spiveyb

Greetings! I am a owner of a 15 GS350 F sport, and I'm here on behalf of my mom. She's thinking about purchasing a 2007 RX350 FWD with 124k miles. I wanted to get opinions on this car from current or previous owners. What does she need to look for when test driving this vehicle, known issues, pros and cons. I trust this forum more than I do the actual dealer that's trying to sell the car, and unfortunately she lives in a different state, so I have no way of looking at it in person. Any help would be appreciated.

Lexuswiz

iTrader: (1)

A few things that come to my head:
- Has the VVTi oil been replaced with metal during recall?
- Maintenance records? Especially regards to fluids.
- Milage is high for age but with proper care can run for a long long time.
- Does it have air suspension? If so avoid at all costs.

BlackLexRX

Rack and pinion leaks. Check the fluid level in the reservoir, then lay under the front passenger side and look at passenger side rack assembly boots. If boots are cracked and leaking, the whole rack needs replaced. Many 07's including mine had to be replaced with a newer upgraded rack. With that many miles, rack prob been replaced though, haven't seen many that weren't so maybe you're good. Ditto Lexuswiz, no air suspension as it is complicated and costly to repair. You can tell by looking at the suspension under car or easier it will have a vehicle level adjuster in the interior. VVTi line on passenger, top of engine probably replaced as it was a recall that all the old owners were notified of, most were changed. It can be rubber still, but if so, it must have a yellow line painted onto the rubber which will be visible (the yellow line) on the upper portion. The yellow line rubber hose have had little to zero reported failures, still all metal like current construction is better.

Ling2IS

iTrader: (4)

I've had issues with my radiator on my 04.

NVAKeith

iTrader: (1)

If she's not willing to look under car, have a Toyota or Lexus dealer do an inspection. The aforementioned steering rack issue, control arm bushings, as well as small leaks like the water pump or oil from the timing cover can be very expensive to fix.

Ling2IS

iTrader: (4)

Spend the extra $75-100 for a PPI. It will give you peace of mind and bargaining power if there are any issues.

spiveyb

Thanks for all the replies. She is suppose to go look at the car on Monday. Hopefully the dealer will let her take the car to a Toyota or Lexus shop for an inspection. Some dealerships can be real ****** about allowing that.

Lexuswiz

iTrader: (1)

If they do not allow you to have it inspected at a dealer, I would consider passing on it, most of the time they're trying to hide something. I understand if they don't want you taking it to a local independent mechanic but a trusted dealer shouldn't be an issue and has not been for me.