“GREEN” Grandparents Are Cool
By 55-Alive! Featured Contributor, Cathy Droz
Did Ozzie and Harriet have a garage? I think so, but how many cars did they have? You might find most of today’s grandparents with two cars in the garage, one a sporty ride and the other luxury, with perhaps a classic car in a third garage as well.
However, if you choose to have just one car that will serve as your performance car, luxury car and grandparent limo, you should consider the 2007 Lexus GS 450h. This four-door sporty luxury sedan hybrid is safe, sexy, and good for the environment. You’ll even get thumbs up from the grandchildren!
There are obvious reasons for wanting to own the GS 450h and there’s the added “tree hugger” factor of the hybrid. You won’t save any money by purchasing the hybrid version* but you will be doing something for the environment. Your teen grandchildren and even younger kids will refer to you as their “green grands”. “Green” is very hip so actually driving a hybrid and taking the grandkids on their travels around town will in fact be “cool”. The small letter (h) next to the 450 let’s the world know you are trying to save some of it.
This Lexus is a hybrid with a slightly different focus. The GS 450h delivers all out sport sedan performance while offering the fuel economy of a midsize family sedan. This sporty beauty has 340 horsepower from its gasoline/electric powertrain. It performs with the power of a big V8 while promising the fuel economy of a small V6. The estimated MPG is 28 highway and 25 city.
The trunk is a little tight due to the battery pack needed for the hybrid capability, but I’ve packed my golf clubs, stroller, camera equipment and two folding chairs without a problem. I’d rather have less cargo room and help grandmother Earth.
The interior is as luxurious and classy as its siblings, the Lexus GS 300 and GS 430. Lexus kept the techno lover and fuel conscious sedan buyer in mind when the 450h debuted. Standard features such as heated and cooled seats are perfect for any type of weather and any type of passenger. The keyless entry and auto start are great for getting the car cool or warm from the front door of your home. Also standard are moon roof, park assist and l0-speaker audio system with in-dash changer so you can listen to Fergie or Tom Jones with total clarity. Additional options include a navigation system and 14 speaker 330- watt Mark Levinson audio system so that you can hear Fergie and Tom Jones even louder.
For the performance or hot rod young boomer the Lexus 450h can go from 0-60 in just 5.6 seconds which may be how fast you need to get grandson to soccer practice on time.
For the safety of our loved ones the GS 450h includes stability and traction control, ABS emergency brake assist and every airbag possible, including dual front knee bags and side curtain bags. This is a great feature since my knees really don’t need any more pressure outside of pantyhose. The park assist system is also standard which, depending on where you live and park, is fantastic. The tethering for children’s car seats and cup holders for baby bottles or actual drinks makes the GS 450h a sedan for everyone.
I’m sure Ozzie and Harriet would have loved the Lexus hybrid for their perfect unpolluted life with Ricky and Dave. The sticker price is about $54,900, which is probably more than the Nelson’s house; but think about what you’re doing for the environment. Now if only I could get my grandchildren’s friends not to spit their gum out the window.
*Check to see if your State gives a rebate or discount for an alternative fuel vehicle purchase.
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Was that a Hot Flash or a Hot Car?
Grandparents are not only young at heart, but in a lot of instances, we are chronologically young as well. Though we may be thinking about the coolest vehicle we can own and travel in, we may also be thinking about what vehicle is the safest to transport our grandchildren.
Read about Cathy Droz featured on GrowingBolder.com
Cathy Droz's articles are included in 55+ Alive!
Grandma, Cathy Droz has 20 years of automotive marketing experience. She writes a weekly column with her daughter called Boomer and X and has a successful radio show in Phoenix, Arizona. She is the proud grandmother of Jayden Droz, who will accompany her on her test drives for fun and research. For more reviews go to www.twofortheroadusa.com or contact Cathy at drozadgal@aol.com
