[cmth]

Just signed up to your forum. I am based in the UK and looking to enter into the exclusive group of lexus owners. I currently drive a 2010 prius.

The NX could potentially be my next upgrade but then of course there is Prius Gen 4 which is due out at some point so keeping a close watch on both.

 

[LondonGuy]

Hi cmth

Interestingly, I am also a 2010 Prius driver, based in UK, who's just paid a deposit for an NX300h. The way I see it, the NX is just a bigger SUV Prius, and given the poor state of UK roads now, and all the speed bumps in central London, I need the increased ground clearance and 4x4 ability that the NX will bring, plus storage space for young family. I love the HUD/auto-lights/auto-wipers/keyless-go/reverse camera/self-park in the Prius, so I will probably need to get the Premier spec NX to match that.

Our Priuses will only be London Congestion Charge free until 29th June 2015, when the CO2 limit will be reduced to 75g/km. I thought - sod it - I'll get a larger vehicle then.

The dealer assures me the vehicle will be with me in early October; I will need to choose my spec/exterior/interior in the next month, though don't think brochures are available for a couple of weeks.

I understand the UK dealers are in Madrid this week learning about the car, and test driving it themselves.

 

[cmth]

Thanks for your input LondonGuy. I am based in Edinburgh but I have to say, you pretty much summed up all the reasons I have too for considering the NX - plus I really need a car which is quiet and relaxing to drive. Also didn't realise the congestion charge limit changes next year - this means I will need to flog my current car well before then or get a bigger hit on resale value - so thanks for reminding.

My dilemma however, is that I am not overly keen on the NX300h S and SE horizontal front grille design but I do like the mesh like version in the F-sport. But then the F-sports starts at 36k which is a bit too steep for me. I am also waiting for all the figures to be put up - as far as I understand only the engine output is confirmed so far.

Then there is the question of Lexus dealer support - coming from a Toyota, I am not the sort of person who will just approve every bill thrown at me so I need to be sure Lexus ownership will not be overly costly.

And as you may know, we have no information yet about Prius Gen 4 so I will probably delay my purchase a bit and see what I could be missing if I go with the NX. And by then, I might even be able to find an Ex Dem NX F sport for a bit less.

 

[LondonGuy]

I think that there are many open questions about the spec / look of the vehicle.

The international press shots don't really answer my concerns, apart from we know that the F Sport model will have the mesh grill, which looks best.
Will the next model up (the Premier) have this, or the horizontal grill?
Will the optional sunroof be a small opening (as on some press shots) or a full moonroof (as on some other press shots)?
We assume that the interior colour options will be as per the IS300h (i.e. F Sport means Black or Red leather, no other way to get Red), but this may not be true.
My frustration with the F Sport model is that you'll have to spend an extra £750 to get the switchable suspension to have a half decent ride - I couldn't care how quick the standard sports suspension is around the Nurburgring (this is not a sportscar!).
I'm very pleased that all get the Pre-Crash system as standard (does that actually brake the car to a standstill if a car pulls out around town when the radar cruise control is SWITCHED OFF like the new Volvos/Golfs?).
Gutted that if I want HUD I need to get the top model.

What I do know is that Lexus won UK JD Power last week for the 12th year; I understand that the Lexus ownership experience is supposed to be excellent.

One thing I can confirm, having just had 2 diesel BMWs, is that all my future motors will be hybrid petrol/electric or pure electric! No more tractor driving for me.

 

[Kennedy]

The dealership experience for me was great, heard even better things about being an actual owner, but they still can improve

 

[cmth]

All valid points - thanks.

Here are the other concerns I have:

* My current car returns a decent mpg without trying hard - hope the NX will too

* As LondonGuy points out, only the premium spec NX has the standard features found on a Prius, are we really paying for a badge with Lexus or the general quality improvement vs Toyota e.g. build & material etc. justifies this

* Cannot still understand the rationale of Lexus putting current HSD tech in NX when the next gen HSD is just months away - any thoughts

* Any chance of getting an AWD NX with 17 inch high profile tyres - I am not a fan of low profile tyres - they look good at the expense of ride comfort, road noise and fuel

* Happy to hear Kennedy's feedback on his dealership experience - is anyone able to give a rough estimate of service/workshop costs compared to Toyota e.g. 1.5 times more expensive to service or replace brake disks (I know it is hard to generalise but I am just looking for a rough figure.

As you will probably gather from some of my questions, I am still very much budget concious even though I am looking to be a lexus owner - is it really possible to be both ?

 

[mojo]

All valid points - thanks.

Here are the other concerns I have:

* My current car returns a decent mpg without trying hard - hope the NX will too

* As LondonGuy points out, only the premium spec NX has the standard features found on a Prius, are we really paying for a badge with Lexus or the general quality improvement vs Toyota e.g. build & material etc. justifies this

* Cannot still understand the rationale of Lexus putting current HSD tech in NX when the next gen HSD is just months away - any thoughts

* Any chance of getting an AWD NX with 17 inch high profile tyres - I am not a fan of low profile tyres - they look good at the expense of ride comfort, road noise and fuel

* Happy to hear Kennedy's feedback on his dealership experience - is anyone able to give a rough estimate of service/workshop costs compared to Toyota e.g. 1.5 times more expensive to service or replace brake disks (I know it is hard to generalise but I am just looking for a rough figure.

As you will probably gather from some of my questions, I am still very much budget concious even though I am looking to be a lexus owner - is it really possible to be both ?

Once your NX is out of warranty you should be able to service at Toyota stores. Plenty of people with RX's do that as parts are compatible with the highlander. Plenty of NX's underbits have been stolen from a RAV4. By the time NX is out of warranty Toyota should of begun to make use of the 2.0T as well.

Even so Lexus generally has lower labour rates than MB or BMW...

welcome to the site by the way

 

[Kennedy]

Petrol vehicles keep getting better and better with gas mileage, they STILL have a lot to do to make them better believe it or not.

 

[cmth]

Thanks for your input mojo - you have a good point there that Lexus can be repaired at Toyota dealerships after warranty period.