meowmix52

whoa, why is the engine tucked away so nicely, to reduce vibrations?
it will be a pain to open it up.

tshelly

Actually it is not that hard. The salesman showed me that there are a couple of lever-type devices that you just pull on and the engine cover just lifts up.

clickart

the engine of the 2010 look just like my 07 rx400h

VIP_ES300

2010 rx looks awesome...

yippeeiaye

Does the '10 have a door ding protector? Will regret not having one with the first door ding

winsalem

yeah i noticed that was missing. styling be damned, that plastic strip has saved me from many dings...esp. from SUVs in parking lots when kids yank open their doors or mommies are on cells and hafta open doors wide to step down from their Explorers, Excursions, Expeditions, Explosions, Excisions, whatever they're callin' 'em these days.

boxermom

I'm new to the forum and find the discussions on '09 v. '10 helpful and timely. Within a week, I except to buy one or the other. But I admit to being quite torn. I'm about to retire my beloved RX300 (2001) - aka Ms. Lexie (or, as my envious friend calls her DysLexie). She has been a perfect vehicle in every way. Nearing 90K miles, the only replacements have been one battery and a set of tires. Are there any former '01 owners out there who now have an '09 and, likewise, any '01 owners with a '10 who can tell me the improvments they have noted between the two model years? that is, '01 v. '09 and '01 v.'10. I'm an "older" driver who tends to value performance, safety, repair record and customer satisfaction over "gadgetry". Your personal comparison experiences would be a great help.

Grumpa72

It looks like that, sooner than later, they will totally engulf the engine compartment in a plastic vanity cover and put a "do not disturb" sign under the hood. Man, what happend to the days when you could look in there and say "there's the framistator"? Heck, my 2007 BMW doesn't even have a dipstick to check oil.

The G Man

The BMW have a button in the dash to check oil level right?

JasDmw

This is totally my opinion and subject to all kinds of interpretation, but for your specific circumstance, my suggestion would be to get the '09. The prices and deals available would make that a much smarter move from a financial perspective. By all means drive them both; that's what it comes down to. But you have identified yourself as the type that doesn't need the latest/greatest and will likely own this as opposed to leasing it. You've identified the fact that there are lots of new "gadgets", which we all know have a propensity to act up. You will likely not use many of them. Why pay for that, taking on the first year risk. No doubt they have been designed and tested for longevity, but everyone makes mistakes. If you plan on keeping it 10 years, my gut feel for your circumstance goes with the proven parts in the '09. Of course if you are a bazillionaire, knock yourself out with the '10.

Again, just my humble opinion.

lex

yup, get the 09, you'll sacrifice a little bit on the safety equipment and it's kind of old looking inside and out but if you're kind of old school anyway and don't care about the resale value and what other people might say then this is the car for you!!

salimshah

Some times people get on a particular track and lock themselves into one of the two options like 09 or 10. Folks there are more than the 2 options

You can buy some other brand, or if you want to remain with Lexus and the RX family, a perfectly good option would be to buy an older model for a year or two.

Salim

tshelly

I agree with the others, get the 09. I think the deals are outstanding. Unfortunately, I bought my 09 a year ago and I paid $5,000 more than what they are selling them for today, but I am still happy with the vehicle.

NeverSatisfied

The 18's on the 2010 look so chunky now that they're 60-series :/