SkiMe

We have a 2007 RX400h that just hit 170k. I've kept up with the maintenance and just put on some new tires. With that though, both my wife and I would like something with lower mileage....we drive quite a bit.

1st Option: A 2007 RX400h with 70k and a price of $19,000 (Lexus Dealer). It drives very nice and they already went through the vehicle. But it's a Bamboo color and we can't decide if we like it or not!

2nd Option: Upgrade to next body style, 2010 RX450h, 47k miles and a price of $28,900. Still older grill but overall nice vehicle in nice condition.

3rd Option: Jump to 2013 with grill change with 62k miles and a price of $29,000. Gives us a refreshed look and a few years newer on wear items.

My wife just wants a good deal and is just happy with the 07 option. Obviously, I do know the 07 very well and can maintain it better but it might be a touch old in the next few years and a little harder to sell later on.

Thanks!

F250

Let me offer a 4th option... Get a 2010 with 70-80K miles for $21-$24,000. We got our 2010 back in August with 72K miles for $23,000, and they should be a tad less now with the '17's on the street.

Given the prices for the '07 400h versus what we paid for our '10 450h, there is no way I would consider staying with the older vehicle. At the same time, I would not go with $6-8K more for a '13 with similar mileage as the '10 we purchased.

If you DO decide to stick with the lower mileage '07 400h, though, reselling should not be problematic later as they hold their values very well.

That's just my perspective, though.

SkiMe

......

I am a little apprehensive on the 07' just being dated too much and aged rubber joints, etc.

Thanks Pete for the feedback. With ours at 170k, that really is a testament how well these are made. I assume there are timing belts on the later generation 2010-2015?

kitlz

SkiMe, you might want to check out this thread from BertL. It goes into detail the differences between 2010-2012 and 2013-2015 RXh. He didn't miss a single thing! And IIRC, he came from a 2007 RX400h. Good luck trying to find the right one.

SkiMe

Kitlz, thanks for the link....very helpful!!

SkiMe

Well, she found one that she really liked. 2012 450h, $28,900 with 42k on it. Black with tan interior. She's been driving for a few hours so we'll go check it out at the local Toyota dealer.

It drives much nicer than the 400h (her opinion, and she is really impressed). Me, well I have to see. There are two concerns for me:

1) it's been hit in the rear and shows up on the Carfax. But all of the factory VIN stickers are on the panels so might of not been that bad.
2) Came from VA so I'm concerned about rust/corrosion.

We live in Colorado so seeing any vehicle with corrosion due to salt is a concern for me. I have not seen it but will see it at Toyota dealer in a few hours. Not an awesome deal but it is nice for the ones available in our area. She said it looks new inside and out!

F250

It will be a good driving experience from which you can make a better assessment for any other 2010-2012 model year vehicles.

If possible, take a magnet and a piece of paper with you to test out those rear panels for excess bondo work. Place the paper over the panel with the magnet on top, and slide it around the panel surface slowly. If the magnet loses its grip and falls off at any point, you've hit an area where there is deep bondo work and it can be an indication of deeper damages.

SkiMe

Well we brought it to Toyota to check it out. For most part, pretty good. Just a few minor things and they felt the body repair was done well. The issue that concerned me was the corrosion. They noticed it and after looking underneath, there really was more than I wanted to accept. Some of the frame brackets had rust and looked like some delamination.

Wife is bummed but agreed. The car actually was really nice otherwise and still smelled like new leather. Really nice shape!

I called the dealer and said I can't do it....He totally understood. Really nice guy!

Anyways, we'll keep looking. My wife has determined though, this newer style is so much nicer than the 400h. She is now only looking for 2010-2013's.

Freds430

This is an easy decision. Definitely would not buy the 2007 with lower miles. What you will pay in sales tax, dealer processing fee and the difference in price will never exceed any possible repairs to your RX. Plus you know your RX well and the other 2007 can be a guess of how well it has been maintained. You have a ten year RX so obviously you keep your vehicles for a long time. With that buy the 2013. IMO the 13's and newer look much nicer especially the exterior's. Between the 2010 and 2013, they are about the same price with just lower miles for the 2010. This is a Lexus that J D Power and Consumer Reports ranks the highest in reliability. The difference of 15,000 miles is nothing. Get the 2013 and enjoy your decision. We got a 2015 RX 450h and love it. Great time to buy a hybrid with gas at $2.20 a gallon. New the hybrid was about a $5,000 premium over the RX 350 and I payed $1,000 over the 350's on the Lexus dealer's lot.

F250

I second Fred's perspective on the hybrid choice, and the minuscule price difference between the same year 350's and the h's made it an easy choice for future higher gas prices, or just better engine responsiveness even with low gas prices. I wanted the '13, but it was simply too far above our budget unless I went with 150K miles, and I was determined to stay under 80K miles, and did. I like the '13's and newer, though, so I'm planning to step away from my typical 10-year ownership approach and only keep this ;10 for another 1-2 years and then upgrade to a '13-'15 at that point. I do NOT like the '16's and '17's at all though -- Personally, I think the front ends are absolutely hideous looking (unless someone got creative with some body-matching color touch-up paint and sprayed the lower section of the monstrous front grill to minimize its obtrusiveness).

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

2010+ RX uses timing chain.

Another perk of the 3rd gen RX is that we have electric A/C compressors. Our engine can shut off without interrupting A/C. It's less likely to affect MPG compared to the older system where the compressor is driven by the engine.

703

If you get another 400h, no guarantee it would be as reliable as what you had. Avoid it.

kitlz

Too bad about the 2012. 450hs are harder to find but with gas prices low, they're not highly desired. Good luck in your search.

SkiMe

Yea, too bad. It really was nice and the interior pretty much flawless. Smelled new too. But the dealer was very understandable and said he knew about that issue. I said I might of been able to deal with the rear end damage, but can't really take on a vehicle that is starting to rust.

We'll keep looking!

F250

Be patient. Look at inventories every day online. Letting one or more go because they don't fit your needs/wants/desires is an excellent way to steel your resolve and ensure that you'll be happier with the one you end up purchasing.