HELP! To keep or not to keep....
04-23-12, 09:35 AM
#1
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HELP! To keep or not to keep....
Here's the deal. I have a 2006 400h with 131,000 miles. Yep, I drive ALOT for work. It did have an extended warranty unitl 125k, but obviously now that's gone. Because of rollover on a previous car, I sit right at about break even point with what I owe.
The car needs tires ($1500) and a rear brake job ($300) with a front brake job to shortly follow....
Here's my concern. I sink $2000 into this car and continue driving it, which I am happy doing. BUT I drive about 25000 miles a year, and I am nervous about that hybrid battery. I have been told if that goes out it is an $8000+ fix. EEEKKKK!!!!!!
Or do I bite the bullet and trade it in. In which case, I am looking at an RX350 with less than 5000 miles on it, but used...
Thoughts anyone? Just not sure about the hybrid technology....
The car needs tires ($1500) and a rear brake job ($300) with a front brake job to shortly follow....
Here's my concern. I sink $2000 into this car and continue driving it, which I am happy doing. BUT I drive about 25000 miles a year, and I am nervous about that hybrid battery. I have been told if that goes out it is an $8000+ fix. EEEKKKK!!!!!!
Or do I bite the bullet and trade it in. In which case, I am looking at an RX350 with less than 5000 miles on it, but used...
Thoughts anyone? Just not sure about the hybrid technology....
04-23-12, 10:11 AM
#2
Here's the deal. I have a 2006 400h with 131,000 miles. Yep, I drive ALOT for work. It did have an extended warranty unitl 125k, but obviously now that's gone. Because of rollover on a previous car, I sit right at about break even point with what I owe.
The car needs tires ($1500) and a rear brake job ($300) with a front brake job to shortly follow....
Here's my concern. I sink $2000 into this car and continue driving it, which I am happy doing. BUT I drive about 25000 miles a year, and I am nervous about that hybrid battery. I have been told if that goes out it is an $8000+ fix. EEEKKKK!!!!!!
Or do I bite the bullet and trade it in. In which case, I am looking at an RX350 with less than 5000 miles on it, but used...
Thoughts anyone? Just not sure about the hybrid technology....
The car needs tires ($1500) and a rear brake job ($300) with a front brake job to shortly follow....
Here's my concern. I sink $2000 into this car and continue driving it, which I am happy doing. BUT I drive about 25000 miles a year, and I am nervous about that hybrid battery. I have been told if that goes out it is an $8000+ fix. EEEKKKK!!!!!!
Or do I bite the bullet and trade it in. In which case, I am looking at an RX350 with less than 5000 miles on it, but used...
Thoughts anyone? Just not sure about the hybrid technology....
Not sure where you got your numbers from. A pretty good set of tires from tirerack is around $650 - $700 for rx400h (have them shipped to dealer)+ $65 dealer installation. Rear brake job should be less than $300 if you trust your own mechanic. Battery is around $3000, and I thought you may not have replace all at once...
04-23-12, 10:21 AM
#3
Tires can be had for a fraction of that price. Costco has Bridgestone tires on sale at the moment that will fit your RX.
As for the brakes, with the regeneration system I am not sure about the cost to work on those.
Did you have the water pump and timing belt replaced on your RX400h? If so, I would say do the repairs and keep what you have. At least you will not have a car payment. You can bank that money just in case.
If you have not replaced the water pump nor timing belt, I might look to change out to an RX350.
As for the brakes, with the regeneration system I am not sure about the cost to work on those.
Did you have the water pump and timing belt replaced on your RX400h? If so, I would say do the repairs and keep what you have. At least you will not have a car payment. You can bank that money just in case.
If you have not replaced the water pump nor timing belt, I might look to change out to an RX350.
04-24-12, 04:40 AM
#4
Battery is nowhere near $8000. There are reports of the hybrid battery in Prius taxi cabs lasting 300 000 to
500 000 miles. This doesn't mean yours will, but it's something to think about.
Tires and brakes are normal wear items on any vehicle. You will find that the brakes last much longer on the hybrid due to the regenerative braking.
Timing belt and water pump are something that you may have to consider doing as well.
I would also suggest you check your inverter and your transmission very carefully for leaks. Search under my name here or under my name 'lemon' at www.lexusownersclub.com for my experience with one leaky inverter and TWO leaking transmissions (both tranny leaks were at the same spot - all RX400h owner's should be checking that location on their vehicles.
500 000 miles. This doesn't mean yours will, but it's something to think about.
Tires and brakes are normal wear items on any vehicle. You will find that the brakes last much longer on the hybrid due to the regenerative braking.
Timing belt and water pump are something that you may have to consider doing as well.
I would also suggest you check your inverter and your transmission very carefully for leaks. Search under my name here or under my name 'lemon' at www.lexusownersclub.com for my experience with one leaky inverter and TWO leaking transmissions (both tranny leaks were at the same spot - all RX400h owner's should be checking that location on their vehicles.
04-24-12, 04:43 AM
#5
The regenerative braking is all done via the electric motors, which are in the transaxle and the rear differential. It has nothing to do with the regular brakes, which are the same as the brakes on a regular RX. Working on the brakes on the 400h is no different than the brakes on the regular RX or any other vehicle for that matter.
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