Picked up our new 400h - Impressions so far
10-31-07, 08:53 AM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Picked up our new 400h - Impressions so far
We picked up our new 2008 400h last week and so far it's a great car.
It's Black with Black interior and wood trim, Nav and 18 inch wheels. When we were looking for a new car (a few months ago), we test drove a 350 since they didn't have any hybrids on the lot. They had a 400h in the showroom but it had a dead battery
so we didn't actually see it turned on until we picked it up.
We ordered the car and our dealer did a car swap with another dealer. Something got screwed up and they ended up swapping the car with another dealer. Fortunately they found another one with the exact same specs and 2 weeks later our car was in Atlanta.
I only have a few comments so far since it's my wife's car so I don't drive it much.
It's still weird when I turn on the car and it's silent. I keep finding myself turning the ignition and when I don't hear the starter followed by the engine I remember.. Oh yeah..it's a hybrid. It's also silent while stopped or moving slow that without the engine noise I keep thinking I've stalled
I miss the trip timer that our RX300 had.
We didn't care about a hitch, but the only ones they had coming in had it so we took it. We figure it will be useful for carrying bikes and possibly one of those add on extensions for carry luggage on the rear instead of on top.
This has to be one of the uglier hitches I've seen. Even my hitch (for carrying bikes) on my IS300 is more subtle and that's not even a factory option. Most SUVs have the hitch integrated into the bumper.. Lexus hides nothing.
In the picture, notice the blue outline on the Lexus badge. I think this is new for 2008.
The door sill with the blue Lexus is a nice touch.
The RX drives nice and is a nice step up from our RX300. The interior looks much more luxurious and the black interior with maple trim looks very classy.
The power rear door is extremely convenient.
Do we get to use the car pool lane? I've read some states allow hybrids to use them.
I'll post more as I find it.
It's Black with Black interior and wood trim, Nav and 18 inch wheels. When we were looking for a new car (a few months ago), we test drove a 350 since they didn't have any hybrids on the lot. They had a 400h in the showroom but it had a dead battery
so we didn't actually see it turned on until we picked it up.We ordered the car and our dealer did a car swap with another dealer. Something got screwed up and they ended up swapping the car with another dealer. Fortunately they found another one with the exact same specs and 2 weeks later our car was in Atlanta.
I only have a few comments so far since it's my wife's car so I don't drive it much.
It's still weird when I turn on the car and it's silent. I keep finding myself turning the ignition and when I don't hear the starter followed by the engine I remember.. Oh yeah..it's a hybrid. It's also silent while stopped or moving slow that without the engine noise I keep thinking I've stalled
I miss the trip timer that our RX300 had.
We didn't care about a hitch, but the only ones they had coming in had it so we took it. We figure it will be useful for carrying bikes and possibly one of those add on extensions for carry luggage on the rear instead of on top.
This has to be one of the uglier hitches I've seen. Even my hitch (for carrying bikes) on my IS300 is more subtle and that's not even a factory option. Most SUVs have the hitch integrated into the bumper.. Lexus hides nothing.
In the picture, notice the blue outline on the Lexus badge. I think this is new for 2008.
The door sill with the blue Lexus is a nice touch.
The RX drives nice and is a nice step up from our RX300. The interior looks much more luxurious and the black interior with maple trim looks very classy.
The power rear door is extremely convenient.
Do we get to use the car pool lane? I've read some states allow hybrids to use them.
I'll post more as I find it.
Last edited by tomv; 10-31-07 at 08:59 AM.
10-31-07, 09:54 AM
#5
Driver
Thread Starter
Thanks, and No.. the rear badge doesn't glow.
When we picked it up. the salesperson mentioned that the blue badge and blue glow on the door sills are only on hybrids and something about blue in Japan symbolizing elegance. I wasn't paying too much attention, I was checking out our RX.
When we picked it up. the salesperson mentioned that the blue badge and blue glow on the door sills are only on hybrids and something about blue in Japan symbolizing elegance. I wasn't paying too much attention, I was checking out our RX.
10-31-07, 05:17 PM
#7
Congrats on your new RX 400h!!! 
Yes this year the blue glow was added, this is the same as on the LS 600h L and the '08 GS 450h. The side door hybrid tags were added last year, and this year also looks like the chrome door handles and probably some other things. Perhaps it still has the "I agree" button on the NAVI?
Yes in CA you can use the hybrid car in the carpool lane if you have a special 'Hybrid vehicle sticker' -- tens of thousands were offered in this state but they have since all been snapped up. Edit: however the RX is not eligible apparently.
My experience driving the RX 400h, I still find it different to turn the ignition gently and look for the "Ready" light...no ignition sound.
Yes this year the blue glow was added, this is the same as on the LS 600h L and the '08 GS 450h. The side door hybrid tags were added last year, and this year also looks like the chrome door handles and probably some other things. Perhaps it still has the "I agree" button on the NAVI?
Yes in CA you can use the hybrid car in the carpool lane if you have a special 'Hybrid vehicle sticker' -- tens of thousands were offered in this state but they have since all been snapped up. Edit: however the RX is not eligible apparently.
My experience driving the RX 400h, I still find it different to turn the ignition gently and look for the "Ready" light...no ignition sound.
Last edited by encore888; 11-27-07 at 03:42 PM.
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10-31-07, 05:37 PM
#8
Driver
Thread Starter
I created a hybrid disc but I can't get the override option back. maybe it's a new gen.. I've taken pictures of some screens for version information and I'll start a separate thread for it.
10-31-07, 07:59 PM
#9
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No Lexus is eligible for a clean air sticker in California.
Here is a list of the cars that are: http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/carpool/carpool.htm
Hope this is helpful,
nb
11-01-07, 07:02 AM
#11
Driver
Thread Starter
The nice and shiny thing ended on day 2 of owning it.
We are in the middle of a "100 year drought" in Ga. and it hasn't rained in about 3 weeks (Except for 2 days after we got the RX) and there is a total ban on outside watering.. so no car washes and I'm not ready to trust a car wash with it.
BTW: the rain sensing wipers are pretty cool.
We are in the middle of a "100 year drought" in Ga. and it hasn't rained in about 3 weeks (Except for 2 days after we got the RX
) and there is a total ban on outside watering.. so no car washes and I'm not ready to trust a car wash with it.BTW: the rain sensing wipers are pretty cool.
11-04-07, 01:32 AM
#14
Lexus Test Driver
Nice ride---- go ahead and go thru a car wash only if its touchless---it will be fine. I agree black leather int. is Hot as in very nice....lol I love mine. I like the blue glow on the door seals as well.
is that your wife in the Pic smiling as your taking the pict?
is that your wife in the Pic smiling as your taking the pict?
11-04-07, 08:15 AM
#15
Driver
Thread Starter
BTW: what's the best match for tints for the fronts?
Anyone have any pics?