1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

New Prius III, or used Lexus HS 250h

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by AllenZ, Oct 16, 2011.

  1. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2010
    640
    63
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Four
  2. xpcman

    xpcman Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 11, 2009
    1,302
    295
    0
    Location:
    California - SF Bay area
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    A title is branded if it has been:
    salvaged
    junked
    rebuilt
    reconstructed
    in a flood
    in a fire
    odometer tampered with
    manufacter buyback (lemon law)

    etc........

    In other words it has diminished or no value. Unless it is REAL cheap and/or has been inspected & repaired by a qualified & reputable shop......I wouldn't buy it.
     
  3. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,122
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    ^^^
    Doh! I didn't catch that. Ack! If it's salvage title, it better be DIRT cheap as it has no warranty. And yes, who knows the circumstances and how good of a job was done fixing it.

    I did drive one for a week (won a one week test drive) and liked it a lot. I didn't post much about it but did post a bit at http://priuschat.com/forums/lexus-hybrids/94667-traded-our-prius-lexus-hs250h.html#post1337328.

    Tradeoffs of the HS include a lot less cargo room and flexibility since it's not a hatchback, worse mileage and less interior room. One of my FB friends from high school felt it looked like a Corolla (from pictures), and to some extent, I agree.

    But, for some, there is the "prestige" of owning a Lexus branded vehicle vs. one w/a Toyota badge.
     
  4. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2010
    640
    63
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Four
  5. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,122
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
  6. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2010
    640
    63
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Four
  7. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,122
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
  8. car compulsive

    car compulsive Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2011
    741
    274
    0
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I've had the Lexus HS250h as a loaner a couple times and was not overly impressed. I feel the Prius has more room for both passengers and cargo. The HS trunk is only about 12 cubic feet and the back seats do not fold down. Granted, I already owned a Lexus and was looking for a more base level and flexible vehicle when I went hybrid shopping this summer. A new Prius made more sense than a HS to me. Also, I would try to get a Lexus CPO HS if you go that way as it is a great CPO program.

    For more HS info, visit Club Lexus at HS 250h Model - Club Lexus Forums . (I'm Caddyowner over there.)
     
  9. wogue

    wogue Lexus CT200h

    Joined:
    Jun 13, 2007
    61
    2
    0
    Location:
    EU/Austria
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    As I am trying to get rid of this crappy rattle car at the moment, I'd say: Beware of buying a prius!!!

    Take the lexus!!!

    Mileage isn't everything! I bought the first prius in 2006, and it was great. Smooth and silent ride. Then I bought the MY2010, the technology is fine but the refurbished-trash-interior ruins every bit of the smooth hybrid feeling!
     
  10. Jim Clark

    Jim Clark Member

    Joined:
    Aug 7, 2009
    310
    22
    0
    Location:
    Northern VA, the 51st state (someday)
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    I'd go for a "good" loaded used 250h. Just need to do your homework.
     
  11. Caug1

    Caug1 Member

    Joined:
    May 6, 2011
    119
    9
    0
    Location:
    BOSTON
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    Lexus all the way.
    One of the best car quality makers in the market period.
    Toyota is rattle box, that makes me shamed to drive anybody in with. all the noises it makes for 2010 car. every body ask me how all is this, how many miles on it, pain in my nice person.
    i only care about the mpgs and look of prius.
    No comparison.
    c
     
  12. Carzone

    Carzone New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2010
    50
    33
    9
    Location:
    Toronto
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Some easy DIYs can fix Prius's rattles.

    http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii...2011-prius-rattles-99-cents-neat-version.html

    My Prius has been rattle free for months after the fix.
     
  13. samsprius1

    samsprius1 HEV Fanatic

    Joined:
    Jul 19, 2008
    690
    156
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2023 Prius
    Model:
    Limited AWD-e
    Go for the new Prius. I don't like used cars unless I know who has owned it! Consumer reports rated low!31MPG:eek:
     
  14. Carzone

    Carzone New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2010
    50
    33
    9
    Location:
    Toronto
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    Consumer Reports have a lead foot in short road test.

    They rated 2010 prius at 44MPG in road test. But they got a overall fuel economy at 40.4MPG in a 2002 Prius with nearly 208,000 miles.

    EPA number is more reliable to me.
     
  15. Carzone

    Carzone New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2010
    50
    33
    9
    Location:
    Toronto
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
    However, I don't really understand why Lexus put HS250h into its product line.

    It looks like a 4 door prius sedan with an old camry hybrid powertrain. It will never sell.

    They should get rid of HS250h and replace it with an all new ES250h.

    43MPG from 2012 Camry Hybrid is amazing. They should do it in Lexus ASAP.
     
  16. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,122
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
  17. Carzone

    Carzone New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 10, 2010
    50
    33
    9
    Location:
    Toronto
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    IV
  18. AllenZ

    AllenZ Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 9, 2010
    640
    63
    0
    Location:
    Chicago
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    Totally agree! I am surprised it comes from Consumer Reports, supposedly unbiased in my impression. Obviously it is not in this case.
     
  19. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,122
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Did you read the info they provided on their city test? There's still some ambiguity in my mind about the procedure (like how long is the cool down period, if any, between each run?). However, I don't think labeling them as "biased" makes sense.

    http://web.archive.org/web/20081231...-advice/most-fuelefficient-cars-206/index.htm were their 2nd gen results. If one drove a 2nd gen like what's described in their tests and used door placard tire pressures, I don't think their city figure is that far off... esp. if the cooldown period is hours or overnight between each of the six runs.
     
  20. car compulsive

    car compulsive Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 6, 2011
    741
    274
    0
    Location:
    Michigan
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    If you want leather, most of HSs have heated/ventilated leather seats. (I really don't care for non-ventilated leather.)