BillT

Following URL has a 400H test drive report from Hawaii:

http://www.autoweb.com/content/shared/arti...icle_id_int/129

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"Article not available at this time"

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I hope it reappears. The following showed up today also. This time I copied it.

From URL: http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories....02397402&EDATE=

TORRANCE, Calif., Nov. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Lexus announced to its dealers on

Friday that the RX 400h luxury hybrid SUV will go on sale April 15, 2005.

Lexus has more than 9,500 confirmed pre-sold orders for the 2006 RX 400h with

more than 46,000 consumers registering online for more information about the

world's first luxury hybrid vehicle through the company's website, Lexus.com.

The RX 400h is the first vehicle to provide a powerful new performance

dimension to the traditional hybrid advantages of high mileage and low

emissions.

"We've received significantly more pre-launch consumer interest for the

400h than any vehicle in our entire 15-year history," said Lexus Group Vice

President and General Manager, Denny Clements. "Although the on sale date is

confirmed, we are attempting to move the start of production up even earlier

in 2005 to build up sufficient inventories to help meet the demand we expect

in mid-April," he added.

In addition, Lexus Financial Services announced it will extend lease

agreements to current Lexus owners who have placed orders for a RX 400h by as

much as 12 months, if necessary, to accommodate those customers who have

voiced concern that their Lexus lease might run-out before their RX 400h

arrives.

SOURCE Lexus

Web Site: http://www.Lexus.com

Following URL has a 400H test drive report from Hawaii:

http://www.autoweb.com/content/shared/arti...icle_id_int/129

The following should help the discussion about relative heights;

All dimensions in inches

RX330

Height 66.1

Width 72.6

Length 186.2

Clearance 7.48 (4WD) 7.09 (FWD)

Prius

Height 58.1

Width 67.9

Length 175.0

Clearance 4.9

GS

Height 55.9

Width 70.9

Length 189.2

Clearance 5.3

In other words, comparing the RX330 to GS and Prius

The RX330 has about the same width and length as the GS but 10 more in heigth.

The RX330 has 8 heigth, 6 width, and 11 length more than the Prius.

The RX330 has 2 more clearance than the GS or Prius.

I'm a little interested in your choice of the word "chose" when niether the 400h nor the Highlander Hybrid have reached dealerships yet.

We decided we like the Highlander and the RX bodies and features. We did not

like the mpg, and would have chosen something else if Toyota had not

annouced it would put a hybrid package in each of them. Toyota had established its

credentials as supplier of quality hybrid package throug its Prius. We chose the 400h

based on the ride we had in the 330RX, just sitting in the 400H at the Ontario auto

show this year, and our confidence in Toyota from experience with owning other

Toyota vehicles.

We chose the 400h because it had enough room, comfort, and more than 30mpg.

The Prius did not have enough room We did not care whether the vehicle has the

SUV classification or not, we just wanted enough room for traveling. We keep our

vehicles for 20 years, so the price did not matter as much as the reliability and

whether or not it had all the features today that we would want 15 years from now.

Waiting a year to replace a 20 year old vehicle did not bother us. We decided to

get either a Honda or Toyota. After checking both, we decided Toyota had the

better technology. From the possible models, we chose the Highlander or RX

because of size. From these two, we chose the 400h for features. Sounds rather

boring way of car shopping, but we would rather do other things than shop for

cars.

Mine NEVER goes offroad, at least not by plan or intention, but I have done a mod which definitely helps during the wintertime NW mountain pass driving.

1.5" wheel spacers all around and 17X8 wheels with michelin cross-terrain tires, 235/65-17. The spacers provide enough additional space between the tire and strut at the rear allow me to use snowchains SAFELY when necessary. During the winter months two sets of snowchains go where the RX goes.

Personally I would NEVER intentionally take an RX (or an HL) offroad.

We use our SUV very much as a Lexus spokesman has said,

"Lexus owners do not take their SUVs where the paint might get scratched."

We just wanted a larger and more comfortable passenger compartment than

what sedans offer.

How can I tell if mine is Japanese or Canadian built?

I do not have the answer for you, but I do think it appears

in the VIN number. One of the parts of the VIN number

identiifies the origin of the vehicle, at least for the ones I have.

Those of us on the waiting lists have made them appear longer than

their actual length. Two of the posters on this subject

have taken 5 spaces on the waiting lists. We can assume others have

also taken spaces on multiple lists. Those at number one position

have had the longest time to take spaces on other lists.

As the first 400Hs arrive, the lists will get shorter very quickly as the

ones at the top of the lists use one space to buy their car and

relinquish their spaces on the other lists.

I would not dispair if I had position 15 on a list.

However, anyone wanting anything other than a fully loaded

model, should expect to wait. Lexus will send the more profittable fully

loaded versions first. As for colors, Lexus knows very well what

colors people want, and will send the right mix. One should not worry

about waiting a long time to get the right color.