Any nonrepeat Hybrid Buyers?
- Thread starter The Critic
- Start date
Hermann
Site Donor 2023
Even after recent price drop, after 26 months of owning the Maverick Hybrid, I have only lost $2K according to KBB over what I paid, if I traded today.
Hermann
Site Donor 2023
Who says a truck has to be 7K lbs and 56" longer than a compact TRUCK that hauls 1500 lbs. Go check the payload of a gussied up F-150, it might be under a 1000 lbs.
Nick1994
$100 site donor 2024
A hybrid is not needed. If they invested that $7k, it should double after 7 years to $14k, so it isn’t exactly a straight forward $7k cost to get a hybrid, they’re actually losing money by not letting it cook in investments.
Reserved the non-hybrid model, specifically, a Premium FWD. Worked out a price of 12% off MSRP. Car should be arriving in the next few weeks.
If they just stuck with hid there wouldn't be an issue. Halogens had their day 25 years ago. The Philips and osrams were about at the best output you could get of 1200 lumens and projector housings helped. Hids are 3200-3600 lumens and have very high cri if you don't put in the crazy high Kelvin temperature bulbs.
Wow they had a fwd version on the lot? I don't think any Lexus dealership in Colorado will take delivery of a fwd version. And 12% off hard to beat.
It is an inbound unit, but there are plenty of FWD, non-hybrid RX350's on every lot. FWD models are very common in CA.
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I traded in my Camry Hybrid and bought a ES350 with a V6. I didn't think the plastic body was made to last. No issues with engine, battery, or tranny, although once I put new tires on it that were apparently heavier, I lost 10 mpg, so I'd say they're pretty sensitive to tire changes, just as they are to wind speed and direction of vehicle in the wind (or wind on the vehicle)...
You stole it. Lock him up!!!!
I sold my 2017 Volt at a profit of $4,000 during peak used car craziness and purchased a full electric Bolt instead. So technically not a repeat hybrid buyer, but probably not in the direction that OP intended.
I decided to go out for a test drive today.
I drove two RX's - a RX350 Premium Plus and a RX350h Premium Plus.
As I mentioned in the other thread, I can definitely see why the hybrid is the preferred powertrain. Both powertrains are pretty slow by 2024 standards (mid 7 sec 0-60 time), so you may as well choose the one that is quieter and smoother. Even with the usual CVT drone, the hybrid powertrain is a lot quieter than the turbocharged 4 in the RX350.
For the record, the RX350's turbocharged motor performed very well with no turbo lag. The 8AT programming was reasonable. I have no complaints, but it feels like every other turbocharged 4 on the market today; nothing special.
This generation of RX is definitely sportier. It is still quiet and rides well, but it definitely doesn't have the cushy feel of the last two gens. Depending on the buyer, this can be a bad thing. Both of the vehicles I drove had the 21" wheels.
Lastly, I think the gap between Toyota and Lexus products continues to close. CUV's are easily costing over $40K nowadays, and regardless of brand, buyers spending this amount of money demand quality interiors, good NVH characteristics and technology features. At one point, one could argue that buying a Lexus meant significant upgrades over the comparable Toyota product. Nowadays, I am not so sure....the differences are minor at best.
I drove two RX's - a RX350 Premium Plus and a RX350h Premium Plus.
As I mentioned in the other thread, I can definitely see why the hybrid is the preferred powertrain. Both powertrains are pretty slow by 2024 standards (mid 7 sec 0-60 time), so you may as well choose the one that is quieter and smoother. Even with the usual CVT drone, the hybrid powertrain is a lot quieter than the turbocharged 4 in the RX350.
For the record, the RX350's turbocharged motor performed very well with no turbo lag. The 8AT programming was reasonable. I have no complaints, but it feels like every other turbocharged 4 on the market today; nothing special.
This generation of RX is definitely sportier. It is still quiet and rides well, but it definitely doesn't have the cushy feel of the last two gens. Depending on the buyer, this can be a bad thing. Both of the vehicles I drove had the 21" wheels.
Lastly, I think the gap between Toyota and Lexus products continues to close. CUV's are easily costing over $40K nowadays, and regardless of brand, buyers spending this amount of money demand quality interiors, good NVH characteristics and technology features. At one point, one could argue that buying a Lexus meant significant upgrades over the comparable Toyota product. Nowadays, I am not so sure....the differences are minor at best.
Change of plans - driver (MIL) wanted to “try” a hybrid for her last car. Back in June, I found a RX350h Premium that was in allocation status. It was built in late July and got delivered to the dealer last week. I picked it up last Friday and it is currently receiving PPF:
The dealer was >400 miles away so I was able to get quite acquainted with the car during the drive home. Overall, it drives like a slightly more refined RAV4. Maybe 25% nicer. I think Toyota’s global architecture (TNGA) really improved their mainline offerings but it made their luxury vehicles less unique.
This car came out of their Canadian plant. Build quality isn’t anything special — I found one minor assembly issue and more dirt nibs in the paint than I expected. It is definitely a downgrade compared to my Prius and my in-law’s current ES350.
The 4th Gen Hybrid system operates quite differently than my Prius. The battery and electric motors are utilized more aggressively, especially at highway speeds. The Battery SOC also stays lower on the highway and fluctuates a lot more. The gas engine shuts off a lot during city driving, even if the gas engine is cold. Overall, the powertrain performs surprising well for a 4455 lb vehicle. Fuel economy is upper 30’s to lower 40’s in town, but only low to mid 30’s on the highway.
Lastly, I got a great deal on this car, probably better than I should have. Out of respect for the dealer and salesperson, I won’t go into details publicly, but let’s just say that it was well under msrp.
Your observations of the rxh behavior is spot-on with what I’ve seen in my wife’s ‘24 rav4-h. I’ve caught wind that the transmission has clutches in it, which earlier versions didn’t have - suspect that it may have a single-ratio direct drive capability in it. The rear electric motor also has a role separate from the front electric as well, based on the display indications. They use the battery a lot, I regularly see “EV mode” at 50+ mph under very low demand throttle positions. The shoebox of a car is currently above 40mpg average. I’m looking hard at considering a used rx-h or highlander-h as my next vehicle.
I would imagine that if someone got a garage and started parking there, they might not want the liability of the fire prone lithium batteries used in hybrids and EV's. That would make them want to replace their EV or hybrid with a normal gasoline engine.
That’s some very good gas mileage. My much lighter CHR, about 1100lbs lighter, gets low 30s combined.
If one is really not after performance, a hybrid setup such as this is an excellent choice and I’m not sure why someone would not be a repeat customer of this system.
How is the engine noise/drone on hard acceleration? Toyota seems to struggle with muting it, perhaps Lexus is better in this regard.
If one is really not after performance, a hybrid setup such as this is an excellent choice and I’m not sure why someone would not be a repeat customer of this system.
How is the engine noise/drone on hard acceleration? Toyota seems to struggle with muting it, perhaps Lexus is better in this regard.
The majority of Toyota Hybrids at least use NiMH - except the plug in hybrids. I am pretty sure the RX350H above uses NiMH. Pretty sure those are much less fire prone.
I’m concerned if the added clutch means now the e-Cvt has a wear item in it and require regular fluid service.
The planetary gears are very robust even when neglected.
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