speroindeo

So I'm deciding between an 03 with 102k or an 04 with 144k.

I can get the 03 for $8,500 and the 04 for around $9,000.

I guess my question is this...is the new body style and engine worth the extra miles?

Both are really fair prices....and I'm justifying the 330 by telling myself if I have to spend $5k on a new engine it would still be a really nice car for $14k that I could drive for a very long time.

Pros for 300 - less miles and $ / 6inches smaller and I live/park in Chicago
Cons for 300 - older body style / slightly worse gas mileage / black interior and I have a light colored golden retriever

Pros for 330 - updated body/engine / better gas mileage / tan interior
Cons for 330 - more miles / slightly more difficult to parallel park

Now that I've debated everything from my head...I could use some advice from those who have spent the miles in the driver seat.

Thanks in advance!!

carguy07

One big thing to consider is that the last model year of the 300 should have almost all of the bugs worked out where the first model year of the 330 will have several issues. 300 has cheaper parts and tires too.

bob2200

It's probably a matter of taste. One down-side of the RX300 is the wider turning radius. A big up-side of the RX300, to me, is the pass-through space between the two front seats. This feels roomier (less closed-in) to me.

hypervish

I would have to say RX300.

Has the RX300 already had the timing belt changed?

I think you need to drive both before making a decision though. Check the service history on both: https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lex...-lexus/home.do

The RX300 has better visibility than the 330.

sktn77a

iTrader: (2)

All things being equal, I would probably go with the RX330. Yes, it's the first year of this models production run but the 300 had major transmission problems. The 300's planetary gear was supposedly "updated" in 2002, but there's no clear documentation of this from Lexus so it's not clear if anything was really changed to address this.

Oh, yes, as noted above, the RX300's turning circle is absurdly wide!

hypervish

Keep in mind that there are still many, many people driving around on their original transmission with high mileage (i.e. >200k miles), myself included. Take a look at the high mileage thread you will see what I mean. One of them has over 350k miles on his original transmission, and my uncle has 380k miles on his original transmission and that's on a 99' with "the non-updated transmission"

IMHO, With proper maint. (i.e. 15k mile OCI for trans. fluid) it will last a long time.

BTW: This post was not directed towards you sktn77a, I am just making a point to the OP. So he knows the risk.

saudiboy

I think a black interior tends to show dirt, etc., less (but I'd get a seat cover for the dog). I never changed the tranny fluid for my RX300 and lost it at 105,000 miles. But I've logged 85,000 miles on the rebuild. The only thing I hate about the RX300 is the turning radius, but it's usually not an issue. The thing I like about the RX300 and maybe this is true about the RX330 as well is that fact that you can pull the thing apart (at least the cosmetic bits). For example, I just install a satellite radio antenna on the roof near the liftgate and was able to conceal the wire inside the body of the vehicle from the back to the front, by pulling off pieces of molding here and there.

lexus114

Go with the 330, much more bells & whistles, reliable. I put 47,000 miles on my 330 since I got it three years ago. Couldnt be happier, no issue`s at all to date. (now I`ll go out and find my check engine light on or something )

speroindeo

After getting both options checked out with mechanics and went with the 300 with 102k. It needs the timing belt to be changed though. Got it for $8300 and feel like it was a fair price. Mechanic said it was in really good shape and he'd buy the car himself.

Feels good to own my first Lexus!!!


Thanks again for your feedback....

hypervish

Congrats! Sounds like a great deal! Get that timing belt done soon though.

trhs75

Great choice, but I think you'd win either way. Welcome to the forum!

smardav

RX330 imo. it looks better, has more power. I have an 02 RX300 and hate its tranny. the 4-speed just doesnt cut it. and rx330 power trunk really helps..

lexus114

Get the fluids changed asap! Especially the drive train. And good luck with it. Enjoy!