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SUVs Lexus RX 300/330/350 Lexus RX 300
9376 messages, Last post on Nov 17, 2009 at 4:52 PM
You are in the Lexus RX 300/330/350 Forum. Your Hosts are steve_ & tidester
Im looking for my 1st car and have enjoyed test driving the 1999 - 2000 rx 300's. Most Ive looked at are around 120-130k miles. What do I need to be aware of besides potential transmission failure? Is this a good first car? How long did the 99-00 last you? And for thoose of you who had to replace the transmission, how much was the shop bill?
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Replying to: tsab (Jul 08, 2009 9:53 am) Laura |
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Replying to: tsab (Jul 08, 2009 9:53 am) My 2002 is still running as brand new. 127k and I just did timing belt and water pump. $450 at a good local mechanic. Pay close attn to the xmission changes. See if they have records. I do mine every 25k and it needs it that often. Ken
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Replying to: rugmankc (Jul 09, 2009 5:31 pm) Thanks, Laura
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Replying to: tsab (Jul 08, 2009 9:53 am) $3200 seems to be the "bottom" for a rebuilt transaxle other than Ebay. |
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Replying to: txgal1 (Jul 09, 2009 8:37 pm) Yes! On my first check of my transmission around 25k, my mechanic said it looked burnt. They run at high temps and I firmly believe in changing (not necessarily flushing) it every 25k. I run castrol synthetic oil and change it every 5k. The oil is still light and clean after 25k. I don't know if they have maintenance records to verify these intervals on the car you like. But, would recommend asking. These are great vehicles and I plan on seeing 300k on mine. other than routine maintenance and cleaning out the IAC at 100k (I believe that is right term) it has been perfect thru now 128k. I have also found the higher end Michelin tires run great on this car and I got 85k out of my last set. Good Luck, Ken
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Replying to: rugmankc (Jul 12, 2009 3:01 pm) |
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Replying to: rugmankc (Jul 12, 2009 3:01 pm) The new one made to more modern specs does not burn the fluid at all like the original did. The shifts are precise, smooth, and enthusiastic with no hesitation. I still change the ATF at least every two years (always specify the type IV fluid, not an additive "mix"). As extra insurance I also added a redundant cooler in the fender with a thermostatic fan (in addition to the factory "tow package" cooler and the radiator cooler). Mine was first year, and had a variety of minor issues that Lexus took care of under warrantee, sometimes to the extreme that other makes would not have done. But now that it's getting older and doesn't get used as often, I can report minor trouble with door lock solenoids that are very un-Lexus or un-Toyota like. A properly maintained RX300 that was not used for an idling air-conditioner waiting room/rolling phone booth is bound to last a long time, and be worth fixing minor glitches. One with few but all city miles, lots of soccer mom/dad air conditioned idling (which eats up lots of cars), or a smell of burned fluid when you check the dipstick should be avoided. Look for signs of excessive "city" wear (I call it the "air-conditioned shopping cart")... rusted muffler, door dings, worn brake pedal, are all indicators of a rough life regardless of mileage, and easy to spot. And have the transmission serviced, not flushed. The service is important because contaminants (worn stuff) suspended in the fluid get removed with the filter, cleaning the magnetic pan, etc. Make sure they use the correct fluid. Good luck! 
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Beginning with the RX330 Lexus used DBW to prevent the engine from rising in RPM until a previously engine/transaxle control ECU "commanded" transaxle downshift ran to completion. Since the earlier RX300 used a mechanical coupling between the gas pedal and throttle plate the same technique could not be used. On the other hand my '01's TC, Traction Control, dethrottles the engine via EFI fuel starvation control. Why couldn't Lexus use this same technique to "hold off" rising engine RPM/Torque for downshift delays...?? The throttle plate would still open, just as it does/is with TC activation, but the only harm in that is the engine ROARING to life once the downshift is completed. On the other hand there are circumstances with my RX300 wherein VSC activates and I am forced to completely release and the re-apply pressure to the gas pedal before the engine will respond at all. |
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