Bad decision buying RX 350
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2020
Posts: 792
Likes: 581
From: CT
I also have a 2020 and aside from a very rare dash rattle on cold days (that btw was easy to fix), my RX has been flawless.
I have no vibration and no issues with CarPlay and my iPhone.
My expectations for power were confirmed on my test drives, so I got what I expected to get.
So far (60,000 miles) the RX has been pretty much perfect.
Sorry that your vehicle has not met expectations. As others have said, life is too short to be frustrated, so if $$$ allows, perhaps a different choice is in order.
I have no vibration and no issues with CarPlay and my iPhone.
My expectations for power were confirmed on my test drives, so I got what I expected to get.
So far (60,000 miles) the RX has been pretty much perfect.
Sorry that your vehicle has not met expectations. As others have said, life is too short to be frustrated, so if $$$ allows, perhaps a different choice is in order.
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,159
Likes: 1,709
From: NC
Lexus is like any other brand. They have certain issues that run across an entire model generation, and they have individual cars that are just problematic. In theory, the surveys merely suggest they have fewer problems overall than most other brands (a broad generalization of course). I have owned numerous other brands that were similarly reliable, and Audis.
Anyway, you are certainly welcome to share issues your vehicle has - I would even argue encouraged. If the conversation is positive and not simply slamming the model/brand, you will find most people here want to help. But remember, any discussion forum like this will be largely filled with owners who are enthusiastic about their cars. When you title a thread “Bad decision buying an RX 350” you are bound to get a response from owners that feel like you are slamming the model rather than simply your vehicle. Your post has comments like “switching to Lexus was a very big mistake” which simply adds to that perception that you are slamming the brand.
I agree with those posters that have encouraged you to sell the car. Life is just too short. Resale values are still pretty good so you don’t want to keep a car that you are so clearly unhappy with. Nothing anyone here can say that will change your mind on the brand/model so why even consider keeping it?
Anyway, you are certainly welcome to share issues your vehicle has - I would even argue encouraged. If the conversation is positive and not simply slamming the model/brand, you will find most people here want to help. But remember, any discussion forum like this will be largely filled with owners who are enthusiastic about their cars. When you title a thread “Bad decision buying an RX 350” you are bound to get a response from owners that feel like you are slamming the model rather than simply your vehicle. Your post has comments like “switching to Lexus was a very big mistake” which simply adds to that perception that you are slamming the brand.
I agree with those posters that have encouraged you to sell the car. Life is just too short. Resale values are still pretty good so you don’t want to keep a car that you are so clearly unhappy with. Nothing anyone here can say that will change your mind on the brand/model so why even consider keeping it?
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 221
Likes: 99
From: Pennsylvania
Switching from a German brand could be a very challenging when it comes to this vehicle. I went through the same with withdraw process back in 2020. I was always driving Germans and for the past eight years before 2020 i had had X5s. At first, everything was inconvenient to me, I guess it’s just a personal factor of personal preferences at the time. Quality of the ride which is not smooth and battery at all compared to German counterparts, very noisy engine, and constant rattles really drove me nuts, I wanted to pawn it right away at the beginning. I totally agree with OP about quality of work dealer perform, I am assuming it’s mostly for the part that nothing really breaks in those things and every time when you come for service they look at you like you have to heads (lol).
However after nearly 3 years of ownership I grew to respect that vehicle very much. I managed to put about 48,000 miles and my three years anniversary coming in August. After sorting out the rattles inside the cabin with one square sheet of felt that I bought for $2 at Michael’s cabin became nearly rattle free. Car has been mechanically flawless and virtually shows zero signs of aging.
I guess I am a happy guy and I always love what I have)
Sorry, my two cents))
✌️
However after nearly 3 years of ownership I grew to respect that vehicle very much. I managed to put about 48,000 miles and my three years anniversary coming in August. After sorting out the rattles inside the cabin with one square sheet of felt that I bought for $2 at Michael’s cabin became nearly rattle free. Car has been mechanically flawless and virtually shows zero signs of aging.
I guess I am a happy guy and I always love what I have)
Sorry, my two cents))
✌️
Last edited by artem123; Apr 29, 2023 at 01:19 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 512
Likes: 151
From: Colorado
Switching from a German brand could be a very challenging when it comes to this vehicle. I went through the same with withdraw process back in 2020. I was always driving Germans and for the past eight years before 2020 i had had X5s. At first, everything was inconvenient to me, I guess it’s just a personal factor of personal preferences at the time. Quality of the ride which is not smooth and battery at all compared to German counterparts, very noisy engine, and constant rattles really drove me nuts, I wanted to pawn it right away at the beginning. I totally agree with OP about quality of work dealer perform, I am assuming it’s mostly for the part that nothing really breaks in those things and every time when you come for service they look at you like you have to heads (lol).
However after nearly 3 years of ownership I grew to respect that vehicle very much. I managed to put about 48,000 miles and my three years anniversary coming in August. After sorting out the rattles inside the cabin with one square sheet of felt that I bought for $2 at Michael’s cabin became nearly rattle free. Car has been mechanically flawless and virtually shows zero signs of aging.
I guess I am a happy guy and I always love what I have)
Sorry, my two cents))
✌️
However after nearly 3 years of ownership I grew to respect that vehicle very much. I managed to put about 48,000 miles and my three years anniversary coming in August. After sorting out the rattles inside the cabin with one square sheet of felt that I bought for $2 at Michael’s cabin became nearly rattle free. Car has been mechanically flawless and virtually shows zero signs of aging.
I guess I am a happy guy and I always love what I have)
Sorry, my two cents))
✌️
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 221
Likes: 99
From: Pennsylvania
I heard horrid stories about BWW. I guess I was very lucky with every single one I had. I never had anything big go wrong with them. Comprehensive maintenance was always nice. After it was over I stuck to an oil changes and anything else that is suggested I safely ignored.
ClubLexus Stories
Celebrating Lexus & Toyota from Around the Globe
8 Tips for Improving Your Hybrid or Plug-in Hybrid's Efficiency!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Best Lexus Models No One Remembers
Joe Kucinski
TRD Off-Road Premium: Best 2026 4Runner, Except This One Thing
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Lexus & Toyotas to Drive Before You Die!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Lexus/Toyotas With The LEAST 5-Year Depreciation
Joe Kucinski
Lexus LC500 Convertible Auction: A Preview of Rising Values?
Brett Foote
GX 550 vs TX 550: Best 3-Row Luxury Lexus Family Hauler
Michael S. Palmer
9 Best Lexus Models You Can Buy for Half Price (And 1 You Shouldn't!)
Joe Kucinski
2026 Lexus NX Buyer's Guide: Models, Features, Prices & More!
Brett Foote
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 250
Likes: 160
From: WI
This guy just didn't do his homework before he bought his car. His expectations were completely wrong. He wanted a "buttery smooth" car with "spirit and oomph." In other words he wanted a high end, luxury, sports car. Instead he bought a more polished Toyota SUV with a modestly higher price tag than a typical Toyota SUV. He probably needed to pay far more for a vehicle to meet his expectations and he probably would have still been disappointed.
I also bet that the dealer is sick of his complaining if he can't get a service appointment for 1-2 months. I have never heard of a Toyota or Lexus dealer that didn't have quick appointments.
I also bet that the dealer is sick of his complaining if he can't get a service appointment for 1-2 months. I have never heard of a Toyota or Lexus dealer that didn't have quick appointments.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 512
Likes: 151
From: Colorado
I heard horrid stories about BWW. I guess I was very lucky with every single one I had. I never had anything big go wrong with them. Comprehensive maintenance was always nice. After it was over I stuck to an oil changes and anything else that is suggested I safely ignored.
BMW is in the first place, with an average maintenance cost over 10 years of $17,800.” Lexus enjoys 28th place on this list at only $7000 barely losing to its close cousin Toyota at 30th with $5500 maintenance cost per 10 years."
My maintenance costs have been 200/ year for oil changes and two sets for tires on 2018 with 66000 miles.
I naturally wonder why BMW. Is it really worth it?
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 1,941
Likes: 581
From: New York
I'm sure there are lots of appealing qualities to BMWs, Mercedes etc. Two of my kids have owned them over the years and loved them. And yes, they required maintenance. Whatever floats yur boat, I guess.
Pit Crew
Joined: Aug 2020
Posts: 221
Likes: 99
From: Pennsylvania
Here is some information I found on BMW regarding maintenance. "Which is more expensive to maintain BMW or Lexus?
BMW is in the first place, with an average maintenance cost over 10 years of $17,800.” Lexus enjoys 28th place on this list at only $7000 barely losing to its close cousin Toyota at 30th with $5500 maintenance cost per 10 years."
My maintenance costs have been 200/ year for oil changes and two sets for tires on 2018 with 66000 miles.
I naturally wonder why BMW. Is it really worth it?
BMW is in the first place, with an average maintenance cost over 10 years of $17,800.” Lexus enjoys 28th place on this list at only $7000 barely losing to its close cousin Toyota at 30th with $5500 maintenance cost per 10 years."
My maintenance costs have been 200/ year for oil changes and two sets for tires on 2018 with 66000 miles.
I naturally wonder why BMW. Is it really worth it?
Same applies to BMW dealers. Their complementary service plan changes from yesr to year but in generally it’s either three or two years of completely complementary maintenance program, after which they will try to push you toward flushing your brakes and radiator with organic holly water and switching air in the tires from strawberry to cherry flavor. I’ve never done that. I never kept any BMW longer than 12 years, however each of them required absolutely standard maintenance including oils, brake pads and rotors. In my E90 ( which I kept longest ) all I had to do was to replace the fuel pump and every single ignition coil over the course of 12 years.
Naturally, each brand has its own pluses and minuses. BMW is quite different than Lexy and definitely will give you more fun feelings when you drive it. This is the fact, however after 5-6 years any Bimmer looks a little tired, while Lexus in my opinion, with standard care shows no signs of aging)
Pole Position
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 3,159
Likes: 1,709
From: NC
like I said, I DRIVE RX which I purchased straight forward in August 2020. It is not very top of the line trim neither F sport. If I follow every single recommendation from the dealer I am sure cost of maintenance will add up as dealers naturally prone to milk every penny out of you, selling you unicorn geez every single time when you were there.
Same applies to BMW dealers. Their complementary service plan changes from yesr to year but in generally it’s either three or two years of completely complementary maintenance program, after which they will try to push you toward flushing your brakes and radiator with organic holly water and switching air in the tires from strawberry to cherry flavor. I’ve never done that. I never kept any BMW longer than 12 years, however each of them required absolutely standard maintenance including oils, brake pads and rotors. In my E90 ( which I kept longest ) all I had to do was to replace the fuel pump and every single ignition coil over the course of 12 years.
Naturally, each brand has its own pluses and minuses. BMW is quite different than Lexy and definitely will give you more fun feelings when you drive it. This is the fact, however after 5-6 years any Bimmer looks a little tired, while Lexus in my opinion, with standard care shows no signs of aging)
Same applies to BMW dealers. Their complementary service plan changes from yesr to year but in generally it’s either three or two years of completely complementary maintenance program, after which they will try to push you toward flushing your brakes and radiator with organic holly water and switching air in the tires from strawberry to cherry flavor. I’ve never done that. I never kept any BMW longer than 12 years, however each of them required absolutely standard maintenance including oils, brake pads and rotors. In my E90 ( which I kept longest ) all I had to do was to replace the fuel pump and every single ignition coil over the course of 12 years.
Naturally, each brand has its own pluses and minuses. BMW is quite different than Lexy and definitely will give you more fun feelings when you drive it. This is the fact, however after 5-6 years any Bimmer looks a little tired, while Lexus in my opinion, with standard care shows no signs of aging)
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 645
Likes: 135
From: NJ
I agree with you for what its worth. I'm on my 2nd RX350, and right now wish I owned anything BUT Lexus - the reliability is questionable in my mind Bought out lease last year, and have just been presented with an estimate of $9944 for repairs. With 98K km (60K mi). I nearly fell over. Seriously. reliable? hah! what's happened to Lexus?
I'm in ON too BTW. interesting. Maybe Cambridge keeps the good ones for export
I'm in ON too BTW. interesting. Maybe Cambridge keeps the good ones for export
