jRingo

My car was stolen and I've settled with insurance (mint late 90's Accord).


After my rental ran out, I've been borrowing my sisters extra car, a 1999 ES300. She bought it in 2004 with around 80k on it...it now has 180k on the odometer. Car has been fantastic. I know she's been somewhat lax with maintenance and the only things that have went bad were an A/C compressor and the LCD on the CD player is going out. It still drives nice; engine pulls and trans shifts butter smooth 95% of the time.


After reading through the forum...it sounds like the RX's aren't quite as bulletproof as this older (and simpler) ES 300.


There are several very clean ES330's in my budget (60k+), then I saw the RX330 and was drawn too it. The ones in my budget have higher miles (90k+) than the ES's I can afford.


I've found two original owner 04-05 RX330's with 81k/96k. Both owners say all maintenance was done at the Lexus dealer. There's also an original owner 07 RX350 w/129k on it. Asking prices are $12.8-14k. The 330's have had timing belts done.


What are your thoughts? Are most of the problems popping up in the first 60-70k or am I going to be looking at several thousand a year in maintenance and repairs. On that note, I do have a garage full of tools and I'm quite handy.

robbyk

Well, on the RX around 90K miles or so you are looking at timing belt replacement. You indicated that the ones you are looking at already had timing belts replaced, so you don't have to worry about that. Hopefully water pumps were included with the timing belts.

The other thing I can think of around the 90K miles on the RX are front lower control arms bushings or entire arm replacement. While replacing LCA the ball joints should be replaced.

I had to replaced the rear struts in my 05 RX330. One of the struts was leaking pretty bad. I didn't want to change the feel of the suspension by replacing the struts with aftermarket. KYB is a very good quality of struts, my only complaint is that the non OEM is too stiff. So I ended up replacing the struts with Toyota OEM, found a good deal on Ebay. The feel of the ride still the same, smooth as butter.

For the records I have 93K on mine. So that is my personal experience with the 05 RX330.

LazarusLng

Its a good vehicle. Comfortable and easy to drive. common wear items will need to be replaced. Struts, brake components, ect.. Also look at the radiator. They are prone to failure. Not a deal breaker if you can do the work. Parts are not expensive, and it isnt difficult to work on. Especially since so many people from this forum have spent the time to put together some great diy write ups.

speedkar9

I've got an ES330 and am looking around for an RX too.

All three of the ones I saw today (06,08 and 09 models) had leaking inner tie rod boots at the steering rack which is a very expensive fix ($1500 to replace the whole rack). One had a noisy water-pump bearing which is also a common expensive failure on the 3.5L motor.

I drove the 2009 and was quite disappointed with the RX. I expected a smoother ride with a more refined engine (like my ES), but instead the ride was very bumpy and skippy due to the higher ride height, larger tires and higher center of gravity.

I jumped back into my ES and drove home, appreciating my car even more after being confused with what I experienced. In my opinion the 3.3L would be the more reliable engine at higher mileages given the problems with the 2GR-FE, so I'll keep looking for RX330's.

tomit

My RX (108,000 mi) has been trouble free.

speedkar9

I went to go see 5 more RX's today. 4 out of the 5 had leaking steering boots, and the 5th was a hybrid with electric power steering.

This must be an extremely common problem on the RX. Does it affect Highlanders as much?

takeshi74

You always have to be careful attempting to assess failure rates using forum posts. The nature of forums presents a very skewed take regardless of the topic at hand.

hypervish

Yes, leaking steering racks are a common problem on the 2nd generation RX330/350.

Also, on 04/05 RX look out for radiator leaks, and make sure the TSB for the transmission reflash was done. 05' was the first year for bluetooth.

RX330 Things to Look Out For:
1. Headlight Condensation
2. Rear Quarter Window Molding Loose/Falling Off
3. Dash Cracks (warranty extension)
4. AWD Wheel Bearings
5. Steering Rack

RX350 Things to Look Out For:
1. Headlight Condensation (doesn't seem as widespread as RX330, was supposedly fixed)
2. Oil Cooler Hose (check to make sure it has upgraded hose)
3. Dash Cracks (warranty extension)
4. Water Pump
5. Steering Rack

fastnoypi

hahaha, that is the truth. No one cares to post to say their car drove them safely to work everyday.

sgmstr

+1 on this. my wife's 04. #1 and 3 above are under warranty. #2 cost me $150 labor included, which i still it should be warranty, but lexus refuses to do this. oh.. it needed radiator a few years ago and a rear door handle loosened and fixed this myself. two of the six pins holding the front grill broke and it's will stay that way until it falls off.

sgmstr

do you have the TSB info for the transmission reflash? I don't think we ever got this done.

hypervish

Yes, I've attached the pdf of TSB TC005-03R.

sgmstr

thanks!!! always good to be a part of clublexus.

looks like i'm out of luck. I have 2004 with 87K miles.

hypervish

You're welcome!

Dealer will usually re-flash it for 1hr labor, but if you don't have an issue with how/when the transmission shifts right now, then don't bother with it.

pennington

2004 RX330 in for oil - dealer informed radiator is leaking, $835 parts and labor. Any word on recall for this? it seems to be a constant problem.