LexRexBlue

When my old RX got a tiny dent at the dealership they sent it to a nearby shop. I never researched to find out if they had an interest in it because the owners have their own body shop. Anyway, they did provide (Lexus dealership) their own loaner (free) during the time the car was out.

I have been asked by the writer of the "When Your Mileage Doesn't Match the Window Sticker" to gather your true feelings about your mileage and the car. He had submitted more info than was printed in the NY Times. He is sending a hybrid newsletter and wants to include info from the real owners of the RX 400h. I plan to work on my submission to him tonight, so please get your 2 cents in earlier this evening. If you reread his article I think you'll agree that even though the Times slanted it, it was the most objective of the 3.

Thanks. I respect you for doing your homework from across the country! I'll send a note, too. However, it should be Lexus that does something!!! I've loved driving my car. I don't fill it up as often, I'm getting 58% better gas mileage than on my RX 300 which is being driven by my sons.

Let us know the results. I didn't really see where to write back to them on their site. Do you have the link?

Thanks for your info. I think I'll call the dealer tomrorow. They said that they have them in stock. If not I'll order one. I wonder how long it takes to install. I suppose they'll let me know.

The sad part is, if they had used a "broken in" 400h and been given a few clues about driving it they may have obtained a whole lot better mileage. I was told NOT to use the cruise control until it is broken in. I have learned to let the car coast a whole lot. It will coast "forever" unless there is a hill. It actually accelerates on an incline so that I have to use the brakes. It doesn't mean to drive like a grandma, on the highway I've averaged 75-80 mph. I have had better mileage on suburban driving and country roads than highway or city, but then my car isn't fully broken in yet. Using the air conditioner does kill the mileage as do short trips, but even in non optimal conditions the worst I've obtained is 21.5 mpg. As soon as the weather or roads (that was stuck on a highway for an hour in 100 degrees with the air conditioner on) the mileage climbs up to a respectable number. One of the authors had contacted me and had better numbers and was aware of the changeable conditions and improved mileage. He sent me what he was submitting to the Times. However, he didn't know what his editor would cut. His editor cut out a lot. So, it seems that the Times had in mind to blemish the 400h. My husband read the article and was appalled. Good question for Toyota-Lexus, how do you plan to refute these articles?

I was told that by Lexus service that it does need to be drilled in. I have one on my RX 300, but I don't know if it is the same either. I'm going to give in and have one installed eventually. One more shopping trip with the purchases all over the trunk isn't attractive, makes noise, etc. I have a carton box temporarily because purchases don't always "fit" into those bins.

I haven't noticed it yet on my RX400h key, but I did notice it on my RX300 key. It got downright hot but there never was a problem. That car is 6.5 years old and runs well.

After I phoned and they entered my RX400h (which I never saw), I can no longer log into the owners site. I did receive another email from them asking me to go through that reply process again. I think I'll just call again tomorrow. This is definitely too technical technology for those Lexus site writers!

I have to admit that I'm too lazy to put in bungee cords, don't like rubber and plastic mats, just want something that is easy to use and looks nice. Right now I have the extra carpeted mat in the back. I do in my RX 300, too. If you line up grocery bags (they love to put a paper bag inside a plastic bag here in NJ) in front of the net, they stay, even going up and down hills. When you put things behind the net, they stay, too. I'll probably just spring for the net. I don't want to chance drilling holes in the car. Besides, I understand that any extras you put in yourself voids the warranty on the 400h! On July 4th someone walked by and managed to scratch my door handle. Wax and scratch remover wouldn't remove the deep scratch in the plastic. I ended up getting the touch up stick at the dealer who touched up the paint for me. I do want this car to remain looking nice.

Thanks. However, I don't know if the newer model is the same. I have a '99 but somehow it looks different inside from the 400h.

My car came with the license plate holder mounted. I didn't have to, but they later installed the license plates when they arrived. I have the advantage of living 7 minutes from the dealer.

Initially, I wanted the net, but when I heard about the bins I thought I'd give them a try. After 2 weeks of trying to procure boxes to put things in and having bags roll I think I need the net! The back compartment seems larger than the RX 300. I believe the cost of the net is $100. However, it needs to be installed because apparently what it attaches to isn't on the car! I jokingly told my son that I'd take the net out of the old RX 300 which I gave him.

Good luck! Hopefully, that gas station had a camera that might have recorded what happened. I never want that to happen to me--little chance. In NJ they pump the gas for you. I didn't have that experience, but I dealt with those tiny hotel garages in Philadelphia. You have to leave the valet key and they keep moving it. I was always worried. The afternoon we were supposed to leave my husband noticed a nail in my tire! Needless to say, we weren't going to drive 2 hours with that nail. I had him call the 800 Lexus number, which was on my OLD keyring, and they had it fixed by the time I was done attending NECC. The next day my Lexus dealer repaired the now spare. (Since the wheels and tires are the same they figured I should keep the repaired tire as a spare. Also, the car was so new it didn't even have license plates yet.)

I swore by the cargo net in my 300. It's not that I put anything in it, but it kept grocery bags standing up going up and down hills to my house from the supermarket. It basically kept items in the trunk from rolling all over. I was shocked to learn that the 400h didn't have a net. The 2 bins are supposed to replace the need. Of course if you have the net installed, the net is in the way of opening/closing (I think) of the bins. However, I'm finding that with the carpet they stick up. Now, if you want to put in a case of water, you can't because the bins have the little doors up! Of course you could organize and put your water in first and let it move all over in the back and then fill the bins. Anyone else have this dilemma? Are you having the net installed?I

My Neptune Blue came with Goodyears. I would have preferred Michelins, but after waiting 14 months I wasn't going to refuse the Goodyears. They drive nicely.

I had the same problem. I emailed them only to get a return email saying they were having trouble with their site and to try after June 24, asking me if I still had the problem to send a reply. I did and never got a reply! I tried again after the 24th and still couldn't register so I called the 800 phone number. They said they were having trouble and that they would do it. I gave all the info. Now I know they entered the car, but if I go to My Garage the car doesn't show up--just my old one.

I believe the wait differs by area. I have been on the list for over a year, given my color choices and am still waiting. I am not that far down the list, but many people requested the same color and they aren't being made in quantities.I called every Lexus dealer in the state--nobody is expecting that car before the end of June. The cars may be in CA, but they haven't reached NJ in mass quantities yet. Part of the problem is the way Lexus is building them. They built tons of Savannahs and almost every dealer has one to spare. On the other hand they built very few blues and the waiting list is very long here.

My '99 RX doesn't hit my garage, but I noticed that the 330 loaner does, so I know the 400h will. One day I forgot the garage door was open and went to back out my RX with the hatch open. The garage door was locked into my rear windshield wiper! There was a hairline scratch on the hatch. I had to use the emergency red handle on the garage door to free it. That was an experience.

I had the same concern because my garage is low. Unfortunately the service manager told me that it can't be adjusted. I'd have to hold the door to stop it. Ugh!

For months we've been listening to Lexus tell us that the reason for the delay of the RX 400h was to produce enough cars to avoid the backlog that occurred with the Prius. I accepted this, thinking that this would mean my car would arrive sooner. Yet when the 15th of April arrived the car was indeed delayed again. The dealers who were expecting cars didn't receive them. I was told that they arrived in CA and were being trucked or on freight trains to the east. So, why were they late again. Now, at the dealership I've learned that they have some cars designated to arrive on boats, and others to be MADE in Japan. In other words, they haven't built all the cars yet!!! Reading reviews of the car, I did get the feeling that there were issues and I believe that they have taken care of some of these issues, but what was the reason for the delay? I wish Lexus was more truthful with us.

I drove a 400h this afternoon. It was about 86 degrees out. When I turned the key the Ready light came on right away. Before I moved the car, the engine did come on, I think it was because it tried to cool the car which was outside in the sun. Acceleration was wonderful; especially between 30 and 65. I even took it up to 75 mph. The brakes required a little more pressure than my '99 RX. The steering was a little tighter than the 330, but looser than the '99RX300. The engine was smooth. With the windows open you could hear the engine when accelerating, but it wasn't extreme or the whine they talked about. Overall, I was very impressed with the car.

I visited on Sat. but they denied that they had a 400h. They said it would be on display on Monday. Warnock Lexus in Livingston.

Thanks for the info. I didn't think they'd let us test drive it because if someone preordered a car I'm assuming they wouldn't want one that had been test driven. I intend to go to the dealership tomorrow morning. Since I wanted the dark blue I don't have a complaint about the colors. I know mine is coming but I don't know if I was able to get my first preference in colors. I provided 3 possibilities.

My dealer didn't think they'd have the car until the 20th, but surprise, it's there. I plan to see it tomorrow. You can buy the car at some dealers who didn't take preorders. ie. Prestige Lexus in Ramsey, NJ. Just check their website. There must be some in CA, too.