We are starting to look at new 330's- are there good reasons (other than price of course) to wait for the '05 models to come out?
I feel we have an old AWD car now that probably could make it a few more months if it was really worth it to wait for whatever changes will be coming out in the newer model but it seems as I looked through this forum that anytime the '05's are mentioned, it's always the hybrid. Does that mean there won't be any major changes in the 330? Thanks for your help- the dealer doesn't seem able answer this question and says only that any changes will be very minor. We really appreciate your help.

 

I have an '04, and if I were you I'd wait for the '05, reasons being that there were a few TSB's (minor recalls involving non-safety issues) on the '04, and hopefully for the '05 model will be problem-free. The power rear door computer was changed (at times the key & interior buttons wouldn't open/close the door). The mirror visors were re-designed & replaced (the mirror lid would snag the fabric while opening). The tranny has this clunking noise when cruising and letting off the gas and also when coming to a stop and tranny is downshifting. The roof rack sliders have a wimpy pin design which would break upon adjusting sliders (never happened to mine, cause I never use them & leave them in place).

As far as "minor changes", it may be addition/deletion of body colors & options/packages. I'm almost 100% sure that the body & rims won't be re-freshened until the '06/'07 model year.

Good luck! You'll love the 330 regardless

 

I bought a 2004 RX330 for my wife a couple weeks ago. While it only has a few hundred miles on it at this point, it does not seem to suffer from any of the initial problems that I have read about. Hopefully, all of those problems were adequately addressed by Lexus before it was assembled in April of 2004. I don't see any reason to expect that a 2005 model would be any more trouble-free than a 2004 that was assembled a year after the model was introduced.

 

I was wondering the same thing .... I know they'd maybe be more apt to deal on an '04, but kinda feel like waiting for the '05 b/c of possible minor tweaks. Most of all possible tranny adjustment?

 

I read online that the 05 will have an updated DVD Nav and Bluetooth capability.

This is what I read:

2005 RX gets 4th Gen Nav w/bluetooth, HID and AFS packaged together (but now separate from sport pkg). As far as color changes they dropped Black Forrest/Gray and Blue Mica/Black. 1st 2005 arrivals are in port on 9/2, at dealers about 1 week later.

 

Where'd you read that info about the 2005 with bluetooth?

 

I believe it's from Edmunds.com

 

About waiting or not ... thinking maybe the little rattles and tranny issues may be worked out in the new 05s ... plus any other annoyances that have been reported. Maybe I'm just leery to get the 1st model year. Waiting until early September might seem like a LONG time though plus I might not be able to get AS good of a deal.

 

You most centainly will NOT get the same deal on an '05 in Sept., as you can get on a '04 right now.

You issues are just how much the joy of driving a band new '05 is worth to you, and how long you're going to hold on to it......one less model year of depreciation.

 

If you follow history, the 01 Rx was by far the best 300 made. I had a 99 300 and it all kinds of little bugs. My 01 is near perfect, I could see where they actually changed alot of mechanics of the vehicle. I learned my lesson buying the 99. That is one reason why I waited until year #2 of the 4runner this year. I am assuming the 05 4runner will be even better.

 

The '01 Nav system was too slow IMO. The '02 had a CPU that runs twice as fast.

Back to the original topic, it's possible that the '05 would have an improved tranny and other TSBs applied.

 

Yeah, I was thinking about that ... the '05 may have a few less bugs (not that this car has many relatively speaking) and also the way they change body style so quickly might want a few years to enjoy having a style that's not outdated.

I'm thinking I can get $4500 off MSRP on this '04, but who knows on the '05 ... always tough when you're talking trade-ins as well.