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I've always loved the way the 1st RX looks. Much better than the 2nd and 3rd RX's. As I now am a bit more financially able, I have been considering one. I just want to know if it's safe/ok to get one now, since the car is, to be honest, quite old. My other car is an IS350 F-Sport, so the RX would most likely be more for when I have to take more people. Most likely not a daily (gas reason). Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

hypervish

Yup, it's always been a safe buy. As long as the RX has been maintained, it will run forever.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

Our 1999, which we've owned from new, is about to be relegated to the vacation home as a backup - AWD for snow, and extra space for visitors. I have concerns about the transmission, but I couldn't get what the car is worth worth (because of this) so I'm keeping it. However, if I was in the market for such a car, I'd probably steer clear of the RX300 given this and the fact that most people have followed the manufacturers recommended service ("lifetime transmission fluid")!

hypervish

The way I look at it, is if people did follow that schedule than the transmission has probably already been replaced so you then have nothing to worry about (well I guess as long as upgraded parts were used). And, if the transmission hasn't died by now, then you got one of the "good units" and it likely won't die.

Leines

Anytime you buy a used truck you take risks... but just for ****s ill give you an idea of my last 18months in a used 99 AWD canadian driven RX....

Paid $6,000 cash... had clean carproof/fax, 10 disc dvd changer headrest monitors for the kids and was prewired for amp/woofer.. so someone had done some work.... owners manual had lots of dealer oil change stamps....first owner toyota corp. person who owned it was toyota mechanic... car had 210,00kms...
First code was a P0171 P441.... maf sensor cleaned, 441 charcoal canister dealer $900... club lexus forums finds part that works perfect $156... dealer service at toyota instead cost me $300 out the door with oil change... second thing happens...steeering seems off... dealer said steering pump, steering rack...read forum... intermediate steering shaft...same as highlander.. $130 part.. $200 out the door serviced at toyota dealer...
second issue was rich condition and misfires on 3 cylinders P0172 P0300 P0302 P0304 P0306... dealer says lots of parts could be wrong... were talking $1000 or so after they get done.... read forums... $60 oil control valve, i replaced more parts here for good measure which led to other problems because new parts were faulty... but maybe youve got the idea....

The RX is a good luxury SUV in the price range its hard to beat... they are getting older... but if your savvy with the internet, reading forums and you have someone who will work on the truck, or you can work on it yourself... they are virtually bulletproof... the lone issue is the transmission.... but i think if you found one with a good service history, in the right milage for a good price, its a buy that could be worth the risk.... i took mine to the transmission place the first day and had them check it over...drain and fill NEVER FLUSH....

Ive put 65,000kms on my RX in 18months driving it every single day and driving it hard..... ive got about $1200 in service work into her...... i need my truck daily..so its a pain in the butt when its in the shop.. but for a second truck.. it could be the perfect balance of budget and class.. especially if your not gonna pile the kms on like me... 65,000kms is about 5 years of use for my girlfriend....

hypervish

In the 5, almost 6 years and 75,000 miles that I've owned the RX, I've spent $2,453.79. That includes two set's of tires, oil changes, spark plugs, shocks, etc. The only non-maintainence item that I've had to replace was the front and rear valve cover gasket.

I consider that very good, I've put a lot miles on the car and it's been extremely reliable just like every Toyota product I've owned.

Leines

WOW thats basically equal to my service as well... ive got 65,000km for $1200.. your 75,000miles is 120,000kms.. which is almost double the milage ive done on mine, and almost exactly double the maintaince cost...... id say that $12-1500 for a 60,000km usage... is very good... considering the average person drives 20,000kms a year in canada... thats three years use... breaking down to $4-500 a year in maintaince on a luxury SUV could be unheard of.