Should I take the plunge?
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 1,231
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From: Texas
Should I take the plunge?
Found a pretty good deal on a 03 RX. Price is around 17k.. only problem is the miles... 100k!! I know Lexus's last forever (have 2 of them) but I feel kind of iffy buying such a new car with high miles. My other choice was an 01 RX with about 75k miles for about the same price. Maintainance records on both are not available. Which one should I go for?
CL Community Team
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 17,337
Likes: 213
From: Miami, Florida
Found a pretty good deal on a 03 RX. Price is around 17k.. only problem is the miles... 100k!! I know Lexus's last forever (have 2 of them) but I feel kind of iffy buying such a new car with high miles. My other choice was an 01 RX with about 75k miles for about the same price. Maintainance records on both are not available. Which one should I go for?
This is kind of difficult without maintenance records, which normally you could get from Lexus by pulling up the vin (assuming the work was done there).
You see, 90K miles is probably the biggest service most RX300 owners will see with the timing belt and water pump recommended along with a host of other things.
Other than that, oil changes and tranny fluid changes are the most important.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 573
Likes: 5
From: Vaughan, Canada
I'm with Lexmex on this one.
Try to get service records.. The 100,000 miles service is a biggy.
timing belt, possibly water pump, spark plugs, trani service, etc...
Altho there is a bright side... If you decide to get all the above work done, the car is good for another 100,000mi
Don't forget the transfer and rear diff service also every 30,000 or so.
If the above has not been done and your not a DIYer then set aside $1000 for same.
I find that people that rack up high mileage on vehicles in short periods tend to be ones in the business world and as such most likey would have had the service done... Its just a matter of finding out where. I think its better to get a newer vehicle with higher mileage than an older vehicle that sat in a garage for years... Cars were made to be driven
Try to get service records.. The 100,000 miles service is a biggy.
timing belt, possibly water pump, spark plugs, trani service, etc...
Altho there is a bright side... If you decide to get all the above work done, the car is good for another 100,000mi
Don't forget the transfer and rear diff service also every 30,000 or so.
If the above has not been done and your not a DIYer then set aside $1000 for same.
I find that people that rack up high mileage on vehicles in short periods tend to be ones in the business world and as such most likey would have had the service done... Its just a matter of finding out where. I think its better to get a newer vehicle with higher mileage than an older vehicle that sat in a garage for years... Cars were made to be driven
Last edited by Fern; Oct 11, 2006 at 08:36 PM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 11
From: Dallas, Texas
I just bought a 2001 with 52K and all local service records (Sewell) for 17,500, I found it on Autotrader. Autotrader literally has hundreds of them and as you're a Texan, Sewell has about 50 RX300s in stock.
Once I decided on an RX300, the criteria was service, miles and price, there's some bargains out there if you do some shopping.
Once I decided on an RX300, the criteria was service, miles and price, there's some bargains out there if you do some shopping.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,717
Likes: 11
From: Dallas, Texas
Here's 5 in Texas under 60K and under 18K, 99-02. Don't know about service on them.
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...ed=&advanced=y
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/search...ed=&advanced=y
Pole Position
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 336
Likes: 0
From: CA
I certainly agree with Carver. These cars are a dime a dozen, so regardless of the car that you choose, make sure you have access to the service records of the car. Not only do they inform you of the work done but they may also provide you insight into the any historical problems with the vehicle. good luck.
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