Spottedlaurel

My son is interested in getting a CT next year and I was having a chat about them with a chap I know who works for a Toyota/Lexus dealer. The only issue he mentioned seeing was head gasket failure at around 180k.

I replaced our petrol Honda earlier this year with a rechargeable Stihl (the engine ran fine on the old one but the chassis rotted away). All-in it cost about £580, not the cheapest option but it seems like a decent bit of kit and doesn't need charging-up too often. Battery is quite sizeable and can be used for other tools in the Stihl range (I'm not sure if it's a universal type).

As I've previously owned big estates such Nissan 300C and Toyota Camry I love the idea of a big Lexus wagon. ES would work nicely, LS would be wonderful! When I got my RX it was the closest I could get to one of those large Japanese estates of old. Also contemplated Subaru Outback and Mazda 6, but various things put me off them (although I do still think the latter is great-looking).

As an SE-L model I think it will have air suspension, and I think that would be my biggest concern (assuming it's still fitted). The power tailgate can fail, that seems to become a particular problem during winter months. Parts generally can be expensive, unless you are happy getting them imported from the USA or elsewhere. I had to replace my rear trailing arms at just over 80k miles, the bushes aren't available separately and the arms alone cost around £700 for the pair, then I had a local garage fit them. £4,750 sounds a decent price if it doesn't need much for the next MoT - would your friend let you take it for an MoT before purchase?

And up to 15 years on the battery with an annual hybrid health check, if they maintain the current arrangement. If it's feasible I would be happy to change to a 450H+ in a few years, it feels like a good compromise. I had a drive in one last year and the fact that it runs in EV mode for more of the time and at higher speeds outweighed my concerns about it not having a V6. I wonder if the 500H was introduced to tempt buyers from other SUVs, who might be wary about the CVT? It seems a little odd for them to move away from the well-proven CVT set-up which is such a feature of the Lexus/Toyota hybrid range. I'm sure it's a great drive, but might it become a newer version of the 4th gen RX200T? One aspect I like about the 450H+ is that in Premium trim level it comes with 19" wheels, whereas the high-spec models have 21". The chunkier tyres are much better-suited to my driving in the countryside, and will hopefully make for a wider choice of replacements.

Mine's still here too, used it at the weekend and then for work on Monday:

I'd be interested to see if they tweak the front end styling, I find the current 'beak' to be a little odd. The LBX seems to have brought in a softer, more rounded look and will that find its way to other models?

To avoid the Canbus theft issue you could also consider the Gen 3 RX, a really good late model example will be well under your budget even from a main dealer. I've just taken mine to France with 5 of us on board and luggage and it acquitted itself very well. Did around 30mpg when in France on unfamiliar roads but using it locally on familiar routes I get more like 36-37mpg.

Perhaps just simple old age seeing the Mk1 and 2 models down to those numbers? How many Mk3 and 4 models will be left in another 5-10 years? Expensive/difficult to find parts will sadly see more of them get scrapped over the next few years. With the knowledge that mine is just one of 40 I shall enjoy taking it a local show this morning just that little bit more.

Thanks Tom. Difficult to know what the future holds and whether I'll have the funds available as I near retirement, but the RX450h+ is certainly on the list for the eventual replacement of my current model.

I'm not sure if there's an easy answer to this question, which hopefully makes sense, but.... Given that the PHEV model has a battery capable of offering much more range than a normal hybrid (which I'm used to making the most of in my 2014 RX), once it has exhausted its range in EV could it theoretically be fully recharged when braking, going downhill etc? Unless able to take advantage of a very, very long hill then this may not be possible, but will the system top itself up to give more range than a conventional hybrid? Just wondering if that's part of the reason that some of you getting 50+ mpg. A more efficient 4-cyl engine and newer hybrid system I imagine are also a significant factor.

Sorry to hear that. Do you know what method was used, and had your RX been fitted with the security plates?

Sorry to hear about the RX - must have done quite a bit of damage to them too? Good luck with the GS, sounds very nice. I was tempted when I got my RX a few years ago but the latter was more practical and was better suited to my purposes.

Well done for persevering with it! I had mine done at the mean dealer a couple of years ago, won't need to think about it again for another 40,000 miles and maybe my annual mileage will be slowing up a bit by then and/or it's something I'll take a judgement on....

This definitely seems like the way to go Paul. My 2014 Luxury is the same age as yours, now done 80k. I plan to keep it for the next five years, maybe longer if it's still going well. Not yet sure whether I'll bother with the Extended Warranty as there are reports it doesn't now include the breakdown cover. It's 100% mine, so even the odd big bill will still be considerably cheaper than the cost to change to a newer model (which will also be depreciating at a more rapid rate). It's tidy enough to look decent if I clean it up, but is relatively understated and I like that. If it gets the odd scratch or WHY from being used on country roads I'm not too worried, so it's the ideal tool for the remaining few years of my full-time working life. It's still as roomy, comfortable and capable as it was when new, and it seems unlikely that whatever I get to eventually replace it will have a V6 so I'll savour my last few years with it.