Advice between purchasing 2014 RX350 and 2014 RX450H
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 20
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Advice between purchasing 2014 RX350 and 2014 RX450H
Hi there, been a while since I’ve posted. I would like some input in my purchase decision making as I trust this forum and y’all are great.
I’m going to trade in my 2010 RX350. I have my eyes on a 2014 RX350 for $22,943 with 76,558 miles at my local dealership and a 2014 RX450H for $23,998 with 87,355 miles at a Lexus dealership about two hours away.
Originally I was going to go for the 450H as I plan on keeping my next car until the wheels fall off (and then I’ll fix the wheels), but there are a few things holding me back. The dealership (the one that’s two hours away) says this 450H was a corporate vehicle. Carfax says it was in an addicent where it was towed away (but no airbag deployment). Carfax also shows there are gaps in maintenance schedules. I know Lexus does not sell crap used cars off their lot, so I don’t know how heavily I should weigh these factors.
Meanwhile, the 350 at my local dealership has perfect maintenance history. It was bought and serviced very regularly at my local Lexus dealership. The sales guys there know the original owner and have a long good business relationship with that owner.
I really don’t know which is the better deal, here. Any input or advice is welcome. Thank you all very much.
I’m going to trade in my 2010 RX350. I have my eyes on a 2014 RX350 for $22,943 with 76,558 miles at my local dealership and a 2014 RX450H for $23,998 with 87,355 miles at a Lexus dealership about two hours away.
Originally I was going to go for the 450H as I plan on keeping my next car until the wheels fall off (and then I’ll fix the wheels), but there are a few things holding me back. The dealership (the one that’s two hours away) says this 450H was a corporate vehicle. Carfax says it was in an addicent where it was towed away (but no airbag deployment). Carfax also shows there are gaps in maintenance schedules. I know Lexus does not sell crap used cars off their lot, so I don’t know how heavily I should weigh these factors.
Meanwhile, the 350 at my local dealership has perfect maintenance history. It was bought and serviced very regularly at my local Lexus dealership. The sales guys there know the original owner and have a long good business relationship with that owner.
I really don’t know which is the better deal, here. Any input or advice is welcome. Thank you all very much.
Rookie
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 15
From: DE
The 450h will get a little better mileage. That said, if you plan to keep the car (as I do mine) with the hybrid there is just more to break. And repairs are expensive. I bought a used 2013 in 2015 and I would only consider the RX350.
Just my opinion.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
Just my opinion.
Good luck with whatever you choose.
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 16,565
Likes: 1,388
From: Austin, TX
Hi there, been a while since I’ve posted. I would like some input in my purchase decision making as I trust this forum and y’all are great.
I’m going to trade in my 2010 RX350. I have my eyes on a 2014 RX350 for $22,943 with 76,558 miles at my local dealership and a 2014 RX450H for $23,998 with 87,355 miles at a Lexus dealership about two hours away.
Originally I was going to go for the 450H as I plan on keeping my next car until the wheels fall off (and then I’ll fix the wheels), but there are a few things holding me back. The dealership (the one that’s two hours away) says this 450H was a corporate vehicle. Carfax says it was in an addicent where it was towed away (but no airbag deployment). Carfax also shows there are gaps in maintenance schedules. I know Lexus does not sell crap used cars off their lot, so I don’t know how heavily I should weigh these factors.
Meanwhile, the 350 at my local dealership has perfect maintenance history. It was bought and serviced very regularly at my local Lexus dealership. The sales guys there know the original owner and have a long good business relationship with that owner.
I really don’t know which is the better deal, here. Any input or advice is welcome. Thank you all very much.
I’m going to trade in my 2010 RX350. I have my eyes on a 2014 RX350 for $22,943 with 76,558 miles at my local dealership and a 2014 RX450H for $23,998 with 87,355 miles at a Lexus dealership about two hours away.
Originally I was going to go for the 450H as I plan on keeping my next car until the wheels fall off (and then I’ll fix the wheels), but there are a few things holding me back. The dealership (the one that’s two hours away) says this 450H was a corporate vehicle. Carfax says it was in an addicent where it was towed away (but no airbag deployment). Carfax also shows there are gaps in maintenance schedules. I know Lexus does not sell crap used cars off their lot, so I don’t know how heavily I should weigh these factors.
Meanwhile, the 350 at my local dealership has perfect maintenance history. It was bought and serviced very regularly at my local Lexus dealership. The sales guys there know the original owner and have a long good business relationship with that owner.
I really don’t know which is the better deal, here. Any input or advice is welcome. Thank you all very much.
Just out of curiosity [if you would like to share] .. why not keep the vehicle you have till the wheels fall off. You know the vehicle you own very well.
Salim
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,634
Likes: 254
From: CA
So the RX450h us not "L" certified by the Lexus dealership? Probably due to the accident and the mileage.
Depending on what type of accident and the extent of the damage, the RX450h may still be a good deal. After you have determined the extent and type of damage, you can ask for a lot more discount (assuming you still want the car). Or I lieu of discounts, ask for "Lexus" EXTENDED WARRANTY for the longest coverage possible time and mileage wise.
It would be also wise to take it to an independent shop familiar with Lexus to check it out.
The RX350 while an excellent car, we just found it not to our liking. We liked the more composed and more firm , planted rides of the RX450h.
A couple of weeks ago, we took our LX570 for extended warranty service for malfunction of the auto rain sensor (zero deductible), they gave us a 2018 RX350 as a loaner. The RX350 drove fine, but still it was too light and did not felt as planted as our old 2013 RX450h or our LX570. I assume you had done an extended test drives one both, right?
Depending on what type of accident and the extent of the damage, the RX450h may still be a good deal. After you have determined the extent and type of damage, you can ask for a lot more discount (assuming you still want the car). Or I lieu of discounts, ask for "Lexus" EXTENDED WARRANTY for the longest coverage possible time and mileage wise.
It would be also wise to take it to an independent shop familiar with Lexus to check it out.
The RX350 while an excellent car, we just found it not to our liking. We liked the more composed and more firm , planted rides of the RX450h.
A couple of weeks ago, we took our LX570 for extended warranty service for malfunction of the auto rain sensor (zero deductible), they gave us a 2018 RX350 as a loaner. The RX350 drove fine, but still it was too light and did not felt as planted as our old 2013 RX450h or our LX570. I assume you had done an extended test drives one both, right?
Hi there, been a while since I’ve posted. I would like some input in my purchase decision making as I trust this forum and y’all are great.
I’m going to trade in my 2010 RX350. I have my eyes on a 2014 RX350 for $22,943 with 76,558 miles at my local dealership and a 2014 RX450H for $23,998 with 87,355 miles at a Lexus dealership about two hours away.
Originally I was going to go for the 450H as I plan on keeping my next car until the wheels fall off (and then I’ll fix the wheels), but there are a few things holding me back. The dealership (the one that’s two hours away) says this 450H was a corporate vehicle. Carfax says it was in an addicent where it was towed away (but no airbag deployment). Carfax also shows there are gaps in maintenance schedules. I know Lexus does not sell crap used cars off their lot, so I don’t know how heavily I should weigh these factors.
Meanwhile, the 350 at my local dealership has perfect maintenance history. It was bought and serviced very regularly at my local Lexus dealership. The sales guys there know the original owner and have a long good business relationship with that owner.
I really don’t know which is the better deal, here. Any input or advice is welcome. Thank you all very much.
I’m going to trade in my 2010 RX350. I have my eyes on a 2014 RX350 for $22,943 with 76,558 miles at my local dealership and a 2014 RX450H for $23,998 with 87,355 miles at a Lexus dealership about two hours away.
Originally I was going to go for the 450H as I plan on keeping my next car until the wheels fall off (and then I’ll fix the wheels), but there are a few things holding me back. The dealership (the one that’s two hours away) says this 450H was a corporate vehicle. Carfax says it was in an addicent where it was towed away (but no airbag deployment). Carfax also shows there are gaps in maintenance schedules. I know Lexus does not sell crap used cars off their lot, so I don’t know how heavily I should weigh these factors.
Meanwhile, the 350 at my local dealership has perfect maintenance history. It was bought and serviced very regularly at my local Lexus dealership. The sales guys there know the original owner and have a long good business relationship with that owner.
I really don’t know which is the better deal, here. Any input or advice is welcome. Thank you all very much.
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Im glad you asked! I purchased my current 2010 RX350 back in January 2017 as a stepping stone to what I really wanted which is a 3rd gen RX in beige color. At the time I was still repairing my credit so the plan was to get under a car payment for one that would offer decent trade in while still within my “means”. And my plan worked!
Lead Lap
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 609
Likes: 21
From: Colorado Western Slope
Personally, I would go with the RX350 and forget that RX450h. The mileage and vehicle history scare me--really--towed, but no airbag deployment? Sounds fishy to me. Plus, your hybrid battery packs are already 4-5 years old. A new battery pack is several thousand dollars. Our neighbor's Highlander Hybrid actually gets much worse gas mileage than our '15 RX350, like 20-22 mpg (mostly highway driving as we live about 13 miles outside of town). Lastly, why not look for a 2015 R350) with lower mileage? It should only cost a few thousand over the cost of that RX350H.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,817
Likes: 229
From: wa
Just forget that hybrid. Seriously.
Also, in 2028 China will ban petrol engines and go all electric. I guarantee, the rest will follow the suite. It's only ten years away, you know. So sure, till wheels fall off - or government notice comes in mail.
Also, in 2028 China will ban petrol engines and go all electric. I guarantee, the rest will follow the suite. It's only ten years away, you know. So sure, till wheels fall off - or government notice comes in mail.
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Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,634
Likes: 254
From: CA
Even the 2018 RX350 which we had as a loaner from the Lexus dealership recently DID NOT drive/ride as well as our old 2013 RX450h. You just have to drive it for to experience it. Both are fine vehicles. It's just a matter of preference.
The RX450h shines with higher mpg's in stop and go traffic like in Los Angeles and surrounding metro areas. At constant highway speeds, the higher mpg is not there, but the better drive/ride experience is still there.
True, the battery packs WILL eventually wear out as it's just a matter of time. But for the better personal experience for the drive/ride, we are willing to take our chances.
The RX450h shines with higher mpg's in stop and go traffic like in Los Angeles and surrounding metro areas. At constant highway speeds, the higher mpg is not there, but the better drive/ride experience is still there.
True, the battery packs WILL eventually wear out as it's just a matter of time. But for the better personal experience for the drive/ride, we are willing to take our chances.
Personally, I would go with the RX350 and forget that RX450h. The mileage and vehicle history scare me--really--towed, but no airbag deployment? Sounds fishy to me. Plus, your hybrid battery packs are already 4-5 years old. A new battery pack is several thousand dollars. Our neighbor's Highlander Hybrid actually gets much worse gas mileage than our '15 RX350, like 20-22 mpg (mostly highway driving as we live about 13 miles outside of town). Lastly, why not look for a 2015 R350) with lower mileage? It should only cost a few thousand over the cost of that RX350H.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 582
Likes: 36
From: TX
There are more and more expensive potential failures. Granted, anecdotal evidence doesn't mean much but the only problems we had with our 400h were the steering rack, headlights and rear hatch button, none of which were hybrid-specific. It's really the ride and performance that made us choose the hybrid over the regular RX both times. Of course, it's up to each to purchase based on his/her preferences and priorities.
Last edited by takeshi74; Oct 15, 2018 at 06:20 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 938
Likes: 71
From: California
errrr......... you know that 450h has more power? More torque (huge difference) and more hp. Under the same circumstance, you should go with a more powerful car.
In this case, however, I'd shy away from a car that has been in an accident.
In this case, however, I'd shy away from a car that has been in an accident.
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,634
Likes: 254
From: CA
Yes, RX450h has more torque.
If it is verified a small bumper accident and proper expert repsirrwere done, then I'm ok with it with a BIG discount.
If it is verified a small bumper accident and proper expert repsirrwere done, then I'm ok with it with a BIG discount.
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 857
Likes: 47
From: Oregon
I've had a 2010 RX450h for two years now, a great car.
It went in for an ABS valve replacement and the dealer gave me a 2018 RX350 for the day. I was shocked how much I missed the throttle smoothness of the hybrid. The 350 did upshift, downshift, upshift, upshift, downshift... as I varied the throttle on the road. But the hybrid is just linear, like an EV or a turbine. Smooth.
As for mileage, once the engine is warmed up, you will get high-20's both in city and highway. The highway mileage will be a bit higher than with the 350 because the engine is Atkinson and slightly more efficient.
It went in for an ABS valve replacement and the dealer gave me a 2018 RX350 for the day. I was shocked how much I missed the throttle smoothness of the hybrid. The 350 did upshift, downshift, upshift, upshift, downshift... as I varied the throttle on the road. But the hybrid is just linear, like an EV or a turbine. Smooth.
As for mileage, once the engine is warmed up, you will get high-20's both in city and highway. The highway mileage will be a bit higher than with the 350 because the engine is Atkinson and slightly more efficient.
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