that it would really show dirt and wear.
LexRexBlue - when you say it does OK on the highway what do you mean? what kind of highway MPG were you getting? How is the engine turning on and off at stoplights? When I drove it you could feel something like a shudder - when the engine restarts.
Can anyone else chime in with driving impressions comparing the hybrid and the regular model?
LexRexBlue - when you say it does OK on the highway what do you mean? what kind of highway MPG were you getting? How is the engine turning on and off at stoplights? When I drove it you could feel something like a shudder - when the engine restarts.
Can anyone else chime in with driving impressions comparing the hybrid and the regular model?