I noticed a story on CNN today about the 10 worst car values. Intellichoice.com provided the data and the cars in the article were definitely money pits. The RX was not on the 10 worst list, but I started wondering how the RX would be evaluated. I looked it up on the Intellichoice.com site:

http://www.intellichoice.com/1-12-20...t-utility.html

... and was a little surprised to see it rated as a POOR value (both 350 and 450h) ... basically at the bottom of their ratings scale. While I might quibble about some of the costs in their model for the car, it was disappointing to see it rated so low. I realized when I purchased the 450h that it was not a great value. My daughters Prius is rated as Excellent and my Subaru Outback is Above Average. Is the RX really indefensible from a value point of view???

 

I spent a little more time on the Intellichoice site and realized the link above was for a used car. When you research a NEW car ... the rating moves up to excellent:

http://www.intellichoice.com/1-12-20...t-utility.html

Interesting . So if you buy a new car it is an excellent value, but if you buy a used car it is a poor value. At any rate, I am happy that my faith in the RX as a good value is restored.

 

It is probably because the RX holds its value very well compared to other vehicles, so when you buy it used it costs more than its competitors.

 

There is more to value than just numbers. Value is a subjective thing as well. I purchased my 2010 RX350 last October. It had only 3,400 miles on it, after three years. The car is still like new in every respect. I paid a little more for it. But it's a great vehicle. I previously owned a new ES350 and my wife owns a SC430. I prefer the RX to both of them. For me, it's a great value!

 

$13k depreciation in your first link may have a little to do with it...seems a little outrageous to me.

If anything, used cars are a better value than new cars due to depreciation costs. But consumer 'merica would have you thinking otherwise.

 

RX is a great value car, but still can not escape the Depreciation. Regardless of how little milage you put in driving it over the years, the car at least will be only Half of what you paid.

The only car I see holding it value so far is Toyota Supra.

 

Poorly edited article. They call it an RX 450 then in the narrative describe an RX 350. Not very intelligent at all.