My friend got a new Lexus RX400H, wow what a nice ride. Even though the interior design is kinda soft and kinda for older ladies likes, but nevertheless its beautiful.
The car is extremely quiet, and you really can't feel the shift between electric motor and gasoline engine. Man a $50,000 car for someone who's only 20 must be nice

 

What kind of real world mileage are they getting?

 

Very marginally better than the RX 330. My good friend was the first in line in my area -- he loves the car, but is very disappointed with the mileage it gets vs. the claimed.

 

I'm sure it also depends on how he drives it

I know I wouldnt get the best mileage out of hybrids the way i drive.

 

He's almost 50, haha. He's been trying to squeeze good mileage out of it, I don't think he's even come close to 30 mpg yet.

 

In normal driving, at least what we here call normal, the RX400 won't get more than a couple mpg more than the RX330. That's not the real comparison to be made. The 400h is intended to give V8 performance with much better fuel efficiency. Compared to the V8s from Volvo, Jeep, Caddy, VW-it just beats the hell out of them mpg wise.

 

This makes sense.

When the GS400h comes out they are saying V8 performance with V6 fuel efficency.

 

GS450h

 

Well...I just got shell shocked.

My parents who never do anything on impulse, especially with cars...said 10 years and 3 cars ago they never ever buy new again...and just bought their preowned 02 RX300 less then 2 years ago....LEASED a NEW car. And of course they only buy cars when they need them.

They got a letter from their dealer saying they were low on preowned RXs come look at the show room.

They went to the dealer one evening...and looked a 06 rx330 demo. Then...my dad spotted it. The rx400h. They made a deal and drove it home.

Needless to say I'm shocked as hell. But I'm really happy for them, its awesome to hear your parents sound like giddy little kids.

My mom LOVES this car. She made me promise not to let my father know she told me about the car, cause he wanted me to shit my pants next time I'm home for a visit (whenever that may be.) But she was going on and on over IM about it. And all the new toys and gadgets and how they now have to get bluetooth cell phones etc. Of course she has all this new technology now aside from it being a hybrid because when you buy preowned you dont get the latest and greatest.

They got a discount on the hybrid, cause the dealer in cleveland just got it from chicago so it had 3000 on the odo. And they got 21 for their rx300. The dealer did know they car had been in an accident this past july and recieved a new fender and wheel. so, i think they got a good deal on the trade.

I'm really happy for my folks, and glad they love the car. My mom said so far it gets 22mpg city and her 300 got 19. She thinks it will get a little better, but realizes its supposed to be v8 performance with a v6...which she also loves. i hated her dropping from the v8 in the ls400 to the v6 in the rx300.

to my folks.

oh yeah. its an 06 rx400h black/black with rainsensing wipers, heated seats, and mark levinson system. only option it doesnt have is the rear dvd systems. navi and back up camera and shit are all standard on this model.

 

I always get those letters. I mean, can you really be running low on 2000 TLs for 6 months?

RX400h sounds pretty cool though!

 

Yeah I know those letters are usually a dealer ploy to get people in the showrooms. and my folks know too, but it worked.

But I can honestly see a dealer putting out a call for preowned RX300s also...these cars are HUGE in the preowned world. Same will be the case in a year or two with the rx330.