i may be making the switch from a 2nd generation rx; to a 3rd generation(2015) rx; is there anything particular i should "watch out" for when looking for a 3rd gen

 

I've owned my 2015 for over a year now (37k miles), and I've had no problems with it.

I did adjust the doors though, the driver door needed to "pull in" 1 full millimeter,

 

The only thing wrong with my 2015 which is causing me to think of getting rid of it is the Enform app is awful. The HD radio is constantly dropping to the point I have to listen to AM, now my iphone while connected will not put incoming calls through the car, I have to answer the actual phone...I can make outgoing calls though. Way too many problems, I am looking now at getting something that comes with apple play.

 

When doing my research prior to purchasing my wife's 2015 RX350 FWD in October 2018, this is the potential list of issues that I compiled:

- Mediocre factory battery
- Inferior seating leather quality
- Inferior rear shocks
- Inferior wheel bearings
- Inferior control arms and bushings
- Occasional headlight condensation

As her vehicle approaches 49,000 miles, the only item above that I have had to deal with is the inferior seating leather quality. Her drivers seat bolster showed early signs of wear last summer. I reported it to our local Lexus dealership, they grudgingly offered to have their leather guy repair it on a 50/50 split cost basis with me, and I grudgingly accepted. Time will tell how long this repair holds up - the leather is far too thin compared to all of our other vehicles' leather seating surfaces.

The factory battery failed during the original owner's time with the car in February 2018 and was replaced under warranty.

My biggest disappointment thus far is the sunroof glass exploding into thousands of sharp shards while my wife was driving seven hours away from home in late November 2019. I discovered there is a 2016 class-action lawsuit in California (since closed to new plaintiffs) against Lexus/Toyota for this very issue but both Lexus Corporate and our local dealership both pretended they know nothing about it and refused any assistance to us. My insurance company replaced the sunroof glass at no cost to us but I continue to pursue my legal options against Lexus. In the meantime, my wife keeps her interior sunroof sunshade closed at all times now.

 

The other thing is the ancient infotainment system, at least on pre 2013 models. That is when they did a mid model refresh. So if it fits your budget try to get 2013 or newer.

I would also comparison shop a newer used Toyota RAV4 Limited model as it has equal or better amenities, safety features, and a better infotainment system and it is the same size interior as the RX and is just as comfy. It is a bit slower with the 4 cylinder, but gets better mileage.

 

If you feel the infotainment is dated - GROM has a plug and play solution which brings Apple CarPlay / Android Auto to our cars. I've installed it myself and love having CarPlay in the car using the factory screen.

Feel free to reach out for more info.

Thanks!
Vimal

 

Thanks I will look into it!

 

thanks for the info everyone!!! but it looks now as If I may end up with a 2012 rx with nav and backup camera; not the 2015 I really want mainly due to extreme budget constraints. I really want the 2015 more though as i believe it has the mark levinson audio system and also has parking assist and blind spot monitor. That 2015 has 90000 miles approx on it. The 2012 I saw today and is on hold for me for a week; doesntg have the bsm or parking assist but does have nav which was one of my definite breaking points and that was i must have nav

 

Note that your 2012 probably has 2012 Navigation information on it unless it has been updated. That an update, which I think must be done by a dealer, costs about $300.
If you are buying from a Lexus dealer, demand they update the Nav as part of the deal, or if an independent, ask for a price break to cover the dealer doing it.

 

Or, use your smartphone for navigation as most folks do these days. All car manufacturer navigation systems are obsolete within a year. We no longer purchase vehicles with navigation - it simply is not worth the money.

 

yea; usually I just use google maps anyways for navigation as that is constantly updated whereas the factory installed systems often are not updated.

 

oddly enough though; my mom just leased a new 2019 pilot touring with navigation because she and my dad always insist on getting it because they do use it often enough to warrant getting it etc.

 

But the newer car models have cellular data connection and download maps and traffic conditions on demand.
Las year I rented an Audi A4 for a vacation trip, and it's maps and traffic worked as good, and on some occasions better than my phone.
This map update once a year for $300 is only an issue for us, divers of older cars

 

true that; us drivers of older vehicles just have to deal with the fact that the nav systems dont update automatically and ya gotta pay to get them updated.

 

It's testament to just how fast GPS navigation has evolved. Google Maps is really quite remarkable, especially when compared to what car companies offered a decade ago.

One other huge advantage for me at least in getting a 2010-12 RX is the classic grille, not the spindle shape that many dislike. But to each his own.

My 2010 RX450h has just passed 100K miles and is going great. New 12v battery several years ago, new rear lift struts.

Great car.