05RollaXRS

Would really appreciate your input on it

Long story short, my RX450h has had cosmetic damage due to the infamous hail storm in Calgary, AB. While my RCF and IS350 F-Sport are stored underground in a garage, my 2014 RX450h with 250,000 KM was not so lucky. The damage is only cosmetic so it drives perfectly. No issues. My insurance pay out for it (after pointing out inaccuracies and showing them listings etc.) is $22,000 CAD.

Unfortunately, there are very few RXs available in the market. No RX450h available and only RX350 and RX350 F-Sport available. I only looked at RX350 F-Sport primarily for the 8 speed. I have a very good example I test drove. But, it is a RX350 F-Sport (2015) with 160,000 KM. So, about 90,000 KM less than my RX450h. I test drove it and it drives fine. The dealership was asking $26,995 + tax (and they showed me they are barely $500 over cost). So, I got them to agree to swap my Michelin tires with the Toyos on the RX350 F-Sport (those Toyos were horrible). The front brakes are only 40% so I might be able to get them to swap them out and they are willing to take off $500 max. So, that means, I will still have to fork $6000 more after all is said and done.

My question is, which one of the two options would you recommend

Option 1:

Take the pay out from insurance and my RX450h would be sold for parts (hard for me comprehend such an amazing SUV would be parted out) of $22,000 and get the RX350 F-Sport (2015) for another $6000 out of pocket? It has 90,000 KM less and immaculate condition. Drives well. Feels sluggish compared to my RX450h even with the 8 speed in manual mode, but it is most likely due to cr*p fuel in it. I did not find it to be stiff or harsh like most people on the internet say. It was marginally stiffer than my RX450h and has better body control with the stiffer springs/shocks and those lateral dampers. It does not jiggle nearly as much as my RX450h while still being very compliant. I know these Lexus engines have very sensitive knock sensors and detune the engine at lower Octanes. My RX450h also feels night/day at Octane 89 vs Octane 94. So, I am sure it will feel as lively as my much more torquier RX450h with Octane 94 since it is 400 lbs lighter.

Option 2:

Take the $10,300 pay out from the insurance where I can keep my RX450h with the cosmetic hail damage. Only caveat is, hail damage coverage would be removed, if I keep driving with the dimples on it (which is what I will do). They are not that bad and due to the black color, not noticeable unless there is a lot of reflection off the paint. As per the caveat, if there is further hail damage on it, I am on my own.

I will under this option drive the RX450h into the ground over the next 3 - 5 years as it is at 253,000 KM and then buy a different Lexus. I always loved this generation of RX and felt it was the sweet spot. Not too big, not too small and does everything exceptionally well while driving like a car. Option 1 gives me the opportunity to buy one for the long haul while option 2 with the car having damage already and insurance removing hail damage coverage as a condition, means future of my RX450h would be unknown. Still, I end up pocketing $10,300 right now and then worry about things later while I keep driving the RX450h with those dimples on the paint.

Please let me know of your thoughts.

salimshah

Clearly the appearance is better in the trade-up and most likely you are getting more money as a write off vs what you would get if you were to trade in.

Key questions are ride, feel and economy. If these are better for you then trade-up. Just make sure you have an independent mechanic check the newer vehicle.

Salim

05RollaXRS

Ok thanks for your input. Ride, feel are similar to my RX450h. The RX350 F-Sport has marginally stiffer ride, but it is a good thing since it offers better body control than my RX450h does where there is some wobbliness. The 400 lbs weight difference is also something that works in the RX350's favor. Fuel economy wise, I am expecting the RX350 F-Sport to be significantly less, I assume. I mean, I get 550 - 600 KM per tank out of my RX450h. Around 8 - 9 liters per 100 KM, which is extremely good. The RX350 F-Sport has obviously the aesthetics advantage and the fact that it is 90,000 KM less in terms of miles.

RadiantX45

RX450h is faster than the RX350 F sport - so your sluggish concern may never be resolved. RX350 F Sport takes regular - you mentioned bad fuel? Do you mean the gas it’s been receiving is not from a top tier brand?

On another note, I’m sure you could tell on the test drive, the RX350 is lighter and the F Sport improves on the “nimbleness” even more.

My personal opinion is, I couldn’t live with that kind of damage on my RX. Mine is 10 years old but I still take pride in the way it looks. I would grow to be regretful of keeping a vehicle that doesn’t look 100%. So in my opinion - I would get rid of it. Sounds like you have other cars that can hold you over until you find the perfect one? Still 90+ degrees here in Oregon - has the winter started in Calgary yet? This is my personal opinion I know others will differ.

And yes, even on premium gas, savings on the 450h are significant. But I think you will be happy with either an RX350 or RX450h - it’s just matter of finding a good one.

05RollaXRS

@RadiantX45 thanks for your input.


Yeah, could be the Octane or just cr*p quality fuel the dealership is putting in the car. I had the same experience with my RX450h (granted, it requires premium). When I test drove it 5+ years ago, it felt sluggish and slower than my then RX400h. Once I purchased it and put Octane 94, it felt drastically different. The RX350 was originally designed for premium in 2010. It had 275 HP, but then probably people complained and they re-tuned the engine software to work with regular, but the HP dropped for regular fuel to 270 HP. I suspect, the engine will pull timing at regular Octane fuel and give 270 HP, but will definitely feel stronger at a good quality Mobil 1 Octane 94 like my RX450h did. Just a theory.

Regarding being faster, yes my RX450h despite being 400+ lbs heavier, gets that instant torque hit. Even at 4800+ lbs, it slingshots off the line very easily. The RX350 F-Sport felt sluggish. Though, the magazine numbers of 0-60 mph and 1/4 mile seem almost the same 6.8 - 6.9 seconds 0-60 mph and 1/4 mile in 15.2 seconds.

Definitely, I felt the biggest difference in the jiggliness. The RX350 F-Sport felt a lot more solid and resistant to torsional twisting. My RX450h has quite a lot of torsional flex and jiggliness. Interestingly, in turns despite being a bit stiffer and 400 lbs lighter, it rolled about the same as much RX450h in a U-turn despite having stiffer springs/shocks. It could be down to tires since I told the dealership, if I end up getting the car I will swap my Michelin tires for the Toyos they had on the RX350 F-Sport, which were not good at all.

Totally agree. Though, the damage on my RX450h is not that noticeable unless you see it under bright light or when it has been washed. Since it is black, it hides the dimples quite well. Still, I agree with you. In Calgary, it is still very hot. About 30 C today and very sunny. Winters don't really hit till November typically.

Yeah, I would probably put premium in the RX350 anyways. I doubt I would put regular in it so it comes down to absorbing the lower fuel economy. I take, I will be getting about 50 - 70 KM less per tank. I can squeeze out 600+ KM in one tank in my RX450h so I assume the RX350 F-Sport even with the tall 8th gear, might be around 510 - 530 KM per tank.