katmeg99

A friend of mine is going to turn in her leased 2004 RX 330 in Feb. 2008 and has offered to let me buy it for the residual price of 12k. By that time the car will have about 100k miles on it. I know Lexus has an excellent reputation, but does this sound like a good idea? If so, what are some of the big problems with this car when you get into the high mileage?

Thanks.

AM1

iTrader: (6)

thats a first ive never heard of people leasing cars for more then 15K miles a year.

salimshah

Dont forget that Lexus are among the most expensive maintenance vehicles.

I have heard $100+/hr of labor.

The following are just for guideline. Check with your delarship to get exact prices.

Simple oil +filter (7.5k miles multiple service) $120
Intermediate (30k mulitple) $300-$600
Major (90K multiple) $1200


AC repair $1500
Transmission repair $4000

Fender bender $1300

I have been fortunate, but some who have 100K + miles and had to fork out $$$$ for repairs have not been very happy.

Go in with your eyes open.

Salim

jednav

Buying used is buying other people's problem.

katmeg99

Thanks for your advice. I've heard about the expensive labor. I'm not sure I'm interested in the increased problems that one gets at 100k+ miles.

lawgrl

However, you're not requied to have work done at the dealership. I don't unless it's a covered repair.

anulex

Did your dad tell you that? Those days are long past. People buy used for different reasons. With the introduction of leasing many used cars are just as reliable if not more reliable than the car you own. Most least cars have better maintenance records than those of people who actually purchase their cars

jednav

That is your opinion, so leave it at that!!

salimshah

Please restrict posts to sharing opinions. [edits would be appreciated]

Buying new vehicles make more financial sense if you keep the vehicle for longer time, [depriciation over more number of years].

If you find a used vehicle which is well cared of, then you should not hesitate buying it.

My expectaiton for a vehcile is 100k miles of trouble free ownership [Lexus says 60K or 100k_with_extended_insurance]. Beyound that, you are in bonus miles. Things do wear out, so expect minor problems.

Salim

AM1

iTrader: (6)

buying used cars many times is a good way to save $$$ on a car especially if you get cars that are around 2-3 years old, since the original owner has taken the deprecation hit. just cuz you dont like used cars shouldn't put people down. afterall not everyone is a cool lexus owner like you. anyways back to the original post, you really should reconsider buying a lexus with that many miles, the repiars alone could be a lot. Contrary to what a lot of people think lexuses in general are nor perfect and do have problems and do break down and when it does its costly.

dasteve

Sounds like a good deal but...

They always say never buy/sell a used car from/to a friend. If you want to keep that friend anyway. If any major breakdowns occur, you may blame your friend (or subconsciously anyway) and lose a friend.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

Keep it civil. No skirting around the language editor by creative spelling. Infractions have and will be given if this continues. Offending posts have been deleted. Take it to PM if you want to argue with another member and keep it off the forums.

Remember the rules you agreed to when you signed up to become a CL member. If you don't know what they are go back and read them.

The G Man

Lexus' high resale value actually may work against itself when it comes to use cars. When we were shopping around the RX, a new RX was about 40K, while a 2 or 3 year old RX was going for 33K to 35K. Not a whole lot of savings there, if I were going to spend 30 to 40K on a car, I would feel more comfortable knowing it has been taken care of by me.

AM1

iTrader: (6)

lexus usually does have a high resale value, but in the case of the RX i think it changes a bit due to the fact there are so many of them out there. Plus many journalists now consider the RX to be outdated and not the best in class like it used to be. The dealers discounting the cars like crazy cant be good for resale also. On a side note i was wondering where all the mods were...........

salimshah

All vehicles have a sharp drop in value as soon as you drive out. Lexus does do pretty well on resale value for 3-4 years and 60k miles. As you move higer in milage and (specailly in years) the resale starts dropping more rapidly.
AMI you are very right that back in '98 and '99 RX was was the only car-like SUV. The other factor is supply. With RX flooding the market (best selling model), they are flooding the resale pool.
Even then, the case is not that RX have poorer resale value when you compare it to other brands.

About mods; the RX board is fairly self regulated. Not that they are not needed, the incidents have been too few and far inbetween.

Salim