RX400h

I can't imagine any dealer getting near sticker on an 05 when the RX400h is due out during the first quarter of 05. This version will have 40 more HP, get 36MPG in the city, and be priced not too far away from the latest 330. The demand (as per the huge waiting lists) is said to be astronomical. This is why it is unlikely that the deals for the gas-only versions will go away any time soon.

I'm #15 on a list for the RX400h and was #2 on the list for the Toyota Highlander hybrid. (Highlander seats 7, so I wanted the option of testing that one as well)Today, when going through my Visa bill, I noticed that the Toyota dealership had refunded my $500 deposit without telling me. I called the sales manager and he explained that there will be a 6-month delay of the introduction of the hybrid SUVs from Toyota. When asked why he refunded my deposit, he explained that there were so many requests for info regarding the Prius and Highlander, in addition to waiting lists that are spiraling out of control, that they had to eliminate all hybrid waiting lists. I then called the Lexus dealership and a saleperson there explained that March is the expected month for the first RX400h delivery. Currently, the waiting list is so long that anyone placing their name on the list will not actually be able to buy an RX400h until sometime in 2006 - the list is incredibly long! Hey, it gives me a bit more time to save my pennies; I just hope that I don't have to wait too long.

Thankfully, none of the dealerships I called is going to charge a markup. When I was looking for a Magnetic Red Corvette in 01, I had to order from out-of-state to avoid paying a markup or retail and 01 was the fifth year of production for the C5! My backup is the Highlander hybrid because I really don't want to spend $50,000 on an RX.

I am number 15 on one dealer's list and on an e-mail notification from another. As a backup. I am also on a hybrid Highlander list (#2). Thus far, I have not heard anything other than January 05 for the first RX400h and maybe March before my reserved RX is in. The dealer suggested that I may be able to get one sooner if someone higher on the list refuses a color that I prefer, but I won't be betting on that happening.

The dealers in California are saying the availability has slipped. I'm hearing February/March. I also saw an article that said they will ship first to the states where they have the most pressure to improve fleet mileage so probably there will be some staggering in how it will show up across the US. Hopefully, that means CA will be first! I'm number 15 on one list and the dealership expects the first demo in January. I'm guessing March before I get mine, but hey, that leaves me more time to save my pennies! :)

27.6 must be a combined number, as Toyota has specified 37-38 as a city milage figure. Highway milage, as with the Prius, will be less. Also, it is more likely that the RX400h will be sold starting in January; the original prediction was the Fall of 04, but I guess we could be surprised!

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I was told that the brochures will be out this Fall. Until then, there is mostly speculation as to the available options.

Actually, I used 36 MPG in my calculations, since that's what I've seen as the projected milage. Ford is using 38 MPG and according the their NYC test results, this figure is entirely possible. You are certainly correct in saying that those who drive mostly (uncrowded) highway miles are less likely to recover the extra $ quickly, but even those who use the highways often (in or near large cities) end up experiencing plenty of stop-and-go driving which more closely resembles city driving than highway driving. Combine this "morning commute" traffic with actual city traffic and the savings from having the engine shut down often will really accumulate quickly. As far as the Ford hybrid goes - I believe most people expect the worst after many years of the Focus problems. Lexus and Toyota? ......I have no doubt that they will be well-received!

I highly recommend this product: http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/mercha...gory_Code=Zaino I've been using it for three years now on my Corvette's seats and they look and smell like they did the day I bought the car. Zaino recommends reapplying every couple of months.

I agree, although there are many owners out there (myself included) who change their own oil and have nothing more than a small notebook with dates and milage numbers written down. A coworker had this problem with his Toyota 4-Runner. The problem stemmed from insufficient driving time (5 miles to work), coupled with oil change intervals that were based upon milage and not time. My Corvette uses synthetic oil (factory-fill) and even though oil change intervals can be stretched to 12,000 miles (mostly highway miles) in some cases, I must change oil every 12 months (5500 miles, in my case). My advice: Talk to the former owner if possible about maintenance in detail, especially if they have no receipts.

Based upon 20,000 miles of driving per year, with 80% of that being city-type driving, I calculate that the annual savings at soaring gasoline prices ($2.30/gallon here in San Diego) will allow me to save $1225 per year. Even if you drive only 15,000 miles per year, that's still $920 savings per year, so if you plan to keep the vehicle for more than 5 years, the savings start piling up. Now factor in the higher resale value........ As you can see, it doesn't take long to pay off that $5,000. The added bonus is that we won't have to stop for gas every week. That in itself is worth a small chunk of change to me!

The dealership told me that I would be notified as soon as the brochures are available. I will post the info at the time (if no one else has).

Yes. The Lexus dealerships around here (San Diego) say January is the month and in all likelyhood, 2-3K over a 330. However, I still see full-page Lexus ads in car magazines that pronounce the Fall of 04 as the introductory date.

Great pics! Thanks for the update.

A local dealership offered me an RX330 for $500 over invoice. They know that the RX400hs are heading our way and therefore need to make some good deals to get buyers in the showroom.

There was actually one dealer that did not require a deposit, but I was a bit leary as to how they were going to decide who to call first. There is no list, just your e-mail request to be placed on one. I need to drive an RX, since I haven't had the chance yet. Good luck with your sporty car. Having both a low and a high-riding vehicle is great!

Whenever I have tire questions, I call the good folks at Tirerack. (www.tirerack.com) They are always more than happy to provide sizes of tires that are acceptable for the particular vehicle to which you are referring. Their website is filled with ratings and other pertinent info.

I hope they get this problem fixed before I get my RX400h! Thanks for the heads-up.

To prevent this from happening again, I highly recommend this product: http://www.zainostore.com/Merchant2/mercha...gory_Code=Zaino I've been using it for almost three years (in my 2001 Corvette) and not only do my seats look great, but they smell like they are brand new. This stuff smells great!

Yes, in 2006 the hybrid Sienna will be released to the US. By the way, both the RX400h and the Highlander hybrids will pump out 270 HP. The Highlander seats 7 and both vehicles are expected to be rated at 35 or 36 MPG in the city. My Corvette is rated at 19 City and 28 highway and I'm getting 17-18 in almost all city driving. Therefore, I may be able to achieve 30 in the RX400h (I would think) in city driving.

Notice the number of days on the lot for the Honda Civic hybrids. The Prius and Sienna are trouncing the Honda competition big time! :chairshot:

Headlines in the San Diego Union Tribune, May 12, 2004: Hybrid-car popularity shifts into overdrive " Gas-guzzling muscle cars are being overtaken by unassuming little hybrids. And the Toyota Prius is leading the charge. For the first four months of the year, sales of the Prius are up 80 percent from last year, and April sales are more than 150 percent higher than a year ago. Waiting lists in San Diego County Toyota dealerships range from 60 to 330 people. many would-be Prius owners are having to wait as long as a year." Current average number of days, nationally, that the following vehicles remain on dealer lots before being sold: Toyota Prius 6 Honda Insight 24 Honda Civic Hybrid 46 Lincoln Navigator 47 Cadillac Escalade 49 Hummer H2 60 Chevrolet Suburban 67 Ford Expedition 70

I do receive CU and in their 2004 annual auto issue, they describe the Highlander this way: "It's similar to the Lexus RX330, though roomier and less costly...... The Highlander is quiet and roomy, with a comfortable ride and easy-to-use controls. Handling is responsive and secure." The RX330: " The RX330 is our top-pick midsized SUV. The refined and responsive 230-hp, 3.3-liter V6 and smooth-shifting five-speed automatic work well. Handling is better than most traditional SUVs and considerably improved over its predecessor. Emergency handling is forgiving and secure, thanks to the standard stability- control system. The ride is very comfortable. The well-detailed interior is as plush and quiet as many luxury cars. The rear seat is roomy enough for three, but cargo capacity is limited." Each vehicle was awarded the highest ratings for reliability, satisfaction, and depreciation.

The consumer wins either way, as prices for the RX330 and regular Highlander will (or have) come down. This being the case, it doesn't make sense the Toyota to charge much more over retail of the standard versions for the hybrids. The question is three-fold: 1)How many miles do you drive? 2)How long will you keep your vehicle? 3)How much is it worth to you to NOT have to fill up every week? Number three is similar to the question of whether to have caller ID at home in that I will gladly pay $6.00 per month to NOT have to listen to telemarketers. I also do not enjoy having to fill er up, especially with gas prices the way they are.