Sfcyclist

I read that's going to change.. I think it 's dangerous when I don't hear a car coming when I am walking.

brs50

Just signed for a '12 today as my recent post recounts. I drove a number of cars including '09, '10, '11 & 12. From my point of view the '10 and up a clearly a superior vehicle to the '09. They felt like a more substantial vehicle and it's not just the added curb weight. Better interior, much improved nav the older model looked dated compared to the new, still a nice car but not as nice as the 3rd gen.

The '12 we eventually went with did seem a little better on the items mentioned. I still detect a bit more road noise from the rear than I'd like, better than the '10 however and nothing that you'd really be disturbed by if you weren't focused on it and non existent with the sound system in use. Engine noise seemed marginally improved on the '12. It's not that it's noisy just a bit of the less pleasing note you'd associate with a four cylinder. For most people the test drive is probably the only time they'd find either really an issue.

Cruiter

There are arguments both ways. I have a hybrid and often come the last 3 miles home on battery only. I've had the windows down in the summer and once over about 10 miles per hour, there is enough noise from the tires to be heard. There are not walks in my neighborhood so like all drivers I'm conscious that people are on the street and so are children so I keep it at 25 or lower. I don't recall scaring anyone. Now if I went slower than 10 and didn't have the a/c on (condenser fans make noise) I could probably sneak up on someone if I tried, but I'd have to try. The actual noise of the electric motors is like my Segway and people can hear that so ...

It's more perception and fear that something could happen because they are quiet but I've not read of actual incidents caused by it's lack of motor noise. Most of the new luxury cars have so much sound deadening around the engine that when coasting slow they are not emitting much noise at all either.

kitlz

The sound of the tires rolling across the pavement is sweet but the hybrid isn't on battery all the time. The engine cycles on and off while I drive. There's also the distinct noise when braking as the 450h slows down. My friend couldn't figure out what it was. When I drive, I'm more attentive than most pedestrians. I haven't encountered one yet that didn't hear me coming. Seeing me, or should I say bothering to look, is another issue.

Sfcyclist

My original point was that the 3rd gen rx are really quiet.

Unfortunately not all driver are a considerate as the both of you. I don't think it's intentional but just another factor that can lead to an incident.

Come to think of it, I don't hear my wife pulling into our drive way anymore! Lol. Point being, hybrid or not, the rx are pretty darn quiet!

lisasf

Hello All and Happy Holidays!

I've been enjoying my 2008 CPO RX 350, although the new 2012 was lovely indeed and tempting.

In the end, I decided to save the $13K and get the CPO rather than new. It meant I was able to write a check for the car, which would have been a little harder to do on the new vehicle...out-the-door would have been about $50K including tax & license. Too big a check to write comfortably right now.

Many thanks to everyone for their feedback, it all helped when I was considering the options.