Hello All
I'm a new member to the site and looking for help and advice?
I'm thinking of buying a CT200h (when the lockdown is over!). I'm currently an owner of a 10 year old Mazda 6 2.2. Loved the car apart from the massive bills that I've collected over the last two years (around 5k!). Basically, I don't do the miles anymore and looking for a smaller car that I can use to commute to work and back (around 30 miles all in) with occasional long distance visits on motorway.
I've been interested in buying a hybrid for a little while but not really attracted to the look of the Prius. Then I found out about the Lexus CT200h...!
I'm not exactly a speed demon, even though I do like the turbo on the 2.2 that I drive, but I'd soon get used to the drop in performance I reckon. I want to save money on fuel and think hybrid is the way forwards on this.
I've read and watched all the professional reviews of the car and I'm mystified by their reviews. They all seem to praise up the Lexus due to it's reliability and luxury but then hammer it on performance. Reading through other reviews and some posts on this forum I can see that there is obviously a preferred way of driving this car using it's auto gear box. People who have actually bought the car and use it every day seem to say the complete opposite of the professional journalists!
I've got around 10k to spend on a used CT. Is this enough do you think? I just want a car that if I look after it, it will look after me. I've heard so much about the excellent reliability of Lexus and the customer service - is this really true? With all my cars (including my current Mazda) they seem to always be in the garage having some repair or problem. I guess I've been unlucky with picking my cars!
I've seen some 2012/13 plates with around 50-60k on the clock for around 9-10 grand. Is there any advice anyone could offer me, what things to look for etc before buying. I guess a full Lexus service history is the main thing. Do the batteries last or do they need to be replaced at some point?
At the end of the day I want the car to last me around 5 years. My only concern, if you can call it that, is that I'm spending around 10 grand on a car which could be around 7/8 years old with potentially 50k + on the clock.
Any help or advice would be really appreciated before I take the leap! 🙂