L-Badge Penalty?

"someassemblyrequired" (someassemblyrequired) 05/23/2019 at 10:15 • Filed to: car shopping

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So the Mother-in-Law needs a good used AWD SUV to replace her second gen Kia Sportage. She likes the RAV4s, but I’m finding a lot of similar year/similar mile RX350s for not much more money . I’m thinking the 3.5L V6 might be worth the premium on the four banger, plus the RX’s are a much nicer place to be . Educate me on the pros/cons of the 2010-2015 RX’s when compared with 2012-2018 RAV4s .

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 10:24

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The RX doesn’t get too great of fuel economy but it is a very nice place to be. My wife has the previous body style/new engine RX350 and its a lovely car for her.

someassemblyrequired > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 05/23/2019 at 10:28

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How is the real-world mileage on the highway? She has a very short commute, so the car mainly gets used for long highway trips.

Nibby > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 10:28

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I’ve driven my aunt’s RX350 of that gen (and another woman in the family above 50 has a new RX) and they’re comfortable. I’d recommend buying that used over any used BMW X3/X5 or Mercedes crossover.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 10:30

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2010-2012 RX requires premium gas, 2013-2015 RX does not. Also the Nav on the 2013-2015 is vastly superior to the system in the prior models; though it is nothing as good as the current generation.

If your mom has an iPhone, the 2014 and 2015 RX offers Siri EyesFree, so she could activate Siri via a button on the steering wheel to make a phone call and send a text verbally. The previous year RXs do not offer this ability and would not work with Siri.

There is no support for Android phones.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 10:31

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It’s probably around what is advertised at 18/25. I its has a 17 gallon tank though so you can go a good bit without stopping.

Sovande > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 10:32

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My mom drives an RX350. It’s comfortable and quiet. It’s also probably one of the most boring vehicles I have ever driven or ridden in. There is nothing that stands out to me. She loves it, however, and the back seat reclines a bit which makes it very comfortable. That said, it’s got to be better than a RAV4. I have only ridden in one of those and I was not impressed. The RX350 is also a damn sight better looking than the RAV4.

I just did a weekend trip in a 2013 CRV. On the highway it was fine, nothing remarkable (except the passenger seat had no armrest, which was real odd) , but it did a sur prisingly great job on the gravel roads we spent a few hours on. If I was looking at small SUV type vehicles it would certainly be on the list to check out.

someassemblyrequired > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 05/23/2019 at 10:33

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Thanks, that is really helpful. Looking at the 2015s in particular already. 2015s s eem like a crazy good deal (there’s a few for 18-21K with 60-80K on them locally).

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 10:36

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If you are really concerned about mileage, the hybrid models are still AWD, and would get better Emm Pee Gees than the gas models; though the hybrid requires premium gas. The trade off in economy might even that out, though I have no idea how that would change the math should gas prices rise again.

412GTI > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 10:36

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Previous generation Rav4 rode stiff until the 2016 Mid-Cycle refresh. I’d go for the Lexus as it’s just a nicer place to spend time in. 

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 10:37

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Those years routinely estimate about 350 miles per tank when full.

someassemblyrequired > Sovande 05/23/2019 at 10:37

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Yeah, I think the only reason to go with a RAV4 would be if she was going to buy new or CPO, but those are high 20s to well over 30K with AWD.   So I think used is probably the way to go.  T he CRVs and Acura MDX also seem to be good alternatives on paper, but everyone here with Honda products seems to have lots of transmission issues. I don’t want to have to deal with a dead transmission from a few hundred miles away...

someassemblyrequired > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 05/23/2019 at 10:39

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Yeah the hybrids seem to depreciate much harder than the gas models.  U nfortunately she is in WV, and getting the hybrid system serviced is probably not going to be practical if there’s a problem.

someassemblyrequired > 412GTI 05/23/2019 at 10:40

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Yeah I was worried I’m missing something as the premium for the Lexus seems to range from negligible to a couple of grand.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 10:45

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That Toyota hybrid system very rarely has issues. And what few there are have been part of a recall, I believe. However, given the she is in WV, you are still safer looking at the gas-only versions.

They did offer an F-Sport trim in 2014/15 that has different seats, a more aggressive grill, and an 8-speed transmission. I do not like that trans shift programming as I feel it jumps off the line too quickly.

If you really want to find a unicorn, look for a Crafted Line model. those are super rare, and come with every option.

someassemblyrequired > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 05/23/2019 at 10:52

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Yeah, if they were dramatically cheaper, I’d risk the hybrid, but just looking for good, reliable transportation that her excellent mechanic can handle without too much trouble or special equipment .

Ha yeah, don’t think there’s an F-Sport or Crafted Line model happening, just the base AWD.

Cash Rewards > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 11:00

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From what I understand, there isn't as much advantage in cpo cars from "normal" brands. I'm not touching a used BMW on Craiglist as a daily driver, but cpo warranty? Sure! But I'll go for a used Toyota from Craiglist all day. No cpo needed. So there might be better value in luxury brand cpo programs, while dealers haven't bother as much with those programs for Hondas, Toyotas, etc.

HammerheadFistpunch > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 11:22

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they’re different sized cars but yes, Lexus depreciate faster than Toyota’s for some reason. probably because they are more fashion accessories than Toyota's are. my gx470 was significantly less money than the equivalent 4runner

someassemblyrequired > HammerheadFistpunch 05/23/2019 at 11:53

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Seems bonkers, as the mechanicals are the same/better and the interiors a million times nicer... 

Sovande > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 12:29

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Yeah, the trans issue is something I hadn't considered. I was just really surprised at how well it did on uneven terrain. I'm also not a good judge on these types of cars as I dislike them.

someassemblyrequired > Sovande 05/23/2019 at 12:38

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Me too, but she is 4'11" so being tall is a huge selling feature for the SUV

GLiddy > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 12:38

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I didn’t own that generation of the RX, but a previous one. I’ll say that they are very good road trip cars. We drove ours all over the Eastern part of the country, Canada, DC, Chicago, Key West, San Antonio, Orlando (multiple times) and everywhere in between. I wouldn’t have ever considered a RAV4 for such use. I’m sure they are fine, but long distance would have probably been tiring.

Sovande > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 12:50

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It shouldn’t matter how tall you are once you are sitting in the seat, right?  The seating position is the seating position whether you are 4' tall or 6' tall.

someassemblyrequired > Sovande 05/23/2019 at 13:06

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Ha no, but that good foot of extra altitude seems to be a huge selling point .  Something about seeing the world like a six foot tall person...

Sovande > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 13:28

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It’s lonely up here....

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > someassemblyrequired 05/23/2019 at 21:55

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Those Lexus are quiet inside, double pane glass etc... better option. The new Rav just came out and those previous ones are super cheap around here. I’ve seen a few pop up where the employees park for a nursing home, people noticed .

someassemblyrequired > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 05/25/2019 at 15:17

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Yeah, the prior gen RAV4s are still expensive here, even 2 gens prior...   So the premium is pretty much non-existent.  The last of the 6 cyl RAV4s are more than the same year RX with the same motor...  Don’t understand, but it’s a good reminder to check everywhere since there’s such regional variation in Toyota prices.

415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) > someassemblyrequired 05/25/2019 at 22:01

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That’s strange, I think most people feel the previous Rav is kind of a mom car and not good looking. The new 4Runner look Rav seems to have made a bunch of older ones go cheap here. 

someassemblyrequired > 415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°) 05/26/2019 at 22:58

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Yeah I haven’t seen many around here yet, they may drop as more of the new ones start showing up on the roads around here.