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My elderly mom can't drive anymore. So car has been handed down to me. Kids are attached to it, so will keep it around.
2003 AWD
150K miles
Dealer serviced day from day one.
Needs:
Touch up paint (ordered)
Front hood struts (ordered)
Front passenger door actuator (ordered) - need to watch Youtube to figure out how to do it. I also read remote doesn't work, after actuator replacement?
Desire:
Rear Spoiler
Bigger tires (though seem to be issue with strut) more research needed
108K - Timing belt/water pump all pulleys were done.
Car has new Michelin Premier tires all around.
Trans fluid: I wanted to do the trans fluid (I read about the glass camry trans in these), but last fluid change was 142K. So only 10k miles ago.
Diff/Transfer: The diff/transfer case was done at 110k. So 40K miles ago. Should I do those?
Radiator: Fluid was changed 147k, 3K miles ago.
Battery: 1 week old.
Cabin/Air filter - 5 k miles old.
Brake Fluid - 3k mile old
So to me it seems spark plugs and diff/transfer case fluid are the things would need to be done, to bring it to current baseline. I can't find when spark plugs were changed last, as the lexus dealer has them marked "10K service, 25k service...." etc
Here's a bit of advice from the owner of 3 RX over the years representing over 300K miles driven. When you change the spark plugs have your mechanic replace the rear three plug coils with new ones. SAVE the ones he removes, and keep them in the car. I guarantee you that if you keep the car long enough and if a coil fails it will be on the front (by the radiator) and not the rear (by the firewall.) Point being that it will be easy for you to change, unlike those in the rear. Assumes that you already know how to use an OBD reader.
Here's a bit of advice from the owner of 3 RX over the years representing over 300K miles driven. When you change the spark plugs have your mechanic replace the rear three plug coils with new ones. SAVE the ones he removes, and keep them in the car. I guarantee you that if you keep the car long enough and if a coil fails it will be on the front (by the radiator) and not the rear (by the firewall.) Point being that it will be easy for you to change, unlike those in the rear. Assumes that you already know how to use an OBD reader.
thank you
what mileage interval do you recommend spark plugs and coils on this car ?
Well full detail done. Clay, compound, polish, sealant. Amazing how good lexus paint is, after 17 years still mint. Our previous experience were all Ls/sc/lc, but nice to see great paint on the entry level lexus.
Due to it being a white car, hard to tell, but at least going forward will be Easy to maintain.
of course it will be fully garaged in our possession and continue to live a pampered life.
Well gave it a nice long drive this morning. Wallowy suspension and all. It is to be expected. Runs very smooth. Of course in the mountains of Angeles Crest, isn't where this vehicle shines.
Ended the drive, with a Starbucks Coffee (haven't had one in 2020 yet), and car was perfectly at home in the drivethrough. However, only to realize this thing has HUUUUUUGE turning circle. Oh my!!! If I take my FJ Cruiser to same driveway, I have to take really wide turn, not to hit the curb. Of course I had to go OVER the curb to make the turn in the RX. I am sure mother would be VERY disappointed, that I have taken the beautiful RX OVER a curb!
Very happy that the 03+ model has the 19+ gallon gas tank, vs the smaller earlier tanks. However, now that I know the immensely huge turning radius, gonna have to be much more careful!
Door actuator replacement should work fine if it's an OEM and not an aftermarket "slave" actuator.
Do't get the ebay headlights . If you cant get them clean yourself, hire a pro for $50. The OEM headlights are much better quality that the Chinese imitations on ebay.
I'd pass on the spoiler - just adds noise and a slight reduction in gas mileage (same with teh crossbars - take them off when not in use).
Get the suspension (struts) checked before getting wider tires. What issues do you think you have?
Our 1999 looks pretty tired now (205,000 miles). It's served us well over the last 21 years! Wish it looked as nice as yours, though.
Door actuator replacement should work fine if it's an OEM and not an aftermarket "slave" actuator.
Do't get the ebay headlights . If you cant get them clean yourself, hire a pro for $50. The OEM headlights are much better quality that the Chinese imitations on ebay.
I'd pass on the spoiler - just adds noise and a slight reduction in gas mileage (same with teh crossbars - take them off when not in use).
Get the suspension (struts) checked before getting wider tires. What issues do you think you have?
Our 1999 looks pretty tired now (205,000 miles). It's served us well over the last 21 years! Wish it looked as nice as yours, though.
Hi there.
If you look at above pics, I thought I did a pretty good job with the headlights. I am satisfied with it. However, wife saw the "new ebay" ones and said those look even better.
I am not sure what an aftermarket slave actuator is. I got an OEM one.
Ok will pass on the spoiler.
Cross bars have been removed.
I don't have any issues. Tires are all new. I was hoping to get some bigger K02 BFG - but I read that taller/wider tires will hit the struts on the car. I don't want to really change the wheels, if I don't have to. All the "offroad RX300" pics on google, has bigger tires like this thread:
You can get vinyl type covers for your head lights new or old. Different colors even textures but all protect. I am sure in CA you could find someones shop that does it.
You can get vinyl type covers for your head lights new or old. Different colors even textures but all protect. I am sure in CA you could find someones shop that does it. https://www.amazon.com/VViViD-Black-.../dp/B01JK3JO5E
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