Tough choices.....

[Chris Hayes]

We're just changing our car and can't decide between a 2020 ES Takumi or an NX Takumi....first world problems, but anyone have any insight here? My wife wants the NX due to riding position, I want the ES as I think it's far more comfortable, economic and better value for money. 

Any thoughts please? 

[ColinBarber]

I think you have summed it up correctly. Your decision is essentially saloon vs SUV more than anything else and that is a personal choice.

The ES might look better value for money because it has depreciated more but that is likely to continue which you might want to factor into your decision.

[Chris Hayes]

You've hit the nail on the head. The ES is attractive because I can get an A6/5 Series-beater with a specification that doesn't exist on those vehicles precisely because its lost half its value in 3 years.  The cheapest Takumi I can find is £23,000 and £27,000 from a Lexus dealer, but if it continues to depreciate like that I won't be impressed. 

My gut feeling is that the NX will hold its value a little better....I just wish I hadn't sat in the rear seats and pressed the recline button on the ES! 

[Ken R]

Both great cars but personally I would opt for the NX Takumi. I have enjoyed owning both a NX300h and a 450h+. I think it's an ideally proportioned car for manoeuvrability considering today's crowded roads and now owning a RX450h+ I appreciate this all the more! 

[Chris Hayes]

Thanks Ken, I think I'm going to go for the NX. It's arguably a more versatile car and the (potential for continued) depreciation on the ES is a concern - though that's what attracted me to it in the first place....I could believe the comparative value for money. Amazing. Why don't we see them more often?

[Notamech]

On 6/22/2024 at 9:07 PM, Chris Hayes said:

Thanks Ken, I think I'm going to go for the NX. It's arguably a more versatile car and the (potential for continued) depreciation on the ES is a concern - though that's what attracted me to it in the first place....I could believe the comparative value for money. Amazing. Why don't we see them more often?

Its because most of the world is moving to SUVs and crossovers. While they are relatively more expensive to run they are more practical for daily family life. They also end up being more comfortable. The demand for sedans is very limited in todays market with mostly people looking for a sportier edge going with them and even those people mainly buy a german brand. Which is why even lexus have only 1 sedan offering and they even changed their entry level car from the CT to the LBX and previously the UX all crossovers.

I have an IS300H and as my kid grows and i turn older i keep finding it harder to get her into the car seat because of how low the car is. I suspect i will need to start looking at buying an NX soon too. Im just a bit worried about all the lexus thefts that have been going on lately. Hopefully there will be a solution soon.

[Chris Hayes]

We bought the NX in the end and whilst I'm generally happy with it, it lacks the turn of speed that the newer engined IS300H's have - and, as I found out this weekend, the new RAV4.  

 

I'm in Norway on business and hired a RAV4 for a long weekend and I wonder whether I might have overlooked something here?  Of course, it is nowhere near as luxurious, but has more headroom, legroom, passenger room and luggage space - apparently on the same chassis? I haven't checked the fuel consumption yet, but am pleasantly surprised with my hire car.  As it comes in considerably cheaper I'd certainly consider it when it comes to a change.....

[Notamech]

1 hour ago, Chris Hayes said:

We bought the NX in the end and whilst I'm generally happy with it, it lacks the turn of speed that the newer engined IS300H's have - and, as I found out this weekend, the new RAV4.  

 

I'm in Norway on business and hired a RAV4 for a long weekend and I wonder whether I might have overlooked something here?  Of course, it is nowhere near as luxurious, but has more headroom, legroom, passenger room and luggage space - apparently on the same chassis? I haven't checked the fuel consumption yet, but am pleasantly surprised with my hire car.  As it comes in considerably cheaper I'd certainly consider it when it comes to a change.....

Thats a good shout. Will look into RAV4. Also not clear what you mean by newer engined is300h? As far as I am aware the engine on the IS300H has remained the same since launch until it was discontinued. One of the reasons i have held on to the IS is i love the way it drives. My heart wants to upgrade to a GS450H but the head says i need to succumb and get an SUV / crossover.

[Scotlex]

1 hour ago, Chris Hayes said:

We bought the NX in the end and whilst I'm generally happy with it, it lacks the turn of speed that the newer engined IS300H's have - and, as I found out this weekend, the new RAV4.  

 

I'm in Norway on business and hired a RAV4 for a long weekend and I wonder whether I might have overlooked something here?  Of course, it is nowhere near as luxurious, but has more headroom, legroom, passenger room and luggage space - apparently on the same chassis? I haven't checked the fuel consumption yet, but am pleasantly surprised with my hire car.  As it comes in considerably cheaper I'd certainly consider it when it comes to a change.....

The RAV4 is a great car and I did think about it too.

I wanted something smaller (for parking mainly) in fact I would quite like something smaller than the NX 😀.

As you say, the NX is a bit more luxurious too 😀

[Chris Hayes]

30 minutes ago, Notamech said:

Thats a good shout. Will look into RAV4. Also not clear what you mean by newer engined is300h? As far as I am aware the engine on the IS300H has remained the same since launch until it was discontinued. One of the reasons i have held on to the IS is i love the way it drives. My heart wants to upgrade to a GS450H but the head says i need to succumb and get an SUV / crossover.

You're right, I think the engine is the same but the hybrid pack is more efficient making it a bit pokier and improving the fuel consumption.  Regardless of what you buy, the beauty of these cars is the reliability so even an old GS will still have plenty of miles in it. 

[Chris Hayes]

18 minutes ago, Scotlex said:

The RAV4 is a great car and I did think about it too.

I wanted something smaller (for parking mainly) in fact I would quite like something smaller than the NX 😀.

As you say, the NX is a bit more luxurious too 😀

 

[Chris Hayes]

I had an UX F Sport the other day whilst CarPlay was being installed on my NX and it was a far more engaging drive than the NX, though smaller or course, and the "spec" was nowhere near our Takumi.  And then there's the Yaris crossover ....