Ahheck01

iTrader: (2)

And if so, what would you look out for? What are the signs that it's been properly well maintained?

For the LS430's, you look on Lexus.com to see if the 90k service was done at a lexus dealership, including timing belt and water pump. Also, if it has the air suspension whether it's been replaced if close to 150k miles.

What are the equivalent things to look out for in the RX330 if you were shopping for an AWD one for under $10k?

kiwi

Try and buy privately (with service ALL records) and make sure its the original owner. then take it to a dealer to have a 100+point inspection done.

second best would be certified preowned, at least then if something happens in the first 3 months (or whatever their policy is) you are covered.

keep in mind there is no perfect problem free used car out there. anticipate putting money into at some point or another. if you are paying cash for the vehicle, put a car payment aside each month to pay for a problem. (if it has air suspension, mine does, plan at some point either repairing, or converting)

if you get a bad feeling, walk away, it will be cheaper.

Band

Under $10K for an RX330 AWD ?
Likely reconstructed title or super hi mileage. Be wary of flood cars.
I'd have extra $$ set aside to fix.
Just my opinion.

Ahheck01

iTrader: (2)

I appreciate the feedback. So with the inspection, etc., what are the things to look out for on these vehicles as they get higher in mileage? From the looks of things, I'll be getting a 120k mi + RX330.

hypervish

$10k is a bit low, not sure how much 330's are going for near you but near me you can't get one for less than $11k. And, even then they won't be the ideal used car anyone is looking for.

I'd suggest you increase your budget or look at an RX300.

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

You can easily find a 2004 between 90k-130k miles for that. Trust me. I can buy through Manheim auction and others. I see these all the time for less than that.

Make sure timing belt has been done. Look for bad front lower A-arm bushings, leaking steering rack, leaking radiator, headlight condensation. 04s had some transmission shifting issues. Most were resolved by comp updates.

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

recent Manheim transactions...



03/11/14 HOUSTON Lease $7,100 152,366 Below WHITE 6G A Yes
02/26/14 NEWORLNS Regular $7,400 163,630 Below WHITE 6G A Yes
02/25/14 ORLANDO Regular $7,400 206,269 Below WHITE 6G A Yes
03/11/14 GEORGIA Regular $7,500 205,674 Below WHITE 6G A Yes
02/28/14 FT LAUD Lease $7,500 88,396 Below WHITE 6G A Yes
02/27/14 MISS Regular $7,500 119,662 Below BLUE 6G A Yes
02/26/14 DALLAS Regular $7,500 143,038 Below TAN 6G A Yes
03/05/14 CALIFORN Regular $7,700 146,415 Below GRAY 6G A Yes
03/12/14 KC Regular $7,800 202,099 Below SLVR 6G A Yes
02/27/14 TX HOBBY Regular $7,800 197,378 Below BLACK 6G A Yes
03/13/14 TX HOBBY Regular $8,000 175,707 Below WHITE 6G A Yes
03/06/14 PHOENIX Regular $8,000 123,333 Below WHITE 6G A Yes
02/18/14 NASHVILL Regular $8,000 149,524 Below WHITE 6G A Yes
02/17/14 DARLNTON Regular $8,000 143,691 Below PEARL 6G A Yes
03/05/14 CEN FLA Regular $8,200 96,438 Avg WHITE 6G A Yes
03/04/14 RIVRSIDE Regular $8,200 130,691 Avg SILVER 6G Yes
03/11/14 RIVRSIDE Regular $8,300 163,935 Avg BLUE 6G A Yes
03/12/14 CEN FLA Lease $8,400 128,882 Avg GOLD 6G A Yes
02/18/14 ATLANTA Regular $8,400 136,732 Avg BLUE 6G A Yes
03/05/14 ATLANTA Regular $8,500 188,055 Avg GREY 6G A Yes
03/04/14 RIVRSIDE Regular $8,500 136,545 Avg BLACK 6G A Yes
02/28/14 FT LAUD Regular $8,500 125,920 Avg WHITE 6G A Yes
02/27/14 TX HOBBY Regular $8,500 129,406 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
02/19/14 DENVER Regular $8,500 113,151 Avg BLACK 6G A Yes
03/04/14 STATESVL Regular $8,600 152,912 Avg GREY 6G A Yes
02/27/14 TX HOBBY Regular $8,600 136,672 Avg TAN 6G A Yes
03/05/14 ATLANTA Regular $8,700 121,735 Avg BLUE 6G A Yes
02/28/14 DALLAS Regular $8,700 108,758 Avg GRAY 6G A Yes
02/26/14 CEN FLA Regular $8,700 185,889 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
02/25/14 ORLANDO Regular $8,700 105,733 Avg BLUE 6G A Yes
03/12/14 CALIFORN Regular $8,800 159,099 Avg WHITE 6G A Yes
03/12/14 CALIFORN Lease $8,800 134,161 Avg GRAY 6G A Yes
03/11/14 RIVRSIDE Regular $8,800 203,541 Avg BLUE 6G Yes
03/07/14 FT LAUD Regular $9,000 132,144 Avg SILV 6G A Yes
03/07/14 DALLAS Regular $9,000 132,125 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
02/27/14 TX HOBBY Regular $9,000 121,743 Avg WHITE 6G A Yes
02/21/14 INDY Regular $9,025 126,899 Avg Gray 6CY A Yes
03/03/14 DARLNTON Regular $9,100 167,752 Avg TAN 6G A Yes
03/06/14 DFW Regular $9,200 120,760 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
03/04/14 STATESVL Regular $9,200 134,005 Avg LT BLU 6G A Yes
02/26/14 DALLAS Regular $9,200 133,719 Avg WHITE 6G A Yes
03/13/14 SO CAL Regular $9,300 114,592 Avg BLUE 6G Yes
03/04/14 ORLANDO Regular $9,300 83,321 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
02/19/14 DALLAS Regular $9,300 108,548 Avg BLACK 6G A Yes
03/12/14 DALLAS Regular $9,400 117,635 Avg BLUE 6G A Yes
02/26/14 CEN FLA Regular $9,500 181,406 Avg SLVR 6G A Yes
02/20/14 DALLAS Regular $9,500 286,035 Avg White 6CY A Yes
02/18/14 ATLANTA Regular $9,500 103,135 Avg WHITE 6G A Yes
03/12/14 CEN FLA Regular $9,600 161,428 Avg BLUE 6G A Yes
03/05/14 MILWAUKE Regular $9,600 149,362 Avg WHITE 6G A Yes
03/04/14 NYMETSKY Regular $9,600 160,820 Avg NONE 6CY A Yes
03/13/14 ATLANTA Regular $9,700 125,871 Avg BAMBOO 6G A Yes
02/25/14 NYMETSKY Regular $9,800 180,920 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
02/18/14 DALLAS Regular $9,800 93,924 Avg BLACK 6G A Yes
03/06/14 OMAHA Regular $9,900 148,223 Avg BAMBOO 6G A Yes
02/26/14 SAN ANTO Regular $10,100 123,305 Avg GRAY 6G A Yes
02/26/14 CALIFORN Regular $10,250 181,478 Avg BLACK 6G A Yes
03/04/14 STATESVL Regular $10,300 110,486 Avg TAN 6G A Yes
03/12/14 CALIFORN Regular $10,500 115,337 Avg GREY 6G A Yes
03/13/14 NEVADA Regular $10,600 92,785 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
03/13/14 ATLANTA Regular $10,600 157,581 Avg BLACK 6G A Yes
03/12/14 CALIFORN Regular $10,600 136,826 Avg WHITE 6G A Yes
03/04/14 STATESVL Regular $10,600 120,654 Avg WHITE 6G A Yes
03/13/14 PHOENIX Regular $10,800 116,371 Avg WHITE 6G A Yes
02/28/14 FT LAUD Regular $10,800 88,231 Avg LTGRN A Yes
02/25/14 ORLANDO Regular $10,900 85,282 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
03/11/14 ORLANDO Regular $11,000 105,715 Above Blue 6CY A Yes
03/05/14 CALIFORN Regular $11,000 89,801 Above SILVER 6G A Yes
03/11/14 FT LAUD Regular $11,490 103,900 Above Gray 6G A Yes
03/06/14 SO CAL Regular $11,800 96,790 Above BLUE 6G A Yes
02/25/14 ORLANDO Lease $11,800 110,985 Above GOLD 6G A Yes
03/14/14 NEVADA Regular $12,000 92,787 Above SILVER 6G A Yes
03/06/14 SO CAL Lease $12,000 116,307 Above SILVER 6G A Yes
03/13/14 PHOENIX Regular $12,100 82,478 Above BEIGE 6G Yes
03/13/14 DFW Regular $12,800 130,319 Above WHITE 6G A No
02/27/14 SO CAL Lease $12,800 121,051 Above WHITE 6G A Yes
02/27/14 SO CAL Regular $13,500 64,868 Above SLV 6G A Yes
03/04/14 STATESVL Regular $14,500 164,938 Above GOLD 6G A No
02/27/14 SO CAL Regular $14,500 96,827 Above GOLD 6G A No
02/27/14 PHOENIX Regular $15,000 101,265 Above GOLD 6G A No

hypervish

I stand corrected.

It seems they are much cheaper in the south. But, remember he wants to buy a "reliable" RX330 for under $10k.

rtbrjason

I got one with 72k miles with nav in silver with black interior for 15k. Not the best price looking through the above list but I was okay with it. So far so good.

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

You're right so I would try to find one with as low miles as possible, all documentation, maintenance info, etc. And has already had timing belt and spark plugs done.

jmwmnl

I just picked up a 2005 RX330 AWD for $15,000 in ABQ. It had 85k miles on and did not have the 90k service done.

kiwi

problem with auction, is no history, no warranty, no where to go if something goes wrong. Just make sure you factor that into your choice.

dont sweat small / cheaper stuff if its not done. brakes are cheap, spark plugs are cheap etc.

might want to buy a engine light code reader. just cuz the light is off doesnt mean the seller just cleared the codes hoping they dont come back on for you.

also, make sure all the dash lights work. i worked at a dealer where the sales manager had the engine light bulb blown to hide the check engine light.

check check and recheck the car. if you get a bad feeling, walk

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

Auction is just a benchmark - it doesnt mean he buys his car there. The best possible deal he can get is either private party or a vehicle recently traded in. If he buys private party, there will be no warranty either. And if it is from someone like me, there will be no history of maintenance as I do everything myself. Doesnt mean I was a bad owner. I am meticulous with my vehicles. So there are exceptions.

Also, spark plugs are cheap by price in terms of the parts alone, but think again. Average labor costs to change spark plugs are $700-900

kiwi

Alchemist, i do agree with you.

but i am surprised you dont keep a record. i have a word document i keep as i do everything myself as well. date, mileage and what i did. its not official, but its there.

and if you buy private, and the guy screws you, at least you know where he lives.

alchemist

iTrader: (1)

Thanks...I do keep an excel spreadsheet of what was done, where i bought the part, price, mileage, etc. But someone could easily fabricate it so I don't know how much weight it holds. I keep receipts so maybe that helps.