i am looking at a 2004 rx with 61000 miles with all service done by dealer, he is ashing 18,995 which i think is very high. i am also looking at somenewer models like the 2007thru 2009 with more mikes and higher price. question is what are the differences and do you think the newer modeld are that much better. thanks jimbo

 

2004 has I believe has a generation 3 Navigation, 2005 to 2006 have generation 4 Navigation and come with bluetooth. 2007-2009 have generation 5 navigation and 30 more horsepower, and come with timing chain . Also 2008-2009 models have chrome door handles (which you can purchase on ebay). Aesthetically they all look identical, except for different grilles, and rims, which can be upgraded.

 

The later models have much better acceleration and don't feel as laggy as the earlier RX330.

 

No bluetooth on the '04 either. That started with the '05 RX.

 

2004-2009 were the best years with the hub cap diamond star halo tail lights. I LOVE THEM. The newer RX's now look like subrau's . They changed the one feature which made the RX's stand out. To bad. So the conclusion to my rave is everybody who has a 2004-2009 hang on to it and keep it mint. No more made. These were the best years...

 

2007 started using the new timing chain engine, and stopped using the 3.3 belt driven engine.

 

I wasn't aware of this change.
Afaik, the 3.3 is the same engine used for the hybrid. So, is also the 400rx affected by this change? And if yes, also starting from 2007 model year?
I'd love the idea of not having to bother with the belt change on my 2008 400...

 

I just did a search in the Hybrid Technology forum. The 400h has a timing belt that requires changing at 90k miles.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/hybrid-technology-187/

 

Yep unless it has the 3.5 liter engine it has a timing belt. The Rx400h is timing belt...

 

Your link points to a list of threads. I'm not sure which one you're talking about.
The following is one which specifically discussed this subject, but there's no mention of the 330 engine being modified from 2007 onward.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/hyb...-or-chain.html
That's why I asked - if it's true that from 2007 the 3.3 engine has a chain rather than a belt, I'm wondering if the same applies also to the 400, which afaik uses the same petrol engine.

 

Ok, so it's only the 350 engine which uses the chain, not also the 330 engine from 2007 onward?

 

RX330 = timing belt
RX350 = timing chain

While the RX330 was sold in the model years 2004-06 here in the US, it was sold in different model years in other parts of the world. So, it is possible to have a second generation RX designated as an RX300 in some parts of the world -- 2nd generation body with the 1st generation engine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_RX

The reason why Rainbird gave you that URL was that it is for the 2nd Generation Hybrid forum here at Club Lexus. Your question on what the hybrid had might have been better answered or researched there.

 

I simply gave you a link to the 400h hybrid forums. You need to use the search function using a key word like "timing".

The standard RX started using a timing chain with the 2007 model year on the new 3.5 engine. All models of the 400h have the 3.3 engine and use a timing belt.

 

Ok, understood (I think).
Just to summarise, it's not the year which really matters, but rather the fact that the timing chain was introduced with the 3.5 engine.
And since the 3.5 engine was never installed in the 400, there's no such thing as a 400 with timing chain, even in the latest years, because all the 400s used the 3.3.engine.
Does that make sense?

 

Sounds about right. The 3.5L engine in the RX350 is used with modifications in the RX450h. I might assume it uses a timing chain like the RX350.

BTW, there is also a 3rd Generation RX270 sold in Japan and other regions.