Rx300 Se Mk1

[mjr600]

I'm off to look at a 6yr old RX300 se with FLSH, one owner and 50,000 miles later today. Some large hi-res photos on the net indicate it is in very good condition and the guy on the phone sounds honest enough.

It will be due its 60,000 mile service at the end of this month and a look round the forum indicates this could be £4-500 at a main dealer ( a useful figure to negotiate with ).

I've looked at all the forum posts and have been unable to find any major mechanical faults with these cars, most issues seem to have have been minor electrical or squeaky brakes.

A full RAC examination is £350 ish and a warranty from Warranty Direct is about the same, any thoughts on this fron ? or should we bite the bullet and put it back under the Lexus warranty system for £800.

I would be grateful for any advice, I realise it is older than most of the cars discussed on the forum but it is a purchase for my mother who covers 5,000 miles a year and understandably does not wish to part with £40000 for the new hybrid !

Many Thanks

[T7RY B]

The RX is practically "bulletproof" No major problems or worries.

The one you are looking to buy with FLSH should not present any problems at all.

An RAC inspection is well worth the money just for the peace of mind. Regarding the warranty just make sure that you read all the small print. MORE what is NOT covered than what is.

I have had my car for 3 years and can honestly say it has NEVER let me down. Just the usual running costs.

My car has now covered 95K and still drives better than the new S-Tpe Jag that I owned.!

Good luck with your purchase and I am sure it will be enjoyed by your mother.

Terry

[ColinBarber]

Some of the interior fittings are not able to withstand children. Also check the transmission fluid isn't too brown.

The gas struts aren't able to open the tailgate in cold weather, however I had mine replaced under warranty and the new one were as bad within weeks go it's really a design fault.

[mjr600]

Thanks for your responses.

Just got home, I haven't bought a car from the classisfieds for a few years and had forgotten how one mans

'immaculate'

is my

' has there there been a chip pan fire in here ! '

Mechanically sound, needed a service but it had badly corroded wheels and an interior covered in a dirty greasy substance, filthy carpets and a glovebox that wouldn't stay shut. Too dirty for even a really thorough valet.

Four new tyres said the advert, 15,000 miles ago I said.

Never mind back to the Lexus dealer.

By the way Lexus Bradford wanted £600 for the 60,000 mile service, my honest and award winning local garage wanted £300.

[SJG]

Some of the interior fittings are not able to withstand children. Also check the transmission fluid isn't too brown.

The gas struts aren't able to open the tailgate in cold weather, however I had mine replaced under warranty and the new one were as bad within weeks go it's really a design fault.

Took delivery of my 51 plate RX a month ago, done 60K. Love the car and Lexus Worcester are replacing the struts under warranty. will let you know how I get on.

Excellent experience at this dealership so far.

[Cymro]

What a shame. My RX300 is also 5 years old next month. My glovebox rattles; my cream carpets [daft colour] need to be power washed & shampooed each year; my wheels corroded - so had a new set under warranty - which are now corroding badly; and, apart from a failed sensor, the car has been faultless.

Don't be put off. For low annual mileage, the the fuel cost of c.22 mpg average for journeys mainly under 10 miles is not really a determinant. The depreciation has now happened - so it's a good buy: the quality, the smoothness, the refinement are still all there! It's regal and encourages sedate driving. [The TT provides the fun.]

Best of luck.

Cymro

[mjr600]

Well I've just bought one !

From Lexus in Tunbridge Wells, four years old RX 300 SE Navigator, Glenmuir Blue and Oakham leather with all the bits plus parking sensors, sunroof, boot liner and new wool mats for £14995. One elderly owner and 15,000 miles, had its 40,000 mile service a month ago, looks like it has just come out of the box, immaculate unmarked condition.

Thank goodness for depreciation.

Sales staff were excellent, polite and helpful, got the trade in I wanted for my mothers old Focus, a great experience all round.

[bunion]

have a seven yr old 300se with 54k - overall a brilliant car if pricey to maintain at dealer.

however has recently developed "console crickets" from loose locator pins in fascia under windscreen and very irritating - apparently Lexus have known about the problem from the launch of this model - certainly local dealer knew immediately what the problem is so presumably not that rare - design fault it would seem - obviously expensive to fix as dashboard has to come out.

anyone else experinced this ? and can it really be fixed ? - (US blogs not very reassuring on this)

[joss]

Thread resurrection...

I am thinking of buying a 2001 RX300 SE that is up for auction. 100k, FSH, allegedly VGC, had major service 3 months ago.

It will be used for general lugging and long business trips.

I haven't seen it yet - any updates from you guys as to what I should look out for? I am reasonably car literate but know nothing about Lexus or Toyota, that's why I have joined this forum (I know from experience that all the real knowledge is in owners' clubs!)

thanks in advance

Joss

[craigpar]

Thread resurrection...

I am thinking of buying a 2001 RX300 SE that is up for auction. 100k, FSH, allegedly VGC, had major service 3 months ago.

It will be used for general lugging and long business trips.

I haven't seen it yet - any updates from you guys as to what I should look out for? I am reasonably car literate but know nothing about Lexus or Toyota, that's why I have joined this forum (I know from experience that all the real knowledge is in owners' clubs!)

thanks in advance

Joss

As above I am looking at a rx 300 around 03 / 04 - dissapointed not to find a thread easily on here as to what to look for etc etc..

can anywoane help

[Garry.L]

As above I am looking at a rx 300 around 03 / 04 - dissapointed not to find a thread easily on here as to what to look for etc etc..

can anywoane help

On the whole they seem pretty bullet proof, only real things to check for on the model/year you'll be looking at are corroded alloys and faulty CD player/changers which jam and are expensive to fix.

Good luck...

[mcleish]

have a seven yr old 300se with 54k - overall a brilliant car if pricey to maintain at dealer.

however has recently developed "console crickets" from loose locator pins in fascia under windscreen and very irritating - apparently Lexus have known about the problem from the launch of this model - certainly local dealer knew immediately what the problem is so presumably not that rare - design fault it would seem - obviously expensive to fix as dashboard has to come out.

anyone else experinced this ? and can it really be fixed ? - (US blogs not very reassuring on this)

Lexus do indeed know about this problem, They even showed me the official Lexus GB released diagramed guidelines for the Lexus technicians to fix the fault. I have a RX300 SE Navigator 2003. I took this to my local Lexus dealer when the car was in it's third year when it had about 20k on the clock, I had rattles from the front of the dash, especially when the inside of the car is really cold, seems to get quieter when the interior warms up. Lexus took the whole dash out under warranty...and the simple fix ? a few rubber strips about 10mm thick and about a inch long. This solved the rattle in the dash, but I also had an annoying rattle coming from the glove box, they tried everything to fix it, but it still rattles. When it really annoys me on long journeys, leaving the glove box open solves the rattle completely !!! A lot of work for such a simple fix and I reckon that I would not have got to know about Lexus knowing about the problem if I had'nt been on good terms with the Lexus Service Staff. Hope this helps.