Help me decide between two very similar cars! (RX300)
Discussion
Hi All,
I'm set on a buying a Lexus RX 300, and have found two cars that I can't decide between (haven't seen them yet, so assuming they are as advertised). Both are blue, both £6.5k. I'll only be doing about 5k miles a year.
1. 03, 69k miles, FSH mostly at Lexus, but also a couple at an independent garage in the middle of it's life. Just been serviced. Not sure how many owners, looks like a couple from service history.
2. 04, 88k miles, full Lexus history, one owner. Not sure when last serviced, so may need one.
So, do I go for the newer car with one owner, on the basis that anyone who buys a Lexus from new will have looked after it, and it has full Lexus history? Or the slightly older car with fewer miles, but not such an outstanding service history?
I'm finding it very hard to decide, so any thoughts and opinions would be welcome!
Cheers,
Luke
I'm set on a buying a Lexus RX 300, and have found two cars that I can't decide between (haven't seen them yet, so assuming they are as advertised). Both are blue, both £6.5k. I'll only be doing about 5k miles a year.
1. 03, 69k miles, FSH mostly at Lexus, but also a couple at an independent garage in the middle of it's life. Just been serviced. Not sure how many owners, looks like a couple from service history.
2. 04, 88k miles, full Lexus history, one owner. Not sure when last serviced, so may need one.
So, do I go for the newer car with one owner, on the basis that anyone who buys a Lexus from new will have looked after it, and it has full Lexus history? Or the slightly older car with fewer miles, but not such an outstanding service history?
I'm finding it very hard to decide, so any thoughts and opinions would be welcome!
Cheers,
Luke
Admittedly the initial 19k difference is going to make you think.....its a fair amount of mileage so of course that's going to sway you toward the lesser of the two.
However I think you will just get a feel for the two when you view them, it totally depends on how their owners have looked after them. I think the general condition of the bodywork, interior, alloys, engine bay will give you a good idea if they have been loved or not.
That's how I would base my decision anyway. Goodluck!
However I think you will just get a feel for the two when you view them, it totally depends on how their owners have looked after them. I think the general condition of the bodywork, interior, alloys, engine bay will give you a good idea if they have been loved or not.
That's how I would base my decision anyway. Goodluck!
I know nothing of the model specifically but I wouldn't say there's much in it really.
Both have FSH (I don't think a couple of indy services makes much odds if it's a) fine and b) been services by Lexus since) and the rest is a toss-up between age/mileage/condition.
I'd have a look at both and see which one takes your fancy; maybe you could see if there are any common faults etc that one may be suffering or has had more recently rectified to help swing it!?
Both have FSH (I don't think a couple of indy services makes much odds if it's a) fine and b) been services by Lexus since) and the rest is a toss-up between age/mileage/condition.
I'd have a look at both and see which one takes your fancy; maybe you could see if there are any common faults etc that one may be suffering or has had more recently rectified to help swing it!?
Hi, thanks for the replies.
Based on the photos and talking to the dealers, they're both in very good condition. Haven't seen them, but I doubt there'll be much between them.
AFAIK the only thing that goes wrong on them is the air suspension, so I'm only looking at SE's (which have springs) rather than SE-L's (which have air). One of the things I like about the cars is how reliable they are!
Based on the photos and talking to the dealers, they're both in very good condition. Haven't seen them, but I doubt there'll be much between them.
AFAIK the only thing that goes wrong on them is the air suspension, so I'm only looking at SE's (which have springs) rather than SE-L's (which have air). One of the things I like about the cars is how reliable they are!
lexusboy said:
Working for Lexus I feel I have some experience with these (hopefully)
Certain things to look out for;
- they wear the inner edge of the front tyres a lot quicker than the rest of the tyre so always check the inner edge. This is unfortunatly how they are, non-camber adjustable so you will just have to live with it.
- rear calipers like seizing on the sliders and can sometimes require replacing depending on how bad the dirt build up is inside the slider chamber.
- handbrake cables seize up. Noone really knows why they do but we suspect it's just where they're not used and just bumped into park when stationary
- the big services are every 60k which is spark plug replacement where the inlet manifold has to be removed. 100k is the cambelt.
- the power steering pumps are prone to leaking which could involve replacing the pump and/or the steering fluid pipes.
- radiators are prone to leaking on the n/s so look at the coolant level
- there is an ongoing recall on the RX400h which involves replacing the hybrid inverter module but only cars with a certain VIN are affected
Those are the main problems/issues that I can remember off the top of my head.
As for the Mark Levinson stereo I don't think it's standard fit on all of them but a lot of them do have it and you should definitely look to buy one if it has Mark Levinson.
I'm guessing you are aware that there are 3 different models within the 2nd (MCU35 if you wanted to know that) generation. The RX300, RX350 and the RX400h.
The 350 is the only one not belt driven so that won't require a cambelt replacement as it's chain driven. The 350 is also the least economic as it's a 3.5 V6 so if you're after economy then the 300 or 400h is your options, of which I would lean more towards the 400h as, when driven correctly, you will get better MPG with the hybrid.
As for the driving feel, they are you're typical SUV really, high up, rather rolly but that's to be expected I feel.
The interior is a very nice place to be though, heated seats, full-screen sat-nav, climate control, electric seats with memory function, full leather etc.
Obviously I do have bias but I personally can't really think of anything on the used market that can offer what a fully loaded RX can.
Hope that helps dude.
(bloody better I spent ages racking my brain for this lol)
Certain things to look out for;
- they wear the inner edge of the front tyres a lot quicker than the rest of the tyre so always check the inner edge. This is unfortunatly how they are, non-camber adjustable so you will just have to live with it.
- rear calipers like seizing on the sliders and can sometimes require replacing depending on how bad the dirt build up is inside the slider chamber.
- handbrake cables seize up. Noone really knows why they do but we suspect it's just where they're not used and just bumped into park when stationary
- the big services are every 60k which is spark plug replacement where the inlet manifold has to be removed. 100k is the cambelt.
- the power steering pumps are prone to leaking which could involve replacing the pump and/or the steering fluid pipes.
- radiators are prone to leaking on the n/s so look at the coolant level
- there is an ongoing recall on the RX400h which involves replacing the hybrid inverter module but only cars with a certain VIN are affected
Those are the main problems/issues that I can remember off the top of my head.
As for the Mark Levinson stereo I don't think it's standard fit on all of them but a lot of them do have it and you should definitely look to buy one if it has Mark Levinson.
I'm guessing you are aware that there are 3 different models within the 2nd (MCU35 if you wanted to know that) generation. The RX300, RX350 and the RX400h.
The 350 is the only one not belt driven so that won't require a cambelt replacement as it's chain driven. The 350 is also the least economic as it's a 3.5 V6 so if you're after economy then the 300 or 400h is your options, of which I would lean more towards the 400h as, when driven correctly, you will get better MPG with the hybrid.
As for the driving feel, they are you're typical SUV really, high up, rather rolly but that's to be expected I feel.
The interior is a very nice place to be though, heated seats, full-screen sat-nav, climate control, electric seats with memory function, full leather etc.
Obviously I do have bias but I personally can't really think of anything on the used market that can offer what a fully loaded RX can.
Hope that helps dude.
(bloody better I spent ages racking my brain for this lol)
Cam belts are 100k or ten years whichever is first.
Service schedule here but ignore the 6 month intervals......
https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/info...
Lexus boys post is very good but note the 350 is not the least economical - the improved engine is actually more powerful, less g/km co2 and has slightly better fuel consumption than the 300. However, they are post 2006 cars and therefore come with the £475 per year tax.
Service schedule here but ignore the 6 month intervals......
https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/info...
Lexus boys post is very good but note the 350 is not the least economical - the improved engine is actually more powerful, less g/km co2 and has slightly better fuel consumption than the 300. However, they are post 2006 cars and therefore come with the £475 per year tax.
Edited by R26Andy on Saturday 7th December 08:49
Edited by R26Andy on Saturday 7th December 08:53
Thanks Andy, now I think about it, I reckon it was spark plugs that are every 60k, do you know what the time limit is on these, by any chance?
I did look at 330s but they seem to be above my limit of £7k, didn't know about the tax, too.
Incidentally, I'm avoiding the se-l's, as have found a lot of complaints on Google about air suspension failing.
I did look at 330s but they seem to be above my limit of £7k, didn't know about the tax, too.
Incidentally, I'm avoiding the se-l's, as have found a lot of complaints on Google about air suspension failing.
Hi, the spark plugs are every 6 years/60k.
£7k is what I spent 3 months ago. You should get a really nice example in budget. I ended up with a 55 plate with 72k, new tyres and discs and pads all round, good overall condition, love the car! It is the limited edition with sat nav/rev camera/Bluetooth options. The only thing I wish it had is the adj steering column and the sunroof would have been a nice to have.
Trim levels can be confusing, they are base, se, se-l and le
Se-l has everything inc air suspension
Se loses air suspension, sat nav/rev camera , ml stereo, rear ice as standard but can be optioned with everything apart from air suspension.
Le loses same as the se plus it also loses the sunroof, electrically adj steering column and power tailgate as standard but again, can be optioned with everything apart from the air suspension.
Good luck with the search.
£7k is what I spent 3 months ago. You should get a really nice example in budget. I ended up with a 55 plate with 72k, new tyres and discs and pads all round, good overall condition, love the car! It is the limited edition with sat nav/rev camera/Bluetooth options. The only thing I wish it had is the adj steering column and the sunroof would have been a nice to have.
Trim levels can be confusing, they are base, se, se-l and le
Se-l has everything inc air suspension
Se loses air suspension, sat nav/rev camera , ml stereo, rear ice as standard but can be optioned with everything apart from air suspension.
Le loses same as the se plus it also loses the sunroof, electrically adj steering column and power tailgate as standard but again, can be optioned with everything apart from the air suspension.
Good luck with the search.
Edited by R26Andy on Saturday 7th December 09:55
I'm finding mine to be very good, much better than the BMW X3 it replaced in every respect but fuel economy. The Rx is more comfortable, higher spec and better put together
I'm getting a measured 17mpg commuting to work. Trip computer has my average speed at less than. 20mph. I did achieve nearly 30mpg on the motorway.
Andy
I'm getting a measured 17mpg commuting to work. Trip computer has my average speed at less than. 20mph. I did achieve nearly 30mpg on the motorway.
Andy
Edited by R26Andy on Sunday 8th December 10:17
Edited by R26Andy on Sunday 8th December 10:18
So in case anyone is interested, I drove the higher mileage 04 car this weekend. Was a bit of a disappointing example, quite tatty paintwork with a lot of tree scratches and scrapes on the tailgate, and scuffed interior in the back. I think it had been well used. Also had a knocking from the rear, which I assume is a bush. The dealer said he'd fix that and get back to me, but he'd need to knock a decent amount off the price to tempt me, and I'd want a discount to get the paintwork detailed.
Going to see the lower mileage car on Wednesday, hopefully it is a bit tidier.
As a car, though, I was impressed. It was faster and more car-like to drive than I expected.
I'll update this thread after I view the other one, in case it's ever of use to anyone looking for one of these cars in future...
Luke
Going to see the lower mileage car on Wednesday, hopefully it is a bit tidier.
As a car, though, I was impressed. It was faster and more car-like to drive than I expected.
I'll update this thread after I view the other one, in case it's ever of use to anyone looking for one of these cars in future...
Luke
I have an 05 Lexus RX300. Bought it 3 years ago with 72k on th clock. Now has 102k.
We have had an ignition barrel which seized and required replacing (£90) other than that a set of tyres all round, front brake pads and I changed cambelt and water pump last year. Would never attempt this again as was too much effort. It is not the most exciting car to drive but I really like it. It is good in the snow, excellent as a family car and great for just being dependable transport. Problem we are having at moment is lazy Power steering pump (only when outside temp is below zero)but other than that I will keep for another 3 years I think.
Very poor fuel economy but fortunately I had it LPG converted as soon as I bought it which for us has worked out well.
We have had an ignition barrel which seized and required replacing (£90) other than that a set of tyres all round, front brake pads and I changed cambelt and water pump last year. Would never attempt this again as was too much effort. It is not the most exciting car to drive but I really like it. It is good in the snow, excellent as a family car and great for just being dependable transport. Problem we are having at moment is lazy Power steering pump (only when outside temp is below zero)but other than that I will keep for another 3 years I think.
Very poor fuel economy but fortunately I had it LPG converted as soon as I bought it which for us has worked out well.
Final update in case it's of use/interest to anyone. I ended up going with the lower mile, older (03) car, and picked it up this weekend. It's basically spotless inside and out, far better condition that the newer one that I saw.
I really like it so far. It seems to spend most of it's time at about 1200rpm doing 15mpg! It's surprisingly fast when it kicks down, but it feels much more appropriate to waft around smoothly and gently, enjoying how comfortable you are. The interior really is an exceptionally nice place to be. Now I just need to invent a need to go on a long drive somewhere to really get the measure of it...
I really like it so far. It seems to spend most of it's time at about 1200rpm doing 15mpg! It's surprisingly fast when it kicks down, but it feels much more appropriate to waft around smoothly and gently, enjoying how comfortable you are. The interior really is an exceptionally nice place to be. Now I just need to invent a need to go on a long drive somewhere to really get the measure of it...
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