Thinking of getting an 2011 RX350....
08-23-17, 06:31 AM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Thinking of getting an 2011 RX350....
Hi all, 1st post, thinking of getting an '11 Lexus 350 RX, 59,000 miles good shape, few scuffs/chips, needs tires, (thinking of getting the Hankook Dynapro hp3 ra33's if I get it), but good trade in numbers on my '06 4Runner with 149,000 miles. They are almost the same size, the RX is about 1" smaller in every direction, but very nice, leather, nav, comfy, AWD etc... any opinions on this/what to look for?
THANKS!
THANKS!
08-23-17, 12:22 PM
#2
Moderator
Welcome to CL. These are great and very reliable vehicles and that is low mileage. If you search you will find answers to repair issues and a lot more info on the vehicle. Like any other used car, get the CarFax. Have a mechanic check it out. Is it certified? Who is selling it? What warranty?
The main issues are related to the rear shocks failing early due to leaking. Look at the rear shocks and if the bottom parts are darker in color or look damp, then they leaked. Good news is rear shocks are cheap and easy to replace. Other than that there were a few technical service bulletins but they have likely been handled by now.
I recommend you get the transmission flushed by a dealer. I say dealer or Toyota specialist because of the really complicated temperature sensitive procedure to adjust fluid level.
Finally, if you join this Lexus Owners site run by Lexus and enter your VIN it will show you the dealer service history http://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/history
You can do this even though you do not own the car.
The main issues are related to the rear shocks failing early due to leaking. Look at the rear shocks and if the bottom parts are darker in color or look damp, then they leaked. Good news is rear shocks are cheap and easy to replace. Other than that there were a few technical service bulletins but they have likely been handled by now.
I recommend you get the transmission flushed by a dealer. I say dealer or Toyota specialist because of the really complicated temperature sensitive procedure to adjust fluid level.
Finally, if you join this Lexus Owners site run by Lexus and enter your VIN it will show you the dealer service history http://drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/history
You can do this even though you do not own the car.
08-23-17, 12:45 PM
#3
Lexus Champion
Just be aware, coming from the 4Runner, RX has part-time AWD system and spends bulk of its time in FWD mode.
5th Gen 4Runner Limited shares interior bits and pieces with the RX and has most capable full time AWD/4WD system.
Look for one with HID headlights. For whatever reason, there's lots of halogens out there that catch buyers by surprise.
5th Gen 4Runner Limited shares interior bits and pieces with the RX and has most capable full time AWD/4WD system.
Look for one with HID headlights. For whatever reason, there's lots of halogens out there that catch buyers by surprise.
08-26-17, 04:58 AM
#4
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Well, I got my 2011 this week and love it!
Pros so far:
Love the pearl white paint and chrome accents, hid lights, nice leather and wood, nice headliner material, nav system/info center, good sound system, (even though it's not the Levinson), ice cold a/c, nice lighting functions on the side mirrors, 3 seat memory settings, good gauge cluster, good headroom front/back, and love the hidden rear wiper
Cons so far:
Slight engine drone, slightly thick a pillars, can't disable the easy entry/exit steering wheel retraction, not sure about the storage are under the center console, wouldn't you be afraid that whatever you put there could fall out and interfere with the pedals? Funny shifter position, made up for by the console "mouse" controls, I'm assuming the wood has faded in the sun on the steering wheel and that's why it doesn't match the other wood, (which is nice), can't find a good leather remote fob cover
no sun glass holder, lol
It will need tires soon...posted in the sticky tire thread: Nokian WRG3 vs Hankook Dynapro HP2,
Opinions welcome.
Another pro:
This web site.
Pros so far:
Love the pearl white paint and chrome accents, hid lights, nice leather and wood, nice headliner material, nav system/info center, good sound system, (even though it's not the Levinson), ice cold a/c, nice lighting functions on the side mirrors, 3 seat memory settings, good gauge cluster, good headroom front/back, and love the hidden rear wiper
Cons so far:
Slight engine drone, slightly thick a pillars, can't disable the easy entry/exit steering wheel retraction, not sure about the storage are under the center console, wouldn't you be afraid that whatever you put there could fall out and interfere with the pedals? Funny shifter position, made up for by the console "mouse" controls, I'm assuming the wood has faded in the sun on the steering wheel and that's why it doesn't match the other wood, (which is nice), can't find a good leather remote fob cover
no sun glass holder, lolIt will need tires soon...posted in the sticky tire thread: Nokian WRG3 vs Hankook Dynapro HP2,
Opinions welcome.
Another pro:
This web site.
08-27-17, 06:07 AM
#5
Moderator
Enjoy your new ride.
Regarding the center console, your worries are unfounded. There is no way stuff placed in the center console between the seats after the upper box and tray are removed could ever reach the mechanisms for the foot pedals or move anywhere. I store my radar detector there and it has never moved. The pedals are too far away and the console does not go very far before other the hole ends. Note the lower pass thru hole in the front of the center area, I think the center console secret hole ends before that hole.
On tires I suggest searching the www.tirerack.com site for suitable tires as they do their own testing and have many purchaser reviews which they compile into a ratings system. See what they have to say about those 2 tires.
Regarding the center console, your worries are unfounded. There is no way stuff placed in the center console between the seats after the upper box and tray are removed could ever reach the mechanisms for the foot pedals or move anywhere. I store my radar detector there and it has never moved. The pedals are too far away and the console does not go very far before other the hole ends. Note the lower pass thru hole in the front of the center area, I think the center console secret hole ends before that hole.
On tires I suggest searching the www.tirerack.com site for suitable tires as they do their own testing and have many purchaser reviews which they compile into a ratings system. See what they have to say about those 2 tires.
08-27-17, 06:17 AM
#6
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Enjoy your new ride.
Regarding the center console, your worries are unfounded. There is no way stuff placed in the center console between the seats after the upper box and tray are removed could ever reach the mechanisms for the foot pedals or move anywhere. I store my radar detector there and it has never moved. The pedals are too far away and the console does not go very far before other the hole ends. Note the lower pass thru hole in the front of the center area, I think the center console secret hole ends before that hole.
On tires I suggest searching the www.tirerack.com site for suitable tires as they do their own testing and have many purchaser reviews which they compile into a ratings system. See what they have to say about those 2 tires.
Regarding the center console, your worries are unfounded. There is no way stuff placed in the center console between the seats after the upper box and tray are removed could ever reach the mechanisms for the foot pedals or move anywhere. I store my radar detector there and it has never moved. The pedals are too far away and the console does not go very far before other the hole ends. Note the lower pass thru hole in the front of the center area, I think the center console secret hole ends before that hole.
On tires I suggest searching the www.tirerack.com site for suitable tires as they do their own testing and have many purchaser reviews which they compile into a ratings system. See what they have to say about those 2 tires.
and tirerack doesn't offer the Nokian tire.....
08-27-17, 07:39 AM
#7
We simply bought set of Sumitomo on Tire Rack and had it shipped to local installer. Otherwise, you WILL run into a lot of money just for the tires. been 2 years by now, they do just fine. I actually bought another set for my HiHy with 19 inch alloys. No problems so far. $110 each is a VERY good price.
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08-27-17, 09:01 AM
#9
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
08-27-17, 11:55 AM
#10
Well, it depends on your vanity, really. I went to a local Mexican tire shop - plenty of them by junk yards - and bought 2 metal wheels and 2 75% Wintercat studded tires. They mounted them and balance. Then I put them onto my Camry front end for what they call winter here. Off they were after 3 days, when winter passed. Grand total was $120.
That said, your vehicle mostly drives in front wheel drive anyway. Personally, I am more than safe in an AWD car as is, with regular tires, I know how to drive on snow. But, I never really needed anything special on all 4, on a FWD car, especially if it's steering wheels same time. If you do not do stupid, rear end simply tracks along following studded front end. Just saying. Surely does not look too pretty, that it does. But is heck of frugal and functional.
That said, your vehicle mostly drives in front wheel drive anyway. Personally, I am more than safe in an AWD car as is, with regular tires, I know how to drive on snow. But, I never really needed anything special on all 4, on a FWD car, especially if it's steering wheels same time. If you do not do stupid, rear end simply tracks along following studded front end. Just saying. Surely does not look too pretty, that it does. But is heck of frugal and functional.
08-27-17, 12:16 PM
#11
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Well, it depends on your vanity, really. I went to a local Mexican tire shop - plenty of them by junk yards - and bought 2 metal wheels and 2 75% Wintercat studded tires. They mounted them and balance. Then I put them onto my Camry front end for what they call winter here. Off they were after 3 days, when winter passed. Grand total was $120.
That said, your vehicle mostly drives in front wheel drive anyway. Personally, I am more than safe in an AWD car as is, with regular tires, I know how to ve on snow. But, I never really needed anything special on all 4, on a FWD car, especially if it's steering wheels same time. If you do not do stupid, rear end simply tracks along following studded front end. Just saying. Surely does not look too pretty, that it does. But is heck of frugal and functional.
That said, your vehicle mostly drives in front wheel drive anyway. Personally, I am more than safe in an AWD car as is, with regular tires, I know how to ve on snow. But, I never really needed anything special on all 4, on a FWD car, especially if it's steering wheels same time. If you do not do stupid, rear end simply tracks along following studded front end. Just saying. Surely does not look too pretty, that it does. But is heck of frugal and functional.
08-28-17, 02:49 PM
#12
Lexus Champion
It's not advisable to put better tires up front. The vehicle will be more prone to spin-outs.
Investing into proper tires is the best safety device one could buy. Why skip on it?..
I have had great success with Michelin XIce Xi2/3 snow tires on all of my vehicles. Excellent wear, comfort and grip.
I run dedicated winter rims w/o TPMS.
Investing into proper tires is the best safety device one could buy. Why skip on it?..
I have had great success with Michelin XIce Xi2/3 snow tires on all of my vehicles. Excellent wear, comfort and grip.
I run dedicated winter rims w/o TPMS.
09-14-17, 06:05 AM
#15
- If using only two winter tires, regardless of whether the vehicle is front, rear or all-wheel drive, these should be installed on the rear axle for best vehicle stability in turns and during braking
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