kalibur

As a former IS300 Sportcross (the lexy wagon) and current RX400h whose thoroughly tested a ct200h for a full week, I have been following this thread with great interest. My reason for posting now is to bring to your attention to a certain GS300h pricing starts at £31.5k you can read more here http://www.carbuyer.co.uk/news/115666/new-lexus-gs-300h-hybrid-available-now Lexus is clearly gunning for the diesels with an their hybrids, I reckon my next car will be from the upcoming NX range if they do a 4x4 version or a wagon IS300h failing that RX450 or maybe a GS450h/300h will do. I personally don't like the german autos because the are built like lego pieces, lexus build looks like a carved structure/artwork.

That's not strictly true though is it. The electric hybrid system doesn't run the car at any speed. Above 30mph then the petrol engine is running the car and engine braking is putting charge back in to the hybrid system. I agree that once the engine is warmed up and sub 30mph speeds you are not using the petrol engine, but it is for a limited distance before the petrol engine has to take over. You cannot run the RX on the hybrid batteries for ever and a day. As far as what more could you want goes; if the prospective buyer is intending doing plenty of long runs then diesel is the answer. If it's plenty of short journeys then a petrol engine is better, but if it's short journeys from cold, then they shouldn't expect much of a saving as the hybrid system won't have much effect. Phil I don't reckon you have an RX400h or driven one long enough, your assessment looks like a pure cut and paste from a journalist who drove the car for half hour and was very eager to publish his story before the competition. I drive and own a RX400h and it can run purely on electric for long bursts of a mile plus at speeds 50 miles/hour. The highest economical speed you can run at is between 50 and 60 miles where it will do 40+ mpg over a long distance. Above 65 its almost purely petrol motor with pulses of charge or electric motor to push it over road raises and on slopes engine cuts of completely to allow electric charging, which depending on the angle of the slop, weather and wind resistance the car gradually shifts to electric drive and eventually to the petrol motor. In a nut shell engine temperature aside, torque required to maintain the cruise speed determines what the hybrid motor does at any given moment.

Check your tire pressure is equal on all four wheels. Doing 70 on cruise control I get 30+ but if one wheel pressure is low I get 25-26ish.

Hello, hope am not late to answer some questions. I have a courtesy CT200h adv so any questions you have throw them this way. I have been driving it for a few days now and I reckon it will be going back in a couple days. The screen is indeed a dedicated tom tom a very clever one infact. the ipod like control is not ipod like in operation there is no rotational ability its just a 4 way directional pad with a button in the middle, then below it you have Left, Right, Back, Menu, Map view 2D/3D buttons. The stereo is has usb, 3.5mm aux in, bluetooth streaming audio playback and control. There is also voice control buttons on the steering wheel that I have not figure out yet. I have not paired my phone via blue-tooth yet but perhaps that screen can be used with the phone will update you later. If you like you Lexus gadgetie like I do then go for the multimedia pack and if you have ever been exposed to a Mark Levinson sound system or even the premium audio for the 2002 IS200/IS300 you will feel the downgrade in the CT200h. Seats are lovely though.

I have been driving a CT200h courtesy car while my Rx400h is being looked at. I have driven it around central London, on motorways M25 M3 slopes etc I got 50mpg without trying. I am just curious to know who would swap their RX400h for a CT200h straight swap for a used CT of similar market value.

Dammit! lol

Wow that is a nice little Gadget for the price and the insurance saving potential the thing will make a profit in a couple of years. However I would like a discrete installation so the cigarette light jack doesn't appeal. How did you install yours and did get a chance to track the car when it was abroad? Lastly are you a Linux dude? That penguin... O_o This tracker actually comes with a hard-wiring set, even got its own splash-proof fuse, so I hard-wired it and put it inside the top rear spoiler (Mercedes A-class) - impossible to spot, the only disadvantage is I can't see the unit (well, no one can) , so indicators are pretty useless. It works fine through the thin plastic, only this car never was abroad ... I do check it often when I'm myself away though - as long as you can receive a text, you can track it. You send a query text and it replies with coordinates - position shows up in Google Maps or similar. Yes, I still play with Linux when I have time, even though my main systems are OSX. Linux is like a first love ... can't forget ;) Actually, I might bring some back into action - will be looking into a SCADA setup soon, and there are a few nice ones out there. That'll be fun! I play with Linux all the time including right now, all my systems are Linux part from the 5% I spend on the work related documentation stuff on my Windows 7 laptop. I just googled SCADA very geek stuff you want to hook that up to a GPS receiver Personally I want a tracker that can send me location data across international borders, I think EU is easier and cheaper to achieve, on a roaming mobile profile.

Wow that is a nice little Gadget for the price and the insurance saving potential the thing will make a profit in a couple of years. However I would like a discrete installation so the cigarette light jack doesn't appeal. How did you install yours and did get a chance to track the car when it was abroad? Lastly are you a Linux dude? That penguin... O_o

Today I installed the Yatour Digital Music changer and I am over the moon with the sound quality that coming from my Samsung Galaxy Nexus the the AUX port of the Unit it really bring the ML sound system to life tomorrow I will try some MP3 playback from usb stick and memory card. Only thing you need to know is when buying the unit also buy the Y splitter cable and if you are going to use the AUX port get a longer 3.5mm stereo pin cable and if you want blue-tooth audio streaming there is mini usb port on the unit to which the blue-tooth receiver plugs in. Might just consider that cherry on top.

Private sale hard to say... When I was searching for mine (which I now have) I would not consider any none Lexus RX400h over fives year old for anything above £10 000. My concerns were as follows - Has the hybrid battery been changed before? Yes is good the more recent the better and did a lexus dealer do the change for warrantee reasons. - How long before next service, how recent was the last - Is it all lexus service history - Check under-body and bumpers for signs of off roader abuse. - If am still interested by this stage can we get a lexus dealer to evaluate and if possible service the car, was willing to pay for evaluation. Service only if it was due one or showed signs of wear and tear (but yours mileage is good) - Whose offering that third party warrantee and can one insist on having any work carried out by a lexus dealer without a fight or being forced to use some other Garage. Also is it transferable? - Does the warrantee cover the Hybrid battery? - Accessories, Nav DVDs and manuals are they all present and what version

Wow I feel lucky mine came witll both head phones, remote and manuals. The only manual related problem I have is they gave me a more recent navigation system manual that doesn't apply to my car, but if I ignore the buttons (audio control) that don't apply to my system it simple enough to work with. What I want to do with the ICE system is route the audio to the ML amp anyone have/done that yet?

Did one better two birds with one stone. Radoslav That is some big boy system you got there. Where in the car have you installed it? This system takes the cake whats it cost?

I have to second the majority opinion on this one. 1 - Neater is out of sight no my Smart phone sticking on the dash is about as much things sticking out as I can handle. >.< 2 - Using the Lexus standard Audio system controls is super neat and super slick, better that another cluster of buttons. 3 - The FM receiver no matter how clear the sound just doesn't turn me one, well unless am DJing for an entourage that would be awesome. Specifically about the product 1 - Ease of install :) 2 - Very portable :) 3 - LCD screen :) 4 - Max 4GB is just unacceptable :( 5 - The killer feature has to be PRICE wow I have doubts on its quality/durability? How long have you had it, because I may just buy one for laughs. lol I can see myself seating in the back-seat using the remote to changing tracks but then again I could just route the audio from the ICE to the main sound system. PS: Jason lets get super model profile pix.

How to explain two guys who Drives RX400s having IS profile pictures? PS: I have ordered the Yatour and my screen and none audio system buttons have siezed to work,but voice commands still work! Am confused

Round Byfleet Woking area and you? The idea of plugging a usb stick or portable harddrive really has me gunning for the Yatour device, I dont understand why the iPod ones are so expensive compare to the vesertile Yatour. Is you RX ML sound system?

Thanks Jason I got excited for a few seconds there because you are in Surrey thought I could actually have it this weekend but then your item is iPod/apple only. I was hoping for something like I just put a storage device usb stick memory card into it and equipped with the aux stereo pin that would plug into my smart phone that is alway mounted on the dash. Also because my car has the Navigation I will need a 6x6 Y cable to merge the CDC changer and the Navi. Do you have any or all of these things?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Yatour-Car-Digital-Music-Changer-USB-SD-MP3-05-11Toyota-LEXUS-series-/200904289432?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ec6d42c98 Evening Chaps was wondering if any of you have purchased this item or anything similar to this. Also is it compatible with ML sound systems and will I still be able to use the CD charger as well as this little device? rx400h 2005 se-l Mark-Levinson audio I currently use the tape 3.5 stereo pin converter but it does always work well its crackly noise and power sound quality has me losing patience! It also doesn't like winter temperatures. Thanks

Hi In winter Expect 0 degrees outside temp 10mpg first 5 min 20mpg 5-10min 30mpg 10+min Good better mpg practices in order of importance First keep tyre pressures equal across all wheels, manual says 32psi people here prefer 36psi, I have settled for 34psi comfy but not mushy ride. Second coast, this car glides so well you can go for miles on battery only on a level straight roads. I have averaged 45 mpg over 30mins continues periods Third slow takeoff isn't always efficient unless its taking off on battery only very slow. a better way is to accelerate at higher pace reach your cruise speed 1 sec of gas then back on cruise control or feather light foot. That way instead of staying on 20mpg for 30secs you do 10secs on 15mpg and then coast at 30+mpg 20secs sooner than a slow takeoff. Motorway driving is all about drag,tire pressure and smooth speed and direction changes. Lastly TIRE PRESSURE keep it balanced I have seen how you can easily be losing 10-15mpgs just because some tire is at 25psi!

Can some one answer this post please this is a very important question. I recently got my self a RX400 se-l the only way I count 11 speakers is if I include the two tiny ones under the sun visers! But I only hear sound from them when using the phone Bluetooth and maybe navigation lady speaks through there too but Am not 100 percent sure there. My count is 2x on rear doors 2x in front doors 2x on front A puller on doors 2x on dash far just under windscreen 1x just above navi screen 2x under sun visers Contrarily to what some people have said I don't think the RX400 has a sub woofer. The 7.0 audio setup in RX seems to revolve around front occupants, but I sat in the back today and Its was equally good back there but in a stereo sense (behind the back row in the cinema), unlike my previous is300 sport cross which had 9 speakers 4.1 surround stereo equally distributed around all the cabin occupants. But the RX400 MM takes it on sound quality over IS premium audio. Subwoofers are so last year! #cliche

My two pence worth when I got my RX400h (3 weeks) ago average mpg read 29.5. First 70miles of motorway at 70-80speeds I got a lousy lower 20s mpg, stopped at the services noticed one wheel was at 21psi I pumped that to 32psi and saw an immediate improvement. Last weekend a drive from Woking to Edgware (London) I averaged 31.5 mpg M25, M4 exited at Heathrow got back A41, M25 way. When doing 50-60 I get 34ish. On my 15minute trip to work steeps/slops temp -3 to 5C I am averaging about 25-27mpg (keep in mind its winter) the first 5minutes i get below 10 mpg engine heating up, 5-10minutes I get about 20-30mpgs and the last 5minutes of 15 I get between 35-40mpg. Average speed of journey 5m/h to 35m/h over a 4-5mile trip. 1 - What I have learned is when the engine is cold it will come on and stay on till its warm enough, it doest care how much your charge you have only exception is when you're coasting. 2 - Driving slow isn't the magic trick, the trick is knowing how to talk to the CVT thus get to the speed you want then foot off gas 0.5 second then engage cruise control or resume a light foot on gas, this allow the CVT to pick a higher gear (ratio) at lower RPM and if torque is needed the battery compensates at all speeds at lower speeds power tends to alternate. If you drive up to a speed and maintain at that speed without taking the foot off gas 0.5secs or put it in cruise, chances are it will stay in a lower gear and the hybrid wont kick in because the car thinks you're still accelerating and have not reached your cruise speed yet.

I have for the past 3-4 years used the cassette tape deck to-stereo pin (headphone jack) converter to pipe my audio to the in-car audio system. A Google Nexus line phone (Nexus One and now Galaxy Nexus) because they always make a car-dock for them. Cheaper to implement, no mods to the car, downside is the rattle from the tape can be irritating at low volume levels. I don't know if the S3 has a special car-dock you can invest in, I find generic ones to be mess, clunky and they will just cramp the Lexus style anyway. That is some very good gear but I don't reckon its compatible with my 05 RX400, how much in sterling?

Very weirdly interesting piece, I will not ask why but if I had that much time on my hands, the things I would do. What are the odds that my cars milage has being adjusted bought it from a Lexus dealer got paper work of the previous services and so on.

Exactly and that makes me wonder what was someone doing in there in the first place???

Yes its measured by GPS, I know calibration errors are common but as you already pointed out the reading is usually higher not lower, my previous IS300 read 77miles when am doing 70miles but in this RX it read 30miles when doing 35miles and 75miles when doing 80miles, thus placing me or another driver in a position to break the law and possibly incur points and fines.

I see your RX400 is a 2009 so its a very deferent package to my 05 RX400h, my says 6 CD charnger the words DVD, MP3 and WMA are not written on the unit as is the case in the manual that came with the car.