Lexus SUV

Nicknamed

Hi.
Thinking of buying a Lexus SUV under 10 k price modeled in the last 10 years.
Any recommendations?
It’s the Rx 450?
Any positives negatives?
What do you think of this?
https://www.donedeal.ie/view/21548021
I have heard new cars have lesser road tax?
Thank you

Truckermal

That seems overpriced and they look very dated now.. That's only the RX400..

colm_mcm

Bonnet gap looks a bit funny on drivers side.

Larbre34

It doesn't matter how well it has been cared for generally, if the hybrid battery hasn't already been replaced, walk away now because it is in the window for natural failure.

The battery system costs around €5,000 to replace.

I would literally buy any other car than an aged CVT hybrid.

colm_mcm

Isn’t the battery modular? I’m guessing the €5k figure is from a Lexus dealer.

Nicknamed

what About these :

http://www.carsireland.ie/2250393

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/21544504

Or https://www.donedeal.ie/view/21358130

How do you compare these ?
Which one would have lesser road tax.

I have always driven petrol cars but have been advised hybrid is the way forward. I don’t have any electric charging facility at my parking.

colm_mcm

Note that the cheap road tax ones aren’t 4wd.

Nicknamed

colm_mcm wrote: »

Note that the cheap road tax ones aren’t 4wd.

RH 450 seems to be popular Lexus models that’s why I’m thinking about it.

Any recommendations ? I was hoping to find something within 10 k but it seems battery would be an issue?

colm_mcm

Anything you look at in that segment could have expensive repairs looming, not just hybrids. There are specialists that can refurb hybrid batteries for a fraction of the Lexus price. Price a new turbo and 6 injectors for an x5 from BMW and see what it comes to.

The Satanist

There's no evidence that batteries are failing after a certain time. The Toyota/Lexus hybrids have proven to be some of the most reliable cars ever made.

If the service history in the original link checks out, and the timing belt has been done recently then I'd have no issues buying it, maybe at €7k - €7.5k. I'd have the car checked over by someone qualified too, of course. The timing belt, water pump and tensioner will cost upwards of a grand.

Nicknamed

colm_mcm wrote: »

Anything you look at in that segment could have expensive repairs looming, not just hybrids. There are specialists that can refurb hybrid batteries for a fraction of the Lexus price. Price a new turbo and 6 injectors for an x5 from BMW and see what it comes to.

Explain please 😄

Nicknamed

The Satanist wrote: »

There's no evidence that batteries are failing after a certain time. The Toyota/Lexus hybrids have proven to be some of the most reliable cars ever made.

If the service history in the original link checks out, and the timing belt has been done recently then I'd have no issues buying it, maybe at €7k - €7.5k. I'd have the car checked over by someone qualified too, of course. The timing belt, water pump and tensioner will cost upwards of a grand.

For which car you mean?

colm_mcm

Nicknamed wrote: »

Explain please ��

With cars in this segment (X5, Range Rover Sport etc) you’re in the big league in terms of repair and maintenance. Anything in this class could throw a wobbler that would be expensive to put right. Statistically the Lexus would be the least likely to go wrong. Stressing about the battery in the Lexus would be like stressing about the gearbox in an XC90 or air suspension in a Land Rover.

The Satanist

Nicknamed wrote: »

For which car you mean?

The rx400h in the first post

Nicknamed

The Satanist wrote: »

The rx400h in the first post

Why is that car comparitively cheaper ? What is the main manufacturing difference from later models? Thank you

Atlantic Dawn

Nicknamed wrote: »

Why is that car comparitively cheaper ? What is the main manufacturing difference from later models? Thank you

The 2008 onwards were €1200 to tax as opposed to the €1809 for pre 2008 which were cc based.

The Satanist

Nicknamed wrote: »

Why is that car comparitively cheaper ? What is the main manufacturing difference from later models? Thank you

It's an older model, it's a different car. It's €8k cheaper with lower miles too.

Nicknamed

The Satanist wrote: »

The rx400h in the first post

Why is that car comparitively cheaper ? What is the main manufacturing difference from later models? Thank you

Nicknamed

The Satanist wrote: »

The rx400h in the first post

Why is that car comparitively cheaper ? What is the main manufacturing difference from later models? Thank you

kyote00

I have run a GS450h (2008) for last 2 years. IMHO its much nicer/better than the RX.... GS has a 3.5l petrol but emissions mean tax is (only) 750 per year (after 2008).

130k miles on mine (I did about 22k) - Toyota/Lexus provide battery test/check that will give you an idea of the health of the battery.

Things to watch out for are (on the RX also)

- listen for noise at speed from front and rear wheels as the bearings/hubs have the "regen" units all in one - so cost about €200 per wheel.

- check of exhaust Y section and rear boxes.

- Auto leveling light motors give problems (but you will see a warning on dash)

- rear door handle mechanisms fail so check rear doors open/close from inside.

- front auxilary bonnet safety catch (spring rusts and does not engage when bonnet is opened)

- satnav interface/touch screen takes a while to get used to but they still update the maps every year and the navigation is excellent.

- make sure it has all the toys (easiest way to check is it the seats have heating and cooling)

Nicknamed

Might go ahead with one of these unless anyone can suggest something better/ point any potential problems with these?

http://www.carsireland.ie/2250824

https://www.donedeal.ie/view/21544504

Are the dealers reliable? Both saying battery has been checked.

Thank you

colm_mcm

Any Lexus history on those. If they did the annual hybrid check they’d still be covered on warranty.

Nicknamed

What about the option of importing from UK? Any pros or cons
Lexus rx450 I mean.
Thank you

Truckermal

Do you need a SUV?

Nicknamed

Truckermal wrote: »

Do you need a SUV?

Thinking of getting one

Truckermal

Nicknamed wrote: »

Thinking of getting one

If you didn't something like a IS300H would be nice.

Nicknamed

Truckermal wrote: »

If you didn't something like a IS300H would be nice.

Well rx 450 is what I’m looking for

Nicknamed

colm_mcm wrote: »

With cars in this segment (X5, Range Rover Sport etc) you’re in the big league in terms of repair and maintenance. Anything in this class could throw a wobbler that would be expensive to put right. Statistically the Lexus would be the least likely to go wrong. Stressing about the battery in the Lexus would be like stressing about the gearbox in an XC90 or air suspension in a Land Rover.

Does the gear box and air suspension go off in these cars?

Nicknamed

So have narrowed down to two Lexuses RX 450 H. Both 2010.
One has Lexus service stamps and has lower mileage. Other around 1800 euro lesser price has non Lexus service stamps higher mileage and is uk import.

Any suggestions between the two ? Which one to go for ?
Many thanks.

colm_mcm

Id probably go with the one with the Lexus history and less mileage.

Shefwedfan

colm_mcm wrote: »

Anything you look at in that segment could have expensive repairs looming, not just hybrids. There are specialists that can refurb hybrid batteries for a fraction of the Lexus price. Price a new turbo and 6 injectors for an x5 from BMW and see what it comes to.

First I heard of batteries failing, people have done huge mileage in a Prius with the same battery without swapping so why would it fail in a Lexus ?

colm_mcm

Shefwedfan wrote: »

First I heard of batteries failing, people have done huge mileage in a Prius with the same battery without swapping so why would it fail in a Lexus ?

I think you’re missing my earlier point, which is that a Lexus Hybrid isn’t something to be afraid when your alternatives are far likelier to have expensive problems.

Battery issues do happen with Lexus and Toyota hybrids, but as said they can be fixed outside of Toyota/Lexus.