ADW

I've had a 450h for about 6 months, swapped from an E500, so although it's not a 645, it's just as thirsty. On my run to work which is a mix of B road / motorway (but only about 25 miles total and a reasonably clear run) I get around 35mpg, but that's at the upper limit of what's achievable. Normal motoring you'll get around high 20s to 30 mpg, but only if you're feather footed. Experience the fun of the 450h's accelleration and the economy not to surprisingly drops like a stone. Top tip. Don't spend too much time looking at the fuel economy histogram, which draws your eye in hypnotically ... the roads have a nasty habit of having other cars pop out at you .. You'll not be short of toys though. It's also quite nice to have a reasonably unusual car. Today I followed another 450h, the first time I've done so since I got mine in September. Go on, spend that money, you know it makes sense ;)

Hi there, I've had a 450h SEL for about 6 months. As mentioned earlier, economy wise it's not like buying a diesel, but it is WAY more economical than other cars with comparable performance. I used to have an E500, the 450h is easily as quick, both on paper and in reality, and is about 40% more economical I'd say. If I drive it like a nun I can get around 35 mpg, but that's being VERY light footed. And it goes so well that you rarely drive it like a nun. Downsides? It depends what you're used to. I found the ride significantly harder than the Merc, but not enough to stop me getting it. The biggest negative is the size of the boot, which you'll have spotted and gasped at when you tried yours out. Enough for the weekly family shop, but not tons more. If you want to carry a lot, you'll need roof bars and a box (which my local Lexus dealer has offered to loan me on demand. I've not tried them out yet, but I've no doubt they'll honour it) One last point. It's really nice to drive something you don't see by the hundred. But that's got a downside too. if your windscreen gets smashed (as mine did last week), windscreen repair people seem incapable of getting a new one anything like as quickly as they can get one for a Merc or BMW or... I'd still say go for it :)

Mine doesn't "shudder" but just occasionally I can tell when the petrol engine turns off and on. But it's not intrusive at all, so it may or may not be the same thing you're experiencing. What's scarier is the times I've had pedestrians step out without looking if I'm going along really slow through the middle of town, or in car parks when the car goes into stealth mode. Fortunately so far I'm going slow enough for a quick push on the brakes to solve the problem. Followed, of course, by a big beaming grin when the poor shocked person spots this bloody great car next to them.

Hi there. Yes, I had one of the chrome strips start to peel. Looks like they're varnished. I took it to a local dealer who ordered me a new one. Sadly when they replaced it, they replaced the wrong one. (Or at least, they say they replaced one) So I've STILL got the peeled one, and one or two others are going the same way, which they've agreed to do when I go in next They didn't quibble though, agreed straight away to do it as a warranty item. Have you noticed the paint on the wheels is VERY soft too? Rub too hard cleaning it and you'll find you'll mark it, or at least I have.

Hi all, I've got a 07 GS450h, and I'd like to find a supplier for an Aux In preamp. I know Lexus / Toyota have just started to offer one for ipods, but (a) I have a different mp3 player, and (B) I'd buy an ipod, but it looks as if the Lexus one will only allow control over the ipod playlists, and won't let you choose individual albums, which is the old fashioned way I tend to listen to music. So buying the ipod one wouldn't really solve anything. So a couple of questions, first, anyone got any good suggestions, and second, for the unit/ supplier you're suggesting, where does the input actually emerge into the car? thanks Al

Hi there Tony. I've got a 450h which I also purchased in September 07. I don't hear the noise you're describing at all, though the engine undoubtedly is a bit rougher when cold - which seems pretty normal for any car I've had. However nor do I find it the noisiest of cars. Admittedly it's the first Lexus I've owned, but it's quite similar to the couple of E classes I had previously (as in pretty quiet overall, though hopefully a damn site more reliable than the last one I hope) So I'd say they're being "economical with the truth" when they say every 450h makes the noise (or possibly my ears aren't as young as they used to be...) cheers Al