FiveSeven

iTrader: (3)

Hello everyone,

I will be checking out a 2004 RX330 on Tuesday. I'm purchasing this for my dad who just needs a reliable SUV to lug around his golf clubs lol so any advice would be greatly appreciated.

What kind of things are common problems with the rx330? Is the rx330 as bulletproof as my 2G GS300 when properly maintained? Does the RX330 require a timing belt kit? What price do you think is fair for the car listed below?

2004 RX330
2 owner car
76600 miles
White ext / Grey interior
Base model
asking price is $10,500 (kbb shows a 8500 value)

From what I can tell it has been properly maintained by lexus and local lube shops. I'm not looking to low ball the seller but I am not looking to get ripped off at the same time. Thank you!

numbafree

Where is CA are you? I am in the bay area, and I bought an 05, 164k miles a year ago, listed on CL for $8600, I got it for $7400 cash. Didn't negotiate.

Here is my personal tactics for privates sellers, motorcycles and cars;

1) I tell them I love the car/bike, and have been looking for a long time, and have cash burning a hole in my pocket.
2) I tell them I don't want to offend them, so what is there all cash price. If the number matches mine, I can buy it today if I like it in person.

I might ask for less in person if I see stuff wrong with the car when I inspect it.

It knocked off $3000 for my 996.

Personally for that low of miles I would get it, but I would talk about the 90k major service coming up and also with the age of the car it should get a new water pump, thermostat and timing belt. even if you are a DIY'r like moi, I would use lexus dealer prices to deduct from the purchase price.

This car isn't bullet proof:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=Lexus+RX330+known+issues

Good luck.

FiveSeven

iTrader: (3)

okay so it sounds like the transmission on this car doesn't fair too well.. is this on all rx330's? or just some? anything else I should watch out for during my test drive?

thomas1

The transmission is better than the old RX300 1999, however remember also that that is the first year of that generation of RX330. I drove one way back and have a completely different beast with the RX400h though they have same body. Yes timing belt should be changed because of Time, not mileage. The car is 13 years old. as for tranny do not do a flush, Drain and fill only unless you can find a fluid exchange machine. The transmission has a flair issue, but was supposed to be fixed with software upgrade. Kind of lagged between shifts at certain speeds. Other than that I would personally look for a 2005 and up with higher mileage and feel more comfortable.

jspringato

I just bought an 05 and am in the process of changing all the fluids. I bought a transmission filter and took it to a Jiffy lube, had them drop the pan and replace the filter and flush the transmission. Works perfectly. They didn't have synthetic for it, so I may change it to synthetic next year.

ToledoRX

The transmission in mine feels fine and has held up pretty well. I have 140k miles on it and am still on my original transmission.

Originally, a few years after buying the RX, the transmission clunked when accelerating at low speeds 15-30 mph, apparently this was due to adaptive transmission software, and had the dealer reflash the transmission controls, which seems to have resolved the issue.

Overall, based on my personal experience, the RX330 transmission seems fairly low maintenance compared to other cars that would grind their gear or eat their transmission at less than 100k miles.