RX400h

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!

...from the Mobile 1 website: "Mobil 1 does not cause leaks. In fact, new Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ was tested in dozens of industry standard and OEM tests to prove its seal performance. It is fully compatible with the elastomeric materials from which all automotive seals and gaskets are made. ExxonMobil engineers are wary of conventional oils that tout their use of additional seal-swelling agents. With extended use, these agents can over-soften engine seals, resulting in leaks. More to the point, an oil additive will not rejuvenate worn or damaged seals. The damaged seal may have been caused by a worn rotating metal component in the engine. If an older engine is in good condition and does not have oil leaks, Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ provides the same advantages as when used in a new engine. ExxonMobil recommends taking measures to repair the leaks, then using Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™. ExxonMobil also always recommends following the automobile manufacturer's manual for the proper oil to use." "With the exception of the Mazda rotary engine (Mazda does not recommend any synthetic motor oils), Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ will not void new-car warranties. Mobil 1 with SuperSyn™ exceeds the API and ILSAC motor oil service requirements of all new-car manufacturers, both import and domestic. If in doubt, always check your vehicle owner's manual or contact your vehicle's manufacturer." BTW, simply save your receipts of oil and filter and Lexus will never be able to blame you or the oil for any problems that may occur down the road. I have been changing the oil in my Corvette since its first 3000 miles (and every year-5500 miles, after that) I use nothing but Mobil 1 5W-30.

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.

Nice pics! I feel better knowing that others are saying the added cost will not be too much. The good news is that if for some reason, the out-the-door price is astronomical, I can always get my deposit back and get the Highlander.....still saving my pennies........

Toyota really surprised many people when they announced the Prius cost. Quite a few magazine writers questioned how they could be turning much of a profit. However, I feel that Toyota's marketing direction has been well thought-out and the demand thus far is proof. A Toyota salesperson told me that there is an 8-month waiting list for the Prius. Although pricing for the RX400h has not been announced yet, I expect that it will be no more than $2000 over the sticker price of the 330. Maybe this is why a Lexus salesperson offered me an RX330 for $500 over dealer invoice recently.

Thanks, SW. I drove the Highlander, but only sat in the RX330. I think that even the leather is different - RX's has soft, expensive-feeling leather and the Highlander is better suited for wiping up spilled baby formula. Still, since I'm # 2 on the Highlander Hybrid list and 15 and the RX400h list, I will at least check out the HH when it is introduced. However, we are heavily leaning towards the 400h for the reasons you mentioned.

From what I've read thus far, SW03ES is correct in that most buyers of SUVs are more interested in power and features vs all-out economy. Getting hybrid SUVs into the mainstream is certainly more likely if a. You sacrifice nothing except a slightly higher cost b. You gain something that most Americans want - more power This is why the Highlander hybrid will equipped with only the 6-cylinder engine - more power AND significantly higher city milage when compared to even the 4-cylinder version.

I was wondering if anyone has compared te two vehicles directly. I know that the RXs have many more standard and available features, but what about ride, handling, and quietness? The Highlander Hybrid may be introduced before the RX400h and I test-drove a Highlander today - very smooth ride and extremely quiet with fairly quick-ratio steering. Unfortunately, I have not been able to drive an RX330 yet, hence, the aforementioned questions. Both hybrids will have the same engine and HP output. Thanks!