Followup: 2020+ Rav4 vs RX450h
Hey folks,
Recently I posted this: https://www.reddit.com/r/whatcarshouldIbuy/s/oliRM0Pnxx
Asking whether it was worth stretching to a 2020+ RX450h over the rav4 hybrid.
The price range for the rav4 hybrid xse/xle prem/limited in my area is like 30-40k depending on year and mileage. The RX with the options we wanted was 35-45k.
We test drove a 2023 rav4, 2021 CX-5, 2022 rx 450h and 2012 RX450h in the same day.
The conclusion we came to was that the drivetrain and build of the RX was definitely better than either the mazda or the rav4. But the main difference between the 2012 and 2022 was technology and condition.
We didn't feel like spending ~$20k extra to get all the latest tech, so we chose to find a super clean 2015 RX 450h. All the options we wanted, great record. $22k before taxes and fees.
Definitely a risky move because it's an 11 year old car but the low entry price gives us a lot of room to fix things before even approaching the cost of the 2020s. Plus the insurance and potential repair and depreciation costs will be much lower.
My advice is, if you feel like you need to score the deal of the century to be at peace with the purchase, you're probably looking at too expensive of a car, and should go with something older or less expensive. We paid a lot for this old boring car but because it's so much lower than our initial budget, we don't mind. Hope this helps make someone's decision easier.