Hybrid Rex

I am delighted with my choice of the 400h, I love the technology, performance and the silent running. However, if I was going to be really picky these are the things that the 350 has that I would have liked to see on the 400: '06 350 has the latest version of sat-nav which apparently is better than '06 400 version and, I think, will also play DVD's. Air suspension is not available on 400 and I suspect the rear wheelarches do not intrude so much on the "air" cars (bit of a problem for the golf clubs) As a personal preference I would choose the interior wood trims but they are not available on the 400 (I'm trying to find some wood trims to fit but not having much success) Having said the above, if I were making my decision today I would still choose the hybrid.

I am sure I have seen a post that already mentions this, but I can't find it again. When reversing at night the reversing lights are not very bright and it is difficult to see, either out the back window, or via the camera. I am assuming I could fit some brighter bulbs (I haven't looked to see what are in there yet) but has anybody come up with a good illumination solution?

Hybridrex. sorry mate it's just now going to work, just think you are now trying to drive to achieve fuel figures which are total BULL, no pleasure in "wet-nursing" this car, just drive in normally and asee what you get!. I tried all this "wet-nursing crap", got shot of lexus bought Audi diesels drove them how I wanted and got more power, more performance, more pleasure. :winky: I now have the 2007 model A8 4.2 TDI Sport and I get 36MPG ( car has covered 1200 miles) on a 30 mile run and drive it how I like!. Around town I am getting 30/32MPG constant and thats from the first day!. :winky: Please don't misread my post - I have got the car I wanted. If mpg was my primary concern I could have bought a car that would give me 60+, or if I would be satisfied with a saloon car I could have bought some really good ones (I was using an A8 while I was between cars). However, I wanted an SUV and, after checking all the ones I could find, the Lexus was among the best (and most unique) that satisfied my own personal criteria. When all is said and done, if someone is spending £40,000+ on a car and basing their decision on 2 or 3 mpg, then I respectfully suggest they may not have got their priorities quite right. All I was asking was if there were techniques and tips out there that would help me get to my target of 33mpg. If I don't achieve it during regular use then so be it it. It will not detract from what is for me is a very good, highly enjoyable car.

I'm still on my first 1000 miles, so I realise everything needs to bed-in and loosen up before I can get a true mpg, but I'm currently looking at 28-29, which is OK, but I'm having to drive like a total obsessive to get that. One of the techniques I am having to use is totally opposite to a "normal" car, in that I accellerate relatively swiftly up to my desired speed and then ease off slightly (or switch to cruise control) so that the hybrid system can take care of economy management. I am reasoning that the "hit" the fuel economy takes during aceeleration is offset by being on either full (or partial) electric drive for longer. I am hoping that 32+mpg (without having to concentrate on the fuel meter all the time) is going to be achievable once the car is fully run in, so does anybody have any tips on how to get the best economy out of this car whilst still driving normally?

According to my dealer, the Samsung D500 will transfer the entire phone book in one go, whereas the Nokia's will only transfer one number at a time. I'll find out this week when I pick up my 400h. Having now got my car, it turns out the D500 will apparently only transfer 1 number at a time

According to my dealer, the Samsung D500 will transfer the entire phone book in one go, whereas the Nokia's will only transfer one number at a time. I'll find out this week when I pick up my 400h.

Pity we didn't meet at the time - we could have swapped. I've tried all the on-line breakers I can find but they haven't come up with anything.

Did they by any chance offer you a big front-end discount on the car you were proposing to buy? Generally a trade-in price is made up of the trade value of your car + any discount they are prepared to give (over-allowance). However, if they give you the discount off the new car, they don't have it to inflate your part-ex price. Even so, £18k as a trade price still seems pretty low. I assume trade prices for the RX300 are taking a knock because the model has been replaced and the remaining stock of 300's are being discounted to clear them.

I was told by a dealer that the 07 model with sat nav/dvd player will have a £1500 price increase. If you order a car now that is not special order you will probably get an 06 spec car from stock, unless you specifically request an 07 build (but will possibly cost you more).

Thanks for the welcome guys. Lexus John, the reason I chose this vehicle is that it ticked most of the boxes of those on my short-list. The Range Rover Sport is surprisingly small in the boot, and both it and the Discovery3 have a drop-down rear hatch that prevents you loading the boot easily. Volvo XC90 has a similar arrangement but is a nice car but I found the engine slightly harsh when I drove one a while ago. There are some incredible deals available on Shoguns (£6-7000 off for a pre-registered one) but I only drove it for 500 yards - the engine sounded like a tractor, and one pot-hole was enough to know this was a no-no. Both the Shogun and the Toyota Land Cruiser have a door that opens sideways. Don't any of these designers ever try to load their shopping in a busy supermarket car park or lift a heavy golf bag?? I didn't even visit BMW or Mercedes because of the way they treat visitors to their showrooms. Runner-up to a Lexus would have been the Nissan Murano - nicely equipped car that drives very well. So, the favourite going in was an ex-demo RX300, however I wanted to try the 400h "just to see what they are like". The 400h is loaded with technology but it doesn't get in the way - you just turn the key, and drive away...... silently! It's an awesome experience. It has plenty of power, but if I don't go too crazy I should be able to get 33mpg. When I tried the 300 afterwards it felt slightly ordinary/conventional. Both have excellent quality of finish, Lexus reliability is well documented and the showroom staff are very courteous

Hi, to everyone, I am a new member of this forum and, having made the mistake of test driving the 400h, I am now hooked and have had to increase my budget somewhat. My short-list of cars is now down to just the one, so I will be ordering an SE + Nav within the next day or two. I have a couple of questions that I am sure somebody on here can answer: The one thing I preferred in the 300/350 over the 400h is the wood trimming to the panels. Does anyone know where (if) it is possible to buy these as a set so that I could replace the the brushed aluminium ones that all 400's have? Alternatively, does any 300 owners out there fancy a swap? What is the best way to protect the paintwork? I have had Supagard treatment applied on previous cars and to be honest I am less than impressed (for the money). As my chosen colour is likely to be Astral Black I would like to protect it as much as possible. I have heard that there might be some hard shell polishes that might do the trick - any advice? I understand the 07 spec cars will be able to play DVD's via the Navigation screen (as I need to buy a car straight away mine will no doubt be 06 build). Anybody know if it will be possible to upgrade an 06 car - or are there any other ways of doing the same thing (without buying the ICE package)? Thanks in advance for any advice