2008 Lexus 450H Views

The Istanbul

Thinking of purchasing this model: any views. I drive 20k+ miles pa.

mickdw

The Istanbul wrote: »

Thinking of purchasing this model: any views. I drive 20k+ miles pa.

I thought about buying a gs 450h so got a hold of one off lexus for a weekend.
The power is stunning as is the general refinement of the car.
In the end I decided it was not for me for a number of reasons.
I felt I was operating it more than driving it if that makes any sense. Just a bit too isolated to have any great feel. Also the drivers seat didn't go anywhere near low enough for me. I felt I was sitting on the car rather than in it.
Also, interior styling is alittle bit for the older person I felt.
In relation to mpg, I got about 25 mpg over a weekend and driving it across the country but i will admit I wasnt even attempting to make the best of the hybrid system re economy.

colm_mcm

The boot is shockingly small but the acceleration is fantastic.
Its neither one think nor the other though, it's not sporty but its not a practical car either.

Eric Cartman

if you enjoy a drive I wouldnt bother, if your an A-B , stick on cruise control and relax type of person then yeah go for it.

With all the computers and bits on it , its impossible to make that car scare you, there is 0 road feedback through the steering wheel and the suspension soaks up almost every imperfection or cats eye in the road. It really is a lazy cruiser, the acceleration is quite good and theres a fair bit of power in it though.

One thing to keep in mind is that it is a front wheel drive car, most of them were ordered in 2wd and even the 4x4 model only kicks in the rear wheels in times of reduced traction, so I wouldnt count on it being any use off road or in snow / ice versus a normal car.

colm_mcm

Eric Cartman wrote: »

if you enjoy a drive I wouldnt bother, if your an A-B , stick on cruise control and relax type of person then yeah go for it.

With all the computers and bits on it , its impossible to make that car scare you, there is 0 road feedback through the steering wheel and the suspension soaks up almost every imperfection or cats eye in the road. It really is a lazy cruiser, the acceleration is quite good and theres a fair bit of power in it though.

One thing to keep in mind is that it is a front wheel drive car, most of them were ordered in 2wd and even the 4x4 model only kicks in the rear wheels in times of reduced traction, so I wouldnt count on it being any use off road or in snow / ice versus a normal car.

I think you're thinking of the rx400?

Eric Cartman

colm_mcm wrote: »

I think you're thinking of the rx400?

the 450 is an improvement (apart from navigation now being an option, which nobody in Ireland took) but its still a very soft drive.

colm_mcm

Eric Cartman wrote: »

the 450 is an improvement (apart from navigation now being an option, which nobody in Ireland took) but its still a very soft drive.

I'm thinking the OP means the gs450h? Rx450 didn't come till 09

The Istanbul

yep the 450H -the sporty looking one:)

Oafley Jones

The Istanbul wrote: »

yep the 450H -the sporty looking one:)

RX 450h - SUV
GS 450h - saloon

Eric Cartman

colm_mcm wrote: »

I'm thinking the OP means the gs450h? Rx450 didn't come till 09

Didnt see that, brain fail

rocky

I think the tax is also quite low on them for the power it has; might be 700 euro for an 08, and it goes down almost every year with them improving the emissions ...

Matt Simis

Eric Cartman wrote: »

Didnt see that, brain fail

Yeah I was wondering what you were on about too! For clarification to the OP, the GS450h is mostly found here as a RWD car.

I like the idea of them, but from all accounts the MPG is brutal for the drivetrain in it.

colm_mcm

Matt Simis wrote: »

Yeah I was wondering what you were on about too! For clarification to the OP, the GS450h is mostly found here as a RWD car.

I like the idea of them, but from all accounts the MPG is brutal for the drivetrain in it.

Bit like the prius, i could never get good mpg in them but some people can. The idea of having massive power and having to drive like a granny to get acceptable consumption doesn't appeal much.
That said, power and cheap tax will do it for plenty people

mickdw

To be honest, I wouldn't call the mpg terrible.
I drove it hard when I had it for the few days but mpg would be similar to a 2.0 to 2.5 petrol in similar size car. Certainly mpg was not the reason I didn't buy it to use as an everyday driver.