I've mentioned in several posts that I own a Lexus GS450h, but I never made a big point of it because I didn't have much to show for it other than written opinion for the first several months. I've had it since last October and recently i've been getting some pics of it in action so I can now make a thread that isn't just 'words more words etc'.
2009 Lexus GS450h. The h is for HYBRID. This was the first hybrid that sold itself as a performance/tech/premium thing vs a pure economy gain. LaFerrari, Porsche 918, Mclaren P1, Koenigsegg Regera? Most of the top hypercars of the world are now trading on a concept that this car was the original proof of: Hybrid for performance.
It's still a luxury car first and foremost. It's quiet, comfortable, and had impressive tech for the time that it launched even aside from the drivetrain (although my car doesnt have the radar cruise option which makes me sad).
I came to it sort of by accident, as I was originally just planning to upgrade out of our 07 Prius (still have it) into a Chevy Volt. As it happened, I typed hybrid and a Volt-appropriate price cap into Craigslist and happened to come across this. As far as my own personal car-owning ambitions, i had forgotten they existed. I liked CT200h's and they were holding ridiculous value so I didn't even stop to think there would be newish $55k (originally) Lexus cars in my price range. Once i refreshed myself on the specs, i had to go check it out and ended up thinking this was a way more exciting change of pace than a Volt would be. I still like Volts but they could not do everything that i do with this car.
What can a GS450h do that a Volt would not do as well? They have similar seating capacity, the Volt has more cargo space, and the Volt is vastly more fuel efficient! Well, the main two things are: 1. Race sports cars, and 2. Tow project cars. My first and so far only mod was a hitch!
Tows great! I'm going to pick up an engine/trans combo with the little trailer tomorrow. This utility factor is probably not accelerating the timeline for fixing either one of my project trucks! 
Did i mention it will average 20mpg towing a car? It'll do about 29mpg empty on straight highway and averages about 24 with my wife commuting in it every day.
And you gotta have the heated and ventilated seats going on those long cross-Texas trips.
The stereo is the best factory stereo i've experienced in a car. I'm sure there are many better, but not in any car i've owned!
What about racing? Well, this thing has 340hp of peak combined output. Except... it's functionally a CVT, so unlike most cars that make their peak power for a few hundred rpm and then shift while averaging significantly less over a real WOT run, this thing goes to peak power and stays there, which makes it faster than it already sounds. Lexus claimed a 5.2 second 0-60 for these things, and that's definitely traction limited which is why i've already got some 285s for it.
Anwyay, i've had a really hard time getting good races in this thing. I've smoked some slower stuff that wasn't really a good comparison to begin with. I blew off a Focus ST which was at least generally considered a 'fast car'. Tonight i finally had a VERY good race with a BMW 135i. Going from 70-130 i put several car lengths on him! It had paper plates so hopefully i wasn't crushing any new-to-me dreams. I'm sure he'll end up liking his new car as much as i like mine. 
When i first got this car i saw a youtube video comparing it favorably to a 535i in acceleration. Well, forget that. Put that twin-turbo mill in the lightest car bmw has sold here anytime recently and it's still not enough.
Yes that's right, better use your cornering ability to flee from my hybrid tow pig!
So in conclusion, I love it and am now going to go check out LS600hl's and see if that's an upgrade to plan for!
