Newly purchased RX300 2002 with 71,000.

Great condition but would feel better doing any recommended maintenance any of you might suggest. Transmission, oil, etc.

Carfax shows service records @ LExus thru 2006. Owner's husband passed away and I think he was in charge of taking the car in.

Any issues we should know about?

Thanks

 

Welcome to the Club.

There probably should have been a major service around 60K or so. The big one to come is 90K when timing belt is done (water pump is optional, but I suggest it if you plan to keep the car for a few years longer than expected). The major things to follow on this vehicle are transmission fluid changes and also oil changes.

I'd check the transmission fluid in there now on the dipstick (right side of engine bay) and see if it is red with a sweet smell. I think most owners here are changing out their fluid about every 15K max. I recommend 3 drain and fills over the course of 3 weeks. Toyota Type IV fluid (you can get it at Toyota as I know Lexus dealers are far and few in SC) at a Toyota dealer and it's good for normal driving. A few of us have taken the step to switch out to Amsoil ATF.

Oil is a bit more difficult to note due to different types of oils, but I'd check the level on the dipstick for the moment, because the level is a giveway given these trucks like to chew on most oils (that goes for a lot of vehicles I have experience with). I am running a Castrol 0W30 (Autozone and Pep Boys are the ones that carry it) about every 5K with an oversized K&N HP-2009 oil filter. I could probably run that good oil longer (many have).

Spark plugs you can wait until after 100K, they can run a while.

Other things I'd check for are play in the steering wheel at high speed and any kind of vibration (like a shudder) when you brake at 40 mph or so.

I don't want to scare you and tell you there is a plethora of issues, it's just we tend to be rather picky and noteworthy on so many things with our fine vehicles from our experiences. Other than that, they're pretty good little vehicles compared to a lot of stuff I've seen on the road.

Also would be interested to know if you have an AWD or FWD RX.