After owning my RX for two years this December, I think I'm starting to have a falling out with her.

I'm starting to think that rather than modding my RX to be something it isn't, I should've bought something different. AWD sports car a la Audi TT or Subaru WRX is what I've really got my heart set on.

I love my RX for many reasons, mostly versatility. There are much cooler looking vehicles (not any cooler looking SUV's) that are far more fun to drive, and that's where the falling out is happening. The main reason I got a 'ute was to be able to pull my fishing boat, but I only use the RX to do that like 5 times a year. Not hardly worth it when I could have a daily driver to rip in EVERYDAY.

Other things like cabin rattles, door rattles, underpowered engine, intense body roll, and the horribly small turning radius are starting to get to me.

Maybe I'm just ready for a change... ready for something different. I don't wanna take a bath on this proposition though because she's already paid for... Really I'd probably be wanting to sell her privately, and then buy a used AWD sports car in excellent condition.

All this time I've spent modding, and I'm finally realizing maybe the RX just isn't my dream car... never really thought it was, but I'm getting anxious to pursue my dream. Hell, I could probably buy a '01 WRX and a beater pickup with the money I sell my RX for.

Maybe I am crazy? I'd like to hear what everybody has to say. Be honest with yourselves, why do you like the RX? Why do you drive it? What's keeping you in the RX?

 

CX1,

Sorry to hear that yer contemplating on getting rid of the RX300. I still really like my RX300. I still feel that it is the best looking and one of the more comfortable SUV's out there for the money. I like the way it rides...it's the most car-like ride out there. I still look at it and stare at it when I walk away in the parking lot.

I haven't had any major problems with my RX300. I haven't had any rattles appear (other than the high pitched whine I posted on my other thread). The turning radius has been a common complaint with a lot of RX300 owners. It makes for an embarassing situation when making a U-turn in tight intersections. Although the engine pumps out 220bhp, probably a lot of that bhp is lost through the AWD drivertrain. It doesn't accelerate like a bat outta hell. But hey, we bought an SUV...not a Porsche (I wish!).

You're probably right in that you would take a huge loss if ya sold it now. The first 2 years are the worst for depreciation on vehicles. And with all yer mods too, probably won't be able to recoup the costs there too.

But hey, do what makes ya happy. That's the bottom line. If getting behind that wheel of a Subie WRX makes you smile more, go for it!

 

Man, sounds like you got the new car itch syndrome. I've got it, too. About every three years or so, I get this urge to dump whatever ride and start to drool over the new offerings.

The thing that keeps me in check is that I don't drive my '99 RX AWD every day. I have a company car that I drive (not a Lexus!) 5 out of 7 days. But come the weekend, I get to climb into my RX and WOW! what a great feeling!

The Sube WRX is a fast little pocket rocket, but it's NOT a Lexus by any stretch. The Audi TT is nice (my bro-in-law has one) but the stiff ride and small cabin space would drive me nuts after awhile.

Since it's paid for, why not just look into getting another vehicle as your "toy" and keep the RX? With a new RX around the corner, the resale value of the current RX is probably dropping as we speak.

Enjoy the ride, whatever you choose.

 

CK,

It's clear that your automobile needs are performance driven and it sounds like you feel "the need for speed". If the RX only fulfills it's main purpose 5 times a year, perhaps you should go the route that you mentioned and I went with for years...A nice car and a go-to-hell pick-up truck.

My truck died last year...I'm looking for another. I do miss the ability to haul junk around, as I won't subject the RX to that. Just buying a few 40lb. bags of potting soil last week required the use of a tarp for the cargo area and when I got home I had to wipe off the tarp so I could use it again in the RX.

With the truck, I'd have just dropped it in the back and drove away.

 

The only shortcoming has been the turning radius.

The rattle I hear is from the change or the cd thrown in the glove box and I would say RX is so quite that these things can be heard.

I selected RX to commute and to go on day road trips. To me comfort, luxury, styling, dependability, positive ownership experience were more important than performance. Granted when RX became too popular, I did cosmetic mods to make mine look unique. In '99 when I bought the RX, in my view there was no other SUV worth considering.

Performance bug:
I get to wash and on occasion drive my wife's GS400 (some handling mods). Extremely fun car to drive, but it is a torture to commute in it in a bumper to bumper trafic. (The only thing I enjoy more is the better stereo).

With so many makes and models on the road, clearly the manufacturers are trying to address to special needs of the customers (price, performance, styling, utility etc). It really boils down to what your needs and desires are. If compromises are to be made, give lot of weight to how the vehicle will be used most of the time.

Salim

 

You may as well start looking.

When you start thinking about these things, they'll become more and more of an mental annoyance which will, eventually, no longer be offset by the things you enjoy about the RX.

Granted, it's just the new car itch, but it's not really going to go away..........

Good luck! There's never been a better time to be an auto enthusiast with all the tasty offerings either already here or due shortly, imho.

 

Thanks much for all the great advice. I'm certain it's the new car itch - I get that in all aspects of my life and hobbies... New snowboard itch, new guitar itch, new stereo itch, new hunting bow itch, etc. I'm just a latest and greatest type of guy I guess, and I enjoy being that way...

Mooretorque I think you're right on about the irritation overwhelming the enjoyment... And you're right, that itch has only been growing over the last 6 months since I started modding.

Daddy-O I think you're right on about the limited use of my RX for it's only real purpose to me - towing... Although it was nice to haul a deer last weekend... but I've ALWAYS wanted a go-to-hell pickup for just such a reason. The crummier looking the better, so long as the engine's got some life left.

satxrx, I couldn't afford to keep the RX and a toy and maintain and insure both of them... I'd ultimately love to do just that, but an AWD sports car and a beater truck seems like a more financially reasonable option.

Thanks to all you guys... I am fo sho feeling a "need for speed" though... I always have. Plus that beater pickup truck is a little bit easier to pull up to hunting camp in as opposed to my RX... I'm gonna be gettin' grief about my Lex from all my Ford and Chevy truck buddies this coming weekend - it's all in good fun though...

Can anybody think of any other AWD sports cars I might consider besides the TT and the Impreza? Gotta be a 4 seater too... Jesus, I just watched a red TT drive past my window on the street below - it must be a sign! I've gotta go to another dealer and test drive today again

 

As I've said more than once...the RX300 is the best vehicle in it's class for the money........But a **** poor Excuse for a LEXUS!

And for Gods sake do not to take it off road, or even try to jump a curb over 8" high.