Originally Posted by kenforum

WTH how do you know they do that??

Originally Posted by Talys1767

While I agree with your conclusion of not throwing money away, using higher octane fuel isn't something that has no benefit. Higher octane fuel makes it less likely you'll have knock; and knock is not just something you imagine, it's something you hear in your engine that's not pleasant. Not only that, it's terrible for the engine (mechanically).

So if your $50,000 car says you need 91 octane fuel... don't screw with it. It probably has some high performance engine that has a relatively high compression ratio. The manufacturer isn't going to lie to you and say it needs 91 when it does fine with 87.

Originally Posted by AL13NV8D3R

I don't think those Millionaires get where they are just pinching pennies and saving a few dollars at the pump. It's more like making good business partners, landing good dealsmaking good investments, and attracting great sponsors. Penny pinching might turn you into a rich man but not a millionare. Every business man I have ever known who are Millionaires don't waste there time worrying about saving a few dollars at the pump. That time spent worrying about such things can be spent thinking up ways to land a multi million dollar deal with other companies. Penny pinchers may become $100,000 Nares but cetaintly not Millionares. LOL. I am sure people who agree with you are Millionares too? Wait maby you are a Billionaire because you saved at the pump be pumping regular. ;-)

I myself did not build my wealth by cheaping out on gas. I regularly donate to local charities like St. JUDE and Ronald McDonald's house and Red cross. With your logic of pinching pennies donation would be out of the question right? I didn't go broke making donations and I didn't build my wealth pumping regular into my car that requires premium. I also always put at least 20% Gratuity for any services I use like at a restuarant and I am not broke now either sooo?

Also it's not about pumping Premium when all you need is regular. What bothers me is when the manufacturers say you must use Premium and the car owner decides to pump regular. Then one day that car owner sells his car to the next guy and the new owner wonders why the car is not working properly. That is why I always buy New.

Originally Posted by ucla95

On the economics - looks like an equally equipped 450 is around $5k more (at invoice) than the 350. Yet looking at 3yr old used RX's the 450 is still holding around a $5k premium. So in effect could the more economical choice actually be the 450?
[Especially as some are reporting the real world city mpg's of the 350 may be below 19 which would appear to much more than offset the premium vs regular gasoline cost.]

Originally Posted by ucla95

On the economics - looks like an equally equipped 450 is around $5k more (at invoice) than the 350. Yet looking at 3yr old used RX's the 450 is still holding around a $5k premium. So in effect could the more economical choice actually be the 450?
[Especially as some are reporting the real world city mpg's of the 350 may be below 19 which would appear to much more than offset the premium vs regular gasoline cost.]

Originally Posted by go3Ds

Come trade in time does give a nice chunk of the premium price paid back as you mentioned, although better when gas prices are higher. I did better trading in my 2010 at the time compared to trading in my 2013, but still did very well, and obviously more than a comparable equipped non hybrid. Had to go to Phoenix rather than my Tucson area for best trade in though. Just for reference here are the 2016's MSRP's for each:

RX 350: FWD 41,900, AWD 43,300, F Sport 49,125
RX 450h: FWD 52,235, AWD 52,235, F Sport 55,645

Many differences on what comes standard with the 2016's, but I did mine as a comparison and came up with $6,295 difference on MSRP's with same options. Mine is a 450h AWD and compared with a 350 AWD.

As mentioned in many threads though, waaaaaaaaaaay more reasons than the obvious gas mileage and cleaner air for me enjoying my hybrid.

Originally Posted by sharkbite

When we purchased our 2016 RX450h, the **actual** price difference between the 450h and 350, identically equipped, was about $2k. With gas being practically free right now, it really is the most strategic time to buy a hybrid.

Originally Posted by sharkbite

When we purchased our 2016 RX450h, the **actual** price difference between the 450h and 350, identically equipped, was about $2k. .

Originally Posted by bootman

That is still at best a 5 year break even point.

Hybrids make sense when gas is expensive not the other way around.

Originally Posted by ucla95

I did the math more carefully and for our build it would be about $3400 more for the exact same options. But if we can sell it for $5000 (even $4000) more 3 yrs from now - and save a bit $ on gasoline in the meantime....

Originally Posted by ucla95

I did the math more carefully and for our build it would be about $3400 more for the exact same options. But if we can sell it for $5000 (even $4000) more 3 yrs from now - and save a bit $ on gasoline in the meantime....

Originally Posted by LordBowral

Also the 350 has a fantastic 8 speed transmission not a droney CVT as well as a much punchier engine , which makes it a much nicer car to drive