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Hi gang. My question in the topic was about when do you decide, that you've reached the end with this car?
i've had my 2009 rx350, for 7 years now. I got it off the original owner(that i know). This is the first time in my life that i'm in this conundrum. In the past i would sell my cars, no problemo. This time i'm stuck. I've spent way more on repairs, that i even paid for the car! That being said, the car has been quite reliable, always starts first shot, all original bulbs, everything works inside the car, and NO RUST ANYWHERE (we have salted roads in winter). There will be repairs to be done soon (steering rack, possibly top plates). Apart from the repairs, the gas mileage is not something to brag about. Aside from this..it's a good car. I ask myself "what else can i get with the price i'll have to pay for repairs "? At least i don't have a car payment!
have you ever been in this situation? What did you do?
fab
My rule is if it starts rusting too badly if it's a work car, or if I've had to fix something that's not a consumable item more than one time.
When I buy something I always replace all wearable items and repair everything back to stock, I expect it to behave from then on.
striker... we have 2 cars in our home, my lexus and my wife's bmw x1. My car is the main "go-to" car. We use it almost all the time, for daily errands and for road trips. I love the comfort of thr lexus way over the bmw...i hate the seats in the bmw.
as i said, the body had NO RUST, which is also one of the reasons that i'm on the fence.
as for parts i've changed, are really consumables (brake pads, rotors). I've never had to change an electrical component (bulbs, solenoids, sensors...NOTHING!
my only regret, was changing out the original struts/shocks (even though they were still okay...long story) for new quickstruts. The ride is harsh.
as of now, the car has 275 000km on the clock...which from what i hear...it's just "breaking-in" now? Hahaha
I haven't been in the exact position you're in but from what you've posted I'd definitely keep it. Having a paid off reliable car is gold these days. I guess we all have different thresholds when it's time to throw in the towel. Your case is easy imo.
You did mention the steering rack may need to be replaced soon. Is the steering stiff or noisy? Any steering fluid leaks?
LH1...thanks for the reply. I see your point on keeping it. I was thinking about it this morning...for the extra money i put in on gas, i'm saving on a car payment. I wouldn't buy anything thing new (I prefer used). Also..in the current market new and even in the USED market, car prices are bonkers! Then i thought..maybe i'd get someone else's problems? I KNOW the car i have now, i know the original owner and drove it easily. I've done basic maintenance myself (plugs, coils, oil and tranny/transer case/rear diff fluids, brake pads, rotors) , which is up to snuff.
as for the power steering, the pump got changed a couple of years ago. I suspect the tie rods need to be changed (wobble in wheels when shaking at the 9 and 3 positions). I can also feel a slight "bounce" feel in the steering wheel. The tie rod boots are also always covered in oil/grease) there is also "sweating" around the bolt, underneath the rack itself. I figured for the work to do the tie rods, may as well change the whole rack???
Confirm that the rack isn't leaking, if it's not there is no reason to replace it. The PS pump has an O-ring on the feed side that sometimes degrades and can drip on the rack on the pass side so check that as well.
Tie rods are not hard or expensive to replace even if you do the inners as well, book time is about 2 hours max excluding alignment.
As far as struts if you want he factory glide you need to use OE strut inserts and factory springs, KYB is the OEM but their aftermarket options are valved harsher than OE so I can't recommend them.
Striker... as i mentioned, the ps pump was changed over a year ago, but i will look again. Also as i said, there is "weeping" from that big (drain?) bolt on the bottom of the drain bolt of the rack. I'm also getting some excess clunking when going over harsh roads...maybe the bushings on the rack are getting old?
also...i'm not loosing any ps fluid.
as for the shocks/struts, the originals are long gone. I had thought of looking at a picker-parts place to see if there is an rx350...i can take them from that car and put them on my car.
Right now i have fcs quickstruts. I think one of the top plates may need to be changed. The ride is harsh.
Striker...
i took a look underneath the car around where the ps feed hose (bigger hose) connects. There was just a drop of , what seemed to be regular oil, not ps (red) fluid on top of the bolt where the tube connects into the pump. I would imagine that when they changed rhe ps pump, that oring would have been new?
i took a picture of that big bolt on the bottom of the rack...
Are you tired of the vehicle or is the vehicle really tired?
hmmm maybe a bit of both? Hahaha i do like the comfort of it. I kinda miss the drive of a sedan, but with our crappy, potholed roads...an suv might not be a bad idea. The car is not that bad shape. I don't think she's tired yet.
So when do you decide to "Throw in the towel"?
