Dropped by the Lexus dealer today to check on the price for their NAV/Backup Camera combo; thinking it might slip into my '04 AM-7, $ 2,500 plus installation. Hell-oh Coastal Dave!!! To the point of this post: I climbed into an pretty Lexus RX on the showroom floor, just to compare the entry and seating experience to my Prius. First thing I had to do was duck my head sideways (I'm only 6'0" - not exactly an NBA Center...). That was a bit of a shock. Further, I had to jockey the power seat a bit to the lowest setting and tilt the seat back in order to nestle into a decent driving position. Could be due to the moonroof robbing some head room. Comfy leather, wood accents,very nice build quality (for $ 38,000.00 plus I hope so) etc. but I gotta tell you, my '04 Prius gives me more of an impression of spaciousness than did the Lexus. Anyhone else check this out? A really nice car, but even if the produce the "H" model, I don't know that I'd feel comfortable in it for the long haul. Makes me think about passing on the Highlander and waiting for the Camry. Comments? Bob
I checked this out, too, and felt much the same way about the "spaciousness" feeling of the Prius. Despite being as tiny as it is, it just doesn not feel small when sitting in it. It does, however, ride like the tiny car it is Don't get me wrong, this car still "wows" me after three months and (almost) 8k miles, and NO car has ever done that before, even my '33 RR! I confess, however, that I ordered a 400h (I'm eighth on the list, just as I was for my Prius) but am having some second thoughts. I'm no fan of SUVs, and don't relish pumping premium gas (again), so I may just wait until the Camry comes along. We'll see Peace
I checked out the camera too! I got prices for that to a tune of about $980. It comes with a camera and some other unit. But then I noticed that a 4Runner had one and thought that Toyota might not have a big of a price tag on theirs. But it was about $760 or so and didn't come with that other unit. Have your service / parts guy search under Television Camera and you should find it. I don't have the cash right now to test it out. Besides, I'm hoping Coastal Dave will have a cheaper BETTER solution. (A camera that can see in low lux.) I'm on order for a Hylander... (notice my new spelling. )
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(\"jeffrey\")</div> If the Lexus RX 400h will share the same V6 engine as the Hylander (yeah, I'm starting to use that spelling, too), then it will take regular (87 octane) gasoline.
I traded a Lexus RX 300 for my 04 Prius. The RX was a delightful SUV, but I now find myself going much faster around some tight turns near my home with a big grin. More like the sports cars I used to own. Had the RX 400H on order until I drove the Prius, cancelled order, bought Prius. Happy, happy! Bob
Time permitting, I'm gonna plunk my senior butt into a new Highlander. I will of course provide all with my usual, objective, professional, unbiased opinion. Unless it's better than the Prius. Honest. Bob
Here's a little factiod on interior space. I had to pick up some 1/2" re-bar for a project. You might know how filthy and rusty those things are. I came prepared with wrappings to cover the bars and protect my interior. Also brought a red flag to tie on the end that stuck out. With the the right side seats dropped, I was able to load five 10 foot pieces into the car and close the hatch. With one set of ends padded and sitting on the dash, the other ends dropped into the back with inches to spare. I couldn't beleive it! And I didn't use the flag.
In the last two months I purchased both the Lexus RX330 and the '04 Prius. So I've got to appreciate that they are two very different vehicles - designed for two very different types of drivers. The reason Lexus has done so well with the RX is its appeal among women drivers. Much of the design inspiration went into pleasing the influential soccer mom crowd - the proportions you notice when you sit in the seat, the space for a purse on the floor, etc... I can't remember the marketing report I read, but this is all by design. So for us - the Lexus is great for my wife who does very little driving and I have the Prius simply because I'm a gadget nut and this is very much a gadget guy's car!
i "did the math" by looking at the '04 Prius and realized that, with the seats down, front and rear, it had the same pass-through cargo space that my '97 Taurus did, and twice the mileage. done deal. i ordered one!
