atomarchio

Appreciate the insight here. So the lease on my 2020 RX expires January 2nd. I am going to lease the new 2023 model. What is the best way to handle this regarding timeframe and pricing?

Should I talk to a dealer now or wait until the 2023 model arrives at the dealer? I am concerned about committing too early and overpaying.

What are your thoughts?

mikemu30

You will overpay regardless if you want a 2023. Market conditions, new model, dealers will try to rape everyone. Our 2017 is paid for, 70k miles, still runs like new so I suspect we'll keep driving it and avoid this market madness for a few more years.

fodalo

The residual on the 2020 less than used car?, may be better off buying the 2020 outright.

lexusnyca

Be patient, the economic recession is just ramping up. By January it will be worse, and interest rates will be higher, both factors will force auto sales lower. Try and extend your lease if you can, there will be very few RXs available at the start of January.

jer

May be best to buy it outright at the price stated in your lease and keep until the market for the new RX stabilizes. Even if a miracle happens and vehicles become widely available, the fact that it will be a new model will keep demand high.

ElBerryKM

New driving impression videos are up. None of them have any info on pricing yet

1Louder

Yeah I've watched a couple - I thought lexus.com would be updated at the same time (was curious why they made the YouTubers wait for 9/9). Thought that might have been to make sure it lined up with the web site launch but doesn't seem so just yet.

An nothing on the 450h which is the one I care about. I'm anticipating it's going to be very frustrating, probably all the cars going to CA like the NX PHEV does right now.

1Louder

I found a local dealership who brands itself as never having an additional markup. I'll be testing that theory I hope they mean it. But inventory is likely going to be the problem. Maybe inventory seems low because they stopped shipping 2022's or something but both dealerships near me have the "empty shelves" so to speak. Next to nothing on the lot and they can barely fill a show room. I hope it's just because of the 2023's coming soon because low inventory is going to also drive prices up. I'll pay MSRP for a 450h, question is whether I'll be able to find one.....

lexusnyca

First review I read - the 350h hybrid is "slow". I imagine that was to be expected with the lowest HP, weight of the hybrid system, plus the CVT. Waiting for more reviews to post.

JasDmw

Read a couple of reviews this AM as well, sounds like it's as expected; slow and buzzy. Very disapointing. Let's hope they bring back a V6 at the mid cycle refresh.

Also noticed some decontenting, as in the door pockets no longer tilt inwards, as they have since day 1.

blueless

My local dealer proudly proclaims that its namesake founder doesn't believe in markups. What BS! Sure, they don't have a pure dealer markup, but they have useless dealer-added "options" that are required. (Nitrogen, fabric protection, tinting, etc)

1Louder

The YouTube review I watched this AM the guy tested 0-60 for the 350 and 350h - the h was .1 sec quicker than the 350. The h was 7.5, vs 7.6 IIRC (his results, which were not controlled or maximized). So I'm not sure the h is slow compared to the 350 - they might both be "slow" in general. There's always the 500h as well.

My 2016 450h isn't fast, but it's certainly adequate. I can pass without a lot of drama and get out of the way when needed. I suspect the 350h will be similar. The electric motor helps actually give some initial grunt.

1Louder

I dislike that practice too, but at least you get something for it. Even if it's not stuff you want. Better than handing over pure profit.

Chiefsfan

https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...exus-rx-drive/

https://www.motortrend.com/reviews/2...-drive-review/

lexusnyca

"The RX350h feels unusually anemic, however, requiring you to floor the accelerator to match the flow of highway traffic. Meanwhile, the engine groans loudly as it labors and makes the RX350h feel slower than it is."

That said, C&D reviews every product like its a sports car - and buyers in this segment aren't, for the most part, buying a performance car.