Why would anyone Own a Prius

Try pushing down on the front bumper of both models. You will be able to feel the difference. The V is stiffer and has more damping. Come on out to the next SoCal Prius gathering and I will personally show you the difference.

 

Just last night a friend called me on their experience taking their ES(first Lexus) in for it's 1000 mile oil change*. Greeted by name as he drove up. The waiting lounge was all leather chairs, lattes, croissants, and other breakfast items, just like at the Hampton/Hilton Suites etc. Other customers were -specifying- how they wanted their eggs cooked. Everything was entered into ipody type tablets, and -everyone- knew/said his name. They also washed, dryed with (we assume) mink lined gloves and vacuumed the car, no paper mats and hanging tag on the mirror.

*Interestingly the ES did indeed have 'break-in' oil which needed to be changed out for synthetic at 1000 miles. Seems if any engine wouldn't have yucky stuff in it because it had been built with such precision, it would be the Lexii engines, but that's what they do. So methinks I'll be under the car in a month or so.

 

That depends on the value you place on the "L" badge...no slight intended.
I drive a pickup....so I'm not about to get into the Lexus-vs-Infinity-vs-BMW furball.
I'm a reformed gearhead myself....so I appreciate the bliss in turning a gallon of unleaded into a symphony of accelerations and sounds.

The 'new' Lexus is a Mazda look-alike. I don't have any stick time in this model, so I don't know if it's a Mazda drive-alike...but hey, the last 2 Mazdas I had drove pretty well....

...Just not $32,000 worth of 'well.'

 

I own mine, a 2007, because it is paid for. People sure have a lot of spendin' money these days, at least in the high tech areas. So that is a station wagon version of a Corolla with a Prius drivetrain, or what is it?

 

close, but with leather seats. and, they know your name when you take it in for service!

 

I'm sure it does not get as good mpg.

 

JEALOUS! That's it, IS F is definitely my next car. Maybe in 10 years.

 

This is actually all dealer fed BS.

Don't get me wrong, I have a new ES, this is my second one and I love it. I've had Lexus vehicles since 1998, 4 overall.

BUT, there is no *break in oil*, and the ES doesn't specify synthetic oil although a lot of the other Lexus cars do. The 1k mile check is just a check...it doesn't include an oil change. I had mine changed at 1k miles with synthetic, but that was my choice to do so the maintenance schedule does not specify that needs to be done, the dealer swore up and down I was wasting my money too but I insisted I wanted it done. No Lexus uses a break in oil though, even the ones that ship with synthetic at the factory.

The engine in the ES is basically the same engine thats in the Camry V6, the Highlander and the RX. Nothing special.

So...either your friend's dealer is upselling packages or he's embellishing the "Lexus experience" somewhat out of vanity. The dealers are nice, and the treatment is as he describes, but the labor rate is $130 an hour and an oil change/tire rotation is $250...so its not free. As for carwashes...mink lined gloves? Not quite. The dealer here (second largest dealer on the east coast, brand new and state of the art) runs it through a tunnel wash on the premises. I tell them no thanks.

I am 100% right on this because I own the vehicle, I'm happy to scan the maintenance schedule in and show you what that 1,000 mile check entails if you don't believe me.

I used the dealer for a long time, its a very upscale experience and I always enjoyed it. However, a couple years ago I came to the conclusion it was a LOT of money being spent just on ego. So I found a great independent mechanic who specializes in Toyota and Lexus vehicles and started taking it to him. I just had the 10k service done (Lexus does the 1k which is just a check and road test and the 5k for free so I had the dealer do it) I paid $155 for the service from the independent mechanic (needed a cabin filter or it would have been more like $110) and the dealer would have been $300 for the same service. So...I have the service done at the independent shop and my wife and I can go downtown to Smith & Wollensky and have a gourmet steak dinner for the same money. I'd rather do that then eat cookies and sit in a waiting room and watch ESPN on some flatscreen. I have my own flatscreen at home...

If your only measure of what is a "worthy" car is straight-line acceleration, Lexus isn't your car. They are getting into sportier cars now, but a Lexus is about excellent quality materials, great customer service, the smoothest ride and drive around, and a modern elegance. For instance...I would never even consider something like an IS or a CT or some "sporty" Lexus, other companies do sporty better like BMW, Infiniti, Audi, but nothing else glides down the road quite like a Lexus for the money.

 

Yeah .... or $40K well ... if well-equipped ....

REV

 

Can't do without that .... definitely worth the extra $10-19K from my brand new $21K Prius.

No doubt about that.

REV

 

Evidence? Hmmm, on one side, you have some Prius marketing person on a forum versus actual parts number difference. And when i question the Prius Team directly, they go silent...can't explain one way or the other. I would say that HARD evidence is on my side of the story.

I agree. Parts number differences has to be significant...there is no other explanation.

 

Its just a completely different vehicle. Regardless of what you may think, the CT is not a rebadged Matrix. Its an entirely different platform, and they are VERY different from a Prius. Compare the Prius to an HS250h, the CT is much smaller, sportier, zippier, and more youthful. Its not my kind of car, but these little hot hatches are popular...

I was very impressed with the car I sat in...I haven't driven it but its a neat little car. The goal is to make the brand appeal to younger buyers, and this will.

Doesn't make any sense why Prius marketers would lie about the suspensions being different. An upgraded suspension on the Prius V would be a plus to upsell the highest trim level packages.

 

I know that i am bias. But, honestly, if i had a choice b/w my Prius V and a CT200h, then i would still pick Prius. Why?

1. CT is too damn small...i have two baby seats in my backseat to get my kids to day care.

2. Somehow, people think that just because the CT200h is a Lexus that there won't be any rattles. Guys, just go to CLUBLEXUS.COM and see for yourself...plenty of rattle complaints in ANY Lexus, including the LS460. In fact, just a few years ago, i think that some GS owners were considering sueing Lexus for rattles! Our Prius is made in Japan like the CT...what makes you think that it will be immune to our issues??

3. Lexus service...although spectacular with great waiting room and coffee, it is also painfully expensive! How much for an oil change? How much for 30k mile service? You get a "free" loaner car, but is it really free? Of course not. The extra year of warranty is usually useless in a Toyota or Lexus...if you really want it, then the extended warranty is where you need it (if at all)...and here, again, Toyota ext. warranty is cheaper.

4. CT is smaller & lower to the ground = can't be good against a SUV in a collision. The Prius, IMO, is already borderline small on the Texas highways where trucks and SUVs roam.

5. How much for a loaded CT200h with ATP? $40,000+?? Given a base CT200h vs. a Prius V, i think that it is a no-brainer in favor of the Prius. Remember, you can haggle a Toyota down in price...it is much harder in a Lexus that just came out.

6. Prius is unique. CT is a Mazda 3...a very slow Mazda 3. Of course, fuel economy is not all that great, considering that Chevy Cruze and Ford Focus are already hitting 42 mpg highway.

7. Despite a late release, it still be outdated by the time it comes out in terms of hybrid technology...Prius plug-in is just around the corner, as well as other competition using Li-ion batteries.

Just my bias opinion.

 

But, facts are facts. The Prius V has unique shocks AND springs, compared to Prius II-IV. You can argue that shocks are different because the rims are bigger (thus need different dampening), but springs are different too!! Hmmm, i need to see if the anti-roll bars are different too.

 

You aren't the target market for the car.

This is definitely true. They don't make them like the used to, but material quality and comfort is still far superior to Toyota models though.
eed it (if at all)...and here, again, Toyota ext. warranty is cheaper.

Like I said, the CT is not the first or only vehicle in its class, obviously buyers don't care.

$39,000 fully loaded. So, $5k more than the Prius. You can haggle a Lexus down well in price as well. I bought mine for $200 under invoice, $5,000 off the sticker price. Much higher volume model though. The Prius isn't exactly easy to deal on either.

Resale value is a big advantage Lexus.

Nothing unique about the Prius, they are everywhere. They are almost ubiquitous at this point. Anyways, like I said totally different market. A buyer who would buy this CT is likely to think the Prius is totally hideous and wouldn't even consider one. Think 24 year old law associate in NYC for the CT.

Mazda 3 is very popular. Fuel economy is better on the CT, as is image and brand prestige.

Buyers won't care.

 

Note: anti-roll bars have the same parts number across the levels...just checked.

 

Resale value is not assured...HS has been a total disaster, despite it being a Lexus.

 

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This is not Europe where a slow economical car with good handling is all that is needed. That exact 24 year old law associate will not tolerate a $40k car that takes 10 seconds from 0-60...and yet, barely edges out a Cruze or Focus in highway fuel economy (at the same time, those Focus and Cruzes can leave his new $40k car at the light!). This is where i think Lexus failed with the CT200h.

When was the last time you saw a $40k car that takes 10 seconds to 60 mph??? Name me ONE car that does this. Just one, from any brand, much less a high end luxury car!!

You won't hear that complaint out of a Prius because Prius is a different animal...it is unique and is in a class of its own. People who shop for Prius only wants a Prius. Lexus folks admitted this when they admitted the failure of the HS250h. The CT200h is NOT in a class of its own when it comes to consumer shopping for luxury entry cars.

 

Why would you risk your life at the gathering? Aren't you afraid one of the Prius would sudden accelerate into you?