Hi...

Im a newbie in this forum I'm thinking getting the 99 RX300 AWD with 114k, what should I look for machanically? and what's price range? Any advice? Thanks

 

Welcome to Club Lexus

Price range depends, but now vehicles in that range I have seen under $10,000 USD depending on the condition.

I am just a little bit above 114K, now at 124k.

Two things you really need to check, transmission and oil.

As far as the transmission, just merely pulling the dipstick and looking at the color and smell can tell you something, should be cherry red and smell a little sweet, but you really need to investigate to see whether the owner took care in so far as transmission fluid changes. Realistically at least once every 15K.

Second, with the oil, also there should be oil changes at least every 5K to 7K at the top end.

Granted, many people don't take their vehicle to the dealer or even a mechanic, but do the changes themselves and there ain't a whole lot one can do as far as making sure in that case what was done. However, if they did take their vehicle to Lexus, a service record can be pulled up using the vin number (owner should be able to do this) to see what was (and conversely what wasn't done).

Another thing, given that it is above 90K, there was probably the biggest service at that mileage for the changeout of the timing belt (and possibly the water pump, though it is usually recommended at that point). Given that this is a high cost service at 90K for the belt, I would also check the service record, if available, to see if this was done.

There are other little things such as rear differential fluid/transfer case oil changes (should have been one by now since vehicle was new), squeaky shocks (depends on location and how vehicle was treated). However, these things are secondary in nature to the transmission fluid and oil changes as far as the purchase of such vehicle.

 

Thanks lex, you're very imformative and helpful. Thanks again