DanielDMT

Having had the 12v battery on my RX450h/2012/56k go flat, as car was sitting for an extended period, I successfully started (via power pack) and was happily driving as normal for the past 4 weeks until this evening. On returning to the car, I found it wouldn't start (flicking clicking dash) plus seat not moving into place on button push. I immediately suspected the battery since the car hasn't been driven much this week, (nothing since Monday). I eventually got another power pack onto it and it started straight away (12v battery will now be replaced ASAP) however, before power pack, during my first few initial attempts to start, odd things were happening with the drivers window, not closing and later constantly going up and down. Once I did get her started again, I closed the window and drove the car as normal and everything seemed fine, except on ignition off, the dash message is saying " do you want to keep the window open" which is wrong because all the windows were closed. I guess the system has now been messed up a bit and I wonder if anybody knows if I should, and indeed, how it's possible to reset the windows/electronics generally? I am unsure if it will all resolve itself if I just keep driving or more problems might be coming down the line if I do absolutely nothing? Can I ask is anybody actually using one of those Solar Panel trickle chargers on a RX450? does it work well and where do you connect it? I realise that I got this 12v battery problem because I left the car sitting for long time when I was away this year. (2 year old batt) Incidentally, the battery contact terminal in the fuse box under the hood is of the worst design I think that I have ever seen! So tiny, you can hardly get the croc teeth onto it. And the other metal pin is unmarked, I can't tell if it's a negative terminal or not. If I ever wanted to connect a charger, I doubt I could connect a standard trickle charger there, probably will have to lift the boot covers and go direct onto the 12v from there. Thanks in advance guys, I really got a fright today when I saw the dash clicking/flashing and driver window going a bit mental. I thought I had some kinda major electronics problem show up!!! Very best to everybody william

Yes Peter, very good point. I don't expect to be towing, however, the 400h is gong to give a bit better MPG than the RX 300. What would most members here rather have, an older low mileage rx300 or a newer high mileage 400h. Thanks. Daniel

Hi, I especially hoped to ask members who have already moved up from the rx300 to the rx400h, which would be the better car assuming FSH spec and condition are the same, but a much higher mileage on the hybrid. For the budget I have available, I can get a rx300 mk2 04/5 with low to average mileage or opt for a 06/07/08 rx400h with 110 to 150k plus miles done. Trying to decide if the younger 400h is really a much better model and drive experience over the MK2 300 or not really?. Another factor for me is that I will have to leave the car sitting around for 4 months of the year, as I have to be abroad. I worry that the 400h small battery issue will be a pain every time I return and need to jump start it. I know the 400h has a smoother gearbox, more air bags etc, however, I would be starting with well over 100k mileage on a 400h and components will theoretically be reaching end of design life. On the other hand, if I go for a 400h I have a much better chance at a car under 10 years old, so I can potentially avail of a Lexus used warranty ( available for cars under 10years with LFSH). Still, very good RX300 come up, with some good low mileage examples with anything from 40k to 70k to be had. My gut is kinda telling me to get a good low mileage rx300, but I am concerned that I might be overlooking a better all round experience in the 400h, as the components can probably take the high mileage and the battery issue won't be a big problem, especially if I get one of those solar chargers mentioned elsewhere in the forums. Any guidance, insights here would be much appreciated as its a tricky one for me not having bought many used cars in the past or owned either Lexus 300/400h model. Many thanks Daniel

What does the air suspension bring to the party on the rx300? I mean do you really get a better ride experience. Would I be able to tell the difference with air or not. I accept that a vehicle with 80k on the clock would be entering the danger zone with Air suspension, however give the Lexus reliability factor and the fact the the rx300 is capable of 300k, would one not be safe buying a rx300 L with FSH and expect the air suspension to do its job for at least 200k? Can anybody tell me if Lexus dealers keep a service history data base, so you can check any Lexus history. I know I could do this in the past with BMW as they were always happy to give me any history on their system. I am wondering what support Lexus give folks coming into the fold. I understand they have a warranty system for used open market Lexus, however, it's limited to fairly new cars. Thanks and Best to everybody

That's Very useful advise guys, thank you. I am now focusing on the rx300. I had been wondering about the AIr suspension and been avoiding the L models since it's something else that can potentially go wrong, on circa 80k 04/05 examples that I am looking at. I notice most SE models at this vintage don't have the Navigation/camera and the L does. Can anybody say if the air suspension really improves the ride or just safer just avoid it. I have seen some nice L examples out there, however, I have looking at the SE models thus far. Brilliant resource here Many thanks.

Hello members, I am planning on adding a rx300 to our family as the wife needs reliable wheels. I can get hold of a nice rx300 80k with FSH sub £5k, however, I wonder should I really be considering a rx350? I have ruled out the rx400h as I don't think it's worth the extra and I don't like the aux battery issue. Plus I plan to move up myself to a rx450h is another year or so. I can't quite pin it down if the rx350 is really worth going after. Our requirements are for safe reliable driving on mostly rural roads and occasional motorway. The odd pot hole to negotiate now and then plus we like the idea of a higher ride position. Can anybody who has experience of both comment. Is the 350 extra umph and the stiffer suspension really worth having. Logic would suggest that Lexus would have brought the RX 350 into the world to be better then the rx300, but did they really succeed in a big improvement or marginal upgrade? Any insights, guidance much appreciated as the wife says it's a mans job to figure out which car to buy :-)