We are shopping for a used car and I was deciding between a RAV4, Highlander, and RX. I really like this RX and found a used one and would like a current Lexus owners advice. Not necessarily price but what this vehicles history looks like. Are the Rav4's any better maintenance wise? Was looking to spend under $15K and know I could get a slightly newer Rav4 for the same price.

So here it is - a 2007 RX350, navi, backup camera with 106K miles. Dealer is asking around $14,500. The below is per Carfax. 3 owners owned it about 3 years each. It has had regular maintenance so that looks good. It has just has a few more things done that I would have have expected with this mileage.

32,346 Oil line/hose replaced
51,000 rear brakes
2012 - failed state emissions but passed 4 days later
Someone did purchase a service contract at 72K miles which covered some items below.
75,000 alternator replaced
80,000 rack and pinion assembly, 2 days later the steering gear was replaced
83,000 oxygen sensor
101,000 June 2015 trans pan gasket and Water pump
101,000 rear brakes replaced
101,000 July 2015 Water pump replaced, tansmission fluid changed

Its good that things like the water pump and rack were replaced. So that is one thing less to fail. I was just hesitant because a lot of things had been done to this vehicle. Also I am not sure if they replaced the water pump twice in two months - or if it was a clerical error being recorded.

Thanks for any advice. The rest of the vehicle seemed in good shape, interior, paint. It rode pretty well too.

 

My take:

The oil line/hose was likely the vvti recall, so no concern with that.
The failed emissions test could've been related to a dead battery (bad alternator) or the bad O2 sensor, no concern with that.
Having a new steering rack and water pump are a bonus.

$15k sounds high. I'd expect to pay $12k to a dealer unless it included a warranty.

If you haven't already, register at my lexus to get dealer service history:
https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lex...-lexus/home.do

 

I am shopping for one the same as you are, though I take a long time to make decisions and do a lot of reading ahead of time. I probably won't purchase until March or so.

That said in my experience looking at a lot of data, the only things out of the ordinary on the RX you listed are the alternator and the trans pan gasket. Everything else is pretty routing on this car. I don't think I would be concerend with any of those listed repairs and it bonus that the water pump and steering rack were done.

I would expect a price between 12500 and 14 for it, depending on features, AWD I am assuming?, with the nav and backup etc.

I would think that the Rav4 might? have fewer repairs but hard to say for sure, it depends on what aspects of a car you value the most whether the Rav or RX is right for you, neither is a bad choice.

 

RAV4 and the RX can not be compared, they are different classes of rides.

However I would take an RX over a RAV. Re-sale of a Lexus is far greater than a Toyota.

JM2C.

Good luck with your quest.

 

No idea. RX owners don't all own RAV4's. They're very different vehicles. I had a new RAV4 as a rental while our other car was in the shop and I wouldn't cross shop the two. We might consider the NX as a possible replacement as we really don't even need something as large as the RX.

Our RX (2008 400h) has had almost no trouble aside from getting the rack replaced but it's only up to about 60K.

 

Much too high of a price, but I wouldn't be worried about that maintenance history. What you should do is pull the VIN up on Lexus Driver and see if there are any issues that are continually addressed, which might signal that the car is a problem child.

 

Welcome, looks like the common big ticket item (rack and pinion) was taken care of for you.

 

I pulled the car up on Lexus and got lots of details. I also just had it into an independent mechanic to take a look. He would have preferred more fluid changes like the differential and more trans fluid changes, but only found a few things to take care of.

Going to ask the dealer to reduce the price from $14500. Its a 2007 RX350 Nav, backup, AWD with 106K miles.

Do these prices below seem ok for an independent? I read about Lexus having special transmission fluid? Does he need to use anything special.


Change the brake fluid - $130
Transmission change $100
Differential/Transfer $179
replace left frton transmission output seal (small leak right now) $450
Rear brakes and rotors $450

Thanks for everyone's help.

 

Let me respond to both your questions,
Hope you can get the dealer to lower the price, but around here (Raleigh NC), that's not a bad price. The asking for a Gen 2, RX350 with 100K on the clock and a clean Carfax ranges from $14K to $18K. Having Nav bumps up the price. AWD doesn't due much here because we're in a warm climate. The colder the climate the more it's worth. Last time I checked, Wisconsin has industrial strength cold climate.
As for the transmission fluid, I take my Vette and my Highlander to the same shop. They're very good, with good prices and their specialty is transmission rebuilding. They rebuild for some of the top new car dealers in the area. I asked about which transmission fluid to use. They assured me that the only tranny fluid to use in a Toyota product is Toyota brand. When I have my Lexus tranny fluid changed, they will do it and they will only use Toyota brand in a Lexus. I trust experts who know more than I do. Also, considering the cost of rebuilding a tranny, I won't trust another brand that's supposed to be equivalent.