lexus ct200h

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Sodan

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So, I have ditched the idea of getting an SUV, and am looking at the lexus ct200h instead, with a budget of R5k/m total including insurance. I'm guessing that'll place me in the range of about R200k purchase price?

Anyway, are there any CT200H owners here, and what is your experience with the vehicle?

I am not really looking for "fun to drive". I'm looking for: safety, reliability, (extreme) comfort and good, if not excellent, fuel economy. Sporty performance is not a consideration. My research thus far indicates that this will be a good fit for my requirements. What are my other options, and are there any better options?
 
I can think of a whole host of diesels that would meet those requirements
Honda Civic
Audi A4
BMW 320d
Volvo S40 or 60

Probably a bunch more
 
Yeah.. in all honesty, I would take a Diesel over a second hand hybrid tbh...
 
Archer said:
I can think of a whole host of diesels that would meet those requirements
Honda Civic
Audi A4
BMW 320d
Volvo S40 or 60

Probably a bunch more
Click to expand...

Noted.
I am impressed with the 320d, but I don't fancy myself as a BMW guy. As strange as this might sound, I don't want a car with "presence". I'm an introvert, I prefer not to be noticed. Of course the 320d is quite as uitspattig as some of the other BMWs, so this might be an option.
I don't like Audi (VW). I'm not sure why. I just don't like 'em.
Regarding Volvo, I get this sinking feeling in my tummy when I think of Volvo cars now that they are owned by Geely. Yes, I know that does not affect existing Volvos, but their future, and maintenance, is uncertain. Also, I had read somewhere that parts have to be imported. Not sure if that's still the case.

ToxicBunny said:
Yeah.. in all honesty, I would take a Diesel over a second hand hybrid tbh...
Click to expand...

Interesting viewpoint. Could you perhaps elaborate a bit on why?
 
Sodan said:
Interesting viewpoint. Could you perhaps elaborate a bit on why?
Click to expand...

You're likely to be saddled with forking out for new batteries once the current ones have reached the end of their lifespan, depending on how long you plan on keeping it for.
 
IzZzy said:
You're likely to be saddled with forking out for new batteries once the current ones have reached the end of their lifespan, depending on how long you plan on keeping it for.
Click to expand...

That was definitely a concern of mine, then I found this on a ct200h forum

Batteries on Toyota hybrids last the life of the vehicle. Period. They last longer then conventional transmissions and engine. The reason for this is the small change in battery state-of-charge as the hybrid is operating. You can call that change in SOC or delta SOC. By making the delta SOC small, the energy that goes in and out of the battery is small and therefore makes the life of the battery nice and long.

Lexus and Toyota warranty their hybrid batteries for 8 years of 160,000km. But battery replacements on Toyota hybrids is very very very uncommon.

The cost to replace the battery is approx $2500-$3000. Like an engine or transmission. But again. As I've mentioned. These batteries simply don't fail.

The main reason why people think these batteries would have to be replaced is because of their day-to-day familiarity with batteries of only one kind: those in small electrical items like cell phones, remote controllers, radio controlled toys etc. And with that day-to-day experience and familiarity comes the notion that batteries fail and need to be replaced.

That's not the case with these hybrid batteries.
Click to expand...

That was posted by "Team Lexus". Are they stretching the truth?

In my research I also found this

You could have built a bridge to Tokyo with all the wood-head experts who predicted Prius battery failures would cost consumers thousands. Battery failure rates in Prius turned out to be practically nil.
Click to expand...

Other news & car sites I've been to seem to concur with the above. So, at worst case, I'm looking at, say, R50k to replace the batteries (taking inflation, exchange rates, and the "premium" for being South African into consideration), which is quite a bit of an eina. But it looks like statistically the chance of this happening is so very, very small, it is practically negligible.
Or is there some information I am missing / not understanding here?
Of course, I shall get the dealer to do a battery test prior to me signing on the dotted line.

EDIT: And thanks to everyone for the feedback. Please do keep it coming. You may mention something I have overlooked, that could end up saving me from a world of hurt!
 
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Sodan said:
Interesting viewpoint. Could you perhaps elaborate a bit on why?
Click to expand...

Purely down to the complexity of the vehicle...

Hybrids obviously have ridiculous amounts of electronics on them..

So yes, battery failure rate may be nil, what about the electronic component failure rate, and what do they cost to fix.
 
ToxicBunny said:
Purely down to the complexity of the vehicle...

Hybrids obviously have ridiculous amounts of electronics on them..

So yes, battery failure rate may be nil, what about the electronic component failure rate, and what do they cost to fix.
Click to expand...

Good point. I hadn't considered that. I'll do some research. That you for pointing it out.
 
Alright, so, it seems Toyota have suffered from Sudden Unintended Acceleration to anti-lock brake systems on the Prius (and the CT200H has the same hybrid system as the Prius).

That is some scary stuff I read about their vehicles, and their conduct was reprehensible.

Even if I did go ahead with this purchase, and non of these faults ever occurred with the vehicle I was driving, the stress of knowing that has happened to others and thus could easily happen to myself (or my wife!), would cause me no end of grey hairs.

So a huge thanks to you guys :)

Okay, so, on to the alternatives: BMW 320d, Honda Civic (why not Accord?), and what else?
 
I dont think there are many diesel Accords out there thats all.
Volvo's share some parts with Ford iirc, perhaps call Swedespeed or Revolve and ask them how part availability is. My father owns a 2003 and hasn't had a major problem with parts yet
 
Was also considering the Lexus for my wife. Unfortunately Lexus in Bloemfontein don't have e-mail and internet. Cannot deal with people from the stone age.
 
Sodan said:
Alright, so, it seems Toyota have suffered from Sudden Unintended Acceleration to anti-lock brake systems on the Prius (and the CT200H has the same hybrid system as the Prius).

That is some scary stuff I read about their vehicles, and their conduct was reprehensible.

Even if I did go ahead with this purchase, and non of these faults ever occurred with the vehicle I was driving, the stress of knowing that has happened to others and thus could easily happen to myself (or my wife!), would cause me no end of grey hairs.

So a huge thanks to you guys :)

Okay, so, on to the alternatives: BMW 320d, Honda Civic (why not Accord?), and what else?
Click to expand...

I think its a good choice to avoid the second hand hybrids...

So your budget is R200k (give or take)
What mileage are you prepared to look at?
What year do you want to look from?
Do you want it to be a 4 door family saloon? Or hatchback?
 
Good point about diesel Accords. I had forgotten about my fuel efficiency requirement :o

I'll do some research on Volvos, and see how things have changed now that they're owned by Geely.

What about a Chevrolet Cruze, like this one? Looks like the manufacturer offers a 120k km/ 5 year warranty.
 
ToxicBunny said:
I think its a good choice to avoid the second hand hybrids...

So your budget is R200k (give or take)
What mileage are you prepared to look at?
What year do you want to look from?
Do you want it to be a 4 door family saloon? Or hatchback?
Click to expand...

Yes, that is my budget.
Mileage + year combination must give *some* manufacturer warranty. I don't mind extending an existing warranty to get at least 2 years out of it, but the budget is still about R200k.

I'd prefer a sedan/saloon, but am prepared to look at hatchbacks.
Automatic is also a preference, though I would look at manuals.
Note I have a wife and 2 kids, and am looking to expand in the next 2 years (in the kid area, not the wife area!), so 4-seaters are not an option.

Oh, and a sunroof would be nice to have! :o But that's nowhere near as important as the requirements listed in my OP.
 
 
Thanks for your assistance, ToxicBunny.

Yes, I think you are right. It's looking more and more like the 320d is the car that meets all my requirements and preferences. And for a little bit extra, I could even get one with a sunroof!

What do you think of the Cruze I linked? Anything you can think of that I need to be concerned about?
 
Personally I wouldn't touch the Cruze, but thats more because if I had the choice between a BMW and a Chevrolet... there is no choice really...

There is probably nothign wrong with the Cruze itself, its just not in the same league as the BMW...
 
Drive the auto Cruze, and then drive any European auto and you will understand why going for the Chev is very peculiar
 
Okay, it's a toss up between the 320d and the Cruze 2.0 AT. I guess the only way to choose is to test drive both and see which I like best. Thanks for all the advice, TB, et al. :)
 
If you test drive both, you will go for the BMW if its in your price range :)..

But always a pleasure to help... helps keep the urge for me to buy a car at bay for a bit longer.
 
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