jevansio Posted February 9, 2011 Author Share Posted February 9, 2011 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. Even worse than the XJ8 inside, a step backwards IMHO. I think you guys are overplaying the "economy" angle. I do 40 miles a week, any savings money wise are going to be minimal. Maybe after driving a 450h I will think it's not the car for me, but I've been in the "euro" competetion and TBH I ain't that impressed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted February 9, 2011 Share Posted February 9, 2011 Jay, first dibs on your Jag if you are selling it, been thinking about a LPG Jag for Dad...and sometimes myself Well I haven't driven a Hybrid car yet but while I was working in our Zurich Office I visited one of the Partners house & after working at his home, he offered me a lift back to the hotel. Went to his underground car park and there sat a Lexus LS450h (I know you was thinking about the GS450h, which looks pretty hot!). I didn't know it was a hybrid as I never saw the back so you can imagine my surprise when he got in, pressed a button and then decided to select reverse. I was thinking to stop him and say, "Oh, your engine isn't on" (His quite old, 80 odd so I thought maybe he forgot) thank god I didn't. The car slowly reversed out of the spot in utter silence! Was are in a god damn underground car park, I was expecting some V8 action to be bouncing off the walls but instead we pulled away in silence, though in luxury too, them seats were awesome! When we got onto the main road, he gave it a little welly to pull out and that is when I noticed the engine switch on and also the screen on the front was displaying what it was doing. The switch over was extremely quick & all you faintly heard was a spite of the twin box burble. The rest of the journey was pretty much on the petrol engine apart from some small traffic which the battery did its thing. The car was extremely quiet, so smooth (Reminded me when I drove the IS220) & just called luxury, the gadgets were awesome! It was like technical heaven for me! So in essence I loved it and if I had £40k in the bank then I'd buy one, as I don't I am going to buy your Jag! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RobD Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 I drive both cars quite regular as I work for a lexus dealer as a tech! Out of all the lexus range the gs450h is the one I'd have bar the LFA. Not really economical though, ESP if you have a heavy foot! No real horror stories either, they chew tyres and love a dash rattle or 2 but apart from that we haven't done that much with them! I always find it a treat working on one As for the RX450h, I'm not a lover of big cars but the interior is really good, the leather seats you get in them are like arm chairs! Again no horror stories but again loves to drink fuel! As with any of the Toyota/Lexus hybrid models there's hardly a problem them with them, we've changed a few inverters before but they were on high milers! If you buy from a dealer make sure the alloys have no blisters in the paint etc, lexus alloys are renowned for rotting!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 Abz, many thanks for that, you have only managed to make me want one even sooner lol. This is exactly why I want one, the silence, the gadgets, the luxury, no oil burner can EVER compete with this car in my eyes. Rob, again cheers for the first hand experience, it has put my mind at ease somewhat with the technology being new'ish compared to what I usually buy. Well I'm convinced, need to save a bit more dosh, then start grabbing a test drive in a local one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abz Posted February 10, 2011 Share Posted February 10, 2011 Abz, many thanks for that, you have only managed to make me want one even sooner lol. This is exactly why I want one, the silence, the gadgets, the luxury, no oil burner can EVER compete with this car in my eyes. Rob, again cheers for the first hand experience, it has put my mind at ease somewhat with the technology being new'ish compared to what I usually buy. Well I'm convinced, need to save a bit more dosh, then start grabbing a test drive in a local one No worries Jay, I understand your criteria as if I was in a position to drive to work (working in City Of London it's stupid to do so) then I'd be looking at a luxury barge full of technology to arrive at work in comfort & style, already feeling a million dollars to start the day with a smile. I don't blame myself for convincing you, I had 2 of my large American colleagues with me when we had a drop back to the hotel & they loved it too! In fact when we got back emails were flying around about Heinz's car! Oh & remember dibbs on the Jag Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 10, 2011 Author Share Posted February 10, 2011 No worries Jay, I understand your criteria as if I was in a position to drive to work (working in City Of London it's stupid to do so) then I'd be looking at a luxury barge full of technology to arrive at work in comfort & style, already feeling a million dollars to start the day with a smile. I don't blame myself for convincing you, I had 2 of my large American colleagues with me when we had a drop back to the hotel & they loved it too! In fact when we got back emails were flying around about Heinz's car! Oh & remember dibbs on the Jag I sure will bud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GreaseMonkey Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 As per comment posted by RobD, I agree with as well, as I'm also a Lexus Dealer Tech By trade and work on/ drive these on a daily basis. Like said, They are very reliable but make sure it has a full Lexus dealer history and is a good example, as starting to see a few abused examples now and then. The GS450h and RX450h are very well made Cars and are Understated IMO/ worth a look at. I'd possibly lean more towards the RX450h only because its an estate & switchable 4wd. So more practical/ possibly more desireable/ less depreciative, when selling on as more of a practical family car with a wider purchase appeal, rather than Just a luxury saloon. Where as the the GS450h boot is a bit dissapointing/ small for the size of the car and Headroom for rear passengers can be a problem if your passengers are quite tall. Fuel economy on both are'nt bad considering the RX450h has the aerodynamics of a brick and weighs around 2 tons. On a decent/ sensible run 40 mpg is achievable, which is very good IMO for a vehicle of this size and type, average being 30 mpg on short runs. The GS can be quite good as well, but like any car, when driven hard It'll drink fuel. My Parents and 3 of my friends all own RX400h's now and love them to bits considering they used to own Mercedes/ BMW/ Jaguars. IMO, The Hybrid System is there to reduce fuel consumption when in stop start traffic in Urban city driving & the power output of a larger capacity engine i.e the "450" 4.5ltr V8, but with the fuel economy of/ using there 3ltr V6 N/A in the most economical performance range, Rather than bolting on a fuel thirsty turbo or supercharger to give it the power of a 4.5ltr V8. IMO It was never the concept of these two models to be a VW Polo Blue motion beater in terms of fuel economy, which I think some people can get confused with. Just my 2 pence though, lol!. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 12, 2011 Author Share Posted February 12, 2011 Many thanks GM, I never realised the RX was 2wd/4wd selectable. My boss has a friend who owns one, he asked her about them and she said, from a cold start, as soon as you turn on anything that draws power (heating, lights & stereo) the engine comes on. Is this true? That sort of takes the shine off for me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Many thanks GM, I never realised the RX was 2wd/4wd selectable. My boss has a friend who owns one, he asked her about them and she said, from a cold start, as soon as you turn on anything that draws power (heating, lights & stereo) the engine comes on. Is this true? That sort of takes the shine off for me I believe that's how it is mate, the current is for running initially. Once the drain is high, the engine comes on to run and then it regenerates. Will be ok in the summer!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 I believe that's how it is mate, the current is for running initially. Once the drain is high, the engine comes on to run and then it regenerates. Will be ok in the summer!? No stereo though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny g Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 No stereo though? I think the current draw on a stereo is significantly lower than that of a heater Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 I think the current draw on a stereo is significantly lower than that of a heater Yeah, but Jay mentioned all those things and how they bring on the engine and you confirmed that you believe it does? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jevansio Posted February 12, 2011 Author Share Posted February 12, 2011 I think the phrase my boss used was "stereo & lights", so I'm guessing on their own they may be OK, but together might put too much load on. Also they don't have any fangled heating system, so when you put the heaters on the engine needs to warm up in the usual way Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesC Posted February 14, 2011 Share Posted February 14, 2011 I went to a Lexus open day thing up at Slayley Hall and got to drive a few of the Lexi(sp?). I had a drive of the GS450h but ran out of time to drive the RX. If boot space is a concern to you then the RX might be better as the batteries are stored under the floor on that, rather than taking up half the boot like on the GS. When pulling away out of the hotel carpark it was silent, until we got out of the grounds and gave it a few beans. Then the engine kicked in, giving it decent performance and it did actually sound pretty good IMO even though it was CVT (although we didn't do it for long periods, it might sound a bit pap after a while!). Economy wise, these cars are supposed to be better at knocking around town than on a long run as the engine is always on at motorway speeds. The economy of the GS that we drove was appauling according to the OBC but that will be due to everyone jumping in and trying out the power down the country roads. I agree with the above that the dash isn't up to the standard of the German stuff, little things like the clock that looks like its been pulling from a 90s Toyota put me off. The screen which showed where the power was coming (engine/motor/recharging) from was very cool, but distracting! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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