X5JDX

It's been a while since I posted but I've kept track of the RX400h on this forum. You see I was all geared up, mind set in stone to purchase an RX400h. Great value for money, fast and economical, so did I buy one to sit next to my IS200 on the drive? No. I bought a new X5 3.0d SE. My X5 is a band G for RFL, but the 08MY will be band F, and get this - so will the twin turbo diesel X5!! A bit pi**ed off at this but from what I can gather I would be even more pi**ed off had I bought an RX400. So who wins the "green" prize? BMW for a twin turbo diesel, 280BHP, 520NM torque SUV that returns 34mpg and band F tax or Lexus with a hybrid petrol/battery SUV that returns similar figures? I'm not going to try and answer that as I feel it's down to personal choice. It is also interesting that BMW feels the need to enter into the Hybrid market - why? market pressure? I will be monitoring the progress of each manufacturers closely as I now have a foot in both camps. BTW, I choose the BMW as it's a brand new model (hopefully better residuals) and has far superior road holding as opposed to the RX which is now 4 years old and IMO sadly lacks in the handling department. I also enjoy the option to be able to manually play with the auto box in the X5. Rest assured though, Lexus still wins hands down for customer care - I just wish they knew how to make a decent sports vehicle.

On the other hand, if Lexus continues with its long established policy, the 400 will remain the same for the next 3 years, I would say. Second, and please forgive me if I get a bit personal and nasty, no one on this earth needs a 45 K £ car. You buy one because you like it and you can afford it (I can't, and that makes me a 2nd hander... :winky: ). So if you like the X5, or the 400H or whatever car pleases you, go get it and stop worrying about its future value, the market, the updates... Thanks, you made me smile if nothing else. I agree with you that nobody needs to spend £45k on a car, it's obscene and if I do spend that kind of money then it will be an extremely measured decision and one that is not taken at all lightly. This is why I have my concerns about getting the best value for my money and why I posted my questions about the future of the Lexus. I for one do not want to buy an RX400 only to discover that a facelift was a matter of months away. A dealer won't give me a great deal of inside knowledge on a showroom floor so where else might it be possible to gleen some info? Oh yes - this forum!! Everybody is entitled to their opinion and you certainly voiced yours. IMO there is no way that the RX400h will continue in it's current guise for another 3 years. Remember that the MkII came out in 2003 and I'm not convinced that a SAT Nav upgrade is all Lexus will do with the RX over the next year or so. Beside the new IS/GS/LS and the forthcoming LF-S then the RX is looking dated - so come on all you gurus out there, suprise me with some real info that will help me make my mind up!!

So where does this leave Lexus? I'm halfway out the showroom already heading towards BMW. I am biding my time to go out and buy a new RX400h because I'm concerned about any imminent face lifts. The car journals now refer to the RX as looking dated and the compitition are all at the top of their game just now. So what is the next 12 months going to deliver for the future of the RX400h. I'm saying 12 months because that's when an X5 will probably be available to drive away. Yes I'll have to compromise on spec and an X5 will likely be around £45k with little on it - but it will be brand new and pretty much depreciation proof for the first 12months or so. Lexus need to respond and fast. It may well hit current sales by announcing future upgrades but I doubt I'm alone by being desperate for this info. I am so happy with my Lexus and I have NEVER owned a car for over 3 years - my IS is now a month shy of 5 years old having driven it out the showroom brand new in 2001. I don't want to leave Lexus but dynamically the BMW looks stronger. Does anybody have some crystal ball insight for the RX400h/RX450h???? My biggest concern lies with any exterior changes.

I swapped my custom from Aberdeen to Edinburgh for servicing. Best move I've made, service department is excellent - IMO Aberdeen went rapidly downhill once Arnie took over the franchise. Parked at Glasgow once but immediately put off by the kids playing cricket in the car park!! - no joke.

Thanks for the info but I'm confused now. :duh: The 3.0ltr and 3.3ltr are old and need to be replaced, yet you believe that Lexus won't put the 3.5ltr in the RX400h (RX450h) for another couple of years. :o A facelift every 3 years. RX300 mkII was launched in 2003... ...is this a criptic clue my Honourable Knowledge base master? :winky:

Yes, but remember, the US have been driving the RX330 for years in 2WD and 4WD formats whilst the UK stuck with the 3.0ltr engine. They are also getting a 2WD RX400h. The US have a 4x4 IS250... ...the US is a different market. I'm interested in what I can buy here! If any of these models are destined for the UK market then post what you know. The UK don't have these model options and I had not read anything about an RX350 for the UK market up until a couple of months ago and IMO it has been a relatively quick introduction of the engine into an RX. Will the 3.5ltr be put in the 400h, will it be de-tuned like the 3.3ltr has? Will Lexus ever put an MP3 connection in? - although the promise of an MP3 connection is'nt going to make me wait too long! I'm looking to make an informed decision based on the immediate future (next 12months) of the current RX400h or whether I should wait a while to catch a significant upgrade. By significant I mean engine/battery/exterior & interior remodelling changes. If Lexus are going to start making frequent changes maybe I should wait and see what the new BMW X5 will offer... because in all honesty I didn't expect to be concerned with upgrades to a car that is only a year in production (that's Suburu territory!!)

Considering buying a new RX400h sometime this year but I would like to know if there are any significant changes due in the next year or so. The RX350 appeared out of nowhere (I'm sure there are a few disgruntled RX300 owners just now! ) and has left me wandering what the immediate future is for the RX400h. I've read the article about the batteries being changed for 2008, however I can't see Lexus making the car any cheaper to buy . When will the 2008 model be launched? What are the anticipated changes? I've never fully trusted Salespersons so any help would be appreciated.

Just like RX300 second hand values will take a hit when the RX350 appears. I recommend the RX400h-it is fast 0-60 in 7.4 sec,and if you want you can get very reasonable mileage. Sure,technology is advancing all the time,and there will be second,third and fourth generations of Lexus synergy drive coming,but,even so,the RX400h is a great car and relatively rare,which,I believe,will keep second hand values up.If you use that argument,why don't we just wait for Hydrogen cell technology to become mainstream,as that will make the ICE redundant,since all cars with petrol and diesel engines will take a huge hit on second hand values? Anyway I bought the car because I liked it,so I'm not too bothered about retained values.It's a briliant car!!!!! :D Thanks for the article Sebastian. Without wanting to stray to far off topic, It's a dilema when parting with so much cash as I'm always wandering what's round the corner in terms of next generation cars and whilst I accept a car will always depreciate nor do I want to pour money down the drain . For the moment the RX400h is my first choice but I would like to see a few subtle changes and if they are imminent then I may hang off a while. Maybe I should start a new topic to cover the 2008 model as it would appear there's an interest and may help my decision. Like the saying goes "I used to be indecisive, but now I'm not so sure". :duh:

The code can only be grabbed if it is transmitted. They :tsktsk: set the alarm off by thumping a window, you press the key fob to shut it up whilst they attempt to grab the code - this might take a couple of attempts hence the alarm sounding two or three times. I know Lexus security is top class :D and maybe this is why it has been an isolated incident i.e. they gave up! Or maybe I'm too paranoid I could buy into the quantum physics theory though...

Sounds more like someone trying to code grab your key signal and steel your car. Would-be thieves :tsktsk: set the alarm off frequently until you get fed up and don't arm it or they succesfully grab the code. However, I thought most of these tricks had been combatted by the remote central locking using different codes each time?? Maybe someone knows the complexity of the security system on the RX's and can advise.

First post from someone who is seriously considering buying an RX400h. Here's my thoughts on some improvements: A full power 3.3ltr in the RX400h (Lexus de-tuned this engine for the hybrid compared to the US RX330 power output) or put in the 3.5ltr. If I buy a 400 it will be for its performance and fuel economy. Bigger wheels, those 18" just don't fill the arches and the handling suffers due to the large tyre side walls. 19" with a 20" option would suffice. Electronic column gear selector like the new Merc ML or simple dashboard buttons like the Rolls Royce Phantom. Thicker rimmed steering wheel with back-lit buttons New speedo dials like the brushed steel ones in the GS. MP3 connection in the centre console stowage bin. Ditch the cassette player. Hide the cigarette lighter. Its hideous! Even lacking the above I still think it has the edge on the competition. I just can't bring myself to buy a diesel or pay the costs of a petrol V8. RX400h it is then... come on Lexus, listen to us before the competition catches up!!