what would you buy?
02-28-10, 09:22 PM
#17
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If everything was equal I'd get the hybrid - better MPG & it looks fantastic but from what I've seen on ebay they carry a premium of ~ 3k over the 350. With a budget of under 30k the only 400's in our price range are the 06's.
02-28-10, 09:32 PM
#18
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My thoughts exactly - I forced her to a Kia dealership & got her to sit in the sorento but she thought it felt "cheap."
If everything was equal I'd get the hybrid - better MPG & it looks fantastic but from what I've seen on ebay they carry a premium of ~ 3k over the 350. With a budget of under 30k the only 400's in our price range are the 06's.
If everything was equal I'd get the hybrid - better MPG & it looks fantastic but from what I've seen on ebay they carry a premium of ~ 3k over the 350. With a budget of under 30k the only 400's in our price range are the 06's.
02-28-10, 10:36 PM
#19
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My dad had a Santa Fe Limited and my mom almost got the RX, so I have some thoughts about each. The Santa Fe was nice, but it definitly felt a bit downmarket compared to the Lexus. Not that it was bad in any way, it just didn't have the same feel and materials inside. The mentioned poor resale was also something my dad faced when he sold it. He ended up with a new Veracruz, which is a step up from the Santa Fe, but still doesn't have the same feel inside as the Lexus products. Overall, I feel these Hyundai SUV's focus more on value, rather than on vehicle dynamics.
Back to the RX... I've had several 400h loaners and they were very pleasant to drive. If money were no object, I'd get one of these over the 350. But the chances of your wife gaining any $ savings over the gas version is very slim, especially if she does more highway driving. The 350 is more affordable and a very reliable longterm choice. I would steer her to that and get the great Lexus experience along with great service and resale.
Back to the RX... I've had several 400h loaners and they were very pleasant to drive. If money were no object, I'd get one of these over the 350. But the chances of your wife gaining any $ savings over the gas version is very slim, especially if she does more highway driving. The 350 is more affordable and a very reliable longterm choice. I would steer her to that and get the great Lexus experience along with great service and resale.
02-28-10, 10:46 PM
#20
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It is a difficult decision but if it was for me I would lean towards the RX. I have not driven the new Hyundai SUV so I am have no reference but if they set it up like they did the Genesis and new sonata I am sure it would only make the decision even more difficult
03-01-10, 06:40 AM
#24
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I'm friendly with the sales manager at the Lexus dealership in Silver spring MD where I bought my GX. He talks to most 400 owners he meets and asks about MPG. He says many see a 30% increase in MPG on mostly highways by learning to drive the hybrid correctly. Not sure my wife could pull that off because according to him it takes a lot of practice and attention to driving style.
Fortunately we're not in a hurry so I can really watch the used RX market and wait for a deal to show up. I know a Lexus retains value but the prices I'm seeing for 3 & 4 yr old vehicles with 30 to 50k seem high. Hopefully (for us at least) prices on AWD will fall as the temps rise & the towering snow mountains around the beltway melt away.
Fortunately we're not in a hurry so I can really watch the used RX market and wait for a deal to show up. I know a Lexus retains value but the prices I'm seeing for 3 & 4 yr old vehicles with 30 to 50k seem high. Hopefully (for us at least) prices on AWD will fall as the temps rise & the towering snow mountains around the beltway melt away.
03-01-10, 07:14 AM
#25
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03-01-10, 07:33 AM
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03-01-10, 08:31 AM
#27
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no. i bought a bumper to bumper for $800 more.
Anyway, Sorento is better than Santa Fe IMO. it's much much more quieter. 70mph highway cruise dBA level was below 60 by edmunds. that's LS category. it's slightly bigger and gets better MPG. i like my santa fe, but in terms of drivng dynamics it's a middle of the road.
03-01-10, 09:46 AM
#28
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As I understand it, only if the vehicle stays with the original owner or is re-sold within the immediate family (mother, brother, etc...). With all other resales (unless it becomes a Certifed Used Hyundai, which, of course, has a special warranty of its own) the drivetrain reverts to 5/60.
And another factor....even with the full 10/100 drivetrain warranty, it only covers the Hyundai/Kia sourced parts in the drivetrain. Other drivetrain parts, such as those from contractors, get 5/60.
And another factor....even with the full 10/100 drivetrain warranty, it only covers the Hyundai/Kia sourced parts in the drivetrain. Other drivetrain parts, such as those from contractors, get 5/60.
03-01-10, 10:09 AM
#29
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