Somebody Stop Me! (from buying CT200h)

well, cars are luxury items... if you can afford it!

I am kind of looking for new car, and i would love CT200h... my problem here is that IS200d sells with huge $8k discount!

 

objective measurements with test equipment shows Ct200h is quietest Lexus model, south of LS .

It is quieter than IS, ES, GS and RX.... tests done by Edmunds.

problem is that lack of engine noise, increases your perception of every other noise and performance tires do not help.

 

Prius PHEV:
Sound level @ idle (dB) 39.4
@ Full throttle (dB) 73.0
@ 70 mph cruise (dB) 69.5

2004 Prius Gen 2
Sound level @ idle (dB) 53/lo
@ Full throttle (dB) 71
@ 70 mph cruise (dB) 74

CT200h:
Sound level @ idle (dB) 37.7
@ Full throttle (dB) 70.8
@ 70 mph cruise (dB) 64.5


So obviously, CT200h is by order of magnitude quieter than Prius.

 

None, lost some space and convenience. Tougher to get in, but not bad once back there. 5'7" sister did fine in back, no complaints. Accord and Solara coupes not bad for rear pass., unlike a Genesis Coupe. Don't take passengers much though.

Had to let go of 09 Pri, even though I hated to do it. Just couldn't fit well in driver's seat. Was starting to go nuts over it. Much better now.

Weirdest situation, of 12 cars owned, I've never had one where I complained about the seat like in the 09 Prius. Never saw that coming before purchasing. Will never happen again, guaranteed.

 

Interior noise is a funny thing - sometimes I notice it more than others. Makes a big difference the surface of road too.

I guess the best cars mask out most noise no matter what. Was always curious about little high road noise in Accord, and it's true, 'they could be quieter'. It's not bothersome though.

 

also, CT200h is quieter than Lexus IS, ES, GS and RX... only Lexus that is quieter than CT200h is LS.

 

So the reviews counter both each other and facts?

I guess I will just have to drive the car for myself then. I will hear from my local dealership this Monday.

 

there is objective and subjective way to look at it - due to lack of engine noises, other types of noises are usually magnified in hybrids... but objectively, CT200h is very quiet vehicle.

 

Well as a new Prius owner as of yesterday, I test drove the CT as well before deciding on getting this car.
Luckily by the time I decided, I was able to get my mitts on my silver IV for way under MSRP pre tragedy price).
It was hard to decide because I am a Lexus RX400h owner and used to certain options that weren't available in both cars. I got spoiled.
For me the deciding factors were different from probably your reasons for wanting the CT but here are my impressions.
Pros for CT Premium with all the fixings that I drove: (In no particular order)
As someone had already mentioned, the individual climate controls, my girl likes to be warm, for me I like it on the cooler side of things.
The heated seats. On the Prius, it's either on or off, for the CT, you can adjust the level of warmth.
The seats are made to hug, racing type seats and the leather seems to be of much better quality than the leather on the Prius.
The nav, if you decide to get one, is much better than the Prius. Clearer resolution on the screen.
The ride and handling are much better on street and freeway. Smoother than Prius on Power mode when entering the freeway.
Quieter interior especially on the freeways.
The memory for the driver's seat.
It's a rare car, 12,000 units for the entire U.S. market this year.

Things I didn't like about the CT:
It was too close to everything, not good for claustrophobic people. Personal opinion.
No power adjustable controls for the passenger side seat.
No power adjustable controls for the steering wheel.
Trunk is super small.
The sound system looks dated for a new design model of the car.
For the price difference, I could not justify paying a loaded CT.
Cost difference in gasoline saved for the Prius, at least 7-8 miles per gallon.
The Prius was much roomier for other passengers in the back and trunk space.

But these were just my reasons overall that I chose the Prius over the CT.
But I liked the CT a lot, if it had those things listed that I wanted, I would have picked the CT hands down. I wish you well in your choice. I know that it wasn't an easy one for me as it sounds just as agonizing to you right now.

Cheers!

 

I wonder what they mean by idle.

By the way, you cannot equate db (relative signal intensity) with noise perception so simply.

 

According to EPA, you'd be pumping in 9.5 gal to refill at 400 miles instead of Prius 8 gallons. Better than filling a Camry which would drink 16 gallons.

 

Okay, no one will tell you, so I will. STOP! Don't buy the CT right now. There is probably a plug-in coming out next year, AND next year's model (if it's anything like 2nd year models) will probably have more options/perks included in base model, or little quirks fixed.

I've been trying to decide between the Prius and CT (among other things, before I narrowed it down). It's been tough. Kept going back and forth. I've just decided that it's now too late to buy EITHER because of the Tsunami. Lack of availability, price gouging (even used Prii prices are going up up up and still flying off the lots). The dealers will have low inventory for some time, and will have to try to make up their losses somehow. It's just not a good time to buy either of those cars.

The CT will still be available in late summer/early fall, and there will be more of them. If not then, then the 2012 models will be coming out at the beginning of the year. And then a plug-in hybrid is said to be hitting the market next year (of both the Prius and the CT).

I absolutely loooooovvvvved the CT when I drove it. I LIKED the Prius, but thought it was pretty boring, although a quiet, smooth, comfortable ride.

The Prius
*roomier and more useful and practical. But the CT would do, space-wise, since I'm not hauling around a family.
*Prius negative - I hate that huge slanted front windshield (it's hot where I live, with bright glaring sun that I can imagine shining down on me through that windshield). But that's not a deal killer.
*Smooth, quiet ride
*Negative - can't get the options I want w/o getting leather (don't want leather)
*Positive - Toyota Care (free regular maintenance for 2 years)
*High resale value

CT
*smooth, quiet ride...but unlike some of the posters here, I thought it was bumpier than the Prius. Maybe it was a difference in the road.
*Audio system - CT wins, hands down. But the Prius audio was good enough and certainly much better than what I have. Still....the CT's was impressive.
*BIG plus---I don't want leather seats, but I do want some options that I can't get in the Prius w/o getting leather; I can get the nuluxe in the CT while getting all the options I want.
*Negative - can't get all the options I want w/o moonroof. But I can get most of 'em...I think.
*Negative-Repairs more expensive on Lexus.

Intellichoice rates both of these vehicles as excellent values.

I'm gonna sit tight for a while. Maybe wait to see the prices and specs on the plug-ins. But if production increases close to norm, and I get carried away...I probably will buy the CT. White with caramel nuluxe interior. Drool. I can't get that car out of my head. I absolutely loved it. (Is it silly to wonder if my dogs will get claustrophic in that small backseat?)

 

Most reviewers are noy aware that Atkinson cycle gas engine sounds different. They probably noted the unfamilar sound as "more noise".

 

Get a loaded Camry XLE with all the toys. You don't drive far enough each year to justify a hybrid and a Camry or Avalon will give you all the comfort and room you could want. Me, I just bought a Prius, but I expect to put about 15k a year on it.