2009 Lexus Es350 One Owner 35k Miles!! on 2040-cars

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Why Lexus shies away from plug-in hybrids

Lexus may have softened its stance a bit from the anti plug-in vehicle ads the Toyota luxury badge ran last year, but at least one executive from the company casts a pretty critical eye towards the concept as a way to cut both emissions and refueling costs. In fact, Lexus doesn't really buy the fact that buyers of plug-in hybrids are really looking to save both gas and the environment, Green Car Reports says, citing an interview at the recent New York Auto Show with Lexus executive Mark Templin. Templin also said hydrogen fuel-cell technology may be a better way to edge towards zero emissions. Templin decried plug-in hybrid technology because it adds weight to vehicles, which contributes to poor emissions figures in the process. He added that plug-in vehicle buyers are motivated more by potential tax credits and solo driving rights in high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes than cutting back on fuel use. Last summer, Lexus ran an supposedly tongue-in-cheek print ad poking fun at how long it takes to charge a plug-in vehicle and how using air conditioning can shorten a car's charging range. Last spring, Lexus had to backpedal from an anti-electric ad it ran that had serious mistakes about hydrogen infrastructure. News Source: Green Car Reports Green Lexus Toyota Hybrid PHEV

Mazda and Lexus crowned with KBB 5-Year Cost To Own awards

We report on a lot of awards, some of which are given out based on more solid criteria than others. This one, the Kelley Blue Book 5-Year Cost to Own awards, seems like one that new car shoppers should pay attention to.
The cost of a car goes far beyond what you pay for the actual metal, leather and rubber at the point of purchase. Fuel, insurance, maintenance and repair costs, and the cost of fees from the state and financing will all weigh on your wallet while you own the car. That's not even taking into account the biggest cost: depreciation, or the amount of money you lose based on what your car is worth years from now versus the day you bought it.
KBB tracks these sorts of things, and they've compiled a list of winners for 2013 models. On the brand level, Mazda and Lexus earn the 5-Year Cost to Own award for having the lowest overall projected five-year totals (though, curiously, we note that Mazda and Lexus each had only one segment winner). There are lots of winners for all the various segments, so we'll just pick out a few surprising ones to share and you can view the rest here.

The Lexus sprinkles bronze on the 2020 NX 300 Black Line Special Edition

It hasn't even been a full year since Lexus showed the 2019 NX F Sport Black Line, but with the onset of the 2020 model year, another special is already on the way. Lexus is launching a second Black Line Edition on the NX, this time for the 300 model, and this time with bronze accents inside and out. The NX 300 Black Line starts with the $3,720 Premium Package, which has blind spot monitor, autodimming heated side mirrors with reverse tilt, heated and ventilated front seats, the Lexus memory system, a power moonroof, LED daytime running lights and 18-inch five-spoke wheels. On this new special edition, the wheels are differentiated with bronze finishing. Additionally, Lexus paints the normally plastic fender trim to match one of three exterior colors: Eminent White Pearl, Nebula Gray Pearl or Matador Red Mica. Because it's still a Black Line, it has a black grille, a black grille surround, black fog lamp housing and black side mirrors. Inside, the black leather, black dashboard and black headliner are less of the story than is the new decorative bronze pageantry. Lexus used bronze stitching on the door trim, floor mats, center console, seats, and the key fobs.  The Black Line Special Edition is equipped with several modern tech features, including heated steering wheel, and a 10.3-inch infotainment display with Android Auto compatibility and Google Maps navigation. It also has parking assist and a power rear door with kick action. The Black Line treatment can be ordered on front-wheel-drive or all-wheel-drive variants of the 2020 NX 300. It comes with a 235-horsepower turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that's paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Including destination costs, the FWD version starts at $45,735, and the AWD version starts at $47,135. They will be available starting November 2019. Design/Style Lexus Crossover Special and Limited Editions crossover AWD