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Hi there,

I am considering buying a hybrid car to reduce the fuel cost. I travel about 20k per year and my skyline 250gt just not fuel efficient. Initially thinking about Camery or Prius, but it's like driving a taxi. I then happened to spot Toyota Sai on trademe, haven't had a chance to test drive yet. Neither have I seen many on the roads. I am wondering is it a popular model in Japan or is it just a not-so-popular car. What makes Sai different or better than Camery or other Japanese hybrid cars because it does not come cheap compare to other models? Would it be a good buy in NZ?

Hi there,
I had not heard of it, but here is what I have found.
Based on the below infomation, I would be a bit hesitant to get it due to lack of parts and servicing knowledge. It looks great, but didn't seem very popular.
The Toyota Sai is a hybrid electric car sharing the same platform and hybrid drivetrain as the Lexus HS. It was launched in Japan on October 20, 2009,[2] following the launch of the Lexus HS in January of the same year.[3]Toyota received about 14,000 orders in one month after its introduction.[4]

On June 25, 2010, Lexus (Toyota) recalled 17,801 2010 model year HS250h and Sai models for failing to comply with US FMVSS 301, "Fuel System Integrity", due to excessive fuel leakage in the event of a rear-end collision. A recall of these Sai and HS models for reprogramming the brake software in February 2010 also led some buyers to question the model, with word of the issue possibly scaring away potential buyers.

In early 2010, based on units sold, the HS was considered one of the less popular Lexus sedans in the US, despite its success in Japan. In late 2011, Ward's AutoWorld reported that Lexus was discontinuing sales of the HS 250h in the US due to many complaints from customers.[