Buying a 2001 RX300 awd tomorrow...need thoughts.
08-23-12, 08:13 PM
#1
Buying a 2001 RX300 awd tomorrow...need thoughts.
So this is happening fast. My girlfriend is trading in her Honda Odyssey for a 2001 RX300 AWD loaded 75k miles. Its got Navi, and drives great...
I don't know what I'm looking at. I pop the hood, I see a Camry motor. I read some online reviews and a majority of people are complaining about their transmissions going out at 80k or 100k...Saying they would never buy a Lexus again.
This to me is unheard of. After 2 SC300's, GS300, GS450h. Ive never had anything more that tire changes and brakes. Only one SSB with rear calipers being replaced on the 450h.
So give me the quickies... I'm reading my butt off, you guys have amassed so much info, im going nuts trying to filter what pertains to this RX.
Do I need to worry about the tranny? Are the people complaining online just whiny Nancy's?
What about timing belt?
Anything to do to extend the life and make sure nothing disintegrates?
I don't know what I'm looking at. I pop the hood, I see a Camry motor. I read some online reviews and a majority of people are complaining about their transmissions going out at 80k or 100k...Saying they would never buy a Lexus again.
This to me is unheard of. After 2 SC300's, GS300, GS450h. Ive never had anything more that tire changes and brakes. Only one SSB with rear calipers being replaced on the 450h.
So give me the quickies... I'm reading my butt off, you guys have amassed so much info, im going nuts trying to filter what pertains to this RX.
Do I need to worry about the tranny? Are the people complaining online just whiny Nancy's?
What about timing belt?
Anything to do to extend the life and make sure nothing disintegrates?
08-23-12, 08:21 PM
#2
I'm no expert, but i've read of this failure on a few ES300's [same motor] If its FWD, i'm almost certain its the same trans.
Basically, the people that complain have never done the interval [don't follow manual or go to dealership] or beat on it non-stop.
I'd start with a drain/fill a few times and a new filter.
Another one that will come up is sludge. How to check it on the spot is beyond me though [sorry!] All motors will have a little sludge. I'd take the RX for a rip and see how it handles/drives/runs in idle to make a decision...
All that maintenance stuff [less the TB] is 'cheap' and an easy guarantee to prolong its life. Which is what i've been doing with my ES.
GL!
Basically, the people that complain have never done the interval [don't follow manual or go to dealership] or beat on it non-stop.
I'd start with a drain/fill a few times and a new filter.
Another one that will come up is sludge. How to check it on the spot is beyond me though [sorry!] All motors will have a little sludge. I'd take the RX for a rip and see how it handles/drives/runs in idle to make a decision...
All that maintenance stuff [less the TB] is 'cheap' and an easy guarantee to prolong its life. Which is what i've been doing with my ES.
GL!
08-23-12, 08:30 PM
#3
awesome.
If all goes as planned, the trans will get drained and filter swapped. The one owner car has extensive dealer records and trans looks like it was maintained.
07/05/2012 75716 0468786 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The records show it had all its service at two local dealerships. These dealerships I am very familiar with.
I think i might invest in a bigger trans cooler.
If all goes as planned, the trans will get drained and filter swapped. The one owner car has extensive dealer records and trans looks like it was maintained.
07/05/2012 75716 0468786 AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
The records show it had all its service at two local dealerships. These dealerships I am very familiar with.
I think i might invest in a bigger trans cooler.
08-24-12, 03:39 AM
#4
Lexus Test Driver
The transmission issue is over-blown. People come on the internet to complain not to brag about their transmission. My uncle has over 380k miles on his original transmission in his 99' RX. A member on here has 351k miles on his original transmission, I believe it's on an 01' RX. I have 187k miles on my original transmission. Take a look at the high mileage RX thread, there are plenty of people with high mileage RX's on their original transmission.
My uncle and I drain and fill our transmissions every 15k miles. For me that works out to be around every 7 to 8 months. But this summer (Since March 2012) I've driven 13k miles so i've actually done two drain and fills since then, one in March and one a few weeks ago. As long as you change the transmission fluid every 15k miles with only a drain and fill, NOT A FLUSH, you will be fine. You can also occasionally change the filter. But, if the filter is a screen like it most likely is, then all you need to do is just clean it and put it back in.
From your above post it looks like the transmission has already been replaced which is great news. Hopefully it was replaced with upgraded gears.
For her coming from an Odyssey this transmission is a walk in the park compared to the one in that van. Honda really dropped the ball on that one.
Timing belt get's replaced at 90k miles. So mileage wise you have some time, but I believe time wise you are overdue. As I believe it's recommended to change when it's 6 years old. But, these timing belts are way overbuilt, I'm sure you can hold out to 90k miles.
My uncle and I drain and fill our transmissions every 15k miles. For me that works out to be around every 7 to 8 months. But this summer (Since March 2012) I've driven 13k miles so i've actually done two drain and fills since then, one in March and one a few weeks ago. As long as you change the transmission fluid every 15k miles with only a drain and fill, NOT A FLUSH, you will be fine. You can also occasionally change the filter. But, if the filter is a screen like it most likely is, then all you need to do is just clean it and put it back in.
From your above post it looks like the transmission has already been replaced which is great news. Hopefully it was replaced with upgraded gears.
For her coming from an Odyssey this transmission is a walk in the park compared to the one in that van. Honda really dropped the ball on that one.
Timing belt get's replaced at 90k miles. So mileage wise you have some time, but I believe time wise you are overdue. As I believe it's recommended to change when it's 6 years old. But, these timing belts are way overbuilt, I'm sure you can hold out to 90k miles.
Last edited by hypervish; 08-24-12 at 03:42 AM.
08-24-12, 06:45 AM
#6
Thanks guys. Between PM's, Reading threads and Posts here. I felt like Neo getting info forced into my brain. "I know King Fu."
Update this morning, we are not buying that RX now. I called my friend over that the dealership the car had its service done. He told me flat out. "Do not by that car!"
Needs 1 caliper, pads all around, Needs a transmission, Timing belt looking bad, fair amount of sludge. Said the owner changed the oil when he remembered ever 10-15k miles.
"Do not buy that RX!!!'
This is why there are two Lexus Dealers in Chicago that I F'ing love! Totally dodged a bullet here.
She's still all about the RX, I think I'll look at 330's or 350's.
Update this morning, we are not buying that RX now. I called my friend over that the dealership the car had its service done. He told me flat out. "Do not by that car!"
Needs 1 caliper, pads all around, Needs a transmission, Timing belt looking bad, fair amount of sludge. Said the owner changed the oil when he remembered ever 10-15k miles.
"Do not buy that RX!!!'
This is why there are two Lexus Dealers in Chicago that I F'ing love! Totally dodged a bullet here.
She's still all about the RX, I think I'll look at 330's or 350's.
08-24-12, 09:43 AM
#7
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Well, neglected it is but with 75k miles? That truck could run that much with no service at all and have another 300k miles of life in it.
I can fix most things mechanical, it is the interior that is beyond me if it is trashed. Caliper and pads sound minor, transmission - I read it was changed?..
Anyway, good luck on the RX quest!
P.S. I didn't care for a newer body style, the 300 looks perfect to me.
I can fix most things mechanical, it is the interior that is beyond me if it is trashed. Caliper and pads sound minor, transmission - I read it was changed?..
Anyway, good luck on the RX quest!
P.S. I didn't care for a newer body style, the 300 looks perfect to me.
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08-24-12, 10:08 AM
#8
Lexus Test Driver
Glad to hear you dodged a bullet.
I agree I prefer the 300. It look's great and has aged well. Many compliment mine, and say it look's new. The visibility is amazing on the 300 compared to the newer ones. At one point I had thought about buying a second RX instead of an ES, and I looked at 330's but the visibility wasn't as good as the 300 and I couldn't justify paying gas for two SUV's.
I agree I prefer the 300. It look's great and has aged well. Many compliment mine, and say it look's new. The visibility is amazing on the 300 compared to the newer ones. At one point I had thought about buying a second RX instead of an ES, and I looked at 330's but the visibility wasn't as good as the 300 and I couldn't justify paying gas for two SUV's.
08-24-12, 10:17 AM
#9
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+100!
This RX300 has the best visibility of all cars I have ever driven, and I have driven dozens (primarily rentals due to job related travel, including newest models). Extremely clever design of windows in the rear, making the right side as open as an aquarium, even though it does not look like it otherwise.
Every time I get into it I love it when I look back and see everything.
This RX300 has the best visibility of all cars I have ever driven, and I have driven dozens (primarily rentals due to job related travel, including newest models). Extremely clever design of windows in the rear, making the right side as open as an aquarium, even though it does not look like it otherwise.
Every time I get into it I love it when I look back and see everything.
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RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003)
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