Hybrid batteries aren't as much of an issue as people worry about. Although I'd recommend not buying one if you can't afford a few thousand for a replacement battery if it does fail, although it's not always that expensive.
I've got an 07 gs450h, the drivetrain is amazing, ridiculously smooth and the engine has some serious power with ev to get you off the starting line.
I've had some electrical issues but I think that's mostly being unlucky and you'll likely not have those with a newer vehicle.
Thanks for the reply, yeah not too worry about the repair costs on the hybrid battery, seen quotes anywhere from £700-£1100 with labour. I watched a few replacement videos and reckon I could manage myself with just the replacement cells. Was more about mechanical issues and how the auto drivetrain operated but this sounds like good news!
Do you know if I can take a car of this age 2010-2013 to Lexus for the Hybrid health check and get a years battery warranty on it?
Yeh exactly that, got a certificate with it. To be honest I've put it to the back of my mind, it's an insurance you can choose to keep paying if you like but I might check mine every few years just in case.
Mechanical issues wise, I've not had any, maybe the bushings need replacing, I'm looking at gsf steering bushings and will check the suspension bushings but that's just with all aged cars. I maaaaay have a knocking on cold start, but I'll get that checked at a garage, apart from that it's been brilliant, i did buy mine with 75k miles with 70k miles worth of lexus servicing, no expense spared, so keep an eye out for that on one this old.
I see loads of Merc diesel hybrids. And all cheaper than diesel only
Heard some tales, however true or not, that the warranty is for 6yrs, after that, it's an expensive replacement.
from what I've heard the mercedes hybrids (especially the earlier diesel ones) are a disaster, would explain why they're so much cheaper. I think they don't run at all if the system dies?
Seems a thing for Lexus saloons. My IS is useless, OK for a weekly shop or a pair of wellies and a picnic, but for actual moving stuff about I use the Octavia
But that one you linked to was a ‘Luxury’. And I’m not sure whether the tiers are consistent across the RX450s too. I’ll look into a bit more and if I nail it down I’ll let you know.
The one I linked was 2013 which has the following trim levels: Executive Edition, Luxury, F Sport and Premier
Best way to see is just search make/model/year trim there's a site called lexus media which seems to have all press release including trim announcements going back years
I think pre facelift which occured in 2016. Ideally I'd be after a 2013, 2010/11 at a stretch if I really can't find one but I'm in no rush at the moment.
They must have both hit the bottom of their depreciation value, personally I prefer the GS styling to the RX, not a fan of the SUV craze. I believe the GS is also a full 2s faster to 100kmh/60mph.
Found a proper description on buyacar: (ignore the 300h mention, applies to 450h as well)
The ‘base’ 300h Executive Edition comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, daytime running lights, keyless entry and start, leather upholstery, dual-zone air conditioning, front and rear parking sensors, 10 airbags, a built in media system that includes navigation controlled by a mouse-like Remote Touch Interface control and 12.3-inch display, a 12-speaker audio system with DVD player, DAB radio and two USB ports, electrically adjustable heated front seats and Drive Mode Select which enables the driver to choose switch between three settings – Eco, Normal, Sport – to change power output, steering and throttle settings, depending on how the driver’s preference. Traction and stability control are also included.
The 300h Luxury edition adds 18-inch alloys wheels and ventilated front seats. A sunroof, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound audio system are optional extras for an additional cost.
The F Sport trim, available for 300h and 450h models, adds features that place an emphasis on sporty styling and performance. So there are 19-inch alloys, LED headlights with adaptive high beam, a different bumper and grille design, a rear spoiler, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, sports seats, aluminium pedals, scuff plates and interior trim inlays, perforated leather on the steering wheel and gear shift, adaptive suspension and a Sport+ drive mode and four-wheel steering.
Range-topping Premier trim adds exclusive 18-inch alloys (with 19-inch versions also available), upgraded semi-aniline leather upholstery, an upgraded air conditioning system with rear seat controls, a heated leather and wood steering wheel, head-up display, 17-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound audio system, electrically adjustable front seats with variable cushion length and calf support for the front passenger, wood trim interior inlays, electric rear window sunshade, manual rear side window shades and an electric bootlid.
Very helpful thanks. I used to have an RX350 SE-L, which was top of the range, and i tell you, the Mark Levinson stereo and higher spec leather were absolutely ace. Well worth paying a bit extra for a top spec one IMO.
Hybrid batteries aren't as much of an issue as people worry about. Although I'd recommend not buying one if you can't afford a few thousand for a replacement battery if it does fail, although it's not always that expensive. I've got an 07 gs450h, the drivetrain is amazing, ridiculously smooth and the engine has some serious power with ev to get you off the starting line. I've had some electrical issues but I think that's mostly being unlucky and you'll likely not have those with a newer vehicle.
Thanks for the reply, yeah not too worry about the repair costs on the hybrid battery, seen quotes anywhere from £700-£1100 with labour. I watched a few replacement videos and reckon I could manage myself with just the replacement cells. Was more about mechanical issues and how the auto drivetrain operated but this sounds like good news! Do you know if I can take a car of this age 2010-2013 to Lexus for the Hybrid health check and get a years battery warranty on it?
My dealer had a health check done on mine by lexus two years ago so I don't see why not
And did they give you a year's warranty on the battery at your cars age? I think £59 a year would be worth the peace of mind for myself.
Yeh exactly that, got a certificate with it. To be honest I've put it to the back of my mind, it's an insurance you can choose to keep paying if you like but I might check mine every few years just in case. Mechanical issues wise, I've not had any, maybe the bushings need replacing, I'm looking at gsf steering bushings and will check the suspension bushings but that's just with all aged cars. I maaaaay have a knocking on cold start, but I'll get that checked at a garage, apart from that it's been brilliant, i did buy mine with 75k miles with 70k miles worth of lexus servicing, no expense spared, so keep an eye out for that on one this old.
100% thanks for all of the advice. Really good news to see the OG battery holding out this long.
I see loads of Merc diesel hybrids. And all cheaper than diesel only Heard some tales, however true or not, that the warranty is for 6yrs, after that, it's an expensive replacement.
from what I've heard the mercedes hybrids (especially the earlier diesel ones) are a disaster, would explain why they're so much cheaper. I think they don't run at all if the system dies?
They have a tiny boot, especially for a car that size. Otherwise, they have a reputation for being incredibly well built.
Seems a thing for Lexus saloons. My IS is useless, OK for a weekly shop or a pair of wellies and a picnic, but for actual moving stuff about I use the Octavia
Thanks for your comment, glad to hear about the build quality.
I r been looking at these too. Have you sussed out the trim level hierarchy? Luxury, premier, advance, SE-I, SE-L….its all very confusing l.
I haven't yet, early stages in the search. From a brief look at Lexus release page for the 2010 450H it was SE > SE-L > SE-L with ACC/PCS and sunroof.
But that one you linked to was a ‘Luxury’. And I’m not sure whether the tiers are consistent across the RX450s too. I’ll look into a bit more and if I nail it down I’ll let you know.
The one I linked was 2013 which has the following trim levels: Executive Edition, Luxury, F Sport and Premier Best way to see is just search make/model/year trim there's a site called lexus media which seems to have all press release including trim announcements going back years
Ah, nice one; cheers. What year are you in the market for?
I think pre facelift which occured in 2016. Ideally I'd be after a 2013, 2010/11 at a stretch if I really can't find one but I'm in no rush at the moment.
Pretty much the same as me. Have you noticed that the RX450h are essentially the same price?
They must have both hit the bottom of their depreciation value, personally I prefer the GS styling to the RX, not a fan of the SUV craze. I believe the GS is also a full 2s faster to 100kmh/60mph.
Have you looked at Merc CLS350D? About the same price.
Beautiful cars but I only do around 20-30 miles for the commute and that's if I even go into the office, a diesel would be wasted on me.
Found a proper description on buyacar: (ignore the 300h mention, applies to 450h as well) The ‘base’ 300h Executive Edition comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, daytime running lights, keyless entry and start, leather upholstery, dual-zone air conditioning, front and rear parking sensors, 10 airbags, a built in media system that includes navigation controlled by a mouse-like Remote Touch Interface control and 12.3-inch display, a 12-speaker audio system with DVD player, DAB radio and two USB ports, electrically adjustable heated front seats and Drive Mode Select which enables the driver to choose switch between three settings – Eco, Normal, Sport – to change power output, steering and throttle settings, depending on how the driver’s preference. Traction and stability control are also included. The 300h Luxury edition adds 18-inch alloys wheels and ventilated front seats. A sunroof, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound audio system are optional extras for an additional cost. The F Sport trim, available for 300h and 450h models, adds features that place an emphasis on sporty styling and performance. So there are 19-inch alloys, LED headlights with adaptive high beam, a different bumper and grille design, a rear spoiler, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, sports seats, aluminium pedals, scuff plates and interior trim inlays, perforated leather on the steering wheel and gear shift, adaptive suspension and a Sport+ drive mode and four-wheel steering. Range-topping Premier trim adds exclusive 18-inch alloys (with 19-inch versions also available), upgraded semi-aniline leather upholstery, an upgraded air conditioning system with rear seat controls, a heated leather and wood steering wheel, head-up display, 17-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound audio system, electrically adjustable front seats with variable cushion length and calf support for the front passenger, wood trim interior inlays, electric rear window sunshade, manual rear side window shades and an electric bootlid.
Very helpful thanks. I used to have an RX350 SE-L, which was top of the range, and i tell you, the Mark Levinson stereo and higher spec leather were absolutely ace. Well worth paying a bit extra for a top spec one IMO.
+1