TBONE1904

iTrader: (1)

What is the life expectancy on these vehicles? I am looking at a 2004 with 128,000 and a 2005 with 126,000 miles, that seem to be well taken care of and clean. Are these vehicles good to 200K? Besides timing belt, water pump ,and spark plugs what other maintenance items should I look for? I have heard there have been transmission issues what should I look for when test driving slipping, clunking, or? I loved my 97 SC400 and looking forward to another Lexus! I even remembered my password from 05-02-11!

thomas1

The only other issues would be wheel bearings. But I would check tranny fluid condition carefully. And personally I would not get the 2004 as it was first year of this generation. I would go the 2005.

RX330inFL

Power steering rack, struts, brakes/rotors, tires, quality of all fluids, and anything else you would check for any used vehicle purchase. Pay to have a professional inspection if needed.

mpatton

To piggy back on this, I paid the local toyota dealer to do a pre-purchase inspection. I think it was $70. I trust that shop, so I felt comfortable doing this. The $70 peace of mind was worth it. Win-win I believe.

RX330inFL

Plus, you get "plausible deniability" later when arguing with the wife about a future problem. "But the mechanic said it was OK."

mpatton

Haha - and you can't put a price on that!

TBONE1904

iTrader: (1)

Help me decide!
See below:

2004 all factory maintained 90k service ie timing chain spark plugs changed tranny flush but only water pump inspected. Looks good only small body scratches but he is flipping it. The 6 disc player is throwing up error 3. My mechanic stated engine tranny looks good worn shocks control arm bushings cracjed and driver side cv boot torn.

2005 all factory maintained 90k service ie timing chain spark plugs changed tranny flush. Minor body scratches but headlights are condensing.is his wifes car that they leased and bought. Taken to my mechanic for verification now.

I feel like the 2004 drove better....they have about the same mileage 126000 to 129000 and at this point same price.

Rainbird

The error 3 on the disc player is a big deal and not inexpensive to fix. Search the forum for "error 3". Lexus should fix the headlight issue under the headlight condensation recall. I vote for the 2005.

TBONE1904

iTrader: (1)

Local dealer said it is a service action and he has seen half approved and half denied. He said it has to have water in it not just fog to be approved.

TBONE1904

iTrader: (1)

Local dealer said it is a service action and he has seen half approved and half denied. He said it has to have water in it not just fog to be approved.

TBONE1904

iTrader: (1)

2005 all factory maintained 90k service ie timing chain spark plugs changed tranny flush. Minor body scratches but headlights are condensing.is his wifes car that they leased and bought. Taken to my mechanic for verification now.

So in addition to the same issues on the 2004 ie: worn struts, cracked control arm bushings the 2005 had the following:
leaking radiator, cracked passenger side motor mount, cracked window, transmission fluid flush.

looking for another!

Rainbird

That's why a person should always have an independent mechanic perform a complete inspection. Good luck with your search, I am sure you will find one without all those issues.

thomas1

good job getting them evaluated. good luck on your search you will find the right one.

LXPearl

I have avoided any Toyota/Lexus product with the 3.3L and 5 speed having had my fits with an 04 model. Drive By Wire coupled with the electronic transmission controls caused terrifying moments, mostly on the highway. There were updates to the software but the transmission shifts were still problematic.I have heard it is based on the design of the transmission for maximum gas mileage instead of responsive performance. It was easy for me to invoke as I test drove vehicles with 5spd Auto/3.3L V6. I would drive down the highway, let off the gas as if coming up on a slow vehicle and wanting to merge to the next lane to pass. Pause a moment (while you look for an opening in traffic, then attempt to ease into the next lane with a light touch on the gas. It usually does nothing (it shifted itself into neutral thinking you were stopping); so you give it a bit more gas, still nothing. Traffic is now coming up on you; so you give even more gas and the vehicle wakes up realizing you really want to accelerate rather than stop, so it downshifts a couple gears and takes off. You breathe a sign of relief that the car finally responded, while the family complains about your jerky driving. I test drove models hoping for effective improvements, and 2007 gave some noted improvements which coincided with the arrival of the 3.5 L V6. In my search for an RX last year, I was looking at 02-03 and 07-09 models. A low mileage 08/09 can be Lexus Certified if under 70K and passes their inspection.

If you haven't tried shopping at a Lexus dealer, do so. They typically weed out problematic Lexus vehicles and send them to auction, where they show up at other car lots. Lexus dealers also have an internal auction where they can offer the better cars for each other before sending them off to the general auctions. If you tell a Lexus sales person what you are looking for, they may find one for you faster than you may expect. They will also give you a heads up on vehicles coming in. Just don't be surprised if they inspect it and decide it does not meet their standards. They will send it off to auction even if you are a willing buyer (even on non-Certified ones). Looking at a Lexus even at a Toyota dealer would be a yellow signal to me - to check it out closely, especially if it came from auction.

Stavy612

I had some of the same issues when i bought my 04 in regards to the radiator. I bought it from a lexus dealer and they replaced the radiator and flushed the coolant at no charge. I picked my 04 up with 141k on the clock and havent had any issues besides normal maintanence.