New owner

jdlexus · December 25, 2022

Thinking of purchasing a rx400h any help will be gratefully appreciated

Many thanks

b4u2 · December 25, 2022

Hi John, the catalytic converter are target's.

katabrontes · December 25, 2022

I would buy a good 350 if you can find one, it's a much better car. OK the tax is a bit more and fuel consumption not quite as good (actually the difference in fuel cost over a year isn't that much). You will pay a lot less than for a high mileage 400 and servicing, at a local non Lexus dealer will be much cheaper. None of the high risk failures like inverter, air suspension, back up Battery etc that have been described with the 400 series. I have mine since 2020 and never regretted the choice. A 450 would have cost about £8K more when I bought it.

Bluemarlin · December 25, 2022

At £630 tax is a lot more.

That said the 350 may well be a better car, I don't know, as I have no experience of them. I wouldn't be overly concerned about inverter or traction Battery failure though, as you don't hear of many failing, and air suspension can be avoided by buying one without.

450 is more expensive, seemingly starting at around £10k, but gives you substantially lower tax at £170, decent mpg, and likely little to worry about regarding the traction Battery and inverter.

Spacewagon52 · December 25, 2022

None of the RX 400h models had air suspension. I am not sure how many sold compared to the 450h but the 400h seems to be more reliable than the 450h ..... going off the posts in this forum.

Bluemarlin · December 26, 2022

16 hours ago, Spacewagon52 said:

None of the RX 400h models had air suspension. I am not sure how many sold compared to the 450h but the 400h seems to be more reliable than the 450h ..... going off the posts in this forum.

Both seem to be pretty reliable but, with either, apart from checking overall condition, service/maintenance records, and that electrically and mechanically everythings works, there's a couple of other things I'd check for. First being any signs of corrosion (beyond surface rust) on the underside, as well as the sills and wheels arches. I'd also check for any signs of water ingress by removing all the covers in the cargo area, as well as checking for damp carpets in the passenger compartment. Common causes of leaks are blocked sunroof drains, roof rail joints, and seams in the cargo area.

John Walker · December 29, 2022

It s more difficult to find an older car well maintained so be careful. These cars can last forever but can also cost a fortune if they go wrong. My friend in Spain has an RX400h and it s been amazing, it has over 500.000km. Get one with full Lexus service history but most importantly one that has been loved. Don t buy a car that has been neglected and don t buy the cheapest you can find. What s your budget btw? A 350 with lpg fitted (i someone that was very happy with it) could be an option but I wouldn’t bother, the hybrid is great.

Spacewagon52 · December 30, 2022

12 hours ago, John Walker said:

It s more difficult to find an older car well maintained so be careful. These cars can last forever but can also cost a fortune if they go wrong.

Don t buy a car that has been neglected and don t buy the cheapest you can find.

Could not agree more!

royoftherovers · December 30, 2022

On 12/25/2022 at 10:12 PM, Spacewagon52 said:

None of the RX 400h models had air suspension. I am not sure how many sold compared to the 450h but the 400h seems to be more reliable than the 450h ..... going off the posts in this forum.

More troublesome on early GS Range , rather than RX Range, Davey.

Spacewagon52 · December 30, 2022

1 hour ago, royoftherovers said:

More troublesome on early GS Range , rather than RX Range, Davey.

Hence your wise advice about keeping clear of brand new models for at least a year!

royoftherovers · December 30, 2022

1 hour ago, Spacewagon52 said:

Hence your wise advice about keeping clear of brand new models for at least a year!

Established Member
- 504
Name: Tony
Lexus Model: GS 450h & IS 300 Sportcross
Year of Lexus: 2009
Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted July 23, 2014

I guess I knew it couldn't last for ever but am disappointed by the failure of my hybrid pump, sounds exactly the same a Hayne's GS450 did. 2 things have irrated me:

1 No warning, I thought not quite normal some time before the "Check hybrid" message came up (anybody know how you check a hybrid system in lane 2 of the M25?) The car was still running so I called Lexus MK only to be told "don't drive the car" so got it recovered. It seems the problem is made worse by driving it but I suspect the damage was already done by the time a warning came up, seems crazy it doesn't tell you to stop.

2 The car has had 19 Lexus full ( not essential ) services, is still under a service plan, out of warranty only because they would no longer cover it at 7 years of age but Lexus refuse to help with the cost of repair, still trying to make their profit rather than help a loyal customer of 10 years.

So it seems this lovely car is headed for scrap as they want more than their trade in offer just before this problem occurred.

Any thoughts ? oh and it passed the hybrid healthcheck very recently

Will not own another expensive car, just lease now so always under a warranty.

John Walker · December 30, 2022

14 minutes ago, royoftherovers said:

Established Member

504

Name: Tony

Lexus Model: GS 450h & IS 300 Sportcross

Year of Lexus: 2009

Location: Cambridgeshire

Posted July 23, 2014

I guess I knew it couldn't last for ever but am disappointed by the failure of my hybrid pump, sounds exactly the same a Hayne's GS450 did. 2 things have irrated me:

1 No warning, I thought not quite normal some time before the "Check hybrid" message came up (anybody know how you check a hybrid system in lane 2 of the M25?) The car was still running so I called Lexus MK only to be told "don't drive the car" so got it recovered. It seems the problem is made worse by driving it but I suspect the damage was already done by the time a warning came up, seems crazy it doesn't tell you to stop.

2 The car has had 19 Lexus full ( not essential ) services, is still under a service plan, out of warranty only because they would no longer cover it at 7 years of age but Lexus refuse to help with the cost of repair, still trying to make their profit rather than help a loyal customer of 10 years.

So it seems this lovely car is headed for scrap as they want more than their trade in offer just before this problem occurred.

Any thoughts ? oh and it passed the hybrid healthcheck very recently

Will not own another expensive car, just lease now so always under a warranty.

You should have warranty up to 15 years unlimited mileage for the hybrid system as long as you get a PASS on your anual hybrid health certificate. How much they quoted you? You should check with some hybrid specialists as it can be much cheaper.

Leasing a car is great if you have a company and you will have the car as an expense on your annual tax return or…you have passive income and you don t care much. Otherwise think about how much of your hard worked money you will throw on the window each year on interest (especially now) + the depreciation of a new car. Basically you won t even own the car unless you pay a big amount of ££ at the end of the lease contract. Not to mention the mileage restrictions.

If you want to change your car just get a 3-5 years old one with low mileage and you will save a fortune. Lexus offers 10 years warranty for the whole car or 100.000 miles.

royoftherovers · December 30, 2022

5 minutes ago, John Walker said:

You should have warranty up to 15 years unlimited mileage for the hybrid system as long as you get a PASS on your anual hybrid health certificate. How much they quoted you? You should check with some hybrid specialists as it can be much cheaper.

Leasing a car is great if you have a company and you will have the car as an expense on your annual tax return or…you have passive income and you don t care much. Otherwise think about how much of your hard worked money you will throw on the window each year on interest (especially now) + the depreciation of a new car. Basically you won t even own the car unless you pay a big amount of ££ at the end of the lease contract. Not to mention the mileage restrictions.

If you want to change your car just get a 3-5 years old one with low mileage and you will save a fortune. Lexus offers 10 years warranty for the whole car or 100.000 miles.

Sorry John, I posted that in error ,so please ignore. I have forgotten how to post a lnk with a previous posting! Senility rules !

Incidentally,your first para re the Hybrid system needs reviewing as the Hybrid Battery System is warranted for 15 years, but only the first 10,000 miles following each annual review. This gives a total of 150,000 but only in tranches of 10,000 miles.

Lexus cars can now be warrantied to ten years plus and 150,000 miles.This is extremely important as the Annual Hybrid Battery check does NOT cover all aspects of the Hybrid System as the terminology implies. It only covers the Hybrid Battery whereas the 10 year plus/150,000 mile warranty will pick up the cost of failures within the Hybrid Battery System NOT covered by the Annual Hybrid Battery Warranty. One lives and learns.

Barry14UK · December 30, 2022

The component parts of Lexus cars with air suspension are expensive to replace if not covered by warranty. As regards at least the RX, some members faced with the high cost have removed the air suspension and replaced with conventional struts, be it after market or from a scrapped model, thereby avoiding any further potential problem that might occur with the air suspension as well as replacing the immediately failed component. On some makes of car this would be a substantial downgrade but from all accounts this change makes less difference with the RX so is worth considering.

Sundance · December 30, 2022

On 12/25/2022 at 12:10 PM, jdlexus said:

Thinking of purchasing a rx400h any help will be gratefully appreciated

Many thanks

Hi John, only just picked up your thread but still hope to contribute. Hope this helps.

I've just purchased an RX400h (07) and when looking I found my best guide was to check MOT history using the 'Vehicle Smart' App. When looking I found so many 'yellow' passes that had advisories relating to corrosion. Needless to say these were all dismissed outright.

I also became wary, through research, of those with a sun roof (leaks can apparently be an issue) and also those around the 110-120k mileage mark because it is recommended (so I'm told) that drive belts and spark plugs should be changed every 60,000.

So I think I was lucky to find one well within my budget (£7k) with no sun roof, 11 'green' MOTs out of the last 14 years (last 5 consecutive), recent belt and plugs changed around 65k and it's still only done 83k.

Interestingly I bought it privately and it does not have a full Lexus service but has clearly been very well looked after so I would not necessarily place too much importance on Dealer service history but, obviously, if it comes with it then all to the good.

My final two criteria were to not spend a ridiculous amount on Road Tax and to not have a model with air suspension. I managed to tick those boxes too. So all in all I'm a very happy bunny.

PS ... If you want to buy mine then tough, 'cos I ain't selling!

PPS ... Good luck with your search, I'm sure there's one out there with your name on it.

Happy New Year.

jdlexus · January 2, 2023

Thanks for the update.

I've seen a dealer in the Croydon area that seems to have a good selection in my price bracket max £7000 .they have various well maintained service history and a reasonable warranty.

There is also a private seller near me with a 06 model that looks ok but I don't think the belts have been replaced.

I will be checking the everything you have suggested

Thanks for the information I will post on the forum as the search continues

Sundance · January 2, 2023

2 hours ago, jdlexus said:

I've seen a dealer in the Croydon area that seems to have a good selection in my price bracket max £7000 .they have various well maintained service history and a reasonable warranty.

I'm guessing that would be The Elite Motor Company John. They purport to be "The UKs largest independent Lexus specialist" and have reasonable reviews so I shall be interested to see how you get on there.

The only other Croydon area outfit are called "Budget Motor Sales", a name that to me doesn't immediately inspire confidence in their products.

Between them they seem to have 10x400h's all under £7k so a bit of homework required on your behalf I think.

Good hunting. 🤞