Andrewuber From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 2528 posts, RR: 44 Posted (6 years 11 months 1 day 11 hours ago) and read 1113 times:
Well after quite a few weeks of shopping, and looking at dozens of vehicles - I finally took delivery of my new Lexus RX400h today! I'm quite stoked to have a hybrid!
I will admit I was a hybrid skeptic for a long time. The rumors were that they were slow, sluggish, expensive to maintain and not really worth the improved mileage. Well nothing could be further from the truth with the RX400h - it actually can outrun the gas-powered RX350! Acceleration is quick, smooth and constant, and you cannot hear or feel the transmission shifting gears. It is amazing!
According to Lexus - it emits 80% less emissions than a comparbly sized SUV. It's classified as an "Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle". Mileage should be in the 32-35 range in the city, and upper 20's on the highway (mileage is better in the city thanks to regenerative braking).
Very cool! If you're looking at new vehicles, I'd highly reccommend it!
Drew
Ours looks exactly like this (I'll upload pics as soon as I take some!):
CastleIsland From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 2, posted (6 years 11 months 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 1090 times:
Good for you, mate. I think that hybrids are still a bit beyond the time when they will pay immediate dividends (as they should, sorry, I don't think big business should make major profits on innovation via the purchaser; rather, I think that the gov't should promote said innovation through tax breaks/grants to the manufacturer and purchaser so that the people are encouraged to promote said innovation).
Looks like a nice vehicle. Does the rear seat go down, and if so, what is the dimension of the rear storage space at that time? The reason I ask is because I play doublebass, and it's about 6 feet long and 3 feet wide, and I need a bit of tolerance in case of an accident.
Waterpolodan From United States of America, joined Feb 2005, 1649 posts, RR: 5 Reply 5, posted (6 years 11 months 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 1079 times:
And the smug cloud drifts over the non-av forum...
ANCFlyer From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 6, posted (6 years 11 months 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 1075 times:
Quoting CastleIsland (Reply 4): And so you profess to be a moderate. Thy words suggest otherwise, my friend.
Don't even start my friend . . . .
First: I'm taking this opportunity - as I do all opportunities of this nature - to bust SATXs balls . . . as he'd do the same for me and I wouldn't want him to thnik I'd forgotten about him
Second: I already told the world, when someone invents a hybrid or alternate fuel vehicle that'll haul the camper (or 15,000 pounds), has 16" ground clearance, can maneuver with on-demand 4X4 through Ice and Snow, I'll consider buying it - until then, it's the BAFDT or nothing.
Andrewuber From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 2528 posts, RR: 44 Reply 7, posted (6 years 11 months 1 day 10 hours ago) and read 1069 times:
Quoting CastleIsland (Reply 2): the gov't should promote said innovation through tax breaks/grants to the manufacturer and purchaser so that the people are encouraged to promote said innovation
I will get a pretty large tax break this year thanks to this vehicle!
The rear seats fold completely flat. There are tiedown anchors and a cargo net, and there are cool little compartments below the rear deck as well (one is even shaped to hold a gallon of milk!). As for dimensions, have a look here:
I went out and measured it - with the rear seats folded down, there is about 6'3" clearance between the front seat and the rear door. The minimum width is 39" between the wheels.
Here are some pics:
Rear cargo area:
Rear cargo area with back seats folded down:
Storage area below rear cargo deck (check out the little hooks for grocery bags):
Under the hood is the Hybrid Synergy Drive:
The panel has quite a few cool options, including these screens for monitoring the hybrid system, energy consumption, and battery status:
Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 3): SATX will be so proud of you . . .
I'm sure he will be. I've already sent him a message telling him about this thread. However, I didn't mention that my behemoth Nissan Armada resides in the bay right next to where my RX is parked!
CastleIsland From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 8, posted (6 years 11 months 1 day 9 hours ago) and read 1048 times:
Quoting ANCFlyer (Reply 6): Don't you have a CD to work on somewhere??
Actually, the final is off for mastering. We've already begun work on three new originals.
Quoting Andrewuber (Reply 7): with the rear seats folded down, there is about 6'3" clearance between the front seat and the rear door. The minimum width is 39" between the wheels.
Hmmm...a tight fit for my doublebass, as it's about 6'4" without the endpin/wheel. I could cram it in diagonally, I suppose, but god forbid I get hit, it'd snap like a toothpick.
LOT767-300ER From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 9, posted (6 years 11 months 1 day 6 hours ago) and read 1012 times:
Quoting Andrewuber (Reply 7): I'm sure he will be. I've already sent him a message telling him about this thread. However, I didn't mention that my behemoth Nissan Armada resides in the bay right next to where my RX is parked!
Hahah you have an Armada!, Armada/QX56, least reliable SUV of 2005 (No joke, it won that title from Consumer Reports). I feel bad. I really feel it for you.
AndrewUber From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 2528 posts, RR: 44 Reply 10, posted (6 years 11 months 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1000 times:
Got a link? MSN and others have rated the Armada / Titan best in class. Besides, after 47,000 miles I've never had any problems with mine - so I rate it very highly as well. Oh wait - I did have a rattle in my DVD housing, but the dealer fixed it. Would that make it least reliable?
Direct your browser to www.clubarmada.com for more info (the photo in the top left is actually of my 'Mada), or to see how the hundreds of Armada owners rave about their rides. It's almost a cult.
AndrewUber From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 2528 posts, RR: 44 Reply 11, posted (6 years 11 months 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1000 times:
Corey07850 From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2522 posts, RR: 5 Reply 13, posted (6 years 11 months 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 974 times:
We've been using Ford Escape Hybrids at the airport for a while now and I think they're a lot of fun to drive. We average 18mpg driving around the airfield all day long, so I wouldn't say it's a record setter in terms of fuel consumption.
One thing we're taught is to never mess around with any of the bright orange cables in the engine bay (for obvious reasons)... I forgot how many volts it is, but it wouldn't be pretty...
Does your Lexus have a reverse gear in the transmission, or is it all through the electric motor? The Escapes are weird because reverse is solely through the motor so you can be reversing with the car completely shut off
AndrewUber From United States of America, joined Jul 2003, 2528 posts, RR: 44 Reply 15, posted (6 years 11 months 23 hours ago) and read 933 times:
Quoting KFLLCFII (Reply 12): How much extra was the hybrid option from the closest-comparable vehicle?
The move from the gas powered RX350 to the Hybrid RX400h is around $7,000.00. But for that money the 400h comes nicely loaded (Navigation, Bluetooth, back-up camera, etc). The ride is much quieter in the 400h, and the acceleration is better. 0-60 in 7.2 seconds is not bad at all! The accelerator will put you back in your seat at any speed too - goosing it at 70mph will get you to 90 or 100 in a hurry. I'd say it's worth the extra money.
Quoting Corey07850 (Reply 13): 18mpg driving around the airfield all day long
We haven't been on the open road for more than 5 to 10 miles yet, and our "overall mileage" is 31mpg. The regenerative braking really helps - it uses the kinetic energy to generate power to charge the batteries. Way cool.
Quoting Corey07850 (Reply 13): Does your Lexus have a reverse gear in the transmission, or is it all through the electric motor?
Quoting Corey07850 (Reply 13): you can be reversing with the car completely shut off
The engine only runs when the batteries need topped off - or when you are asking for more power than they can produce. The engine is almost always off when you start driving (moving the key to "Start" simply turns on the "READY" light). What's quite weird at first is that this car has "fly by wire" technology - in that the gas pedal is not mechanically connected to the engine. If you are parked and the engine is still running, flooring the gas pedal does absolutely nothing. It just continues to idle (unless the batteries are topped off, then the engine shuts down all by itself).
I've felt the engine start in reverse (a VERY subtle thump at your feet), reverse is not a "battery only" gear. I've also seen the engine shut down for 5 minutes or more while driving around the city. The only issue I have with that is I was driving into my neighborhood last night, and some kids were on bikes in the street. My engine was off, and as I slowly approached them from behind, they were completely unaware of my presence. I had to toot the horn when they turned right in front of me - they were really startled when they saw me there. Scary!
F9Widebody From United States of America, joined Sep 2003, 1604 posts, RR: 11 Reply 16, posted (6 years 11 months 22 hours ago) and read 905 times:
Consumer Reports did an article on hybrids in their annual Auto Issue.
Concerning the RX400h, they compare the RX400h AWD and the RX350 AWD over a 5 year period as such:
Purchase Price Premium: $8,800
Extra Sales Tax: $700
Savings from Hybrid Tax Credit: ($2,200)
Fuel Savings: ($2,300)
Extra Insurance Cost: $500
Extra Maintenance Cost: $100
Extra Depreciation Cost: $6,300
Extra Financing Cost: $1,200
Total Projected 5-year Extra Cost to own a 400h over a 350: $13,100
Although apparently they made a mathematical error and overestimated the depreciation cost, but it's still a huge difference.
Quoting LOT767-300ER (Reply 9): Hahah you have an Armada!, Armada/QX56, least reliable SUV of 2005 (No joke, it won that title from Consumer Reports). I feel bad. I really feel it for you.
I'm looking at it right now, and while the Armada is rated with Bad Reliability (Nissan's Jackson, MI plant had some difficulties with fit and finish in its first few months, and the Armada had a brake recall), it is STILL rated above the Toyota Sequoia and several others which DO have worse reliability (Landrover LR3, Volkswagen Touareg - Miserable Reliability, and the Ford Expedition). In addition, while they ranked higher overall, the Volvo XC90 and Cadillac SRX both had the same reliability ratings.
I would agree with some of that, but the tax savings will be well over $2,500, not $2,200; there was no extra insurance cost due to it being a hybrid (in fact by adding the 400h to my policy I now get a multi-car discount). As for depreciation, I looked at leases for the 350 and the 400h, and the contracted residual values were exactly the same percentage (the 400h didn't depreciate any more than the 350 did). And the financing was great - Lexus gave us a very good rate on the 400h, but it is probably a RX program not just a hybrid program (so you're right - the extra amount financed will yield more interest).
As for my 'Mada - the brakes were recalled, and they were replaced for free 3 times before the new rotors were available. Once the new rotors went on the vehicle, Nissan extended my brake warranty to 100,000 miles - including pads. Now THAT is customer service!
Yeah driving the hybrids are pretty fun... Once you get practice with them, you'll probably be able to improve the mileage quite a bit... For example, our Escapes can start from a standstill solely on electric motor, and if you're smooth and gentle enough you can get it up to around 30mpg before the engine even kicks on to pick up where the electric motor can't provide any more power...
I'm guessing Lexus has a nice warranty on the whole system?
Texdravid From United States of America, joined May 2004, 1266 posts, RR: 0 Reply 21, posted (6 years 11 months 16 hours ago) and read 835 times:
Quoting AirbusA346 (Reply 17): Why do people think that if they buy a Prius that they are saving the world.
Because their Hollyweird Heroes like Laurie David are driving them. That is, driving them to the private airport and getting on their Gulfstreams to waste tons of Jet A to get to Puffy's Hampton party later that day, and bashing Bush at that party as a "frivolous oilman".
UAL747 From , joined Dec 1969, posts, RR: Reply 22, posted (6 years 11 months 16 hours ago) and read 830 times:
The hybrid vehicle doesn't really pay for itself. My sister drives the RX330 (2005 model, I think). Anyway, when my car was in the shop, I drove a hybrid Prius. I don't think that in everday driving they are really worth it. While it may make a difference in emissions, you have to barely push on the pedal to get it up to speed on the electric motor, and we all know that driving around the city, you use more than the minimum pedal.
I'm quite happy with my 4.4 Litre V8 BMW 540i to tell you the truth. And, it's gas mileage isn't as bad as one may think.
Except for the wood accents, I think it's pretty nice. I especially like the electroluminescent displays. I think all vehicles should use this stuff. Can you change the color to red for night driving?
Congrats Drew! Very nice sled....
Just give me my Vario, my Ozone Mojo and a gorgeous day of soaring.
25 777DadandJr: And that doesn't include the replacement of the battery pack after about 6-7 years, at a cost of $5000 !!! Russ
26 FlyVirgin744: Good for you!! Atleast I got your joke. Thaaaaaanks!
27 KLMA330: Congratulations!!! Now you are part of the solution! Billy
28 AndrewUber: A complete set of replacement batteries for my 400h is currently selling for around $1,050.00. The batteries currently installed in my 400h are under
29 WindowSeat: It is still the right thing to do. Also some places like hotels in San Francisco have different parking rates for hybrid cars. You pay about $10-20 l
30 KFLLCFII: Leave it to the San Francisco guy to make this clip oh so funnier... Nuff said
31 ANCFlyer: SATX hasn't been in here having a HybridOrgasm yet?! Anyone know if he's dead or alive?
32 LOT767-300ER: I dont know what makes it least reliable as I dont have one or driven one. But I do have a link for you because I like to backup my statements: http:
33 AndrewUber: No problem, mate. It's all good. From my personal experience, my Nissans have always performed well. I've had two new Pathfinders ('01 and '03), and
34 JAGflyer: How many beans did you spend on the "h" version instead of the regular RX?
35 AndrewUber: My 400h has pretty much every option, I think a comparably equipped 350 was around $5k less. Drew
36 AvObserver: Congratualations on your purchase! A $5K premium isn't much in Lexus territory. I myself gave thought to a couple of cheaper hybrids, most notably the
37 Boeing Nut: Congratulations sir!! You'll enjoy it! May favorite part of my Prius is actually when I go at it's slower speeds. Waiting in drive thru you're not usi
38 AndrewUber: Glad to see there are more Toyota Hybrid drivers out there! The Prius is very cool, but I wanted AWD for my wife in this climate - we get clobbered w
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