Panerai127

After selling my 2001 GS430 due to bad steering feel, handling was much improved with Tein CS and Daizeen bushings all arround. Have the 545i Sport that wife drive now, I drove her IS300 and loved it, we just sold it and I am looking for Jetta for commute. We are thinking of having a baby and need a good SUV with good trunk. I drove the RX330 a few times. The car was very soft and disconnected to the road, sloppy soft steering, but reliability and looks are very good. So we are considering it along with 2004-2005 X5 3.0 or 4.4. My wife loves the bmw ride and feel and loved her IS300, so it would be very difficult to get her to love RX I think. But the reliability and assumed MPG and resale value are attractive factors. Can you please tell me known MPG from member on FWD and AWD models?! Also what is out there to improve handling? Can i get after market shocks and struts along with springs and tighten the steering wheel feel? Any info would be appriciated.

Grumpa72

My thoughts and comments in nor particular order.

My wife is the primary driver on our 2005 RX330 with awd. It has had only one fault and that was condensation in one headlight assembly that was replaced under warranty. Other than that - nuttin going wrong. Fwiw, we got about 46000 miles from the original Michelin tires and I have have the orignal brake pads with about 1/4" remaining at 50,500 miles.

Mileage - when my wife drove from 200 miles during the height of the oil crisis, she set the cruise control on 60 mph and got an indicated 30.? something or other. The calculated was about 1 mpg less. Around town we get 19 mpg depending on how much stop and go. SHe is prettly light on the gas pedal and I get about 2 mpg less than her. Normally we get a mixed 22 +/- mpg with combined city and highway driving. I am extremely happy with that number, btw.

The car is a bit soft but that is because it is big, tall, and heavy. I doubt that they designed it for driving enthusiasts and their pursuit of road feel. It is, however, a good solid road car that is relaxing. We have a 2007 BMW 328xi for the fun driving. At no time would I say that this car has sloppy handling or is loose. Try to remember that it is an SUV designed for someone looking for comfort not road handling. I have not driven the BMW but looks and reliability were at the top of our list.

Just my two cents.

UZ214

Rx330 is good buy, prices are great right now. I would get the rx330 and just leave it stock. It feels crappy handling change the tires, get some sticky tires, makes a huge difference. that what i did. I traded in the Rx, but eill buy another one a month or so. The car is reliable and thats what lexus are all about .

My boss worker has a 05 x5, i have driven it a few times, drives really good. Almost like a car great handling and response + road feel.
He has the entire engine replaced. his car caught fire..lol + his cd changer and car charger dont work. the suv spend more time in getting something fixed then he drives.

i love the X5 how it drives but would take a more peace of mind with the rx

Panerai127

thanks for the feedback. yea reliability is very important to me.. i was reading on bmw forums and the 2004-2005 x5's are pretty reliable and their v8 4.4 get the same mpg driven OK not fast due to 6 spead tranny.. he probably got an unlucky one.. thing with bmw's you need to take care of it, it has the best car suv feedback from the road.

So has anyone upgrade shocks and springs on the RX?

tromly

I can only comment on the gas mileage, as I'm not into aftermarket products. I have two FWD 04's, one has 82,000 miles and gets 29mpg on trips (regular gas) the other now has 65,000 miles and gets 27 mpg on trips. Around town I avg 21. I'm not a hard driver and always obey the speed limits, perform all the required PM's at the Lexus dealer, have used Mobil 1, which I think helps with the gas mileage. I love my Lexus automobiles and have now owned 5, all were great cars with no mechanical issues. I've owned MB before, never again as the maintanence costs were too high.

captstp

I have a 2005 RX330 AWD that I bought because of our 2year old at the time. I was looking at the BMW X5 and VW Toregefefkdhjfhfifhjslf (sp) lol. VW did not make a V6 diesel at the time and BMW was too much money, cost more to repair, and does not get as good of gas mileage. The RX I have has Navigation and Backup Camera for safety, I don’t want to end up running over something or someone I shouldn't, like the stories I have read . Mileage, I get 20 to 23 mpg on the freeway depending on how fast I drive. If I keep it on or near the speed limit I get 22 mpg calculated. Faster I get less, slower I get more. Good luck, I recommend an RX.

jkt

I have a 05 with 100k, no problems except the headlight moisture problem...repaired under warranty. Get 19-22mpg in town..25 on highway...and i drive fast! Car is a great cruiser for the highway!

mandyfig

The wife will love the RX, as do mine! Get the 05's. But if you see a pristine 04, low mileage, not bad. Get a CPO for added peace of mind. Otherwise, suggest you purchase Lexus extended warranty. I did. Turns out to be ~$400 per year for every year covered. Not bad investment.