JMOT

I have a 350 SEL. Its permanent 4x4, the Hybrid has vario-whatsitcalled-computer driven 4x4 and I have Continetal Winter tyres for it that I fit October to March. Its awesome in the snow on the Winter tyres. I also have two large dogs, boot liner and dog guard fitted by lexus. Its 100% tough enough for roughing it with light offroad and snow/mud stuff. I only assume the 400h would be just as good if you fit the right rubber for the conditions. Kwikfit store my tyres and swap them over with their tyre hotel scheme. In fact nearly every normal car fitted with winter tyres will out perform most SUV's with regular high performance tyres in the snow... The only real disadvantage of fitting your car with the right rubber is the twonk behind you going too fast for the conditions cant stop as fast as you can!! LOL

Bought June 2011 from Lexus Sidcup. 33k when new 36k now. 07 reg 350 SEL. Already had 4 new disks and pads. Rear were replaced on warranty as the calliper seized. Power steering pump replaced under warranty. Going in next week for what looks to me air suspension sensor and pump issues (Warranty Direct hopefully). Rear sometimes does not rise and the pump just whirrs...today the left side was high and the right side low. I now have squeeky door arm rests that bug the hell out of me when u rest your arm. I also have lurching from the transmission as other have reported here when at low speed turning or doing speedbumps or at roundabout it inappropriately changes into 1st which totally ruins the otherwise great comfort. Aircon also smells now when I turn it on. Probably needs some love. Some of the issues I had should have been sorted before I bought it IMHO. To be down to 5% on the brakes after 4k miles is taking the absolute ***** imho for lexus to sell a car with that little left on them. I also had to fight at purchase to get matching Bridgestones front and rear as they tried to sell it to me with dunlops at the rear which were badly worn (but MOT legal...) According to Lexus for their (many) quality checks they do under their used approved program....they dont actually take the wheels off the car and inspect the brakes etc...they simply kick the tyres, do a minor service, tick a few boxes and hope nobody notices anything that they can get away without doing. Apart from the few gripes I love it really. Gonna chop it in for something else before June 2013 before the major service is due...

I took the plunge. Bought a sweet 350 se-l with 28k miles earlier today. 2007 reg. Got a good trade in on my mini cooper s too. Going to chop it in just under a year for a 450h. Gone from mini to maxi lol Cant wait to pick it up in a week!

Depending on dealer I'm seeing between £6k to £10k difference between SE-L models of the RX350 and RX400h... Vehicles are within a year of each other ish and similar miles ish So I have to sit back and wonder is it really worth the extra? Going to have to drive carefully to get anywhere close to the claimed MPG on the Hybrid and cover some serious mileage to warrant the price gap. Of course if I toe the 350 a lot it will eat the fuel too... Also, correct me if I'm wrong but with the 350 there seems to be simply less to go wrong without the obvious wizardry of the hybrid system. Is the 350 really such a lesser in demand car? My concern is the depreciation on the 350 will be/is much more severe. I'd be interested in hearing other members thoughts on this as I'd like to buy smart! Thanks in advance.