Cost Diff Rx400h Vs. Rx330 - Rx400 Wins

[rocky2]

I know there are those “dittohead” curmudgeons out there including on this forum who are discounting the value proposition of the RX400h.

Assuming the miles I drive here’s how the numbers 2006 RX 400h work compared to the 2005 RX 330.

Difference in actual delivered price from my dealer buying a comp equiped car today. 2006 RX 400h vs. 2005 RX330. = $9,431.00 more for the RX 400h.

Gas savings over 3 years at $2.09 (Currently $2.25) assuming actual mileage is 2 mpg less than expected = $1479

Value of $2000 Clean Air Deduction = $700

Amount of trade in value after three years approximately 50%. Normally on the $9,431 difference that would return $4,715. When Lexus catches up demand discounting will occur. Assuming the same discount ratio will be the same as the RX 330, then allow only $2,357.

The RX 440h today is a 2006, the RX-330 today would be a 2005 and I understand 2006 RX 330 will not be out until sometime in Sept. Best comp to determined benefit of buying a 2006 RX 400h vs. 2005 RX 2005. Look at value today (5/05) of the 2003 RX300 vs. a 2002 RX300 both with same 36,000 miles. 2003 RX300 is worth at trade in value $2,051 more than 2002 RX300 with same 36,000 miles base on trade in value today 5/05.

Total savings:

Gas Savings – 3 years = $1,479

Tax savings - $700

Additional trade in value return based on $9,431purchase difference after 3 years = $2,357

Total difference = $4,536.

If you do allow allow today for value difference between buying a 2006 400h vs a 2005 RX330 with the same miles at the end of 3 years from today, the 2006 400h will return an additional $2,051 in resale value.

Total difference is now = $2,485.

Mercedes and BMW customers pay approximately an additional $5,000 for a V8 vs. a V6. The RX 400h delivers the performance difference of a V8 vs. a V6.

If you allow for this $5,000, the total difference = - $2,515. Yes $2,515 less at end of three years for the RX-400h vs. the RX-330 asuming you want V8 performance also.

[bhavvik]

I know there are those “dittohead” curmudgeons out there including on this forum who are discounting the value proposition of the RX400h.

Assuming the miles I drive here’s how the numbers 2006 RX 400h work compared to the 2005 RX 330.

Difference in actual delivered price from my dealer buying a comp equiped car today. 2006 RX 400h vs. 2005 RX330. = $9,431.00 more for the RX 400h.

Gas savings over 3 years at $2.09 (Currently $2.25) assuming actual mileage is 2 mpg less than expected = $1479

Value of $2000 Clean Air Deduction = $700

Amount of trade in value after three years approximately 50%. Normally on the $9,431 difference that would return $4,715. When Lexus catches up demand discounting will occur. Assuming the same discount ratio will be the same as the RX 330, then allow only $2,357.

The RX 440h today is a 2006, the RX-330 today would be a 2005 and I understand 2006 RX 330 will not be out until sometime in Sept. Best comp to determined benefit of buying a 2006 RX 400h vs. 2005 RX 2005. Look at value today (5/05) of the 2003 RX300 vs. a 2002 RX300 both with same 36,000 miles. 2003 RX300 is worth at trade in value $2,051 more than 2002 RX300 with same 36,000 miles base on trade in value today 5/05.

Total savings:

Gas Savings – 3 years = $1,479

Tax savings - $700

Additional trade in value return based on $9,431purchase difference after 3 years = $2,357

Total difference = $4,536.

If you do allow allow today for value difference between buying a 2006 400h vs a 2005 RX330 with the same miles at the end of 3 years from today, the 2006 400h will return an additional $2,051 in resale value.

Total difference is now = $2,485.

Mercedes and BMW customers pay approximately an additional $5,000 for a V8 vs. a V6. The RX 400h delivers the performance difference of a V8 vs. a V6.

If you allow for this $5,000, the total difference = - $2,515. Yes $2,515 less at end of three years for the RX-400h vs. the RX-330 asuming you want V8 performance also.

←

i dont agree with your numbers.

One thing i know is that the dealers will discount the RX330 - as much as $4,500 off the sticker price. so the actual difference in buying a rx330 rather than a rx400h is is about 13,000 - plus tax on top of that !!

[rocky2]

I know there are those “dittohead” curmudgeons out there including on this forum who are discounting the value proposition of the RX400h.

Assuming the miles I drive here’s how the numbers 2006 RX 400h work compared to the 2005 RX 330.

Difference in actual delivered price from my dealer buying a comp equiped car today. 2006 RX 400h vs. 2005 RX330. = $9,431.00 more for the RX 400h.

Gas savings over 3 years at $2.09 (Currently $2.25) assuming actual mileage is 2 mpg less than expected = $1479

Value of $2000 Clean Air Deduction = $700

Amount of trade in value after three years approximately 50%. Normally on the $9,431 difference that would return $4,715. When Lexus catches up demand discounting will occur. Assuming the same discount ratio will be the same as the RX 330, then allow only $2,357.

The RX 440h today is a 2006, the RX-330 today would be a 2005 and I understand 2006 RX 330 will not be out until sometime in Sept. Best comp to determined benefit of buying a 2006 RX 400h vs. 2005 RX 2005. Look at value today (5/05) of the 2003 RX300 vs. a 2002 RX300 both with same 36,000 miles. 2003 RX300 is worth at trade in value $2,051 more than 2002 RX300 with same 36,000 miles base on trade in value today 5/05.

Total savings:

Gas Savings – 3 years = $1,479

Tax savings - $700

Additional trade in value return based on $9,431purchase difference after 3 years = $2,357

Total difference = $4,536.

If you do allow allow today for value difference between buying a 2006 400h vs a 2005 RX330 with the same miles at the end of 3 years from today, the 2006 400h will return an additional $2,051 in resale value.

Total difference is now = $2,485.

Mercedes and BMW customers pay approximately an additional $5,000 for a V8 vs. a V6. The RX 400h delivers the performance difference of a V8 vs. a V6.

If you allow for this $5,000, the total difference = - $2,515. Yes $2,515 less at end of three years for the RX-400h vs. the RX-330 asuming you want V8 performance also.

←

i dont agree with your numbers.

One thing i know is that the dealers will discount the RX330 - as much as $4,500 off the sticker price. so the actual difference in buying a rx330 rather than a rx400h is is about 13,000 - plus tax on top of that !!

←

Hey curmudgeon, you are wrong.

Comp equipped the actual cost diff of the 2005 RX330 at dealer cost vs the list price of the RX400h including frt is $11,471, not $13,000.

My neighbor is an executive with Toyota and said there are no factory dealer incentives being offered on the RX330. He also said considering how well the RX330 is selling he acknowledged is surprise how aggressive dealers are discounting the RX330.

Nevertheless he said he has not heard of discounting below $1000 to $1500 over cost.

He is equally surprised in view the substantial current cost diff of the actual difference in actual selling price, that current dealer orders are holding firm on the RX400.

He also said that he expects that eventually after the initial built up demand dealer discounts, while likely limited, will begun to be seen on the RX400 in the not too distant future.

I am sure there are many including those on this board including yourself who no doubt were able to buy the RX 330, even in the absence of dealer incentives, at or below cost allowing the cost differential still not allowing the $13,000 differential you suggested.

[RX400h]

Another thing to consider is the ratio of city to highway mileage. Because most of us live in or near heavily-populated areas, our percentage of stop & go driving far exceeds our 70 MPH cruising percentage. Because of this factor, payback for the added cost of an RX400h occurs sooner (in most cases). Certainly, if you live out in the country and can average 55 MPH on sparsely-driven roads, the benefits of a full hybrid vehicle (without cylinder deactivation) may not be significant.

[rocky2]

Another thing to consider is the ratio of city to highway mileage. Because most of us live in or near heavily-populated areas, our percentage of stop & go driving far exceeds our 70 MPH cruising percentage. Because of this factor, payback for the added cost of an RX400h occurs sooner (in most cases). Certainly, if you live out in the country and can average 55 MPH on sparsely-driven roads, the benefits of a full hybrid vehicle (without cylinder deactivation) may not be significant.

←

Absolutely true. My figures were base on 80% city, 20 % highway. Coming out of an ML 320 this was a no brainer.

But again the true comparison is the RX330 which I got to drive last week for several hundred miles. After driving the 330 after coming out of the 2002 ML the 330 has a better ride and sterring. By virtue of heitht and square rear is more flexible in loads it can carry. The ML also had more front passenger and drive legroom. While the 400h is fast, the RX330 never left us lacking for power in any situation.

Were still having fun with our 400h.