Husker4theSpurs

I'm looking into buying from So California and flying out to pick it up as a viable option. Anyone had one shipped?

Being a return customer I thought my dealership would at least offer me some kind of discount on the 400h, but they don't seem to want to deal at all. Here is my question ... does Lexus even WANT to sell any 400hs? Do they think people will pay what works out to be $7000-$8000 more for a similarly equipped 400h (over the 350 due to discounting on the 350 and little to none for the most part on the 400h)? I understand some people have gotten some decent discounts on the 400h, but overall you can't work as decent of a deal. I understand it's a supply and demand issue, but Lexus doesn't seem to produce AS many 400hs as they did last year just to keep the demand up ... I don't think it sold QUITE as well as they'd anticipated last year and that's part of the lower supply provided as well. I'm all for paying the $3400-$4000 premium for the 400h and do a little part to help the environment, but it's ridiculous when it works out to be more like $7000-$9000. Any opinions?

But not the passenger seat ... which is what he was talking about.

Check it on the Interstate and see if there's a shimmy ... align it somewhere else imho and save yourself LOTS of money if you decide to do so.

Thanks again all ... We DEFINITELY have winters here. I know this AWD system in the RX line isn't THAT spectacular or really even as true of an AWD system as some other crossovers & SUVs ... its more passive. My RX 330 has done fine in the snow for me, but it's nothing spectacular ... that being said, I don't get stuck or anything. I think the biggest problem is that the tires are more of a low profile tire without as deep of a tread. They wear out in 20,000-25,000 miles too, but that's another gripe :) I have the Onyx Black exterior now and like it a lot ... I looked at the Flint Mica, but in the end I felt the Black looked more sporty. The dealer here used to have an '06 RX 400h demo that was black w/black interior and I realy liked how the black interior looked with the aluminum trim. Right now I have the light gray interior with the dark maple wood and would just rather not have wood trim. I'm not AS old as the demographic for the RX generally (I'm 31), so maybe i was a little paranoid about looking like I'm driving a "grocery getter" :) That's partially why I went with the Onyx Black. Point being, even though the aluminum trim is standard on the 2007 RX 400h you CANNOT find it out there unless it's in a leftover 2006 model. Makes sense though b/c cloth seats are standard in the RX as well and GOOD LUCK finding any of those. Sometimes the way Lexus sends out its cars bothers me ... it's almost like you DON'T HAVE AN OPTION at all as to what options you get. They started sending the 400h out with wood in the late 2006s b/c a lot of people were complaining about it. Personally I think more of the complaint would've been with how the aluminum trim looked with the tan (especially) and light gray interiors. Something just doesn't look right in those interior colors imho. Enough rambling ... I'm probably going to special order. The RX line sure is pricy compared to other cars ... especially when I start thinking about the passive AWD and other options I could get on another car for cheaper. The RX is way below the BMW X-5 and MERCEDES in price though ...

Thanks for all of that input. I agree with you about liking the drive of the 400h that much better. Your point about the 9.5 Pollution index is a great one ... what is it about the car that causes that to be so low? The score seems partially independent of fuel economy. There are ZERO 2007 400h's out there that are Black w/Black interior and the aluminum trim. There are a couple of 2006s, but I want the upgraded Navigation system with the improved graphics and improved voice recognition. I've pretty much been informed by everywhere that I've contacted that ordering is my best bet. If I do so soon, I could possibly have one around February or so.

Definitely agree with you on the Lincoln/Ford reliability ... I kind of like the brand new MDX, but then again I haven't driven it. I REALLY liked the RX400h when I test drove it ... plus after some searching it seems like you can find ways to get Sirius that don't involve any extra add ons besides internally to the back on the radio. Same goes with the iPod potentially.

Still pondering a decision on the 400h ... whether to order or not. What are some things you've noticed about your 400h that you REALLY like ... others that you REALLY dislike. I'm going to list some just going from what I've read and noticed myself. I'm also going to compare it to the RX 350/330 PROS (things that draw me to purchase): -- Sedan fuel economy in crossover SUV style -- Smooth CVT transmission (especially vs my jerky RX 330 tranny) -- Great insulation and quietness (relative to the RX 330) -- Reliability of Lexus in general -- V-8 power to go along with increased fuel economy CONS (things that hold me back from making a deal): -- Having to order to get the aluminum trim in the '07s -- NO "miles till empty" function like on the RX 350/330 -- NO Sirius radio through the factory stereo -- NO iPod auxillary jack (even the older GX 470 has one now, what gives?) -- The fact that a new RX model will most likely arrive in 16-18 months -- Compared to the Lincoln MKX it seems to lack some options (heated rear seats ... much better stereo ... more room at the same size -- for less money, but the Lexus would still easily win on fuel economy). Also the same with the Acura MDX as well (except the MDX is larger). --------------------------------- Now don't get me wrong ... just b/c I have more cons doesn't mean the pros don't outweigh the cons ... it's just that I already know more of the pros b/c I have an RX 330 and haven't listed all of those. I am sort of hesitant b/c the Lexus is later in its model life than some of the competitors, but then again when you get real-world 26-27 mpg in this style, it's hard to compare it to any other cars. Two things that are REALLY minor, but seem to really bother me are: The Satellite Radio option ... even if you want XM right now, it's sort of an add-on through Lexus after the fact. Sirius doesn't seem to be available right now at all. Competitors don't seem to have that problem ... The Aux line in for an iPod or the like ... this CANNOT be that hard! They managed to do it with the older GX 470, yet haven't done it with the RX line for some reason. Again I think it comes down to the fact that the RX line is nearing the end of its life cycle. Then I see some of the newer cars coming out where it's not even a second thought to incorporate Satellite radio and the iPod jack. Part of it is ... EVERYONE ELSE has been playing catch up with Lexus in this line and they have to make it up somewhere (pricing, options, etc). Lexus has been and still is the top dog. Please add as much info as you can possibly think of ... agree/disagree, etc. THANKS!

Now my conundrum ... should I just give in and get the 2007 RX 400h with the wood trim rather than wait 3-4 months for one without? Sure would make life a lot easier, but I'd REALLY rather have the aluminum trim. What do you guys think is a reasonable amount to ask off of MSRP for a return customer?

Expect to be bent over ...

Straub, How much do you think your mpg suffers when it is colder out? Maybe you haven't had your car long enough to know :)

You don't HAVE to buy the RX 400h any certain way !Removed!, but they are sent out to dealers with certain options on them generally. You can find how they're showing up at your dealer by building one on www.lexus.com I imagine you get the tax credit as you apply it to your filing yourself or through your accountant ... call your accountant and they will help you do so. Invoice pricing can be found on www.kbb.com -- build the car the way you want it and it'll show the invoice price. Basically if you want anything different on your RX 400h than is normally sent out, you will need to special order one. I am looking at doing so myself b/c I do not want wood trim and almost all of them are sent out that way for the 2007 model.

My first set on my RX 330 wore greatly on the inside as well.

The whole problem with that here is that there is a dealer in Lincoln and one in Omaha and they are owned by the same corporation. Guess I could expand to Kansas City/Des Moines/Wichita though.

Thanks for your report! So you can't transfer phone numbers? Is it just b/c of your certain phone?

THANKS SO MUCH YOU GUYS! I really am leaning towards ordering it soon, but it'll depend on the deal they give me ... I'm hoping for about $3000 off of MSRP being a returning customer and all. Might be asking for a little much.

Anyone with some advice? I currently own a 2005 RX 330, so I kind of know what I'm getting into for the most part. I don't expect SUPERB fuel economy, but anticipate 26mpg combined driving. Is this fairly reasonable? I do know a lot of it has to do with how you drive. I took an extended test drive of a 2006 model and generally was around 27mpg wherever I went. Has anyone else made the jump from a 330 to a 400h? My impressions were that it was quieter (the RX 350 is as well as far as sound insulation from what I've read), felt more solid (due to a slight weight increase), and smoother (CVT vs the shaky tranny on the 330). I loved the Navigation feature w/Bluetooth in the 2007 I was shown the other day (improved over the 2006 I test drove). Anything else I should expect or be prepared for? Any observations? Has anyone ordered one? I am going to have to order b/c I want the aluminum trim versus the wood trim, and almost all are sent out with wood trim for 2007. I will probably order it with the Levinson sound system ... any impressions? The stock stereo in my 2005 is adequate, but I've also heard the Levinson in the RX isn't THAT much of an improvement ... especially considering how much better the Levinson is in the other Lexus makes. I'm thinking Onyx Black w/Black interior and chroming the stock rims ... my 2005 RX 330 is Onyx Black w/Light Gray interior w/chrome stock rims. Thanks to anyone with input! Also wanted to note ... the MSRP price difference b/t the 400h and 350 I priced out (as similarly equipped as possible) was $3600 ... the 350 having wood trim and the 400h having aluminum trim being the basic difference.

This post isn't trying to sound better than most people or anything (like some in these posts come off as), but I just generally like the looks of the little badge on the side. It brings a little "break up" to the monoclad side of the RX series.

Hello, I have an '05 RX 330 ... had the dealers do the chrome exchange deal on the 18"s for about $1000. Has anyone had their 400h rims chromed or does Lexus offer this exchange program for the Hybrid as well? If anyone has a picture of them chromed, I'd love to see them. I've been thinking of trading up for a 400h. Thanks!

I think you're fine to drive the 400h as long as the wheels aren't going to get bogged down too much, or be inclined to do a ton of spinning or the like ... this can overheat the batteries I believe.

http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/ Artist's rendering ... scan down and check under "Spy Shots - Photos & Videos"

I found the Lexus mats (only the 4 mats for the front and rear seat) cheapest at www.irontoad.com quite a while ago. They fit perfectly and have the Lexus logo, etc.

I have the whine as well ... just started not too long ago. I'm taking it in soon. I have 42,000 miles on my 2005 RX 330.

I would assume it'll get the higher resolution NAV that's in the '07 350s, but any other guesses? I would imagine Satellite Radio as an option too?

I am thinking about purchasing a '06 GX ... could you tell me the pros and the cons? What are some of the changes for the upcoming '07s that have been rumored? Seems like the GX is due for an upgrade soon.