potential rx300 owner
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: CA
potential rx300 owner
hi guys. i currently own an sc300 so i am familiar with lexus and love their reliability. there's an opportunity to purchase a 2000 rx300 fwd. it's 1 owner, consistent mileage, and always dealer serviced. the mileage is 137k. the condition is excellent (8 out of 10). i testdrove and it checked out fine. the dealer is asking for 8k and NOT WILLING TO GO ANY LOWER. do you think i should pull the trigger? 
Lead Lap
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,189
Likes: 16
From: NY/NJ
An RX with over 120K is a tough proposition. I have one and nothing has gone wrong, but I have replaced all six coil packs (three proactively since the other three were failing in close intervals) and the suspension all around were done around 110K. Nothing I would consider "unreliable" but I would have been happier had they lasted longer.
BUT, the saving grace with your deal is the $8K. I think that's a very good price if really dealer maintained, drives well, and is 8/10 like you said. As long as the car looks in good condition, I would go for it.
AWD right?
BUT, the saving grace with your deal is the $8K. I think that's a very good price if really dealer maintained, drives well, and is 8/10 like you said. As long as the car looks in good condition, I would go for it.
AWD right?
Driver
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,800
Likes: 13
From: Maryland
It sounds like it could be a great deal. Dealer-serviced can mean different things. I'd check that the coolant, brake fluid, and transmission fluids were changed at normal intervals; and not just oil changes and tire rotations. Even so, you have to recognize that there are the potential for large service bills (nothing unique to the RX300 or Lexus) in any car of that mileage.
Unless you drive in snow, I don't think you really need AWD (just my opinion). I paid about $36,000 new for my 2002 RX300 and feel it has many years of life left (like it is just getting broken in). So, from that perspective, $8,000 is a great deal.
Unless you drive in snow, I don't think you really need AWD (just my opinion). I paid about $36,000 new for my 2002 RX300 and feel it has many years of life left (like it is just getting broken in). So, from that perspective, $8,000 is a great deal.
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 819
Likes: 1
From: West Virginia soon to be Virginia
i have to agree with bob, 8k is a pretty good deal for that car, i have a 99 rx 300 with over 230k miles on it but thats not to say that you will get that out of it, you may have the dreaded transmission problems or engine sludging problems, in my personal opinion based on my experience with this car is simply this: if you baby it youll get what you want out of it
Thread Starter
Driver School Candidate
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: CA
thanks guy for the opinions. yes. it's been lexas dealer serviced. i don't think it ever missed an oil change. and everything that went wrong were replaced at dealer. e.g. timing belt at 90k, spark plugs at 120k. i think 8k is not bad, but adding the taxes and licensing. it will become somewhere around $9100. plus the style/dual-tone color is a bit outplayed. still thinking... :-)
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 819
Likes: 1
From: West Virginia soon to be Virginia
kinda depends on what you use, i myself switched to 5w-30 pennzoil platinum full sythetic with k&n hp-2009 and was doing it ever 3k for quite awhile just to clean it out real well, now i do it about 4-5k miles, its the wifes car now and she doesnt push it like i did when i had it lol
if youre using something halfway decent, 5k miles should be fine, if you use crap well....dont buy the car lol
if youre using something halfway decent, 5k miles should be fine, if you use crap well....dont buy the car lol
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Lexus Test Driver
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 962
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From: Iowa
I think buying it is a good risk since you know the history and the price is modest. I have tremendous faith in Toyota products and I think it will serve you well. You will also find this forum to be a tremendous help with service advice and parts sources. Good luck!!
No, I don't play soccer!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,652
Likes: 177
From: NJ
kingdunke, I only kept my 99 RX for five years, 50k miles, but it was a great car. Only major problems were the o2 sensor, bad tailgate strut and A/C compressor. But I have to say I see more 99-03 RXs on the road by me than 04-10 RXs. That has to tell you something. Good luck.
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 819
Likes: 1
From: West Virginia soon to be Virginia
actually there was a guy on CL selling one, his name was legitsaab, i talked to him about his posting to try to sell it as there wasnt much info and he seemed pretty receptive to my constructive criticism, he may still have it for sale, i would generally trust guys on here, especially guys with like 500+ posts
Lexus Champion
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 4,507
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From: Bethlehem Twsp. Pennsylvania