RJChybrid

Nearing 30,000 miles on an '06 RX400h. Tire pressure set at 32 psi. I use Cruise Control as much as possible (my dealer said this would get the best mileage) even in town @ 35 mph. I never use the "B" for engine braking, the regeneration function of the braking system means I slow down, I charge the batts and the mechanical brakes don't wear out, so why use the "B"? I use alternate tanks of 93 then 89. I drive the speed limit, what ever it is. Here's what I've experienced: The ICE is ocassionally rough on startup, but it's a quirk I can live with. I can pass and merge at will and I LOVE this power and instant torque. I have found that transmission shifts are annoying in my wife's SC430. I have averaged 29.3 over the life of the car (according to the computer). I get better mileage than I expected, better power than I expected and my Lexus dealer is superb. I know that others haven't gotten the mileage that I have and I'm sure the explaination is that it is HARD to not use all that wonderful, buttery smooth, instantaneous torque AND get good mileage. If you save the power for the rare ocassions when it's needed and use the cruise control (let the computer figure all that stuff out) and operate at the speed limit (no "grandpa" driving), use the correct grade of fuel (read your owner's manual), there is no reason not to get similar results. This is an amazing car that comes close to letting you have it all - greeness - economy - power - luxury. What's not to like?

We looked at the Hybrid Mariner and it DOES have the same ability to glide stealth. The options were certainly more spartin than our 400h. The Mariner has less cubic feet going on inside, compared to the 400h. Still, if you want to save a bit on a SUV hybrid, and those tradeoffs aren't deal breakers, the Mariner's not a bad way to go. It's basicly the same synergy drive system as the Toyota/Lexus line. Another sweet deal re: the Mariner is that there's a company in CO that converts certain hybrids over to a pluggable version, allowing up to 30 miles on pure EV (if you can afford the extra 5 figures in cost). The Mariner is the platform of SUV they chose to convert. Oh, and thanks Dave, for pointing out the easy way to update FWD / AWD data on our personal I.D. I have the RX400h and my son has a Ford Escape Hybrid. The power of my car just floored him when he drove it. He also commented that the airconditioner on his Ford didn't keep cooling when it was stopped at a red light ... the Lex does. Apparently, the Escape's AC compressor is still driven off the engine ... no engine running - no compressor running. We live in Texas and that is not a good plan here. Just a "quirk" in the design differences between Ford and Lexus (Toyota).

We looked at the Hybrid Mariner and it DOES have the same ability to glide stealth. The options were certainly more spartin than our 400h. The Mariner has less cubic feet going on inside, compared to the 400h. Still, if you want to save a bit on a SUV hybrid, and those tradeoffs aren't deal breakers, the Mariner's not a bad way to go. It's basicly the same synergy drive system as the Toyota/Lexus line. Another sweet deal re: the Mariner is that there's a company in CO that converts certain hybrids over to a pluggable version, allowing up to 30 miles on pure EV (if you can afford the extra 5 figures in cost). The Mariner is the platform of SUV they chose to convert. Oh, and thanks Dave, for pointing out the easy way to update FWD / AWD data on our personal I.D. I have the RX400h and my son has a Ford Escape Hybrid. The power of my car just floored him when he drove it. He also commented that the airconditioner on his Ford didn't keep cooling when it was stopped at a red light ... the Lex does. Apparently, the Escape's AC compressor is still driven off the engine ... no engine running - no compressor running. We live in Texas and that is not a good plan here. Just a "quirk" in the design differences between Ford and Lexus (Toyota).

Welcome Jason, & congrats on your first child. Our 1st and only just finished college and got married. Our 2nd car is the Prius too. Regarding mpg, comparing the 350 vs 400h is about the same as with any two similarly weighted / class vehicles ... in the neighborhood of 16%-20% ... meaning if one is a hybrid & one is not, than that's the ballpark outcome. So combining highway/city driving, that works out to maybe 4 or 5mpg's better on the hybrid SUV's. So if you're strictly penciling out the dollars from gas savings, it'll take a while to make up the difference, at least until gas hits $5 or $6 a gallon. That may not be far off though. Our neighbor in CA has the same auto arrangements as us. A Prius, and the Highlander hybrid SUV. If you are concerned with the extra $$ you'd pay for the Lexus, well the Hy Hi is virtually the same car. My wife though, needing to impress her customers factored the cost difference from that angle. If not for that, we'd have the HyHi in our garage. Both are great cars. Good luck with your decision. Thanks for your help. The HyHi's were about $5-8K off last month as Toyota prepped for the 08s to come out but we still were in a lease so couldnt jump on that deal. Never been a big fan of the Hy styling and seemed too big for our needs. Also, when it comes to leasing, sometimes a $40k car can have the same payments as a $30K car. The RX lease looks pretty good, mostly with my connection there. I just have to see how much more it will be to lease the hybrid..probabably $50-100/month more. Many of the options come standard in the RX Hi that I might not need, so I am not just paying for the SULEV and fuel savings, but standard options. Hhhmmm....i will crunch the numbers. Of course, the 09's will be coming out next year with a completely new design, although no special deals. thanks! Buy or Lease a 1 or 2 year old Certified PreOwned Lexus ... you'll save $10K easily and get a better warranty (3 yr 100,000). When you rotate out in 3 years it'll be worth the same as the guy who bought it new 5 years ago. Repeat this process and as the years go by (as they do - unfortunately), you will EASILY make the hybrid pay off. Best of luck with the new baby. Warm Regards