Has any pricing information come out yet? I know we're still 9-12 months away, but it's nice to plan ahead.

 

Yes it is nice They said that the price will be between BMW-118d and Audi A3 TDI 2.0 (in Europe)

 

Sounds good to me - I'm buying the CT to replace my Audi A3 2.0t ! (gasoline of course)

 

Ok starting price in Europe has leaked via facebook ...

28500 €

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=141740075843405

 

^ ouch! That comes out to be around $36k US with current exchange rates :\

 

Probably won't be a straight conversion though. I'm still holding out hope for a $35k fully loaded price

 

$35k would be nice fully loaded, but i have a feeling it'll get marked up closer to 40k

 

im thinking it will probably start in the 32K range....and top out at 40. But if Lexus hasnt learned their lesson with the HS...

 

yes, a big BUT... 40k for a loaded ct... gosh....

 

Probably right, but Americans don't tend to respond well to hatches so just wait until they fail to meet sales targets for a few months then go in for a deal

 

The Prius tops out around $35k. The CT200h loaded looks to have a lot nicer stuff...plus the longer warranty, more ***-kissing, etc....no way, this thing will be on the same price range as a Prius.

 

To me, one of the bigger issues with the HS is its design and heritage; it is too closely derived from the Avensis, and actually manages to look less put-together than its Toyota sibling from some angles. People spending this much money on a dedicated hybrid model expect it to look rather distinctive, and the HS looks nothing if not mundane to my eyes. The CT looks to do better in this department (although some of the interior choices, like those seat-heater controls -- I guess cooling is out of the question -- give me pause about the overall interior level of quality and luxury).

That said, the 2011 MKZ hybrid is coming out priced at $35k with a better-than-usual standard configuration (leather, sync, etc), so hopefully that will motivate Lexus in the pricing department.

 

The IS 250 bases at 31k I believe and this is by far THE entry level Lexus so expect a base price under 30k, maybe even 28k like a base TSX/Euro Accord. Remember this will come with leatherette base and it is using a proven engine/tranny/battery already developed so cost should be minimal to create this car. I don't think its debuting any firsts, just first in this segment.

This is going to appeal to people for a variety of reasons
-Prius MPG without Prius looks
-Traditonal Hatch
-Price but with Lexus touches and service etc
-the new luxury trend to go "small" and not be so assuming

If the CT keeps the 50 MPG rating of the Prius, that will be something incredible for Lexus to advertise and I think people will pay for it if they get 50 MPG.

On the other hand since gas is stable, SUV and trucks are in vogue again and their sales have increased. However that can change quickly again.

 

I have mixed feelings about whether the car should come below 30K or above. Coming in below is kind of a step backward to me, as a true luxury marque should be able to create desirable cars and charge more for them. This just lowers Lexus' position as a tier 1 luxury brand. However, I do want this car to become a success so I hope that it will be a hit for Lexus and a cheap price is part of that equation.

As for come coming with leatherette, technically the RX doesnt come standard with leather, but fabric. That said, all RXs come with the premium package which adds leather. So I guess we have to wait and see what configurations the CT comes in, but just because it doesnt come standard with leather doesnt quite mean it will be cheap.

 

well, but then that's exactly the problem of the car in the first place, isn't it? lexus make another even lower entry level luxury car (ct). no matter what they are in a weird position.