Philly#1 Lex

iTrader: (2)

I am looking for a 00' or 01 RX300 for my wife. I would like to have you guys opinion on which one is the best? What are average miles for these years? And what should I look for when I am purchasing an RX with 50,000 miles or more? What does the 60,000 miles tune up require if it is like an SC. Thanks for your help in advance!

Philly

rxdriver

All other things being equal, I'd be biased toward an '01. Several small but useful features came out in '01 that were improvements over the original '99 / '00 model.

Such items include a bigger gas tank (19+ gallons as opposed to 16), two-level seat heaters (high/low versus simple on or off), an HID headlight option, and I believe that's also the year they put a compass in the rear view mirror unless the car had the navigation system, which became available as an option in '01.

On the outside, very little changed except the tail lights. The tail lights had separate bulbs for the turn signal in '99 and '00; the design was simplified for '01and lasted until the end of the RX300 run in '03. '01 might be the year they added the "bumper pad", a black piece of plastic added to the top of the bumper to protect it while loading/unloading the cargo area. (This pad can be added to earlier years, if desired.)

I lost track of when the various flavors of anti-skid control came out... I know vehicles with VSC have the logo on the front doors, but I forget in which year that became available.

Bottom line... '01 was a big year for the RX300!

Philly#1 Lex

iTrader: (2)

Mileage? WHat mileage should I look for?

Philly

Lexmexico

I own a 99 and agree that a 2001 would probably be better given the amenities, but do compare prices. Some people have been selling at a much, much higher price for a 2001 over a 2000, knowing this.

Rather than focusing on miles, focus on if all service has been performed on the vehicle, including oil changes.

The 60,000 mile tuneup is all fluid changes, spark plugs. Ran me about $600, which might be cheap, at a Lexus dealer.

rxdriver

I'd invite others to comment on the mileage, as my driving habits have been anything but typical.
For a while, I was racking up miles at the rate of about 32K a year!

I traded in both of my RX300's with just under 50K on them, and there really wasn't a darn thing wrong with them. The RX is an excellent vehicle, and if it's maintained regularly, mileage should not be much of an issue. WIth all of the driving I was doing, I felt better keeping a car under the bumper-to-bumper warranty, and I admit that I also liked the new toys. (My second one had to have the nav option!) In four years of owning RX's, the only warranty work I've had done has been the RX330 trans ECM update.

The only other data point I can offer is that a car has to have less than 60K miles to be eligible for the Certified Pre-Owned Lexus program. I'm not sure what the age limit is that goes along with that number.

Philly#1 Lex

iTrader: (2)

Would you guys buy a 01 with over 60,000 miles on it? Also where is the best place to buy one? I am trying to get one off the internet because I am stationed overseas in Italy . Would you guys use Ebaymotors? I looked for some in PA, but they seem to overly expensive there? Thanks!

Philly

Lexmexico

Are you going to have the car shipped over there, or is it going to be stateside?

I personally don't trust Ebay when buying a vehicle. I have had several friends have bad experiences. Think about it, generally something is on an auction for a reason.

Take a look at Autotrader.com and Edmunds.com first before looking again at ebay.

Philly#1 Lex

iTrader: (2)

Thanks Lex Mex Anyway what is your opinion on mileage above 60,000? ANd what should I look at paying for a 2001RX300 with above 50,000 miles? Thanks man!

Philly