Looking at RX 300's and NEED HELP
 

Hello everyone. I have ALWAYS wanted a Lexus, I love them, and I have wanted an RX for quite some time, but with being in college and the expense known as "life-in-general," I have never thought that I could actually afford to buy one.
However, it is time for me to buy a newer vehicle ,(I have a 95 Honda Civic, great shape, but has 215K!!!-I love foreign cars!!!) and I need to hear some opinions if anyone has time to reply with some educated or experienced feedback, I would GREATLY appreciate it.
About me: I am twenty-one, have always supported myself as long as I can remember and with being in college (for Chrisitian ministry), I don't have a lot of extra money laying around to use on repairs. I realize that with any used vehicle that you are taking a chance but the reason that I think an RX may be feasible for me, is because they do have such a good reliability and track record and they hold their miles so well.
I ride horses and barrel race so I need an SUV/Truck that gets decent gas mileage and I have been told RX's get anywhere from 23-26 mpg. I realize that when I do pull a trailer that these averages will decrease.
I love the 2004+ body styles, but cannot afford the payment that comes with them and so I am looking at a 2000 and a 2002. I cannot decide between the two because they are both the Pearl White color I love and of course the 2002 has more miles than the 2000. I have talked both sellers down, significantly, from their asking price and I do think that I am getting a good deal either way, but I want to make the best decision. Both interiors and exteriors are in excellent condition, both are AWD, NEITHER one has navigation.

The 2000: 66K, towing package, coming from well known dealer, $1,000 cheaper than the 2002 RX, brand new Michelin tires, carfax clear except repossesed in 2003 and did not pass emissions at first try in 2003- dealer said some kind of censor didn't pass California emissions, but was fixed back in 2003 and is now okay.

The 2002: Two years newer for starters, I like the head and tailights better than the 2000, woodgrain dash, steering wheel, etc. But it has 94K and I hate to spend $1,000 more on a vehicle with that many more miles. Carfax is clear. Was bought by a guy, who has good reputation at a Lexus auction. Tires 60% tread left.

Neither of these vehicles are in my state and I am going to have to drive about 12 hours for either one. So when I get there (am trading my car towards), I assume I should take either vehicle to a Lexus dealer and have them check it out? Any idea how much this will cost? Was also told to call Lexus with the vin numbers and get reports/info, but is this going to be the same as carfax? Or is this going to give me service records letting me know what has been done and whether owners had serviced at a Lexus dealer?

I have been told that both vehicles had 1-2 previous owners.

Both vehicles are really really nice, and if the 2002 had about 15K less miles, this would be a no-brainer for me, but it doesn't. So what do I do?

The 2000 has a "towing package" what does this mean? I have been told by lexus that an RX will pull 3500lbs. How do you all feel about this? Not sure how close I can get to these restrictions with one horse in a small, but not really small, 2 horse trailer. Does the towing package assist with weight restrictions?

Is there anything else I need to look for in these vehicles? the 2002 has not had 100K service which I know will have to be done soon.

How often do I get an RX serviced? I know at 60K and 100K but what about after that? I don't have anyone to ask these kinds of questions to or to regularly check things out who knows anything about Lexus vehicles so should I go to a Lexus dealer or somewhere else for service- whether it be an oil change, breaks, or something more major? How often should I have them "check things out" and is there anything specific I should request for them to check?

Some people are saying I need to go ahead and get a truck, which a diesel truck would be great- I actually love them, but I can't afford the fuel prices, and with only pulling a small horse trailer 15 times a year (if that) I just don't think I have to have that much of a vehicle. And with Ford and Chevy's track records right now I would not touch a used gas truck with all the problems my friends are having.

Lastly, how do you all feel about the need for me to purchase an extended warranty? I can purchase one anywhere from $1500-$2,000 (1year- 3years)depending on which vehicle I go with. No I do not know what this covers, but it is supposed to be faxed to me. I know it would be nice to have a warranty, but at the same time everyone I know who has a warranty, the warranty never covers the things that seem to go wrong with their vehicle. And if it really isn't worth the price, then I would rather save my money.

I want an RX, I really like RX's but I need some advice and after reading everyone's forums this seems like the place to go for some help.

PS Both cars are well under the KBB averages. I can purchase the 2000 for $15,500 and the 2002 for $16,500. The 2000 dealer is going to give me $1,000 for my car making it $14,500 and the 2002 is going to give me $800, making it $15,700. My Honda actually KBB's for $3,000 but I don't have the time or patience to fool with selling it and even though I should probably keep it for gas mileage, I don't want to have to pay insurance on two vehicles.

Thanks everyone, sorry for the length but I wanted to include all of the info so as not to leave any guesswork. Don't feel the need to respond to everything, only what you feel strongly about. THANK YOU

Welcome, both 2002 and 2000 are covered under Toyota's 8 year unlimited mile warranty for engine sludge. If your dealer does not have the detailed service records for oil changes, be sure to ask the dealer to pull the cam cover and let you do a visual check. 3000 miles oil change interval may be excessive for other cars, but for these oil chewing machine, it is not.
Transmssion is another big ticket item to look out for, check if the previous owner ever changed the Automatic Transmission Fluid. I would not buy unless ATF is changed for <60K interval.

Thank you for replying, I appreciate the information very much.
How will I know what to look for when they pull back the cam cover? What am I checking for?

You should pass on both RX's if you want to tow a horse trailer. They don't have the transmission capability, nor the braking. There is barely enough to drive the four wheels. You'll find that two wheel drive RX's have the factory towing option while the all wheel drive doesn't. Understand, the RX is a Camry (auto) based chassis, with a sidewinder type engine-transaxle.

You'll be much better off with a tundra or four-runner type chassis, rear wheel drive or part time four wheel drive.

A few times a year, I pull a two horse trailer with a 1984 landcruiser. With a manual transmission and overdrive, it's a little slow, but it get's there. But the vehicle's weight (3 tons) can handle severe braking situations without loosing the trailer, with or without trailer brakes.

Welcome LxusCowgrl! :hello:

You obviously love the RX and appreciate it for what it is, a fine daily driver, tourer, and occasional soft-roader (in 4WD trim). Sadly, what it is not is a tow vehicle for anything but the lightest trailers. By the time you add the feed, tack, and general junk we all haul around, a 2-horse trailer would probably exceed the safe limit for towing - not to mention being very hard on what is essentially a passenger-car drive train.

We used to tow a 2-horse trailer (or a 7500 lb boat trailer) with our 4X4 3/4-ton Suburbans with absolutely no problems whatever, but I've seen a lot of nice passenger cars pressed into regular towing service destroyed by the stress on the engine, driveline, brakes and suspension.

I believe Lexus' tow rating is extremely optimistic. It is one thing to tow a mile or two down a level road, say from the barn to a pasture, but quite another to tow with a full load at Interstate speeds, especially in hills or mountains.

In your situation, I'd opt for a good used pickup (1/2-ton 2WD, maybe a 3/4-ton if the price was right . . . they are MUCH better suited to towing than a 1/2 ton). You're still young enough to absorb the spinal punishment they inflict, and you can save for a good used RX as an addition to your stable after college. (Keep the truck, while they may not actually appreciate in monetary value, aging pickups only gain in value as cowboy (girl) chic! ;) )

PS: Congratulations on your selection of major and career! I often wish I had had the maturity to make a similar decision at your age. :thumbup: Our pastor drives a Suburban too, but he's not (yet) into barrel racing . . . granddaughters notwithstanding. Don't worry, there's still time . . . .:)

Since your needs are so varied, I would suggest either owing two vehicles [each best in its class or as good as you can get] or buy one which can do both jobs. If your preference is for Japanese cars than Toyota brand like 4 runner and Tundra can be the dble duty winner. If you are open to domestic then I Tahoe would be a good choice.

If you go the two vehicle route, then RX would be a good choice as one of the vehicles.

For maintainance costs, I think of two catagories simple and extensive. Simple are recurring 5000 miles and they cost between $100 to $200. The extensive are needed at 60k and 90K miles and they run $900 to $1200. Lexus is at the top of Japanese Luxury carrs repair costs and depending on what failed, can run from $1000 to $3500.

Salim

I really appreciate everyone's feedback, it means a lot. So if I do get a used truck for horse pulling purposes, and I still get my RX 300..... which one? And what do I look out for? And all my other questions? What kind of gas mileage do these really get?
I think I can get a good used Tacoma for a decent price.
Thanks everyone.

TAMMY!!! If only the 2WD's have the towing package then why has the dealer told me that the 2000 AWD has the towing package? Is he lieing? Thanx

Thank you for your words as well LIL4x. It wasn't easy for me to embrace this route for my life, but this is what I know I am supposed to be doing.
ps Do everyone think that I am getting a fair price for these two vehicles?

LxusCowgrl,
There is a poll on RX300's mpg on this forum, sorry I don't have the link but if you search for it and you will get better answer than individual owners.
This person pulled the cam cover on his 1998 ES300, which has the same engine as the RX300. One of the picture (clean looking) is shown here

http://theoildrop.server101.com/cgi/...c;f=5;t=004181

{{IMAGE DELETED, 1600 X 1400 too large for forum}}

If there is sludge, you see either see a lot of thick carbon deposit or semi-liquid stuff.
Are you willing/able to change oil on your own? That is a great way to cut maintenance cost down.

I'm still sold on the appearance of my first RX, a "white" number with a "warm grey" lower section that was slightly greenish in some light. The color was called "Golden Pearl" by Lexus, and alongside a WHITE car, the difference was none too subtle. I had some gold and taupe custom stripes hand painted to relieve the sort of "Kenmore" look of the body, and with the pearlescent white exterior and Ivory interior, it was beautiful. The later RX 300's went to more of an "Appliance White" with a "cool grey" bottom that IMHO didn't look nearly so elegant. You can always mod the taillights if you'd rather have the "newer" look of the altezza-style lights - although I think it's been done to death.

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery//s...00/ppuser/2924

I would think that the lower mileage vehicle - especially if it is available from a trusted source might be the better deal. You'll love it!;)

OK new site upgrade isn't allowing pics from the gallery yet, so maybe the Flintstone approach still works - see:

https://www.clublexus.com/gallery//s...00/ppuser/2924
and
https://www.clublexus.com/gallery//s...00/ppuser/2924