After two years in Australia, I'm returning home soon and my first order of business will be to buy two cars. In all probability, I'll live in North Dakoda and have a round trip daily commute of 160 interstate miles. I'll need a car that goes fast in a straight line, gets decent mileage, is comfortable on my butt, has AWD, and is unbreakable. For my primary car, I'm thinking a 10 RX in the $25k range. I'd buy the car in CA and drive it east loaded with wife and dog.

Is the RX a good choice? My service dealer would be the Toyota guy in Fargo. Is that a concern? Other vehicles that I've concidered: Venza, Honda Crosstour, Sabaru Outback, CR-V, Rav-4, and Highlander. In the past ten years, I've driven a MDX, a Prius, and a Maxima. I've always been a Toyota/Honda guy and I will never drive a Hyundai. On the weekend, I drive a 30 year old 911.

 

Bringing the 911 home with you ?
No AWD I know but I just sold a 44 year old Buick. Everything but the AWD but it met all of your criteria. LOL.
I really used to like the straight line + fast part.

RX would be a very good choice, we left 28 years of Honda products & quite happy.Can't see any real concerns about taking it to a Toyota dealer.
Believe all service/wear items are Toyota based & easy to source.

 

I wish the 911 was with me here in Oz. She''d be worth two to three times what she'd fetch in the States. She is in good company with a buddy, her PO, out in Conneticuict. There's something about turning the key and starting a 911 that's hard to describe.

1970 would be a keeper year for a Buick. My first ten years of driving experience was behind the wheel of a 69 Chevelle SS396. In reality, she'd be beat in the 1/4 mile by a V6 Accord. But she sure could make a fuss pulling away from a stoplight--I loved that car.

 

Is ground clearance a concern? I would get either an IS350AWD or GS350AWD last gen. Unlike the RX, both are based on RWD platform - much more fun to drive. Great long distance cruisers as well. Never mind a 2 second advantage on 0-60 times.

 

You shouldn't be concerned with service from a Toyota dealer. I've done that for 10 years now. RX: comfortable and will treat you right. Gas Mileage: eh - you could do better. While I've never driven a subaru, they supposedly have a good record and high consumer rating, and would get better gas mileage.

 

My Subie does not get a good gas mileage, LOL.
And the RX is much more comfortable on long rides.

 

I drove a Subie once and hated it. GS350 AWD...now I like that. The GS was actually on my short list if I move to Texas. ND interstate, clearance should not be a problem. Now would the wife go for a GS? We nearly divorced when I told her that I was buying a BMW M6. She won...I'm still married and there is no M6 in my near future.

 

I would go with a new Subaru Outback 2.5i Limited. I own both the RX and Subaru and for freeway driving it will have a really nice ride quality. Plus in bad winter weather, it is great. It is economical to own and easy to maintain. Depending on your cruising speed you should get really excellent mileage on the freeway ... maybe as high as 33 MPG in warmer weather (unlike Lexus, they can hit numbers above their EPA ratings pretty easily).

 

Welcome to the forum. I just sold my 2001 Boxster last fall and bought my 2011 RX350 a few weeks after. Very happy with it. Super comfortable on the hiway and warm in winter. I tried a Subaru Forester but it was too plain jane for me. I think you will be happy with the RX350 but not great on gas and it takes premium unleaded.
Guy

 

OP, FWIW, here in the US, Lexus recommends 2012 (and after) RX350 can use regular gasoline, and all RX450h remain with premium. There are other threads on the forum that I won't start to repeat here, discussing where folks run regular in other models and years, but that is their personal choice vs. what Lexus officially recommends in our US vehicles.

BTW, an early "Welcome Home"! Be sure to let us know what decision you make on that new ride and post some pictures if you become a member of our RX Family.