[Kostamojen]

So, my next car needs to be as good or better than my GTI interior.

Hi Q, looks like NASIOC'ers are going to take over.

Oh hai there

 

[MikeLIX]

The CT200h is very similar to the Audi A3 diesel, and seems similar to me to a high end Prius (in fact the CT takes some of its parts from the Prius...I forget which ones, if it's the engine or what). I didn't consider the A3 because I look up reliability for all cars before I bother, and the A3 has a HORRIBLE reliability record. I test drove the Prius...eh. Pretty bland. And I couldn't get a high end cruelty-free (no leather). That nixed the Prius.

I've read about the Ford Focus hatchback coming out and seen pics. It actually looks similar to the CT, and is slightly larger (I'm guessing the back seats don't fold down flat, because they've gone to extreme lengths NOT to show the cargo area in any pics or videos, which is not a good sign). It supposedly will get 30mpg city/40mpg hwy and cost about $10K less than the CT. I'm going to take a look at that car, for sure. Ford has come a long way with its reliability and styling and mileage issues. BUT...make no mistake. The Lexus is a LUXURY car, and Lexus has proven reliability and quality reputation.

I've looked at other cars, but those are the only ones where I thought they were actual competitors.

The CT rear seats do fold to provide a flat cargo area. Not perfectly flat, but pretty good IMO.

 

[Annagyijjk]

You should take more attention to the banned with email, to secure your account play, it requires to you visit account management to secure your status.

 

[RayCatenaLexus]

The 3 vehicles Lexus considers the CT200h's key competitors are:

1. Audi A3 2.0 TDI Premium Plus Wagon
2. BMW 128i Coupe
3. Volvo C30 Coupe

Before the official launch of the CT, Lexus brought 2 CT's to our dealership for training & test drives. They also brought the Audi A3 Wagon for us to test drive & do a side by side comparision. In my honest opinion, there is no comparision in these 2 vehicles. CT200h beats the Audi all day.

 

[rj999]

Over here, there are some signs the diesel era may be coming to an end in the next few years:
Parking permit surcharge to force diesel cars off the roads - Telegraph
"
There is growing concern in Whitehall over the green credentials of diesel vehicles, which are increasingly popular.

According to a paper prepared for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs this month, they emit too many small polluting particles which damage local air quality, a particular problem in residential areas with heavy traffic."

 

[Bob259]

Over here, there are some signs the diesel era may be coming to an end in the next few years:
Parking permit surcharge to force diesel cars off the roads - Telegraph
"
There is growing concern in Whitehall over the green credentials of diesel vehicles, which are increasingly popular.

According to a paper prepared for the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs this month, they emit too many small polluting particles which damage local air quality, a particular problem in residential areas with heavy traffic."

If the truth be known it's probably more like it is here, where they are making us use a ethonal blend (10% now and going to 15% later). This way you'll burn more fuel and then the Gov't gets more tax revenue. It's all about the money... in Europe or here in the States.

 

[rj999]

If the truth be known it's probably more like it is here, where they are making us use a ethonal blend (10% now and going to 15% later). This way you'll burn more fuel and then the Gov't gets more tax revenue. It's all about the money... in Europe or here in the States.

Possibly. But our mileages in the UK tend to be lower than the US, because we are such a small country. The filters they are having to fit to modern diesels to trap the particulates tend to block up because they never go far enough to get hot and work properly. BMW recently issued a recommendation not to buy diesel for low mileage and short distance users.

 

[CTinATL]

The 3 vehicles Lexus considers the CT200h's key competitors are:

1. Audi A3 2.0 TDI Premium Plus Wagon
2. BMW 128i Coupe
3. Volvo C30 Coupe

I wonder why Lexus doesn't consider the Acura TSX a key competitor. Like the others, it's the entry-level model in its respective line-up, and it's a premium compact. Personally, I would consider the A3 and the TSX more direct competitors to the CT than the 128i and the C30 because the latter two are coupes.

 

[Kitchensink]

I didn't like our local Audi dealer very much, but looked at an Audi from the outside at the dealer trying to be fair. It was nice, but the repair record not so good. And the price of diesel not so great either. It was a no brainer to go with the ct200h...

 

[CTinATL]

I agree it's a no brainer between the CT and the A3 TDI. They're roughly the same price (both nicely equipped) but the CT gets better fuel economy and has better reliability.

Eliminate the 128i and the C30 because they're coupes, for me at least.

That leaves the TSX 4 cylinder. With navigation, it's about $4000 less than a comparably equipped CT (plus you'll probably pay less than MSRP for a TSX while that's not likely right now with a CT). In addition, the TSX has significantly larger passenger volume than the CT and it performs better. The big advantage for the CT, however, is fuel economy. For me, I think that trumps the advantages of the TSX; especially with gas prices going up.

 

[Quentin]

I didn't like our local Audi dealer very much, but looked at an Audi from the outside at the dealer trying to be fair. It was nice, but the repair record not so good. And the price of diesel not so great either. It was a no brainer to go with the ct200h...

I had a little over 3 years with what is essentially the VW version of the A3 (4 door GTI). Constant dealer visits and the dealer's inability to fix things led me to wash my hands of my first new car. When it was working, the GTI was an amazing car, but when the AC failed on me, for the 2nd time, on a 3 hr drive to Cinci in 98º temps, I had enough. Simply unacceptable for a car that wasn't even 4 years old. It will take a lot of data stating that their reliability is on par with Toyota before I ever consider them again.

 

[kurt013]

I currently have a Smartcar convertible, which I love, but now with grandkids need a backseat. I almost bought the Nissan Juke, then seriously considered the Hyundai Veloster and the small version of the Prius, but the latter two have not been released yet. I chose the ct200 over the Juke for the higher gas milage, but I realize I am spending $12,000 extra for a car which will save me about $3,500 on gas over 60,000 miles.

 

[CTinATL]

You raise an interesting point. For people like yourself, buying a CT isn't about saving money on gas per se; it's more about saving the environment. If the only reason you're buying a CT for thousands more over a Juke is better fuel economy, then that's pretty much what you're saying.

It's the same for me with the TSX vs the CT. I'd probably buy a TSX if it weren't for the fuel economy of the CT. The money I'm saving on gas, however, is eclipsed by the several thousand dollar premium that I'd pay for a comparably equipped CT.