RX350 or RX350h?
03-19-23, 06:47 AM
#46
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Here are my thoughts:
First of all, is the non-hybrid an all wheel drive vehicle? The hybrid (RX350h) are all automatically all wheel drive. You might not need all wheel drive, but you should compare apples to apples.
The EPA miles-per-gallon sticker on the RX350h hybrid is 36MPG combined city/highway. The EPA miles-per-gallon sticker for the non-hybrid, all wheel drive RX350 is 24MPG, but you have to subtract 20% of that for an apples-to-apples because of the 20% higher cost of premium gas required versus regular gas in the hybrid. So call that 20MPG.
If you drive 7000 miles per year, you'll use 194 gallons for the hybrid and 350 for the non-hybrid. That's 156 gallons more each year for the non-hybrid. About $600 per year more at $4 per gallon, perhaps less if gas stays in the $3 to $3.50 range. I agree that the non-hybrid might hold it's value better; at the very least it won't probably won't be worse. Since you're going from a Porsche to a Lexus, I assume you are fairly well off and don't keep vehicles forever. If you keep the vehicle 3-4-5 years, the resale value will very roughly be 50%. So you'll pay $4000 more upfront, but recoup $2000 at the end. So you real net extra cost for the hybrid is $2000. The payback is about 3 years at $600 per year extra gas for the non-hybrid. Probably a wash (or "worsh" or "wush" as they say in Pittsburghese). EDIT: I forgot that you can now get $200 per year on your $4000 in a bank CD. So that makes the non-hybrid about $600 cheaper over 3 years.
You made one comment that resonates: That you'll regret the fuel economy. Which means that even though you can afford Porsches and Lexi, you're a "valueplayer" (cheapskate) like me. Buying gas, especially premium gas, annoys me, even though it's rounding error for my financial situation.
It sounds like for your situation buying the non-hybrid will be a similar cost as the hybrid. But I am loving the fact that I'm driving a vehicle similar in size (but different configuration) to the early 1970s Buicks, Cadillacs and Lincolns that I learned to drive on, and getting FOUR TIMES the MPGS. Even my mother's 1974 Chevy Malibu only got 9MPG around the city. I'm getting 32 in the 2023 RX350h, same city.
Get the hybrid. You won't go terribly wrong getting the non-hybrid, but teasing out from your comments, you'll enjoy driving past most gas pumps.
One other comment: I drove the original Lexus LS400 (I had three of them) in the early 1990s. I then migrated to Mercedes and Audi. About 20 years ago I had the realization that they were a pain in the tailpipe to constantly fix and service. And how Lexus was totally no hassle. So I came back to Lexus and never looked back. Change the oil every once in a while and that's it. Your comment about the headache of Porsche maintenance resonates. As long as you understand that Lexus is not a "sports car" like Porsche, you will love everything about the no-hassle ownership experience.
Get the hybrid and be totally happy. Or save a few bucks and get the non-hybrid and be 92% happy! Sounds like you're ready to pull the trigger. Let us know what you get!
First of all, is the non-hybrid an all wheel drive vehicle? The hybrid (RX350h) are all automatically all wheel drive. You might not need all wheel drive, but you should compare apples to apples.
The EPA miles-per-gallon sticker on the RX350h hybrid is 36MPG combined city/highway. The EPA miles-per-gallon sticker for the non-hybrid, all wheel drive RX350 is 24MPG, but you have to subtract 20% of that for an apples-to-apples because of the 20% higher cost of premium gas required versus regular gas in the hybrid. So call that 20MPG.
If you drive 7000 miles per year, you'll use 194 gallons for the hybrid and 350 for the non-hybrid. That's 156 gallons more each year for the non-hybrid. About $600 per year more at $4 per gallon, perhaps less if gas stays in the $3 to $3.50 range. I agree that the non-hybrid might hold it's value better; at the very least it won't probably won't be worse. Since you're going from a Porsche to a Lexus, I assume you are fairly well off and don't keep vehicles forever. If you keep the vehicle 3-4-5 years, the resale value will very roughly be 50%. So you'll pay $4000 more upfront, but recoup $2000 at the end. So you real net extra cost for the hybrid is $2000. The payback is about 3 years at $600 per year extra gas for the non-hybrid. Probably a wash (or "worsh" or "wush" as they say in Pittsburghese). EDIT: I forgot that you can now get $200 per year on your $4000 in a bank CD. So that makes the non-hybrid about $600 cheaper over 3 years.
You made one comment that resonates: That you'll regret the fuel economy. Which means that even though you can afford Porsches and Lexi, you're a "valueplayer" (cheapskate) like me. Buying gas, especially premium gas, annoys me, even though it's rounding error for my financial situation.
It sounds like for your situation buying the non-hybrid will be a similar cost as the hybrid. But I am loving the fact that I'm driving a vehicle similar in size (but different configuration) to the early 1970s Buicks, Cadillacs and Lincolns that I learned to drive on, and getting FOUR TIMES the MPGS. Even my mother's 1974 Chevy Malibu only got 9MPG around the city. I'm getting 32 in the 2023 RX350h, same city.
Get the hybrid. You won't go terribly wrong getting the non-hybrid, but teasing out from your comments, you'll enjoy driving past most gas pumps.
One other comment: I drove the original Lexus LS400 (I had three of them) in the early 1990s. I then migrated to Mercedes and Audi. About 20 years ago I had the realization that they were a pain in the tailpipe to constantly fix and service. And how Lexus was totally no hassle. So I came back to Lexus and never looked back. Change the oil every once in a while and that's it. Your comment about the headache of Porsche maintenance resonates. As long as you understand that Lexus is not a "sports car" like Porsche, you will love everything about the no-hassle ownership experience.
Get the hybrid and be totally happy. Or save a few bucks and get the non-hybrid and be 92% happy! Sounds like you're ready to pull the trigger. Let us know what you get!
03-19-23, 07:18 AM
#49
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dklanecky1 (03-20-23)
03-19-23, 07:40 AM
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03-19-23, 07:42 AM
#51
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And there is no 96 octane option at USA gas stations. Using your reasoning, the RX500h requires 96 octane. But that’s not a thing at USA gas pumps.
Last edited by daryll40; 03-19-23 at 07:50 AM.
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03-19-23, 07:50 AM
#52
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This is what my dealer sent me when I asked about the fuel.
03-19-23, 07:50 AM
#53
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Folks let’s not turn yet another thread into a fuel debate please
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03-19-23, 07:52 AM
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03-19-23, 07:57 AM
#55
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HarleyDRG and I had a private message conversation. All good! 
Last edited by daryll40; 03-26-23 at 05:00 AM.
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CCGS (09-03-23)
03-26-23, 03:38 AM
#56
Driver School Candidate
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Urlik (03-26-23)
03-26-23, 06:59 AM
#58
Driver School Candidate
RX350 vs RX350h performance
Deciding between RX350 and RX350h. I can pick up RX350 tomorrow if I want to but, RX350h has months long waitlist. I do want the hybrid, but the it has less horsepower then non-hybrid (246 vs 275) and less torque (233 lb/ft vs 317 lb/ft). For those who have driven both hybrid and non-hybrid, can you feel a big difference between RX350 and RX350h in term of "performance"? “Fuel cost” is not a deciding factor.
03-26-23, 07:19 AM
#59
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Deciding between RX350 and RX350h. I can pick up RX350 tomorrow if I want to but, RX350h has months long waitlist. I do want the hybrid, but the it has less horsepower then non-hybrid (246 vs 275) and less torque (233 lb/ft vs 317 lb/ft). For those who have driven both hybrid and non-hybrid, can you feel a big difference between RX350 and RX350h in term of "performance"? “Fuel cost” is not a deciding factor.
Go move that metal!
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tedward155 (03-26-23)
03-26-23, 07:35 AM
#60
At 63 y.o. I could care less about the fuel factor also. That was really the main reason I prob never even gave hybrid version much thought is bc I didn't want to lose the Power w changes that were already happening leaving the 6 cylinder. It will be my wife driving it 80-90% of time n she didn't care which of the two was purchased. I find many other ways to make $$ be used wisely. We are excited to finally take ownership on March 28 of RX350 Luxury w Blk/blk as the combo. Her choice on the color combo! 🤷♂️