As a guy in his mid 30's, I'm having a little difficulty with the RX300's image in that most people driving it are female and/or 15-20 years older than me.

Not exactly my profile since I like the bigger cars and I'm a fairly big guy 6' 6" (we won't talk about weight) but I'm also fairly practical. So what's a guy to do who wants an SUV but doesn't want to keep dropping big $$ on the big SUVs?

Thanks all

 

been there...done that. went through the whole suv decision process. eventually...i came to my senses and went for the best vehicle suited for me.

in terms of reliability, service, price point, ride quality, quietness, and smoothness...the rx300 couldn't be matched. at least in my opinion.

of course...the rx300 has a stigma of being a soccer mom vehicle and what my wife dearly calls an "eggshell on wheels."

in the end...i figured that it's the top selling lexus vehicle for a reason. it's a great suv. no doubt about it. so nice!!

here's a thread that i posted awhile back going through the decision process.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...threadid=65408

good luck. let me know if you have any questions.

 

btw...i'm 27. i brushed aside the rx300 reputation.

rx300 transcends gender and age. a great vehicle is a great vehicle. don't worry what other people think. they are just jealous.

many wonderful suv vehicles out there...but in terms of overall quality and performance for a reasonable price...rx300 is tops in my mind.

 

Here in Mexico, there are numerous types of SUVs, but very few Lexus' and only scarce amount of RX300s. When I took this over to the Toyota dealer for an oil change recently, people flocked in droves out of the showroom and into the service bay just to see it. The guys I talked to wanted one immediately. Everyone down here tells me its a masculine vehicle.

You actually have tons of guys down here driving minivans due to insurance and cost reasons.

 

Look at the alternatives, MDX, X5, ML, PathFinder, GX, LX, Land Cruiser (and others from Mitsubishi, Porche etc). RX is a fine Spots Ute but for sure it would not stir up any emotions.

You can alway personalize your RX by exterior mods ... brush gaurds, cetner bars, skid plates, running boards, lights etc.

Salim

 

What SUV (big or small) today doesn't have a lot of women driving it? It's a popluar trend right now, and it makes me want to get a sports car. What happened to the station wagon will soon become the SUV (as far as I'm concerned the suburban is already there).

 

Bigcarguy,

I went through the same thing. I came from a '97 Expedition Eddie Bauer. I loved being one of the biggest vehicles on the road. When it came time to replace my wife's Dodge Caravan, she was going to take the Expedition (we need it for towing our boat) and I was going to get a new car. It came down to a 2002 Acura 3.2TL Type-S and the 2002 RX300. Two very different vehicles. I loved the Acura, but couldn't help but feel that every vehicle including minivans were higher than me and blocking my view for turns, etc. After visiting my sister on the east coast and driving her RX for a week, I was hooked. Yes, it seems that more women drive the RX then men. I went with the Nav, HID's and rear spoiler just to make it a bit more my style. No need for brush bars, side steps, etc......the lines of the RX alone are beautiful. I thought the Expo had a nice ride......it's funny when I get back in and drive it....the RX is so much more refined and sporty. We have 3 kids and we all fit fine in it. Yes, there's days we need a vehicle with 3 rows of seats when the kids bring a friend or two, but that's what the Expo is for. I'm so glad I bought the RX. Good luck.

 

My view is that the lines of the RX are beautiful and no other SUVs come close, but this quality detracts from the "manly look".

Would like to hear from "bigcarguy" as to what he is lookong for ..... talk/convincing or solutions/alternatives. There are tasteful solutions and admittingly some alternatives.

Salim

 

Thanks all for your feedback and similar purchasing decisions you guys went through.

Salim, you asked about other vehicles I'm looking at. Here you go

GM SUVs - none really. I haven't been a fan of their cars for years and I even worked at GM for 5 years.

BMW X5 - looked at and liked (fit great) but I'd rather get a Lexus at any price.

Toyota - some serious options here. The new 4runner I love but don't fit (no headroom). I can special order one w/o a sun roof but that takes 4 - 5 months. uggh. Highlander - same issue as the RX but a good possibility. Seguioa (spelling?) is a possibility but doesn't ride nearly as smoothly as the Highlander or any of the Lexus vehicles.

Honda/Acura - Good cars but wife already has an Acura. Could get 2 but would rather get something different.

Jeeps/Mitsubishi - don't fit and fairly tight compartments.

Haven't looked at the Volvo and Fords yet.

 

my comments on some of the manufacturers you are looking at:

gm vehicles - wouldn't go there.

bmw x5 - excellent handling and neat gadgetry. but it's overpriced, limited in cargo space, and more prone to problems than others. one note. starting on 03 models, bmw is now offering 4 years free maintenance. use to be 3 years.

toyota - 4runner is nice, but gets expensive on the higher end model. when priced out, more than rx300. highlander is a solid suv. doesn't speak luxury as a lexus rx300. sequoia is big! toyota's biggest vehicle. it does not ride smoothly and cushiony. but it is roomy.

honda/acura - pilot is ranked highly and has a 3rd row, as does the mdx. pilot is bland looking, but capable on the road. mdx is a very nice vehicle. hefty size with great performance numbers. excellent voice activated navigation system.

jeep/mitsubishi- nah!

ford/volvo - consider the volvo xc90. although it's a 1st year mode, it's fully stacked in amenities, luxury, and safety features. offers 3rd row.

 

I'm just six feet tall and the RX fits like a glove. My wife is 5'2" and, for her, the RX fits just like a smaller glove. Someone previously said that the RX is simply more refined and luxurious than most of the competitors. That's certainly what we found. We also looked at the Buick Rendevous. It drove just fine. It seemed luxurious enough. It was thousands of dollars less. We went back to Lexus and, boy, what a difference! The materials, the fit and finish, the feel, quiet and smoothness differences were dramatic.

Everyone's different but one of our main interests in the RX is the smoother look. We like the soft rounded edges. All the other SUV's out there are square and "manly".

Maybe real men don't need square.

 

decisions decisions... mabbie you can try out the GX470?

i'm about 6' and i fit the rx3 fine... i love it... i dont care much about only soccer moms driving it... at work i showed my co workers my car who are like in there 20's-28's and they all love how the rx3 looks... One even said man i should had gotten one of these instead of my 03 mercades hahaha, i forgot which mercades but one of the newer sedans...

the volvo xc90 also looks sweet... u can check that car out also or wait for the new rx330

The new 4runner is nice... but only if its one color... i dont like the 2 tone on the new 4runners... The highlander... pay extra bills for a lexus you just get the better turning radius.

 

I knew this guy a few years back who had this "I'm a cool pimp" complex thing going on that drove an RX w/ chrome rims. He didn't look girly in it and the car itself is a fine one. RX is nice. We have a Highlander and that's nice for the most part too...just a little less "prestigious".