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Man, I wish Honda would reconsider Hybridizing the CR-V. I get 22 in town, 27 MPG at 75 MPH, and about 29 at a steady 65 MPH. A hybrid CR-V would really shine....
Yup, before you lucky Lexus owners mention it, these cars are in a different class, and we know which one has the luxury!
Cyclone, I don't know how you're getting your car up to mid/upper 30s...the highest my car would even consider going is 33.1, and this is with stop and go on I-95...the electric motor does run down after what, about 15 minutes of stop and go, and the gas motor has to kick in to replenish it...when this happens, your fuel economy drops significantly...the 31 mpg is factored in with this in mind...the car is made to kick in the gas motor automatically, so if you were coasting downhill the whole time, you could've gotten up to the numbers you said as the electric motors would be replenished...however, if you were mostly level, sooner or later your gas motor would've had to have kicked in...and that would occur again and again...about every 15-20 minutes...
Right now my car registers 28.3 mpg...that's about 150 miles, only 1 trip to office and back...it looks like the engine is breaking in a little now...most of those miles were road miles though...around 68 mph...longer trips are better for this car...
I found that at nighttime, when the air dropped to upper 60s, the mileage was better than in the daytime at 84-86 degrees...even if you figure in consideration for A/C...
Headless
All I can tell you is that the computer calculations are not lying. In my testing period last Friday, I was not driving for an hour at a time or anything like that. It was basically 10-20 minute intervals between stops (ignition off). But this should not give me better gas mileage should it? Afterall, there is the "dreaded" warm-up period involved here with more frequent stops, although a couple of the stops were only for just a few minutes. One would think that the warm-up periods would have at least the same negative effect as continuing to drive for an hour or more and the gas engine occasionally kicking in. By the way, I'm not sure I understand why or if the gas engine turns on regardless every 15 minutes if the battery is getting recharged due to stop and go conditions. Am I confusing the battery characteristics with the electric motors characteristics here?
I guess I will have to drive for longer intervals in the city and see if there is a major difference in the mpg as compared with short intervals of driving. All I can tell you right now is that I am "tickled pink" at the results to this point. I have not yet done extensive testing on the Interstate. Afterall, this is my wife's vehicle ;-).
Don't get me wrong though, over 30 in traffic is double almost every other SUV...
When you're coasting around in a parking lot or 15 mph zone, the battery will recharge...but in stop and go traffic, the battery does not recharge...the ICE has to kick in...and it will...
Headless
I was in bumper to bumper for probably 1 hour on 2 different occasions...the engine probably kicked on, oh, I'd say 3 times in each of those hours as the battery charge went very low...to purple bands...reason is because if you accelerate and coast only a little, then stop again, the battery gets drained...
Don't forget that coasting at low speeds does very little to charge the battery...not too efficient...even regenerative braking only saves, what, about 10% of the energy...I know a toyota engineer...I'll have to ask him specifics on this...sure your screen will show green arrows, but it's not very efficient compared to the battery moving the vehicle...not a 1:1 regeneration rate, for sure!
Either way, you'll find that when you're in traffic for any appreciable period of time, the battery will run down...there's no way to avoid this...there is not a balance between battery drain and charging while in traffic...the draining will win out...if it wasn't this way, the EPA would've found mileage in the city in the 50s or more...and it didn't...
Headless
But not double the MPG of the CR-V (same size), Subaru Forester(smaller), or RAV4 (smaller), I think you mean mid-size or heavier?
Is Cyclone using 89?
The car may do a bit better with 89...I'm still experimenting with the vehicle, so 87 it will be for some time...the car only needs 87...
Headless
Thanks for whoever advised getting the Motorola V551 phone for Bluetooth compatibility. What cell providers use/sell this model?
BTW, am I the only one who has taken somewhat of a dislike to the nav system's tone? She's got a bit of a midwestern operator intonation -- reminds me of an uptight aunt in Skokie. On the other hand, the French voice is sooo sexy! I just wish she was speaking in English -- can't say I understand a damn thing she says...
The Car: I usually keep cars around ten years, drive around 12,000 miles a year.. This is my first Lexus, just came out of a Volvo. Picked up the Rx400h two days ago and love it. Already getting 26.0 mpg. mixed highway/city. Very sweet. Purchased the car outright, did not lease it.
Background: The dealer offered a number of additional finanical 'products'.
One was an extended warranty also called vehicle service agreement for 2260$ that extends the warranty to seven years/100,000 miles. If not used, it is 100% refundable.
Question: Did anyone else buy this, or decide not to buy it? What would be the pros and cons?
Other products were ding shield, road hazard, road block = clear coat.
Any and all thoughts are welcome. Thanks in advance. L
I always thought it'd be nice tension-reliever to be able to switch it into "snarky" mode. Something like, "Look. Who's the navigator here? Now you missed your turn!" or something with real intelligence, "This obviously isn't working, take the next right and I'll get you out of this mess." Want to bet it isn't coming?
At this time I have a little over 1000 miles on the car. Perhaps that has something to do with the better mileage but I'm still not entirely satisfied. I would have been happy with the 25 had I not gotten involved with this forum. But hearing everyone else's report, I still yearn for more.
Yeserday I noticed on the energy schematic that the displayed battery charge level was green, something I had never seen before. It lasted about 10 mintues but after I made a stop and restarted the car, it lasted about 15 seconds and I I haven't seen it since. For the whole time I've owned the car, it has always been just a few bars of blue, never green. What is everyone's experience on this? Could the lack of a full battery charge be influencing my mileage?
Hmmm... sounds like the initial complaints about mileage have been resolved...Anyways, I'd like to hear about performance for those who have been driving their car for a few weeks...so ignoring everything about the mileage, cause part of the appeal to this car was the additional power and luxury.... So how does it handle? Love it? Could be better? Is the cabin noise what you expect for this type of vehicle? Any issues/quirks that you find annoying? I'm familiar with their navigation system and think it's one of the better ones on the market...plus dukeofurls comment on the sexiness of the french voice isn't the first time I've heard that (my husband loves it too)... Thanks for any info, I need to make my decision by Friday so....
If you actually work the car a little, you'll find it to be faster than you can imagine...I've been very careful on how I drive to get the better mileage, but if you do that, you'll be cruising at 15 mph and you'll never enjoy the ride...you really do have to choose which one you want to focus on...performance or economy...
This vehicle accelerates crisply and responsively....the cornering is excellent...not as sweet as my BMW, but to be honest, it can hug the road...the car handles very well...I drove over 1100 miles this past weekend in total comfort...the car has lots of power should you opt to use it...it doesn't need any more...
I found that on the highway, if you need a quick acceleration to pass someone, there isn't much out there that will match the pickup...you'll get electric and gas kicking in to give you immediate torque to pick up some speed...will the mileage suffer...yes...but, it's nice to have the performance should you need it...
I'm averaging now a little over 26 mpg with a nice mix of coasting and driving like I want to enjoy driving...this car is too much fun to just coast around all day long at minimal speeds just to see the gauge hit 30 mpg...
I'm not trying to pick on Cyclone or anyone else, but after spending 1100 miles driving very conservatively to maximize mileage, it's nice to now try the performance end of things to see what this car has got! I can attest to the fact that the car will get the 27/31 claims...I can also attest to the excellent engineering and performance of the car...
Headless
My wife REALLY wants this hybrid. She discounted several other vehicles because of gas mileage and their smog index. She ought to work for the EPA.
We can definately cover this price range, but I am a pretty tight with $$. I was hoping to find a 2004 RX 330 with ML stereo, Heated Seats, RES...basically with everything for around $40k. Someone help a newcomer to the luxury market realize what he is getting for his extra $12,000. (not to be cynical, but I am a tank commander in the Army, so please spare me the environmental benefits...I want to know what I am getting/saving for the extra dough).
Again, will some of you throw down your buying experiences on the other forum for me. Please include all "hidden fees" that I may not be expecting as well. The salesman just gave me the raw data, but I am sure he will start tossing more and more cost at me once I sit down at his desk! Finally, what kind of perks can I expect from the dealerhip. I have heard generally good things about Lexus, but do they usually do loner cars, free oil changes, free maintenance, etc.? ANY help is greatly welcomed!!! Thanks in advance.
I was one of the first at my dealership to get a vehicle...waited about a year for it...really didn't care about the ML stereo...
Lexus comes standard with Pioneer (or was it Pioneer Elite) equipment, which is 'good enough' for most...I consider my self an intermediate audiophile and I don't have many qualms with the Lexus stock system...it's not as nice as all my upgrades in my BMW, but, it's actually a little better than I originally thought...
If you're tight on money, get the vehicle and don't worry about the upgraded stereo....
As far as a cargo mat, get one! Heated seats are nice...I think every state but Florida and California get them!
As far as price over a RX330...what you are getting is superior performance and much better mileage...however, if you use all that performance, look for better mileage, but not by too much....this car is about 1 second faster 0-60...who cares, you might ask? Well, it's nice to have a luxury, performance SUV that gets good mileage...the 18 inch rims are nice as is the aluminum trim...a little more macho than the soccer mom looking standard RX330...
BTW, usually only your 5000 mile check-up is included...
Is it worth the extra money? I bought one, so I obviously thought so...for your wife, get the bamboo or other light color...for a guy, silver, flint mica, and black are the only ways to go!
Headless
What I am looking forward to with this car is that it allows you to both don your sandals and save-the-planet t-shirt to see how far you can stretch a gallon of gas or throw in your favorite CD, pin your ears back and see who you can take it to at the next set of lights.
I do have a question though of those lucky enough to have one as to how well the electric steering works and the CV transmission. When I test drove the RX330 I thought the handling and road awareness of the car were nearly on par with my BMW sedan. Is this lost with electric steering?
My dealer said that when I am ready for the first oil change which is free by the way that I should call him.He in turn will make the appointment for me and the service/parts dept. will have a lexus tee-shirt and hat for me, complimentary.
I'm waiting for a 400h and have not yet been notified that the dealer has it allocated to him. I was notified yesterday that my local Toyota dealer will let me have his first Highlander arriving the first of June. This will be my 4th RX if I get it, so I know all about Lexus quality.
These cars are built side by side in Japan and I have downloaded specs on both autos. My question is this; Is there any mechanical difference between the two, and if so can anyone point it out to me.
I am going to decide tomorrow which one to buy.
Thanks for the feedback. It is extremely helpful. I can tell from a couple of posts that my question seems to elude to not being able to afford a 50k vehicle. Granted, this is quite a bit of money for a vehicle. Yes, I can afford it, but a rich man does not stay rich (or in my case, get rich) by spending freely.
MSRP to MSRP between a new, fully loaded RX330 and a 400h aren't too far off, but once you consider that many people are getting the RX330 close to invoice price...now our $2-4000 difference in price just became $6-8000. So, no I am not stressing out over a $1000 stereo...I am now talking about an extra $160-200 a month in car payments!
A couple of you mentioned no hidden fees, so what type of admin and destination costs should I expect?
Great dialogue, keep it coming.
The Highlander has less leg room since it is a 7 seater (5 + 2 little ones) and there is more of the cabin devoted to cargo in the back.
The suspension is not nearly as well tuned as the lexus. From what I've read it handels more truck like and the added wt of the hybrid system only makes that worse. The lexus on the other hand seems to have been desisgned with the weight of the hybrid system in mind from the time they went to the RX330 design.
The Highlander is slightly lighter weight (not as much as you might expect) which will garner better 0-60 times, but you pay on the corners, so as a driving machine the lexus is better still better. Now there may be aftermarket upgrades you can put on the Higlhlander to compensate, but you will have to wait and they will cost $$$.
For me the decision is comfort and preformace. I can afford them. I want them. I'm going to get them
I find it really easy to get a broad view by sweeping the two mirrors and the camera screen. I can always check the rear view mirror if I want to see what's going on higher up behind.
I don't think that is available on the Highlander - it isn't in the brochure. Back to the original question, a lot of the differences between the Highlander and the Lexus are comfort or luxury features like the telescoping wheel, the auto sensing windshield wipers, etc.
They've got me hooked now - I don't think I'll buy a car without a telescoping steering wheel again.
The RX replaced a full-sized van that we don't need anymore so I was already use to driving a vehicle with a short nose. When we first got the van, it did take a little adjustment but it wasn't that bad.
I have to admit she didn't adjust the wheel. I'm curious, though, how that would give you a better perspective over the hood. She could have tried the seat height adjustment; that may have done the trick.
The ability to change the distance of the wheel does make this much more comfortable for me to drive than other cars where the wheel is always to close.
frenchorne, "Lexus RX 400h vs ?? Comparisons" #16, 7 May 2005 12:43 am
Does anyone know if this is true and if so what does this battery power and what causes the drain when the vehicle is off?
Assuming the miles I drive here’s how the numbers RX 400h work compared to the 2005 RX 330.
Difference in actual delivered price from my dealer buying a car today. 2006 RX 400h vs. RX330. = $9,431.00 more for the RX 400h.
Gas savings over 3 years at $2.09 (Currently $2.25) assuming actual mileage is 2 mpg less than expected = $1479
Value of $2000 Clean Air Deduction = $700
Amount of trade in value after three years approximately 50%. Normally on the $9,431 difference that would return $4,715. When Lexus catches up demand discounting will occur. Assuming the same discount ratio will be the same as the RX 330, then allow only $2,357.
The RX 440h today is a 2006, the RX-330 today would be a 2005 and I understand 2006 RX 330 will not be out until sometime in Sept. Best comp to determined benefit of buying a 2006 RX 400h vs. 2005 RX 2005. Look at value today (5/05) of the 2003 RX300 vs. a 2002 RX300 both with same 36,000 miles. 2003 RX300 is worth at trade in value $2,051 more than 2002 RX300 with same miles base on trade in value today 5/05.
Total savings:
Gas Savings – 3 years = $1,479
Tax savings - $700
Additional trade in value return based on $9,431purchase difference after 3 years = $2,357
Total difference = $4,536.
If you do allow allow today for value difference between buying a 2006 400h vs a 2005 RX330 with the same miles at the end of 3 years from today, the 2006 400h will return an additional $2,051 in resale value.
Total difference = $2,485.
Mercedes and BMW customers pay approximately an additional $5,000 for a V8 vs. a V6. The RX 400h delivers the performance difference of a V8 vs. a V6.
If you allow for this $5,000, the total difference = - $2,515. Yes $2,515 less at end of three years for the RX-400h vs. the RX-330.
Could you ask the dealer to test drive another 400h to see if it is the same as yours? Or maybe try one at another dealer.
Otherwise, you don't have to worry about it too much...Lexus has addressed this issue and all is good!
Headless
Headless
I found that, when in the left lane, the steering was a bit more true, or it actually deviated to the left...
So, before anyone complains of the car having bad alignment, please be sure to check it in both left and rightmost lanes...if it pulls to one direction both times, you likley have a problem...if not, probably not a big deal...
Also, if you brake and the car pulls, this could indicate a problem...I'd be suprised if a new Lexus has these issues!
Headless
after the fillup say 53 miles the computer is reading 32 mpg,about 10city/43hiway.
The car has approx. 545 miles . Tomorrow will be 3 weeks of totally happy ownership.No problems with steering or anything else.