Take out radio and surround around transmission lever you will see the cable and whether it is dangling or connected.on shifter end.

 

thank you.

will try tmrw morning

the car feels like it goes to R and D (idle drops), but doesnt move (locked on ground)

 

From the original description I thought it died while you were in stop-and-go traffic, so a shifter cable issue didn't seem likely.
I was looking at the transmission doc trying to understand if the parking pawl could somehow be engaged when it should not be but I didn't understand it well enough.

 

apologies if I wasnt clear

 

Mine started to fail and I took for fully rebuid, I paid 2000€. Now the car is back to kick some electrics on the road.
After this mileage, with 22 years, is the first time my car request any special service. No complaints. My BMW F11 has taken more money and it did not reach 100’k miles yet.
bad choice BMW, but unfortunately in Europe all Lexus are Hybrids, and I don’t want it

 

I wish it was that cheap out there.

We finally made the decision to donate the car. It is being picked up in 3 hours. Very sad, as it has been in the family for 21 years.

 

Everything man made has an end of life. It seems the deciding factor is after repair value will be more than the sale value.

To put it in proper perspective, back then [late 90s] above average life for vehicles was 7yrs. Not that vehicles were expected to drop dead at 7 year mark, but for the price the owner payed, was with the expectation that the vehicle will give you 7 year of trouble free service. Any thing more was bonus. 2nd owners. who typically stepped in around 3-5 yrs of vehicle age hoped to reach 10yr mark. If the vehicle reached the venerated 10yr mark, they were always more precious to the owners than to so called unbiased insurance companies who would start closing in to salvage value.

Sad that you have to say goodbye, but 21 years is a fairly long time. Hopefully the experience was with routine maintenance items.

Salim

 

Thank you Salim. For us, it was less about the sale value, but more about the confidence to rely on it for next 5 years or 100k miles. As you know I just did all the belts/water pump, always kept it tip top maintained. Our experience was great. I always appreciate your help and other help from the RX family.

After 21 years of loyal service, vehicle has been donated to the Salvation Army. After doing many searches for transmission ($2900 Lexus) vs $1100 Ebay, and not feeling confident enough that the design hasn't been improved and that after a trans change, it would last 3 more years for kid #1 to take over, made the heart wrenching decision to donate it.

The tow truck driver kept saying, how amazing condition it is, and how smooth motor runs, and the brand new tires etc. No wear on the inside.

I wasn't a huge fan of the car, but like a beloved dog, really loved it and appreciated it as an excellent, comfortable tool. This vehicle has been coast to coast in the US, to Canada, and to Mexico, and never missed a beat till the end.

Hopefully it lives on with someone somewhere. Good bye RX