A friend is looking into getting a used SUV with reliability and AWD as key factors. Her budget is in the $10k neighborhood so I'm looking into the earlier 2nd generation RXs for her, primarily '04 and '05. Were there any known major (or even minor) issues with these RX's, or should I expect basically the same excellent reliability as we've had with our '01 and '03 ES's as well as '10 RX?

 

Not much else comes to mind other than leaking power steering racks and wheel bearings. Occasional water pump leaks/failures, but I can't remember if thats all RXs or just later 350s. Basically, yes expect the same level of reliability. Smaller issues that come to mind are condensation in headlights, cracking dashes, and weak trunk lift supports, but nothing major. TB/WP also something to consider of course, but I'm pretty sure you're pretty familiar with that. Long time no see btw, I remember years ago your thread about installing the HIDs in the ES300 when i still had one

 

Thanks bud, sounds like it would be a perfect fit for her. The only issue is finding one in her budget; the '04's and '05's are a bit north of $10k even with high mileage in our area.

Hahaha those HIDs are still going strong, although I do need to buff the lenses with PlastX every few months to remove haze along the edges. I just hit 150k in the '01 ES too; 25k in just the past year. It's been a perfect commuting car and I have no intention of getting rid of it anytime soon

 

It's been 4 years since I sold mine, same color as yours with a black interior, and I still miss it ha.

 

I'd think finding something around $10k should be pretty good to locate. We've been toying with the idea putting our 07' RX400h up for sale and with our mileage (168k), I'm around the $10-$11k range. Of course that's here in Colorado so don't know your market in NH. And our cars are probably less "rusty" than the vehicles on the East coast....

 

Some early 330s including mine had an issue with shifting from 3rd to 4th. It kind of hung up and then released suddenly. A reflash fixed the problem. But before your friend runs away, have her read this thread.

Oh and Lexus introduced bluetooth beginning with '05 MY. Ask me how I know

 

I just went through this and bought an 05. You don't get bluetooth with the 05, you get bluetooth PHONE CALLS with 05, but not pandora or anything else the average person will think of when you say bluetooth. However, for $200 you can easily plug this into the radio and have seamless full bluetooth. Also, that 05 will be right in your price range. Just look for any RX330 around12,500 and you'll get to 8500-9500 pretty easy with some negotiation. If you're not a negotiator just offer 9500 and build from there.

 

bay area, ca here. 164k miles on my 05, new alternator, new ATF fluid, and water pump when I bought it, $7400 is what I paid Feb 2016, asking was $8600. luxury package, no nav, AWD, 6 cd changer (added a ipod connection). I do maintenance on all my gas powered toys, but the second owner I bought it from took it to a non-toyota/lexus mechanic. the LSD oil was black, transfer case oil, brown, and I changed the brake fluid as well (probably 2 yrs old from the color). I don't know why but my engine oil is dark dark brown at 2k miles, so that is when I change it. Never had a car or motorcycle that went thru engine oil like that before.

I LOVE my RX330, and use it as my DD. I will try to put another 100k on it.

 

Thank for the feedback guys, sounds like the earlier RX's are good to go. We've been looking at this one and are going to take a look at it soon. Assuming everything checks out, and if she can snag it for $10k or less, I think it would suit her really well -

http://www.herbconnollychevrolet.com...2-ma/14491013/

 

That's an 04, no bluetooth at all. Good miles though! You definitely should be able to get it for less than 10k. Remember, they usually price them $3500-4000 over what they own them for on the lot. Some places cut the price some for online to draw you in. See what it's marked for on the lot and you'll know about where you can get it. Good lucK!

Oh, one more thing.There's two black metal braces just about 6" ahead of the back tires that go up toward the frame, about as big around as your thumb. You can check the wear on those to see if the PO did a bunch of offroading with it. Also up under the rear bumper. (These are AWD, but they are NOT built for offroading at all)

 

If bluetooth is a major factor, GROM audio units for like $120. Can't beat it

 

I just picked up an '05 Premium AWD - no nav - with 131k on it for $9,100 OTD with a 6 month 8,000 miles warranty. It's in about average condition. There are some scratches and stone chips. Nothing overly major. I'll have to fix up a few small things on it.

The one you linked to looks really good, and the miles are great. If you get that for under $10,000, I'd consider that a pretty decent buy.

This is a great forum. I'm glad I found it. The information here helped me decide to buy it.

 

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The GROM unit is 227.85 when you buy the unit
https://www.amazon.com/GROM-Audio-An...&keywords=GROM

And the two sets of cables
https://www.amazon.com/GROM-Audio-Bl...XXZJ4WN2THSVV7
https://www.amazon.com/GROM-Audio-35...XXZJ4WN2THSVV7

 

You're looking at more than you need. The complete GROM Bluetooth kit is $132.99. Add aux if you want, but it's not needed. I've purchased a few of their kits, namely this one, for 2 different cars.

http://gromaudio.com/store/bt3_adapt...e_adapter.html

 

Morning, guys, I just bought my wife an 05 with Navi for $7200 122k miles. Car over all is in excellent shape, only thing that needs attention is a bad wheel bearing which will fix over the weekend.