keywest

My RX300SE with Sat Nav has just had its 3rd birthday and is consequently out of warranty. When it had it's MOT test today (which it passed - hooray!) I was offered extended warranty for the next year at £665 for 1 year or £1240 for two years. There is an option to pay on a monthly basis if I prefer at no extra cost. The question is that with 38,000 on the clock and the prospect of around 26,000 more miles over the next two years am I likely to encounter expensive repairs that would be covered by the extended warranty. I appreciate that each car is different but general experience of others on the need for expensive repairs might help me come to a decision. The first 3 years have passed problem free and I stick as close as possible to the Lexus servicing schedule and use my Lexus dealer for the servicing. The views expressed in one newsgroup suggest that Lexus are good for at least 100,000 miles - but is this likely to be without expensive events?

Just had the alloys on my RX all replaced by Lexus Teesside. This was 2 weeks before the warranty expired. They took one look and replaced them without question within 1 week. Full Marks in my opinion!

After a lot of deliberating about the 'need' for a personal number plate I just bought W33STY for my RX. Only one 3 would have been nice but, if it was available, I suspect the price would have had an extra 0 on the end so I will settle for what I've got!

Did anyone see The Bill on ITV1 on Wednesday night? Did you see the RX300 being driven by the bad guys? I know the police were only in the little Fiesta but the RX looked good and got away from them (I thought the RX looked surefooted though (for a 4x4)). In part 2 they were caught but it was noticeable that the RX was abandoned undamaged with only 1 baddie caught. I wonder if Lexus provided the car? I wonder if they like the association with criminal use especially as I suspect it was supposed to be stolen and Lexus are considered excellent for security! I suppose it could have been stolen when it was unlocked with the keys in the ignition. Still more TV coverage fro the Lexus. As long as no one thinks it is a good idea and nicks mine!

Nice pair of cars! We have a RX and a Pug 206CC and feel we have the best of all worlds. It looks like you have a simlar mix. I wasnt sure about the new RX from the pictures but having parked next to one I am converted and would like a new one. And the colour you have chosen is the best seen so far. However after only 30k miles the depreciation if I was to sell is frightening especially as it would be a private purchase. I'll keep buying the lottery tickets! My RX is the same colour as your old one - a fairly rare colour as far as I can see. I was on holiday last week in Glasgow (lots of Rennie Mackintosh!) and Loch Lomond (Lots of lovely food and rain!) and I saw a RX in Montrose Blue on the way back towards the A1. Could have been your old one I suspect.

I have towed successfully with my RX for the two and bit years I have owned it. I tow a largish single axle caravan weighing about 900kg. Turn overdrive off, get to 60, slip on the cruise control and sit back and enjoy your decision to buy a Lexus :D

I've been gold for well over a year and I've not heard anything either. I want to support LOC so i expect a PM or letter

"I'm sorry Sir but you can act like an Ostrich as much as you want but an RX300SE-L still costs £37700!"

Re mbailey's post of "Probably the easiest option (if you're tall) is to buy some roof bars and some roof mounted cycle carriers. It retains access to the boot and they're pretty easy to fit. Whatever you do however, don't buy the Lexus roof bars - they're crap and don't lock properly." Who makes alternative roof bars for the RX300? I thought Thule did but my local Motorworld says no after speaking to Thule. Any advice appreciated.

Yippee! they have arrived and are great! :D :D :D :D Well worth the wait - and summer nearly here too! Thanks for all your hard efforts! it is appreciated. I bet you are not going to repeat the offer after all the hassle! One happy LOC member

When my 2001 RX went in for its 20k service the brakes were very squeeky (not metal on metal). I pointed it out and Lexus Teesside cleaned all the components and the problem is only just returning slightly (now done 28k). By the way they suggested the brake pads would need renewing at 30k Whether that is the same problem as yours I dont know

No! And i am not that tall!

Is this just an IS issue or is there anyone who has successfully claimed with an RX? My wheels certainly suffer from excessive black staining that I cannot remove and 'rust' points. My wifes Pug doesnt suffer at all for the same age

Great News - last thing I wanted was a refund. Look forward to receiving them. No change of address :D :D :D

Excellent advert? - yes Convince me to buy an Accord? - no Still it's great there are creative people out there who want to entertain us!

Had my RX for 26 months and done 26k miles. I have needed 2 new tyres, both off side front. However one was due to a 4" pothole. The second wore on the inside within 5k miles but I wasnt watching and when I had it replaced it was tracked and i have done at least 5k since and it still looks great with even tyre wear. Lexus noted the balding tyre at the 20k service and recommended I retrn fro a 4wheel alignment at £120. I didnt and it looks good so far. Regarding the front brake pads I noticed that the little retaining clip for the pads permanantly looks like it is about to come out but after 6k miles since noticing it hasn't so far!I did find I could remove them easily by hand and put them back in to their full depth but they seem to work out and then stay in that position. I asked Lexus but they were uncoincerned. At the 20k service Lexus suggested the pads would need renewing at the next service although they seemed pretty good for some distance to me. Time will tell

Two months on - any news?

I bought mine new 2 years ago tomorrow! I have done 26,000 miles so far. To answer your questions: how reliable has it been - never missed a beat how much you have had to spend for maintenance - 10k service £137, 20k service £167, 2 new tyres £95 incl tracking. I have not had to replace anything yet but I suspect brake pads will be on the list before too long. Not sure how much these will cost. The 30k service seems to need several extras like brake fluid, transmission fluid changes so that will be more expensive. According to my display I am averaging 23.7 mpg and that has been consistent over its full life. what is the maximum amount of mileage should I go up to when considering a used RX - from what I hear they are good for huge mileage. Timing belt needs replacing at 100k - I suspect that costs a packet. I am aiming to be on my next RX by then! on a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being the happiest, how happy are you with this car - 9/10. Best car I have ever had. After riding in other cars I am always pleased to get back into mine. I fully recommend it. :)

I tow a fairly large caravan (1250kg - 2750pounds) and have no trouble. I use a stabliser. The cruise control makes life a doddle - stick it at 60 (speed limit for towing in uk) then sit back and enjoy the journey. Only thing is on slight uphill roads with cruise control on - it keeps changing down to 3rd then goes back into top, then as the revs drop it again it will change down again. Just take overdrive off for the uphill bit

To get another one is the only reason I would. However if you are considering selling I would be interested in buying a set of roof bars if you have some and want to sell them seperately.

I suspect the dealer is going to suggest my brake pads need changing at the next (30k) service. From other RX owners experience is this a reasonable mileage for a set of Lexus pads? Also, the pads seem to deposit a huge amount of black gunge on my wheels (front particularly). Is that normal? Whilst most of the gunge comes off during the normal wash (every two weeks or so) there are some very stubborn black areas which i dont seem to be able to remove. I have tried alloy wheel cleaner with an old toothbrush but it wont come off. Can anyone recommend a better cleaner or will I have to take them for specialist cleaning?. If I cannot remove them does anyone think this would come under a warrenty claim? Thanks for any help provided

According to the on-board computer I am getting 23.7mpg on average from my RX300 since the last service which was 6000 miles ago. The best I have ever had was an average of 25mpg but that was on a long run from Dover to Home (Thirsk in North Yorkshire). The worst was an average of 18mpg but that was towing a big caravan. Overall I am more than satisfied although £55/tank stills hurts at the time of payment!

Hope this is the right area to get a response. I suspect the dealer is going to suggest my brake pads need changing at the next (30k) service. Is this a reasonable mileage for a set of Lexus pads? The pads seem to deposit a huge amount of black gunge on my wheels (front particularly). Is that normal? Whilst most of the gunge comes off during the normal wash there are some very stubborn black areas which i dont seem to be able to remove. I have tried alloy wheel cleaner with an old toothbrush but it wont come off. Can anyone recommend a better cleaner. If I cannot remove them does anyone think this would come under a warrenty claim? Thanks for any help provided

Thanks for the update and will try and be patient. It is still t-shirt weather up in the North. Dont know what Claire G is talking about!

Thanks for the card. Top quality Merry Christmas to all LOC members. Lets hope for snow.