cognus

hi folks
i've been shopping '10-'15 RX 350's for a long time. Know them pretty well, driven too many, know strengths and weaknesses.
I know none of that for the 450h. All I think I know is that they ride better and quieter, and are more complicated, and that somewhere over 100K miles there's a big expense coming.

The vehicle I'm considering is being sold by a Lexus dealer, 1 owner, no warranty of course. What do I need to check out, and at what point do I get a really big bill if I wish to continue on beyond some mileage or wear line?

thank you for your experience
C

takeshi74

You can find the maintenance schedule online and I don't see anything that seems like it really differs from the 350 at 100K.

What you may be thinking of is that the hybrid warranty ends at 96 months/100K but a 2010 is already going to be outside that coverage.

Droid13

The maintenance and related costs are very similar, and there are no expected hybrid specific "big expense at 100K" items (I'm already at 125,000mi). The unique hybrid powertrain components are considered life-time components, just like the unique powertrain components in a 350 are considered life-time components. The hybrid does have more unique components compared with the unique components of the 350, so therefore is assumed by some to be mathematically more likely to break down based on that alone and regardless of individual component reliability. That's up to you to decide. Someone that has had to replace a hybrid component (battery or inverter), or someone that has had to replace non hybrid components (automatic transmission) will likely have a stronger opinion one way or the other. It is true that the hybrid components in general would be more expensive to replace IF they were to fail. The oldest RX450h is now coming up on 10 yrs old. In that time I've seen no evidence that reliability is all that different to the RX350, and whether the average 450h powertrain will last less, the same, or longer than the 350 powertrain.

Good luck with your choice...

riredale

I've had a 2010 RX450h for a bit over two years; just love the thing. Bulletproof powertrain, no up-shifting or down-shifting (glassy smooth power delivery), and remarkable mileage to boot.

As for battery life, try to find threads regarding high-mileage 450h's or the earlier-generation 400h. I recall they say that these things run practically forever.

Just follow the Lexus service manual faithfully.

Oh, and no timing belt replacement expenses on 2010+ engines.

NillaIce

I bought an '10 with 62K miles in '16. No issues and I now have 90K miles. If the deal is good take it. I have the AWD model. One thing with '10 is that it doesn't have a sport mode choice. It has Eco and normal. It is ~600lbs heavier than the gas only, so you will feel that difference.

MellonC00

i have heard of batteries not charging up fully with some of the old Prius models after reaching about 200K to 220K miles. I like the power on my car but I'd think I'd be driving a different car by that time...... I'll probably move onto a Porsche Cayenne Plug-in Hybrid or something similar at that time. I'm a sucker for torque. If I can find the higher torque per dollar elsewhere without too much upkeep, I'll probably move on....... Until that time, my upkeep costs have been minimal. In fact, lower than the regular RX because the breaks don't wear out. I'd expect to get something like 120K miles until my first pad replacement...

703

sleepysurf

I'm still driving my 2010 450h, now with ~90k miles on it. It's been flawless. Only problem has been the drivers seat belt no longer retracts fully when unbuckled!

DTBob

There is an option int the settings for full or part retract.

KMB

Can you please be specific? I'm looking at getting a used 3RX 450h in Spring, 2020. I have the 2013 in mind, but the number of very affordable 2010's in my area is through the roof.

Aside from general aging, I understand the following two factors apply:
• No "Sport" suspension mode in the 2010
• Timing belt cost & concerns in the 2010

Thanks much.

Droid13

No sport mode, correct. But the 10 does not use a timing belt, none of the 3rd gen (10-15) 3.5L engines have timing belts. The engine did not change much at all for the entire gen, from 10 to 15. The only engine concern on the 10 was that some units came with a rubber oil cooler hose, it needs to be replaced with the metal one.

There wasn't all that much difference between the 10 and 11, halfway through the 10 year they took out the sunglass holder and added the call for help button (Enform?). The 11 also slightly changed the Lexus badging. Other than that the 10 had a few 1st year issues with squeeks and suspension noises, including short life rear shocks. The '13 was the 1st mid-gen refresh of the 3rd gen RX, so new cosmetic, electronic, and option upgrades were added.

riredale

One other thing: I much prefer the classic front grille on my 2010 RX450h. The grille changed on the '13 models and later to the spindle shape, which I find weird.

I bought my RX at 70K, it now is at 97K and going strong. First Lexus and very impressed.