Rubs65

Hi,

We are looking for RX350 and most of the dealers are offering with less miles <40k for price of 33k-34k depending on the features and 1 of the rx 350 with navigation, performance, comfort package for 26k including CPO so roughly difference of 6-7k for miles.

Is it ok to buy with high miles 67k to save 6-7k i.e. how many miles will it last (we had a good experience with Toyota and had 266k miles on camry)

Thanks
--rubs

ericsan13

Assuming both cars live the same age, the lower mileage car will last 3 years longer at 12k miles/year. Would you rather save 6-7k or have your car last 3 additional years???

Rubs65

Thanks for reply. That is exactly what I am asking. Is 20-30k extra miles really make the car live more longer since most of the issues will be with age (rusting etc) so does not matter if i drive the car for next years and dispose at 120k+35k or 120k+67k i.e. are there any known issues with RX with higher miles so I will hit those issues sooner for suspension etc. and that justify the extra 7k?

markrivers

The high milage RX is out of warranty. Unless the seller bought an extended warranty ( done before the original warranty expires) so that's something to consider as well.

Im not afraid of a Toyota/Lexus with high milage IF i plan to keep the car and run it to the ground. We used to have a T100 with 480,000 miles on it. It just won't die.

WHEN are you planning to sell it? After 3 years or at 120,000 miles? If you go with the milage, then it has been decided for you. Save $7000 and get the high milage RX.

Rubs65

It is higher mileage but from dealer with CPO so 3 years 100k warranty, if no issues with the car then no plan to sell for another 100-150k.

dmpus

I was in the same situation as you. Take your time and find the car you really like for the right price.
Consider the following:
1. CPO warranty is not transferable
2. mileage is the biggest factor of value depreciation.
3. car with more mileage will have more wear and tear in the interior: look at leather seats, plastics such as middle consoles, door sills, steering wheel etc.
Lexus has a smooth nice leather which requires regular maintenance. I have seen a lot of them neglected and the leather of the front seats is destroyed just because the previous owner did not bother to moister the leather once in a while..
4. car with more mileage will have more exterior wear and tear: look at your bumpers and front hood for chips and scratches.
All these details will bother you every time you approach your luxury purchase.
On the other hand Lexus will last you well over 100k trouble free so CPO warranty is not as needed as much as for BMW, Rover or Mercedes etc. where CPO is a must past 50k miles.
Look for a car that still has factory warranty remaining so you could fix all cosmetic recalls if there are any, which would not be covered past factory warranty unless they are considered safety liability.

markrivers

Rubs65, have you considered a private seller? Someone who bought the car ( 1st owner)
You can do craigslist or Ebay.
I have my reservation dealer used/CPO cars. Most of their stock came from lease ( not actually a bad thing) BUT the one to avoid is the RX that was used as a loaner.

We used to have a 2011 toyota prius HB four with 123,000 miles but it was very well maintained inside and out.
I got a 2013 loaner with 15,000 miles that was totally abused. Without looking at the milage, you'd think my car is newer.
So that's something to consider. I have said before and i'll say it again, im more comfortable buying my neighbor's car than any used/CPO OR carmax cars.

LexRexBlue

RX last a long time, but after 67000 miles things will begin to need replacing. Will the CPO warranty really cover everything? Its the intangibles, the wear, seats, squeaks, tires, etc. Some dealers are better than others.
Your prices also seem high. While not a CPO, the suggestion of a private owner is a thought simply because you can get the service info from the website, car fax, etc. My car would be an example. (I'm not selling it) but it has 20,000 miles is a 2010 with navigation, etc had ding protection, gets polyshielded etc. It comes out of the car wash looking newer and shinier than some cars with the stickers still on.

Rubs65

In past we always bought from private party and took the car to our mechanic and it worked out well. (we sold 1998 camry bought in 2001 with 30k last year at 266k miles and no major issues etc.).
As mentioned there are not many private parties for this car so not many options and they are also selling at high price.
We are not in hurry but saw this vehicle and checked all the service history and looks fine and also dealer put 4 new tires. Seats have visual wear and tear as expected with these many miles. This car had 2 owners, lease and then private party but serviced as same dealer for last 4 years.

26k is lot of money but stil less than 33k, so we are wondering if it is worth saving 6-7k and if RX will have same reliability as Camry since after putting 200k on it would result in either 233k or 267k and not going to make much difference after 10-12 years.

cubbie036

For me it is about features... I would go with the one that gives me the most. I got my 2010 RX450h a few months ago. there were 4 RX450h on the lot with identical packages, except one had the HUD. So thats the one i took. If there had been one with the lux package on the lot I would have gone with that one. High milage not an issue... It's a Toyota after all! we had toyota Cresida and Mini Van both had well over 200k on them. The engines would have lasted another 200k but as I lived in New England, the rust took its toll. That and a younger brother who drove them into the ground. (and 1 telephone pole) :-/

Rubs65

We are also in NE and had 266k miles on 98 camry when sold it for 2k.

Features are almost same and 68k miles have some additional features and I am sure rust issue will happen with age so both should be same.

andye39s

Not necessarily true. I bought a CPO 2012 450h couple months ago with 45k miles. The interior is pristine - no shiny leather, no scratches on any of the trims, I honestly don't think anyone ever sat in the passenger's seats when I bought it. Exterior is also pristine. This car is in much better condition than all lower mileage samples I've seen, including a 2013.

I think I really lucked out on this car. The previous owner took great care of this car. Oil was changed like every 2-3 months, I have the stack of service history. The average speed on the trip computer was 42. I never reset it since I bought the car. I drive a lot of stop and go here and it remains at 42, which tells me that the car was driven almost all highway. All of my prior cars that had an average speed calculation on the trip computer never broke 30MPH lifetime average.