Hi,

I am looking to buy a used RX 330 or Rx 350. I heard about one available from a Private Seller. Below are the details of that car. Can you please share thoughts on if this is a good deal? And what should I look for or ask the owner or be cautious about If I move ahead?

Year/Make: 2005 RX 330 AWD
Mileage: 47K Miles
More Info: One owner, Accident free, pictures look good, Silver Exterior/Grey interior, Sun roof, Xenon lights, heated seats, tow package.
Asking Price: $21,500

Appreciate your view and thoughts. Please do advise on what I should ask e.g. If brakes wear out typically just around 47K miles, should I be asking for if the brakes were changed? OR is there an extended warranty on the vehicle etc.

Thanks!

 

www.kbb.com

 

Of course. I checked that. But the rates on KBB are ideal only or an index only. But always a good deal is some percentage below the KBB. Sure, I get the point, its a little subjective.

Any thoughts on the second part of the question - what should I check for/ask/be cautious about a used 2005 RX330 AWD?

Thanks for the reply posted and more to come.

 

Brakes are a possibility at 47k, ask them to check (you didn't say if it's a Lexus dealer) and try to work a deal if pads and/or rotors are needed.

You can register at Lexus.com as a driver and get the service records of the car for what work was done at Lexus over it's life. That can be very helpful.

Some 05's have had a problem with a leaking steering rack, headlight condensation has been an ongoing problem. At that low mileage I wouldn't think the rack is leaking yet but I would have the fluid changed at the 60k service.

05's are great cars, if you could get that low mileage one for 19k I think that would be a deal.

 

AWD models seem to be prone to rear bearing failures.

 

Thanks RX330inFL. Roughly, when are the rear bearings known to fail ? - high mileage or known to happen even at low mileages? Or any specific road conditions - like when driven off-roads for a while etc?

 

Thanks Carver. This is helpful.

 

You mentioned also purchasing an RX350. There were many improvements to the RX starting with the 2007 model year. You might want to consider that. Also do you really need an AWD in Georgia?

 

Do a search here in the forums for the 2nd generation RX. You will see a number of threads. Here is one:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...hot-16-5k.html

Read Salim's comment(s).

 

Am hoping the AWD will prove useful when I move North; but certainly I do not NEED it per say at this point. It just happend to be in one of the vehicles available.

 

this is straight from Manheim auction...


08/03/11 NJ Regular $22,500 27,668 Above Silver 6G A No
07/26/11 ARENA IL Regular $19,500 49,348 Above WHITE 6G A Yes
08/17/11 ATLANTA Regular $18,500 51,383 Above SILVER 6G Yes
08/10/11 PA Regular $15,100 60,360 Avg GRAY 6G A Yes
08/17/11 SEATTLE Regular $17,700 64,594 Above BLUE 6G A Yes
08/05/11 PA Regular $14,800 70,276 Avg GRAY 6G A Yes
08/18/11 PA Regular $16,400 71,312 Avg TAN 6G A Yes
08/11/11 DARLNTON Regular $17,300 72,238 Above WHI 6G A Yes
08/09/11 BALTWASH Regular $16,400 75,294 Avg LT GREY 6G A Yes
08/18/11 PA Regular $16,400 75,844 Avg BLACK 6G A Yes
08/16/11 ARENA IL Regular $17,100 76,066 Above BLUE 6G A Yes
08/03/11 PA Regular $19,995 77,829 Above Black 6G A No
07/26/11 STATESVL Regular $16,500 78,677 Avg BLUE 6G O Yes
08/02/11 NEWENGLD Regular $16,100 78,750 Avg SILVER 6G A Yes
08/18/11 CHICAGO Regular $16,450 79,026 Avg GRAY 6G A Yes

 

Thanks Alchemist. Are these 'Lease' cars or Privately owned cars? And are these all Rx330s? And is it possible to provide some more details on the "08/17/11 ATLANTA Regular $18,500 51,383 Above SILVER 6G " vehicle? What year and model, package etc?

 

These are all exactly what you are looking for. 2005 rx330 awd

These are either end of lease or trade-ins sold by dealers through the auction.

The atl one was premium plus

 

By Black book price is about right Clean-24,000, Average - 22,300, Rough - 16775

 

Manheim is the best place to get an idea of what the car is worth, if you have access to it. What it goes for at the auction is what dealers would pay for cars then they pay for shipping and safety and they sell it on there lot.
This price is also what they would give you if you were to trade in you car. So if you get it for how much its going for at Manheim you are good to go.