Lexus CT200h

RichieC101

Any opinions on the above? I must say I'm very tempted despite car reviews negatively regarding the harsh ride and lack of pace. I drive on some pretty rough roads maybe once or twice a fortnight. My mileage is between 20-25 KLM's per year. I have daily commute of roundtrip 50 kms from Midleton on good road right into far side of Cork city. Then I have maybe 150 kms trip to west cork once or twice a fortnight. Then weekends I may have small few trips on okish roads. My driving is a mixed bag really.
Despite the journalists negative reviews, owners reviews seem to be quiet positive. Some would say I'm mad not to get a diesel but a think the hybrid may be the way to go. Apparently the Lexus is comfortable and with bad back that's a plus. The harsh ride is a worry though. Decisions decisions. Budget is about 10 k and I will be going to Uk so may just about manage the CT200h with mileage of about 70 to 80 k

colm_mcm

Get one of the models with smaller wheels if the ride quality is a concern.

I don't take journalists reviews that seriously, they need to write a story and can make things seem more of an issue than they are.

grogi

A journalist will drive the car for a few hours and then write a review... However the hybrid drive-train is so different from anything that was here before that it needs a bit of getting used to. At first it feels weird and uninspiring.

That's why all the negative reviews. They also complain about low electric range (completely ridiculous argument in a car that cannot be plugged in at all).

RichieC101

Yeah it just seems owner reviews are totally at odds to journalists. Besides the harsh ride, it's deemed too slow but again owners would say there is plenty of poke. I like the spec, is supposed to be comfy and the hybrid would be handy when stuck in city traffic. My head is melted from the whole thing. I've been thinking of diesel Civic or petrol Leon or 308 😆 Now I'm veering towards the Lexus. Can be a confusing business especially with my mixed driving

colm_mcm

Journalists hate civics too. Except just after a new one is launched.

Oafley Jones

RichieC101 wrote: »

Yeah it just seems owner reviews are totally at odds to journalists. Besides the harsh ride, it's deemed too slow but again owners would say there is plenty of poke. I like the spec, is supposed to be comfy and the hybrid would be handy when stuck in city traffic. My head is melted from the whole thing. I've been thinking of diesel Civic or petrol Leon or 308 😆 Now I'm veering towards the Lexus. Can be a confusing business especially with my mixed driving

Had one as a loaner for a few days (on separate occasions) and found it really slow. Had it stuck in sport just to get by and even then I found it frustrating. Also thought the S design spec was grim, but really well put together. Having said that they are absolutely bullet proof and the higher spec are nice enough inside. I even kinda the looks.

RichieC101

I'd ignore what they say about the Civic as took it for a drive and I liked it. Very tempted by petrol Leon and Peugeot 308. You get a nice spec and low mileage 308 for same money. The 308 seems a good car and any Peugeot I've driven has been very comfy.

Just back from test driving the Lexus. Great seats and spec but extremely sluggish, very loud when you put boot down in sport. Probably just takes getting used to. I like a lot about the car but not sure if I can live with how slow it seemed. The Civic Dtec and 1.2 Leon were bullets in comparison.

walus

It may seem slow but it isn't. It does 0-100 km/h in just over 10s which is on par with say 308 with similar engine power. It seems sluggish because it develops the power linearly and does not have the punchy rev range like the modern turbo motors have. My wife drives it 120 km a day to and from work and loves it for comfort (best seats I sat in), ease of drive and fuel economy.

Oafley Jones

walus wrote: »

It may seem slow but it isn't. It does 0-100 km/h in just over 10s which is on par with say 308 with similar engine power. It seems sluggish because it develops the power linearly and does not have the punchy rev range like the modern turbo motors have. My wife drives it 120 km a day to and from work and loves it for comfort (best seats I sat in), ease of drive and fuel economy.

I pay little attention to 0-100 times, but in day to day usage such as getting on to roundabouts and overtaking I found it horrible. Last time out my father as the one to drop it back to Macroom Motors. He couldn't get over how laboured it was. He drove a 90hp Megane at the time!

grogi

Oafley Jones wrote: »

I pay little attention to 0-100 times, but in day to day usage such as getting on to roundabouts and overtaking I found it horrible. Last time out my father as the one to drop it back to Macroom Motors. He couldn't get over how laboured it was. He drove a 90hp Megane at the time!

However the hybrid drive-train is so different from anything that was here before that it needs a bit of getting used to. At first it feels weird and uninspiring.

It isn't slow. It is not struggling. It might feel so, but it isn't.

walus

Oafley Jones wrote: »

I pay little attention to 0-100 times, but in day to day usage such as getting on to roundabouts and overtaking I found it horrible. Last time out my father as the one to drop it back to Macroom Motors. He couldn't get over how laboured it was. He drove a 90hp Megane at the time!

That is not the experience that I had with the car. I owned 2.0 Legacy before and could honestly say that the CT would be nippier of the two. Not as fun to drive, but nippier - if you know what I mean.

colm_mcm

The Lexus has linear power where the others will have bursts of power at certain points which you can take advantage of. To make t go fast the engine will rev up and stay up, which is disconcerting when you're not used to it.

RichieC101

Yeah I guess it something I need to get used to. The thing is that when I'm driving around the crap roads of west cork you don't get too many opportunities to overtake when stuck behind something so you have to take the opportunity when it comes. Maybe I need to spend a bit longer in it and take it for a proper test drive. 16" wheels are a must though to make it better ride. Really liked the car but initial concerns over its pace and ride will hopefully go away.
The 308 is next option, followed by Leon and Civic. Lexus couldn't be more different that those 3 but there you go

Truckermal

Have you considered the IS 300H or if you are keen on a Hatchback the Auris Hybrid is worth a look.

RichieC101

I think the IS300 is out of my budget and I just don't like the Auris really

colm_mcm

Truckermal wrote: »

Have you considered the IS 300H or if you are keen on a Hatchback the Auris Hybrid is worth a look.

The Auris has the same drivetrain so the same power.

RichieC101

Both Auris and IS definitely out of price range

Truckermal

RichieC101 wrote: »

Both Auris and IS definitely out of price range

What's the budget? My next car is definitely a IS 300H I have a GS at the minute but the tax is a pure killer!

RichieC101

Budget is about 10-11k including exchange rate/vrt etc .
For that money mileage is high enough for the Lexus, between 80-100 MLS .

Truckermal

RichieC101 wrote: »

Budget is about 10-11k including exchange rate/vrt etc .
For that money mileage is high enough for the Lexus, between 80-100 MLS .

Ya the cheapest IS is 10K sterling with 100K Miles and VRT is another 3K!

RichieC101

Yep, so that's the IS out of the running