szylk

I am looking at two lexus gs as mentioned in the title. The 350 rwd has roughly 110k miles (175k km) and the 450h has about 125k miles (200k km). They are both in pretty decent shape for the year both cosmetic and mechanical wise. However as much as I enjoy the instant torque and better MPG on the hybrid, I am worrying about the reliability of the hybrid battery as it has never been repaired or replaced. The h is also ~1000 dollars more expensive.
Should I be worrying too much about the hybrid reliability? Which car would you choose simply based on mileage, year, reliability and cost (gas and resell value).

Thanks in advance!

rw3

iTrader: (1)

I have an 07 GS350 RWD and it has been a fantastic car. It is built like a tank and takes everything I can throw at it. I've owned it since 53,000 miles and it currently has 133,000 miles on it. I've had a few friends and coworkers with the GS450h and they have gotten rid of it in favor of the GS350. The hybrid system at that high of mileage is just asking for more money over time.

szylk

Thanks for the reply, I am also in favor of the 350 but it doesn't have a back up camera which the 450h has. I've been used to driving smaller cars so no camera isn't that big of the deal.

tghw

I wouldn't let the lack of a camera stop you from buying that car. I have an 09 GS350 w/camera and it's a nice feature but more of a novelty to me than a truly useful feature. It's the first car I've owned with a camera so I'm used to backing up the "normal" way.

szylk

That's a good point in fact I occasionally drive my friend's '15 accord w/ camera and I rarely rely on the camera.

gr8fulRed

considering you're buying an already well used car (both over 100k mi) and you're probably going to be keeping it for the next several years....I would recommend getting the GS 350. It's likely you'll encounter some maintenance/repairs on something either way (alternator, water pump, plugs, etc.) but at least you won't have to add a hybrid battery pack to the list of things that you'll have to "worry about". Pretty likely the hybrid battery pack will need to be replaced before you're ready for a different car. Now, if you were considering both of these models new or slightly used....I may have a different answer, but you're not. Have to be realistic on the likelihood of future failures and which model will cost you more to keep on the road.

speedkar9

+1 on the GS350.
I live in Ontario too.
Mine has 152K miles (245,000 km) and runs great.
Only thing I had to change was the original alternator/battery, and am coming due for front struts soon. Normal wear and tear at the mileage.

To be honest unless your coming from a very powerful car already, the GS350's power is sufficient, I wouldn't get the GS450h for its instant electric motor torque alone...

ibidu1

iTrader: (1)

08 gs350 here with over 170k, the gs350 are built like a tank because they're over built. The transmission is from a tundra, the engine design tried and trued, and used in many other models.

The Gs350 downfall is water pump at 90-100k they go out. Its best to replace this before you over heat the engine and destroy it. The part aisin (oem off brand owned by toyota) brand is less then $100 bucks and easy to replace, took me less then 3 hours to replace.

Sunguresat

gs450h! silk smooth, very quiet, super efficient. <3

energie8

I had a 300 awd, long story short...it later came down to 350 or 450h, I went with the hybrid. It's pretty fast, and I live in Toronto too, I was kinda iffy with RWD in the winter but I drove it with no problems (winter tires on).

petershen

GS450h! I bought mine with 100K+ miles, coming from an M3 and years of BMWs, this car's real-world performance is amazing. Big, silent, comfortable and powerful. The 3GS 450h is a really special car, the planetary CVT is built like a tank and should easily last another 100K. The 4GS is too refined and doesn't have the brute force driving feel that I really like

professorm

I got a Lexus RX400h for my wife, and I am addicted to the instant torque of the hybrid. The RX hybrid goes to super high miles on original battery 200k+, and batteries now a days are about $1200 or so. I just picked up a GS 300, but I am still keeping an eye out for a GS 450h. I would love to find one, but the prices are almost double the GS 300 price.

petershen

I got a loaner RX400h when my M3 was in the shop, and that was really what opened by eyes to hybrid power... If you like the RX400h... you'll love the 3rd-generation GS450h