bk2049

Hi all. I'm considering purchasing a used 250h. It's very high mileage b/c of my budget (around 200k miles). Reliability and maintenance costs are very important to me. I know that Lexus is a very reliable brand in general, but I'm curious about your thoughts as to how the hybrid model compares. Have you found the ownership/maintenance/repair costs to be greater than other Lexus models that you've owned? Do these models encounter significant issues above 200,000 miles. When do the batteries typically die? I appreciate any insights? Thanks!

hvysnow

I've owned my 2010 HS for 6 years now and have 100K miles on the vehicle. I've done absolutely nothing outside of normal oil changes/tire rotations. Still have the original 12V battery, brake pads and the hybrid battery should last for a long time. I haven't come across anyone that had to replace the hybrid battery yet. I would highly recommend this vehicle to anyone. Good luck!

Clutchless

Anything with 200,000 miles may need repairs and whether to purchase depends on the overall cost to buy compared to something with lower mileage. I too still have the original 12 volt battery on my 2011, and original brake pads at 80,000 miles. I have only changed the oil and transmission fluid and serviced the brakes ( lube the slide pins)

bk2049

Thanks hvysnow & Clutchless. Can you tell me when there are major problems is it more expensive to fix them on a Lexus than on a typical non-luxury car? I understand that having repairs at a Lexus dealership are more expensive that a run of the mill shop, but are 250h's inherently more difficult to work on and thus more expensive to work on?

Magellan55

Lexus in general may be more expensive to repair, but the HS250h shares a power train with the Camry Hybrid from the same model years so you can get Toyota parts. Other parts like seat motors or suspension may be Lexus specific and cost $$$. I guess if I had say $5K and was choosing between a Lexus with high miles and a Corolla/Civic with lower miles, I'd get the Civic/Corolla just to save on repairs. Like Clutchless said, after 200k miles on a gasoline car, there's just a lot of stuff that can go wrong / wear out / crack / leak / etc. I guess there's just not that many owners with 200k on their cars to give you any insights though.

BTW mine has 125k miles now, no problems other than a failed O2 sensor a few years ago. I replaced the 12v battery last year but it was because I left a cabin light on all week while parked at the airport and the car was completely dead - without that it would probably still be fine. Traction battery showing no signs of weakness. I plan to hand mine down to my kids for high school and college, but I doubt it will see 200k in our family.

Clutchless

How much do they want for this HS and what year is it? If it is a 2010 has the transmission been replaced as there was a recall.

bk2049

They're asking about $6,000, which is at the low limits of the KBB. I will check on the transmission. If not, there is no expiration on the recall, correct?

Clutchless

I have no idea. If it is a 2010, get the VIN and call Lexus to find out if it has been replaced and if not, can it still be done. 800-255-3987
However for $6,000, you need to offer $5,000 and see what happens.

You may be better off finding something else with only 100,000 miles instead of 200,000. I would conduct an advanced search on www.cars.com for vehicles in your price range within a certain distance from your location. Restrict it to certain reliable brands like Toyota, Lexus, Honda, Subaru, Mazda.


Service history is more important than anything else on a used car with many miles.

heidihidin

what will happen if you buy this car and the hybrid battery fails 3 months later?

bk2049

heidihidin- Thanks. That's exactly my number one concern. I'm trying to get to the bottom of how likely that is (as well as how expensive future repairs on this vehicle will likely be compared to other vehicles). It looks like if that happened I'd be out about $2350 (https://greenbeanbattery.com/lexus-h...y-replacement/). I'm open to learn about other replacement options, though.

Magellan55

I wouldn't worry too much about that. It's the same battery tech as the Prius, and the original gen Prius's have low battery failure rates even after 15 years. More likely "normal" problems on a car with 200k - engine failure on the high end, smaller stuff like pumps, electronics and suspension on the lower end. At least most of these had the tranny replaced recently,

Erockz

and nobody answered the question and yes, its something to worry about.

can we find cheaper batteries now? if so, how much?

can we replace the batteries ourselves?

if not, do we have to take them to lexus?

The OP asked questions and nobody answered them.

im wondering whats the answers as these things are a HUGE factor when considering one car over the other

3rdDrawer

I mean, im looking for an HS. If you don't buy it ill take it. In fact i might just find the car myself and buy it out from under you I am not far from Ohio.

As for hybrids, they are very reliable. My '10 Insight has 330K miles and has never broken down. No, not ever. That's why i'm buying another hybrid.

Clutchless

Responses follow questions pasted from post 12

and nobody answered the question and yes, its something to worry about.

can we find cheaper batteries now? if so, how much? YES, they are available from independent hybrid shops but the price varies as most of the time they can just replace a few bad cells for a lot less money than a whole new battery. Lexus dealers will not provide this type of repair.

can we replace the batteries ourselves? NO, unless you are a skilled shade-tree mechanic with electrical experience and the proper equipment, as this is high voltage and very dangerous if you do not know what you are doing. The battery also weights a couple of hundred pounds.

if not, do we have to take them to lexus? NO as said above, there are many independent hybrid shops and there is even a national group. https://www.thehybridshop.com/

And a hybrid shop locator site http://hybridshoplocator.com/find-a-shop/#.XZCuyUZKguU