bhales

Hello everyone, My name is Brandon and I am considering a 04-08 RX. But let me tell you my lexus history first. The first one we had was a 1996 SC400 loved that car till mom totaled it. Anyway after that it was on to 1996 LX450, then 2001 LX470, and the most recent one was a mint 2005 LX470. Black/gray perfect condition no scratches never wrecked, 199,050 miles and not a single issue. we put well over 300k on all of the others

Well some #$%# driving a tow truck lost the box Van he was towing and hit my wife in the side, truck is totaled!!



Anyway since i have a almost new crew cab Denali Pick-up we dont want to drop 35k on another gas guzzler, and she likes the smaller suv's for running around. SO my question to you is, I will have about 16K-20K cash to buy another car what should i watch out for on which years, 2wd or AWD? I dont care about Nav. any buying tips would be greatly appreciated, i know these are good for 200k + so im looking at buying around 90k is there a timing chain service due at 100K?

thanks in advance

RX330inFL

Welcome to Club Lexus, bhales.

The 2004-06 RX330 uses a timing belt which has a service interval of 90K miles, though many have pushed that to 120K miles and it still looks in good condition when coming off the vehicle. The 2007-2009 RX350 uses a timing chain which has no service interval and should be good for life. Both vehicles have other standard needs such as spark plugs at 120K miles.

Take some time to search to forums here at CL and you will find a great deal of information to answer most every question you might have.

Carver

16-20 will get you a nice RX350 or an extremely low miles 330. A few days perusal of this forum will give you a very clear idea of the few areas that seem to afflict our little darlins', none too serious. As an experienced owner you know it's all about the maintenance, just find a nice one and go for it!

RX330inFL

Examples of some 2nd Generation RX350 which might be available in your area:

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...les&sf2Dir=ASC

As with any used vehicle purchase, a thorough independent inspection is recommended.

LexusPia

Brandon, I suggest you avoid the 2007 and 2008 RX mainly because there are some issues with them not present with the earlier RX or in the 3rd generation RX like the 2010. Here are some well known issues with this vintage especially the 2008 since I have one. 1) Early battery failure (mine failed after 3 years) which I blamed on the battery manufacturer, not Lexus, 2) early water pump failure (failed after 48,000 miles), 3) failed front engine cover gasket (leaks) at around 55,000 miles, 4) failed fuel tank sensor or whatever to allow automatic fueling (with gas pump lever clicked to fill automatically until full) and dealer has not figured this one out and 5) transmission surges (no permanent fix on that one). With the exception of #4, all items described above are well documented and confirmed by Lexus service to be a fairly common issue with this vintage and with that version of the 3.5L V6 engine. This is my 5th Lexus during the past 16 years of owning Lexuses. Of all the Lexus I have ever owned, this 2008 RX350 AWD has to be the worst (poorest reliability) I have ever seen on a Lexus. I thought our other GS400 was bad but it is nothing compared to this. At least with the GS, the engine and tran were fine. It was the other stuff like cracked seats, cracked trims, ...... I'm sure others with same vintage has had good luck with it but I can tell you based on my experience to avoid the 2007 and 2008 RX. I hear Lexus has fixed many of the issues starting with the 2009 and 2010. Just my 2 cents. Good luck to you.

jfelbab

I'm about to purchase a 2014 as soon as they are available. I have a 2004RX330 AWD. I am wondering whether I should just keep the 2004 as I know it is worth much more than the blue book wholesale price. The car has remained like new over these 10 years and it is making me question whether I should be pumping 35-45k into a new model along with this trade. This RX is among the most reliable vehicles I have owned. I would not have a second thought about buying a used 04 or 05 if it has been well maintained. My vehicle has no rust, mechanically it is perfect and appearance-wise it is as well. This is as much a tribute to how well it was made as to how I maintained it. I would be surprised if my 04 is not running well at 200k miles. If you can find a well maintained 04/05 go for it.

Rainbird

My 2007 has been one of the most reliable vehicles that I have owned. I think every manufacturer in every model occasionally has a lemon slip through.

bhales

ok i have found a 2004 with 99,382 local car and has been serviced by lexus here since new
here is the link
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...Index=21&Log=0

and most recent service records, my question is what needs to be done for the 100k service and the cost?


SERVICE TYPE DATE SERVICE PROVIDER MILEAGE REPAIR # DESCRIPTION
Dealer Reported 06/18/2012 87576 0297708 MACHINE AND REPL RR
Dealer Reported 06/18/2012 87576 0297708 PERFORM MULTI-POINT
Dealer Reported 06/18/2012 87576 0297708 OUT OF STATE INSP
Dealer Reported 02/22/2012 Lexus of Mobile 83591 0624396 SPECIAL SERVICE CAMPAIGN
Dealer Reported 05/04/2010 Lexus of Mobile 62808 0596674 CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED PDI
Dealer Reported 05/04/2010 Lexus of Mobile 62808 0596674 ACCESSORY
Dealer Reported 05/04/2010 Lexus of Mobile 62808 0596674 WHL DISC/TIRE(1 WHL)DISMOUNT
Dealer Reported 05/04/2010 Lexus of Mobile 62808 0596674 WHEEL ALIGNMENT
Dealer Reported 05/04/2010 Lexus of Mobile 62808 0596674 OTHERS
Dealer Reported 05/04/2010 Lexus of Mobile 62808 0596674 FRONT/REAR BODY
Dealer Reported 04/14/2010 Lexus of Mobile 62229 0595955 60000 MILE SERVICE NON WARRANTY

Rainbird

bhales - It was due for the timing belt change at 90k. The spark plugs will need changing at 120k. The cooling system would be serviced and new coolant at 100k.

bhales

thanks Rainbird, i just went and looked at this car it looks good other than the dash and i can buy it whloesale with my dealer license for just under 10K. i'll go ahead and do plugs wires, timing belt and water pump. anyone had there dash replaced? cost?

RX330inFL

About $1500 for a new dash just for the part. Very labor intensive and if not done proper will rattle to no end afterwards.

Plug wires???

Adamjeeps

That RX is as base model as can be. I know you said that is not important to you but why buy the base model if you can find one with some goodies for about the same price?

bhales

"That RX is as base model as can be. I know you said that is not important to you but why buy the base model if you can find one with some goodies for about the same price?"

Thanks but I dont need the Nav or DVD player this will strictly be a grocery getter and something for my wife to drive my daughter back and forth to school in. I dont need all the bells and whistles. Im more concerned with a vehicle that has been well maintained. I have a fully loaded new denali we use to pull the boat and travel in(cant wait to get my truck back from my wife BTW) all base model means to me on this one is less stuff to break...there is another one 2005 almost identical at the same dealership with Nav and DVD and power lift gate but the service record isnt near as good and it has 121,000 miles

MrBruin09

When I bought my Rx it had 98,000 miles on it. It now has about 145,000 miles on it. It still runs like a champ.

bhales

thanks for all the help everyone, but i couldnt convince the wife to go for the RX. we ended buying a Mazda CX-9 GT with 30k miles, the wife liked the updated looks and the 3rd row seating, we will see how long it lasts......................oh well