jevansio Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 With the Nissan Leaf hitting the headlines at the mo, I found myself seeing what car I could possibly replace my 4.0l XJ with that would offer similar comfort/performance, yet offer better MPG. I don't want to get a diesel. By chance I started looking at hybrids, and found the Lexus (which is another + for me as I love the Toyota brand) did 2 quite stonking cars that would fit my bill perfectly. The GS 450h (or RX 450h 4wd). Example: Advert http://www.autoclubhub.com/classifieds/details.php?id=8923 If anyone has any reallife experience of either of these I would like to hear, specifically on the GS 450h, or for that matter any of the current hybrid vehicles (relating to the hybrid system). I signed up to the LOC but it seems rather compared to here Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 My mate, at Lexus, says the GS450h is a good motor... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 6, 2011 Author Share Posted February 6, 2011 My mate, at Lexus, says the GS450h is a good motor... Thats a good start , I don't suppose next time you see him you could quiz him in greater detail then pass on the details over our next coffee? Is it Andre? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted February 6, 2011 Share Posted February 6, 2011 Thats a good start , I don't suppose next time you see him you could quiz him in greater detail then pass on the details over our next coffee? Is it Andre? Andre work on cars? With the speed he works, a service would take 6 weeks. No mate, it's another mate, Simon. I'll be seeing him tomorrow actually, so I'll quiz for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 6, 2011 Author Share Posted February 6, 2011 Cool ta PS remember to ask about the RZ 400h too, with 4wd it could be the answer to all my prayers (although I don't like the looks as much as the GS) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 Did you speak with him bud? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 The RX450h is a hybrid, but it still isn't all that economical in the real world. Bigger hybrids aren't very economical in general yet TBH. If it were me I'd wait a bit and take a look at the Lexus CT200h. If you can live with the size that's going to be a great car. Seriously cheap to run as well. There have already been a few modded concepts too Why don't you want a diesel? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 The RX450h is a hybrid, but it still isn't all that economical in the real world. Bigger hybrids aren't very economical in general yet TBH. If it were me I'd wait a bit and take a look at the Lexus CT200h. If you can live with the size that's going to be a great car. Seriously cheap to run as well. There have already been a few modded concepts too Why don't you want a diesel? It's more economical than a 4.0l XJ8 Yeah I saw the CT200h, but it's too small for me, I work car needs to be a luxury saloon, I don't want no tin can city car Dunno why I don't want a diesel, I'm a petrol guy, we had a diesel Corsa and I hated it, i hated the power delivery of a turbo diesel, i also want this "silent pull away" thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Dunno why I don't want a diesel, I'm a petrol guy, we had a diesel Corsa and I hated it, i hated the power delivery of a turbo diesel, i also want this "silent pull away" thing I've driven loads of hybrids and full electric cars recently. The thing with the silent pull away thing is it gets boring very quickly. You also run the risk of walking away with your car switched on if you're having a bad morning However, by far the worse aspect of many hybrid cars is the CVT gearboxes most companies use. It's SHOCKING and you'll want to crash into a lamp-post within a couple of miles. It whines and is just sooo boring. If I were you I'd go for a Leaf... fantastic value and it's actually an impressive car in its own right. Sub-£25k with the government grant, and great deals on finance options. Oh, and £2 to fill up Our review here: http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/nissan/leaf-2011.aspx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 I've driven loads of hybrids and full electric cars recently. The thing with the silent pull away thing is it gets boring very quickly. You also run the risk of walking away with your car switched on if you're having a bad morning However, by far the worse aspect of many hybrid cars is the CVT gearboxes most companies use. It's SHOCKING and you'll want to crash into a lamp-post within a couple of miles. It whines and is just sooo boring. If I were you I'd go for a Leaf... fantastic value and it's actually an impressive car in its own right. Sub-£25k with the government grant, and great deals on finance options. Oh, and £2 to fill up Our review here: http://www.parkers.co.uk/cars/nissan/leaf-2011.aspx Pulling away silently > Pulling Away (no matter how many times you do it) I think you are failing to understand why I want this car, it's not to go hooning around, it's to get me to work & back quietly & comfortably. If the car is as quiet as i think it will be i will have no idea that it has a CVT gearbox, When I'm in the Jag I have no idea what gearbox is in that as the shifts are smooth, the engine is quiet, & I drive it slowly, the Lexus will be no different. You have to be kidding, a leaf, you ain't reading what i want from this thread are you , 1. No tin can city cars 2. Needs to be big luxury car 3. Where the hell am I supposed to fill up a leaf in my village Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Fair enough - although if you drive a car with a CVT 'box you'll soon see what I mean. It isn't about driving quickly, it's about how it metres the power to the wheels. Sounds like the Lexus will be right for you. Most people want a hybrid because it's more economical rather than for a silent getaway (You fill the Leaf at home though, and it's the size of a Golf. Sure, not big enough for what you're after, but it's bigger than the majority of electric cars) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 yeah, I don't want it for purely economy, i want it as it does everything a Jag XJ does, but better in every dept. You fill the Leaf at home? I thought you needed to go to one of the sparse filling points? How does that work? How does the government tax you extra on the electric? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I spoke to my mate, the main criticism of these is the range of the electic battery - it's not that big in real world and he said they are more "wallowy" to drive than a normal GS. That aside, no issues and are reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 Also, in the winter, as tese hybrids use the engine sparingly, how does the heater work, are they generally colder than their petrol equivalents, or do they use some super heater that gives instant heat until the engine warms getting the cabin hotter quicker than the petrol counterparts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 I spoke to my mate, the main criticism of these is the range of the electic battery - it's not that big in real world and he said they are more "wallowy" to drive than a normal GS. That aside, no issues and are reliable. Thanks mate, could you ask him about the heater question above? I like wallowy, that says to me comfortable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I'll give him a bell later Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 yeah, I don't want it for purely economy, i want it as it does everything a Jag XJ does, but better in every dept. You fill the Leaf at home? I thought you needed to go to one of the sparse filling points? How does that work? How does the government tax you extra on the electric? Yep you can just plug it in over night. Takes around 8 hours for a full charge. Range is around 100 miles but that depends on which electronic features you use. Things like aircon and heaters use a lot of range up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 Yep you can just plug it in over night. Takes around 8 hours for a full charge. Range is around 100 miles but that depends on which electronic features you use. Things like aircon and heaters use a lot of range up. But won't that send your electric bill sky high? I thought Nissan had free fillup points for the 1st 2/3 years? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gaz6002 Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 But won't that send your electric bill sky high? I thought Nissan had free fillup points for the 1st 2/3 years? The fill-up points are much quicker. Most supermarkets will have them soon. We have two at work now. However, if you charge at home at sensible times with the right energy tariff then a full charge will cost around £2 on your electricity bill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy-No-Knee Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Have you thought about getting the Jag converted to LPG? A friend has a hybrid Honda in Japan and has found he needs the batteries replaced - not cheap at all! I had my V8 4.7 Jeep Grand Cherokee converted, best thing I did! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Have you thought about getting the Jag converted to LPG? Can't beat a big Jag for 'wafting' around in IMO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Branners Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I read the other day that the new RX480H can do....wait for it....1 mile at 20mph before the battery runs out. I would suggest when you get up above 2.0l engine the hybrid side is not going to be too useful on a car that weighs up to 2tonnes. You are better off finding the best turbo based petrol or diesel BWM or Audi and make the most of the power without all the weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 Have you thought about getting the Jag converted to LPG? A friend has a hybrid Honda in Japan and has found he needs the batteries replaced - not cheap at all! I had my V8 4.7 Jeep Grand Cherokee converted, best thing I did! I have and there are a couple of probs. My journey to work is under 4 mile. The car needs to start on petrol. I would prolly be nearly there before the LPG kicks in. The jag is very 90s inside with 90s toys and equipment. The lexus is 2007 tech and gizmos. And I think maybe said before. I want to pull away in silence Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 I read the other day that the new RX480H can do....wait for it....1 mile at 20mph before the battery runs out. I would suggest when you get up above 2.0l engine the hybrid side is not going to be too useful on a car that weighs up to 2tonnes. You are better off finding the best turbo based petrol or diesel BWM or Audi and make the most of the power without all the weight. If you can show me a good alternative from bm etc I'd be happy to accept/deny it based on my requirements Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_jza80 Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 I have and there are a couple of probs. My journey to work is under 4 mile. The car needs to start on petrol. I would prolly be nearly there before the LPG kicks in. The jag is very 90s inside with 90s toys and equipment. The lexus is 2007 tech and gizmos. And I think maybe said before. I want to pull away in silence What about the previous shape Jag xj6? Pretty decent MPG as is, should be well suited to LPG (for longer journeys) I honestly think you'll be a little dissapointed with the Lexus, the interior is still quite 'plasticy' compared to the euro competition. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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