We recently bought 5 acres off an unpaved/dirt road and plan to build a house-it's approx 1/2 mile long, and pretty bumpy-in the spring it's pretty dry and cannot be graded...to the point where there's almost moguls flanking the road lol.

So I'm wondering how my RX350 (2007) would hold up under these condtions. I know the car isn't a true SUV, and built more for a street ride, but I'm really fighting getting rid of it. I'd probably trade it in for an H3-which pains me to think about.

Anyone have an opinion? I talked to the Sales Mgr at my Lexus dealer and he tried to sell me a GX-which I cannot afford...

HELP!

 

Don't even worry about it, I highly doubt the lack of ability of the RX, or any Lexus for that matter, to withstand a 1/2 mile gravel road.

 

I have lived with my RX300 down here and have blown some suspension pieces, shocks, bushings, but my roads are a horror story compared to a 1/2 mile gravel road.

 

If I were you, I would put aftermarket differential and oil pan scrape plates in case you bottom out. There is a lot of chincy sheet metal underneath! I was doing some dirt road travel in northern Canada last month, and even though it was a pretty good condition road, I was having some trouble keeping the middle from bottoming out. You know, the edges where the tires go sometimes form deep grooves so the middle of the road is pretty high.

 

youll be fine. a sedan can get through that no problem.

 

Sounds not much different than my location. Been bad due to the lack of rain here of late. Some items I can recommend.

1. As long as you do not take the road as a rally course your suspension will be fine.

2. Keep the car washed and be careful in how it is washed due to what can stick to the car from the dirt road. I rinse the car thoroughly before attempting any cleaning so not to risk scratching the paint.

3. Check your air and cabin filters regularly and be prepared to change more often than the manual. Buy a spare of each that way you can swap easily and rinse clean. After a couple of times you will replace.

 

ive driven my old rx300 thru dirt rocky road and thru 4 feet of water.....itll be fin e

 

Four feet? Did water come in on the floor?


.

 

well it might have been a bit lower, but i was driving thru a huge water puddle, in the middle of the puddle there was a big hole, which i couldnt see so anyways i stopped to make sure i wasnt sinking any lower, which i wasnt. i lowered the window looked out and the water level was above the bottom of the door. good thing i didnt do any permamnent damage.

 

If its just a bumpy dirt road, you will be fine. As long as you dont bottom out and go really slow.