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So in a couple of days/weeks, I'm going to be getting a 2001 Lexus RX300, with 188k miles. Now, you guys can get mad at me because it's a salvaged title, and I'll be the 3rd owner of it. (Also my first car ever)
It was in a frontal collision with the first owner and only the driver airbag deployed, and it has since been replaced.
But, there is a couple of issues with the car.
Ignition key has been replaced 2 times, due to the 2nd owner yanking it out really hard. (So I have two separate keys- one for ignition, one for driver and passenger door)
Driver side door won't lock, but can be manually locked and unlocked. (I've heard people putting grease on the latch, maybe it'll work again??)
Passenger side door lock seems like it's about to go too because when I lock the car, it seems to have a hard time locking/unlocking, but it still locks and unlocks.
Air conditioner only works through the floor, but it's ice cold. (My feet turns into arctic)
It also leaks engine oil.
How should I repair this vehicle? I don't want to spend a fortune fixing this, since I might be owning it for about a year or two, depending on if the transmission fails or not.
Last edited by simplecar; Aug 22, 2018 at 05:47 PM.
Door locks: Actuators are getting weak. You can try removing the door panels and waterproofing and then lubing all of the connections but it's the actuator that really need repaired or replaced. A/C only works through floor: Replace the Mode actuator under the dash behind the glove box (search for details on this forum)..
Door locks: Actuators are getting weak. You can try removing the door panels and waterproofing and then lubing all of the connections but it's the actuator that really need repaired or replaced. A/C only works through floor: Replace the Mode actuator under the dash behind the glove box (search for details on this forum)..
Ok I can do that. As for windows, they go down but don’t go back up. Any recommendations on how I can fix it?
Enjoy the car. I bought my 2001 RX300 when it was almost four years old - It hits 18 this year.
Have had some of your issues.......... the door actuator doesn't work on the right rear. I can live with that.
Fluid leakage turned out to be a hose rather than a seal. They are old and I guess have gotten brittle. But a pain to replace some of them (for the mechanic, not me.)
The leather interior is mostly in great shape. The side panel on the drivers seat (plastic,not leather) has cracked and torn. And the arm rests badly cracked. The latter were covered for a few bucks and look like new. (Highly recommend https://www.ebay.com/itm/18120417121...E:L:OC:US:3160 )
The key is poorly designed and will break - keep an eye on it and replace it before you lose the guts.
And at 18 years old, still a better ride and more comfortable than almost anything else on the road.
Yep, that’s why the ignition was replaced two times because the key would break inside the ignition cylinder.
As as for the seats, they’re in okay condition, but the driver seat has been destroyed. I just put a towel over it.
Both my front seats' leather has been destroyed, but I ordered some leatherette seat covers from CoverKing and should be able to get up some pictures soon.
My "New" Car
