I prefer the looks of the gen2's & like some of the interior pieces of the gen3's, similar to the gen3 wrx's exterior to the latest ones, but like the later models interior.

 

That's where I'm at for now until car prices get back to normal, if it ever does.

Sure, there are more fun cars out there but the RX330 does everything I need it to do and it's paid for so that's a plus.
I don't remember ever having a car this old or with this many miles since high school or when I went back to college but those cars weren't Lexus's.

 

Same, despite the high mileage I can depend on it fully. This 2RX is definitely the best of both worlds from the 1st gen HL and 3rd gen RX.

 

Almost bought one of these BMW X5 in mint condition before I bought the RX330.

Wife loved the car and it was the Blue paint color and what a really cool ride.
But I didn't trust it for reliability and chose the Lexus.

The Gen 2 RX is a little boring compared to a BMW X5 in my opinion but I'll take the reliability.



Source

 

My friend has X3. He told, "Don't buy BMW if the warranty has already expired".

 

I need to see what one of these X5s drive like. As for European SUVs, I've tried a 2010 Audi Q7 and a 2012 Mercedes GL450 (me and my friend replaced starter and rear air springs - dealer wanted insane price for labour), but those two were tanks that were awful to drive, boring and slower than my RX despite the GL having a 4.7L V8. I want to try a V8 X5 or Dodge Durango / Jeep GC SRT-8 and see how it compares on the fun scale compared to my RX or Highlander, I'll probably be pretty impressed by it. As for others, Mitsubishi Outlander & Hyundai Santa Fe (at least the newer models) were HORRIBLE and the Dodge Journey with even the Pentastar was pretty bad as well. Bad ride quality AND handling at the same time, which a lot of modern SUVs seem to achieve quite well, unfortunately the 2014 RX we have is kind of leaning towards that spectrum as well with a heavier curb weight.

Some simple mods like lowering springs, bigger sway bars with more rear bias, responsive brakes, etc, made them a lot more fun to drive compared to the squishy stock feel. Of course, I'd take my RX any day as well, just for the simplicity, reliability and cheapness.

 

Out of all the readly availiable mass produced mid size suv's, the X5 drives/handles & whips around the best. But then you also get a fast depreciating asset + a high maintence unit vs a Lexus....I really do like how these X5's can be thrown in corners, w/ that said, I'll put my money else where.

 

It was a good looking car and the Blue color was awesome.
I never told ya'll the whole story.

If I remember the car had 100k miles and was clean and spotless.
However, I never got to drive it over 20 mph.

They lived at an apartment and when I drove it the wheel bearings were grinding so loud it was darn scary.
Never heard wheel bearings that were run down to that extreme and at only 100k miles too.

Passed on the car and owner called me a couple days later to let me know they had it fixed but I was already turned off by lack of maintenance.
Made me wonder if they changed to oil and what else they didn't maintain.

 

The other used model I considered (in 2018) was an Acura MDX. The 3.7L with 300HP really had my interest.
MDX's have lots of issues, according to the Acura forums.

 

Ditto, I looked & did research at those as well. No issues w/ the motor, its the trans thatt have the issues & the dash is all jacked up.

 

Installed the rear Talon rear rotors w/ Alkobono ceramic pads, also added a 15oz bottle of VP performance coolant additive, which'll drop thecoolant temps down. I noticed the temp gauge dropped a needles width, @ 90 degrees w/ the a/c on. A few different brands say 25-30 degrees cooler, But then that'd depend on how old your coolant is & the condition of the radiator/ heater core, ect. With the weather temps up, any little bit helps......Also a great time to drain/flush your coolant system w/ new coolant. I use the Zerex red for Toyota's.....

 

Nice job! Do you have any pictures of those Hawk rotors? Did a lot of driving with the Highlander today (just bled the brakes yesterday) and RX. Brake pedal feel is nearly identical between the two cars, but I’m really liking these Raybestos EHTs as a budget daily brake pad. Bites noticeably harder than the Akebonos in the Highlander but they’re still pretty smooth and easy to modulate, although not as quiet.

 

Well, how do you like them Akobono pads and Talon rotors?
Slotted and drilled?

PS- I may have to pick up a bottle of the VP coolant additive if you say it 's good.