Buying a 99 RX..Help
03-04-10, 04:34 PM
#1
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Buying a 99 RX..Help
As a long time user now of a 93' GS300 with 298K on it my son is needing his first car. He has found a 99' RX AWD with approx 130K, price 7,200.
Is this a good price? still cant find these that cheap- they really hold their value.
When I go to look at it what should I look at specific or ask if it has been done? I am very skilled in automotive work. The owner tells me he only uses MOBile1. I just am unaware of common problems of this car.
And what is your typical MPG on your RX?
Thank you, I look forward to your response.
Have a great night.
Is this a good price? still cant find these that cheap- they really hold their value.
When I go to look at it what should I look at specific or ask if it has been done? I am very skilled in automotive work. The owner tells me he only uses MOBile1. I just am unaware of common problems of this car.
And what is your typical MPG on your RX?
Thank you, I look forward to your response.
Have a great night.
03-04-10, 04:56 PM
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The two main things to watch out for on RX's is engine oil sludge and transmission failure. Is it a one owner, are there service records. Make sure the timing belt has been replaced and that proper transmission maintenance has been done. If you can, inspect under the valve covers, especially the rear bank for oil sludge. Price isn't too bad if it is a one owner with full service history.
We have had our 99 RX since new, we had the oil changed at every recommended interval and still had oil sludge hit our engine. Luckily our local Lexus dealer replaced the engine at no charge, and this was a year or two before the class action suit that forced the dealers to do it. Overall, has been an exceptional vehicle and still drives as good as it did when we first bought it. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone as long as proper maintenance has been done at the proper intervals.
I average about 22 MPG in ours with mostly in-town driving. When we go on a trip, I have seen about 27 MPG.
Good Luck and welcome to CL!
We have had our 99 RX since new, we had the oil changed at every recommended interval and still had oil sludge hit our engine. Luckily our local Lexus dealer replaced the engine at no charge, and this was a year or two before the class action suit that forced the dealers to do it. Overall, has been an exceptional vehicle and still drives as good as it did when we first bought it. I would recommend this vehicle to anyone as long as proper maintenance has been done at the proper intervals.
I average about 22 MPG in ours with mostly in-town driving. When we go on a trip, I have seen about 27 MPG.
Good Luck and welcome to CL!
03-04-10, 05:01 PM
#3
Lexus Test Driver
The RX has two things you should look out for:
One of which is engine sludge but that won't be an issue if the previous owner did oil changes at 3k and used synthetic as it won't gel up as easy and start to break down. Try to pull the valve covers before buying if possible to check for engine sludge.
Secondly, it's the transmissions in the earlier years. It usually fails due to the planetary gear set. But I know of a couple people who made it past 200k on the original tranny. I have near 150,000 miles now on my original tranny. You should be safe if you do drain and fills every 15-30k using ONLY Toyota Type-IV or something compatible (use the search and you can find many). Also to be on the safe side never FLUSH the tranny. It's great to hear that your GS has 298k, my cousin's GS has around 250,xxx k.
For mpg...
(Winter) City-17 mpg (Winter) Highway- can't remember (Winter) Mix- 19
(Summer) City- 18-20 mpg (Summer) Highway- 23-25 mpg (Summer) Mix- 22
One of which is engine sludge but that won't be an issue if the previous owner did oil changes at 3k and used synthetic as it won't gel up as easy and start to break down. Try to pull the valve covers before buying if possible to check for engine sludge.
Secondly, it's the transmissions in the earlier years. It usually fails due to the planetary gear set. But I know of a couple people who made it past 200k on the original tranny. I have near 150,000 miles now on my original tranny. You should be safe if you do drain and fills every 15-30k using ONLY Toyota Type-IV or something compatible (use the search and you can find many). Also to be on the safe side never FLUSH the tranny. It's great to hear that your GS has 298k, my cousin's GS has around 250,xxx k.
For mpg...
(Winter) City-17 mpg (Winter) Highway- can't remember (Winter) Mix- 19
(Summer) City- 18-20 mpg (Summer) Highway- 23-25 mpg (Summer) Mix- 22
Last edited by hypervish; 03-04-10 at 05:08 PM.
03-04-10, 07:01 PM
#4
Super Moderator
You could bring that price down a bit more even into the high 5K range.
I get around 19+ for city, but have gotten up to 27 if I don't futz with the accelerator and leave it on cruise.
I echo the two previous comments. The tranny I rate ahead of the engine oil. Tranny fluid changes should be around 15K, but can go longer depending on driving style of individual. Oil should around 5K, 7K max. That tranny fluid should be red and sweet. Another thing on the AWD (and you can do it easily after you get it), is the gear oil changes on the transfer case/rear differential since its AWD, should have been done around 90K along with the timing belt (water pump may have been done around this time, too). Also make sure there is no jerkiness in the steering (need to take it out on the highway) and check braking come off the highway for any vibration (can indicate warped rotors that may need machining).
Let us know if you get it as we usually can offer you a lot of suggestions and advice on just about anything. We've done a lot of DIYs in this group.
I get around 19+ for city, but have gotten up to 27 if I don't futz with the accelerator and leave it on cruise.
I echo the two previous comments. The tranny I rate ahead of the engine oil. Tranny fluid changes should be around 15K, but can go longer depending on driving style of individual. Oil should around 5K, 7K max. That tranny fluid should be red and sweet. Another thing on the AWD (and you can do it easily after you get it), is the gear oil changes on the transfer case/rear differential since its AWD, should have been done around 90K along with the timing belt (water pump may have been done around this time, too). Also make sure there is no jerkiness in the steering (need to take it out on the highway) and check braking come off the highway for any vibration (can indicate warped rotors that may need machining).
Let us know if you get it as we usually can offer you a lot of suggestions and advice on just about anything. We've done a lot of DIYs in this group.
03-05-10, 10:32 AM
#5
You might want to consider a different car that doesn't have a major question over the transmission. While it's probably only a minority of vehicles, it's definitely an issue and you never know if you're going to be unlucky. Remember, people may be asking much more that $7200, but I'd be surprized if they're actually selling for that. The market for SUVs is in the toilet still and anyone who knows cars (auction houses, used car dealers, etc) knows this is a weak point on the RX300.
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