jwminzen

Long story short. Recently bought RX with 100k on odo. Took to lexus because of check engine light. They informed me that I needed a new catalytic converter, new transfer case (I noticed a pulsating humming noise at highway speeds, they attributed it to a bad transfer case), new steering rack. Quoted $9600 in repairs!


I then took the car to my toyota mechanic. He confirmed the catalytic coverter and rack and pinion steering components need to be replaced. He said possible wheel bearing issue is causing humming noise, and truly doubts the trans case is bad. He quoted me approx $1.8k to replace catalytic (700) converter, rack and pinion ($800), and wheel bearing ($300).

I bought the car for 12.5k. It books for 14.5k.

Would you keep the car and do the maintenance or get rid of it and just sell it? I'm concerned about future issues arising from it not being properly maintained.

RX330inFL

Get rid of it. You will never be happy and always concerned about the next thing to go bad.

ceads9

Hate to say it , but I agree with RX 330 Fl. Bite the bullet and trade it in iF you can . That's a bad deal, I guess it can happen to any make. Did you have any issues at before ? If you are concerned at this point which it sounds like you are , I don't think I would be happy or always worried what's next. Worse case if you can't trade it , then fix it and hope for the best. That's a lot of problems at once .

jwminzen

Yea I'm thinking along the same lines. After i posted this i did go to the Lexus website and it appears to have a good service history. Bad luck I guess.

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

I'll buy it for $5k

hypervish

I'll buy it for $5,001!

jwminzen

Ha, I bet you all would.

pauljcl

+1 - At least you can put it behind you and not 1. worry about or 2. get hit by other problems and issues. It's tough to do, but one should get out of a bad trade asap. I feel for you.

lexus114

how is the rest of the vehicle? Good condition? Was the timing belt, spark plugs done? transmission and transfer, and rear serviced?

jwminzen

Vehicle is in immaculate condition.

Records show timing belt and water pump was done at 90k. I can't speak to the spark plugs or if the trans, transfer and rear diff has been serviced.

Carver

If the car is nice and the service record checks out I would be inclined to do the repairs and keep it. When I bought mine at 73k I changed all the fluids, filters, put a new rack on it and had it aligned. No car is going to be perfect at 100k.

RX330inFL

I have no doubt this vehicle can be repaired/fixed and make for reliable transportation for someone. However, from the comments made by the OP I get the sense he will always be worrying about the next big thing to go wrong. Have seen this before. Call it buyers remorse, whatever.

RX330inFL

AWD 2nd Generation RX are known to have an issue with wheel bearings as seen by the numerous posts on the topic here at CL. So, that is not a surprise.

What bugs me is the need for a new CAT at 100K miles on this RX. Why? In this day-and-age there is no reason why a CAT should go bad at this early an age. I think there is more to this than meets the eye. An O2 sensor I could see, just not the CAT at this point.

If you hold on to this RX you really should have the transmission fluid, front transfer case and rear differential gear oil, along with the power steering fluid (the RX uses DEXRON II/III ATF) replaced. Also, how are the tires? You can see how the dollars on this can quickly add up for general maintenance items. Plugs are not due to be changed until 120K miles.

Carver

Possibly cheap gas? I have heard low octane fuel can cause problems with the cats over time. Is that a rumor or some basis in fact?

cdnewton

In my experience, no issues with cat and lower octane fuel .... we have been running 85 octane (in Colorado -- usually SAMs Club) since purchasing our 2004 RX330 new ... just turned 182K.