cccfran

I've got a bit of a car-buying quandary and could use your sage advice. Happened that there is a new NX 350h available at my dealer while there is a used 2022 450h+ with 10k miles on it. The used 450h+ is 5k more. I am so torn now and need to make a quick decision since both are hard to get.

The new NX 350h pretty much ticks all my boxes, except it lacks the panoramic view monitor. Of course, huge plus for 450h+ is the pure EV mode: almost no gas station for me anymore! But I feel the used 450h+ is overpriced. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Update (6/11): Wow you guys are so responsive. I am so blessed and I very much appreciate your help! Looking forward to being part of the Lexus family. The main reason of picking 450h+ is not gas money but the convenience of charging at home/work and my daily commute is around 20 miles. It seems like 350h and 450h+ do drive different too but it is frustrating because there is availability to test drive either around Chicagoland. I am tempting to get the 450h+ now but yes it is used, one-year depreciation and not CPO... The other option is to get a 350h then wait for a 450h+ (at least one year according to my dealer) and then trade the 350h for 450h+. Still debating and thanks everyone again!

CaliNXHer

I personally haven't looked back since I acquired my 350h. I had waited for the Rav4 prime for 15 months and was able to score the 350h in 10 days, I have the panoramic mirror and quite frankly rarely use it - only if my rear cargo area is blocking the standard mirror when I am reversing - driving with it is distracting (to me, YMMV) due to the parallax view, especially when cars are overtaking.

Droid13

5K buys a lot of gas for the 350h. Unless the 450h+ will make you happy in other ways besides not having to get gas, the 350h is the better choice IMO. If the higher power and more interesting features of the 450h+ are worth 5K to you, then the question becomes why is that car already fallen out of favor with the first owner. The panoramic display is certainly handy for tight squeeze parking and making sure you are positioned properly in a parking spot. Nice to see curb and lane markings on both sides of car at once. While I don't use it that often, I would miss it on occasion. Not sure if the panoramic view is part of the automatic front camera feature, that is handy when going nose in to a solid object or fence.

oregonkat

That is a very good question, and what a great opportunity for you. Since you're asking for opinions, here's mine: get the 450. When shopping for mine I was considering your same choices and went with the 450. I like a lot of added options and features, and the hpev was a no brainer for me. That's assuming your two choices are equally equiped, and since you're getting through the dealer, I'm sure the 450 is totally detailed and looks like new. Also, very possible the extra $5000 could be negotiated even a bit. That first 10,000 miles goes pretty fast, but the hp, hpev, etc, will last the life of the car. Let us know what you decide.

bt10

Hear, Hear!

mangust

I concur with Droid13.

I am an owner of a 450h+ and I really enjoy it. I have no regrets getting it, but paying a premium to "save" on gas was not a primary reason.
I made my decision because I wanted all the bells and whistles, an experience of an electric vehicle, and a boost of performance.
To see if 450h+ actually saves you enough money involves calculating electric cost vs gas. This is dependent on your situation (ever fluctuating energy prices, type of driving, distance.)

IMO, buy a 450h+ if you can justify paying premium for the pure EV experience.
However, when you're on highway or out of electrons it's a lot like a 350h unless you really gun it.

NSXT

If both are available in the same year as 2024, get the 450h+ if there are federal rebates as it comes down to the same price as 350h (In Canada).

In your case, I would get the 350h and 2yrs younger + depreciation.

mangust

Unfortunately 450h does not qualify for rebates in the US.

2023NX350h

Here is my story. I originally wanted a 450h+ but the price difference was an extra $10k CAD between the base 450h+ and the 350H Ultra Luxury. The sales guy also told me that $10k could pay for a lot of gas for the 350h. He also said the base 450h+ didn't come with parking sensors...this I couldn't believe...on such a luxury and expensive vehicle! The last issue was the longer wait time. I ended up getting a 2023 350h. I drove it for 3 months and racked up 10,000km....like the car but wasn't loving it. One of the issues is I felt the car was underpowered when on the highway....when merging or trying to pass someone it seemed to struggle. The other was the EV mode - you had to be going really slow for it to run in EV mode. I saw a used 2022 450h+ Fsport for sale and ended up trading in the 350h for it and paid the difference. Yes it was a lot of extra money but I am definitely happy with my purchase now 🙂

lsft

The results from the poll doesn't really change what you think you should get. But I hope it will give you some advice.

Both great cars to own. The 350h is a brand new car and the 450h+ is used. First thing is why did the previous owner sell the 450h+? Was there issues with the car or it was just a stepping stone for the next car?

Yes $5K can buy a lot of gas and the 350h uses very little as well. I assume you are in Indiana? Gas prices on Regular is 3.65 a gallon. About 1370 gallons which is about 50,000 miles of driving distance. If you are buying the 450h just to save gas. The answer is very clear.

The 450h+ is rated at 304 hp vs 240 hp. 0-60 is 6 secs vs 350h 7.2 secs, but many people have gotten 5.5 secs on the 450h+. Both cars are totally different in performance.

You need to think about your driving needs as well. Do you drive less than 37 miles a day? Can you charge at work (assuming you need to go to the office)? Do you have a garage to allow you to charge overnight?

If you can't charge the answer is 350h no questions asked.

I personally picked the 450h+ because they did not offer a 350h fsport in North America. But after getting the 450h, I do not regret it at all. The EV driving experience vs the HEV driving experience is totally different. The 18.1 kwh battery helps keep the center of gravity much lower than the 350h which makes it handle much better as well.

I don't think I've helped you answer your question, but I hope it helps you draw to a conclusion.

JasDmw

A couple of major differences cemented it for me. No ML sound system and no panoramic roof. Couple that with delivery model years away that made the decision easy for me. If you can do without those items go for it.

SgtLip

I QUIT buying used. God only knows why the dealer has it, what was modified, how it was driven, etc. You may be buying someone else's headache. I ONLY buy new for these reasons. Understand the value question and that not all new cars are cherry's. Some are lemons!!!

Dkaplan

that’s why I only buy new cars!

Sounds

Buy NEW..each and every time. New is New. No surprises.

cccfran

Thanks man! I watched your videos before this post and they are super helpful! And the orange is sharp!

As I mentioned in my edit, I do have charging at home/work and my daily commute is around 20 miles. I wonder how much difference is the drive? I have test drove 350 gas but neither 350h nor 450h+ is available around Chicagoland. Yes I am tempting to get the 450h+ now but it is used, one-year depreciation and not even CPO... There is no way to know why the previous owner sold it.

The other option is to get a 350h then wait for a 450h+ (at least one year according to my dealer) and then trade the 350h for 450h+. Not sure it worths the trouble though.

Thanks again! I appreciate your help and your youtube channel!