Faisal Sheikh
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Hey guys,
Really need some advice
Would really appreciate your input on it
Long story short, my RX450h has had cosmetic damage due to the infamous hail storm in Calgary, AB. Paint is fine and with black color, the dimples are not apparent unless there is a lot of reflection. While my RCF and IS350 F-Sport are stored underground in a garage, my 2014 RX450h with 250,000 KM was not so lucky. The damage is only cosmetic so it drives perfectly. No issues. My insurance pay out for it (after pointing out inaccuracies and showing them listings etc.) is $22,000 CAD.
Unfortunately, there are very few RXs available in the market. No RX450h available and only RX350 and RX350 F-Sport available. I only looked at RX350 F-Sport primarily for the 8 speed. I have a very good example I test drove. But, it is a RX350 F-Sport (2015) with 160,000 KM. So, about 90,000 KM less than my RX450h. I test drove it and it drives fine. The dealership was asking $26,995 + tax (and they showed me they are barely $500 over cost). So, I got them to agree to swap my Michelin tires with the Toyos on the RX350 F-Sport (those Toyos were horrible). The front brakes are only 40% so I might be able to get them to swap them out and they are willing to take off $500 max. So, that means, I will still have to fork $6000 more after all is said and done.
My question is, which one of the two options would you recommend
Option 1:
Take the pay out from insurance and my RX450h would be sold for parts (hard for me comprehend such an amazing SUV would be parted out) of $22,000 and get the RX350 F-Sport (2015) for another $6000 out of pocket? Mine is mechanically perfect and everything still feels like brand new despite the high mileage. I have owned it for 5 years and put 50,000+ KM on it. The RX350 F-Sport has 90,000 KM less and immaculate condition. Drives well. Feels sluggish compared to my RX450h even with the 8 speed in manual mode, but it is most likely due to cr*p fuel in it. I did not find it to be stiff or harsh like most people on the internet say. It was marginally stiffer than my RX450h and has better body control with the stiffer springs/shocks and those lateral dampers. It does not jiggle nearly as much as my RX450h while still being very compliant. I know these Lexus engines have very sensitive knock sensors and detune the engine at lower Octanes. My RX450h also feels night/day at Octane 89 vs Octane 94. So, I am sure it will feel as lively as my much more torquier RX450h with Octane 94 since it is 400 lbs lighter.
Option 2:
Take the $10,300 pay out from the insurance where I can keep my RX450h with the cosmetic hail damage. Only caveat is, hail damage coverage would be removed, if I keep driving with the dimples on it (which is what I will do). They are not that bad and due to the black color, not noticeable unless there is a lot of reflection off the paint. As per the caveat, if there is further hail damage on it, I am on my own.
I will under this option drive the RX450h into the ground over the next 3 - 5 years as it is at 253,000 KM and then buy a different Lexus. I always loved this generation of RX and felt it was the sweet spot. Not too big, not too small and does everything exceptionally well while driving like a car. Option 1 gives me the opportunity to buy one for the long haul while option 2 with the car having damage already and insurance removing hail damage coverage as a condition, means future of my RX450h would be unknown. Still, I end up pocketing $10,300 right now and then worry about things later while I keep driving the RX450h with those dimples on the paint.
Please let me know of your thoughts.
Really need some advice
Would really appreciate your input on it
Long story short, my RX450h has had cosmetic damage due to the infamous hail storm in Calgary, AB. Paint is fine and with black color, the dimples are not apparent unless there is a lot of reflection. While my RCF and IS350 F-Sport are stored underground in a garage, my 2014 RX450h with 250,000 KM was not so lucky. The damage is only cosmetic so it drives perfectly. No issues. My insurance pay out for it (after pointing out inaccuracies and showing them listings etc.) is $22,000 CAD.
Unfortunately, there are very few RXs available in the market. No RX450h available and only RX350 and RX350 F-Sport available. I only looked at RX350 F-Sport primarily for the 8 speed. I have a very good example I test drove. But, it is a RX350 F-Sport (2015) with 160,000 KM. So, about 90,000 KM less than my RX450h. I test drove it and it drives fine. The dealership was asking $26,995 + tax (and they showed me they are barely $500 over cost). So, I got them to agree to swap my Michelin tires with the Toyos on the RX350 F-Sport (those Toyos were horrible). The front brakes are only 40% so I might be able to get them to swap them out and they are willing to take off $500 max. So, that means, I will still have to fork $6000 more after all is said and done.
My question is, which one of the two options would you recommend
Option 1:
Take the pay out from insurance and my RX450h would be sold for parts (hard for me comprehend such an amazing SUV would be parted out) of $22,000 and get the RX350 F-Sport (2015) for another $6000 out of pocket? Mine is mechanically perfect and everything still feels like brand new despite the high mileage. I have owned it for 5 years and put 50,000+ KM on it. The RX350 F-Sport has 90,000 KM less and immaculate condition. Drives well. Feels sluggish compared to my RX450h even with the 8 speed in manual mode, but it is most likely due to cr*p fuel in it. I did not find it to be stiff or harsh like most people on the internet say. It was marginally stiffer than my RX450h and has better body control with the stiffer springs/shocks and those lateral dampers. It does not jiggle nearly as much as my RX450h while still being very compliant. I know these Lexus engines have very sensitive knock sensors and detune the engine at lower Octanes. My RX450h also feels night/day at Octane 89 vs Octane 94. So, I am sure it will feel as lively as my much more torquier RX450h with Octane 94 since it is 400 lbs lighter.
Option 2:
Take the $10,300 pay out from the insurance where I can keep my RX450h with the cosmetic hail damage. Only caveat is, hail damage coverage would be removed, if I keep driving with the dimples on it (which is what I will do). They are not that bad and due to the black color, not noticeable unless there is a lot of reflection off the paint. As per the caveat, if there is further hail damage on it, I am on my own.
I will under this option drive the RX450h into the ground over the next 3 - 5 years as it is at 253,000 KM and then buy a different Lexus. I always loved this generation of RX and felt it was the sweet spot. Not too big, not too small and does everything exceptionally well while driving like a car. Option 1 gives me the opportunity to buy one for the long haul while option 2 with the car having damage already and insurance removing hail damage coverage as a condition, means future of my RX450h would be unknown. Still, I end up pocketing $10,300 right now and then worry about things later while I keep driving the RX450h with those dimples on the paint.
Please let me know of your thoughts.
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