I know right now is a terrible time to purchase a used vehicle. But for us from what I can tell it can still be done.

We have decided to postpone a new 4Runner purchase for a while, but still need a good, comfortable, reliable, capable suv that can tow a 3000lbs give or take.

I am looking at a used, mid 2000's Lexus. Tell me about the RX330. I know it is dated. But for about $10k and under 120k for miles seems like a nice looking smaller four seat suv with a smaller cargo area and would get a good 25 mpg on the highway with a v6 and 4wd. Any reason to avoid this model? Is this just a high end early Rav4?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: old rugged cross,

The RX300 series are good vehicles.

Bought my wife one of the First models in 1999, 5 years later gave it to my parents who were retired and could use a good reliable vehicle.

My SIL now has it for a daily driver, and up until this year it's had little if any issues other than brakes, plugs, etc.

Just put new pads and rotors on the back, Pads only on the front, near as we could tell the rotors are all still original. Replaced all the coils on the back of the engine as two of the three set codes and they are harder to do, front coils still fire fine, new plugs, air filter. The AC compressor locked up, but again it's a 20+ year old SUV with over 120K in an area where the AC runs every day...

Have a new Timing belt for it and water pump since you might as well do the WP at the same time due to the work to get to it being the same as getting to the belt.

At 100K plus I'd want to know the timing belt has been replaced, or budget to have it done

We give it a thumbs up for reliable...

We've enjoyed ours and it's lasted many years. We bought it when it was due the timing belt. Whoever owned it sold instead of changing the belt.

Expensive maint item, but it's lasted another 100k miles since then with no other issues other than regular brake stuff. It does have a steering leak that we are just adding fluid instead of fixing due to high cost.

Wife loves it and is dreading the day we have to replace it.

We have one and it's been a great car but I would never consider towing 3000 lbs. with something that size.
The car is only rated for 2000 lbs towing and even that seems like more than I would want to pull with something that size.

Sounds good guys. The boat is probably 1600-1700lbs Thanks

I had a 1999 RX300, which is one model prior to the one you are considering. As far as I can tell, the engine size, and maybe some technological upgrades, are the only difference.

And it's a nice Highlander in terms of size.

I bought mine used with 65,000 miles. 9 years later I traded it in still running with 263,000 miles. I took it everywhere. I only towed one thing, a single trailer with 1996 Yamaha WaveVenture. It weighed under 1200 pounds, and the engine never knew it was towing something.

A couple of things, though. One was already mentioned about timing belt replacement. I had to replace mine twice and it is not inexpensive. In fact, the maintenance cost is higher than your Toyota because it is "Lexus!" In my town there is a dedicated Lexus service center. It is very nice! Comfortable lounge, free gourmet coffee and Lexus label bottled water. When I took it in for service, and if it was going to take a while, I got a free loaner, typically a newer SUV. All that costs money, though.

Second,for a little while I was plagued with "reliability problem." I would turn the key and it would catch, then die. It took a bit of time, but eventually it turns out my replacing the paper air filter with K&N was the culprit. Enough grime would filter through and dirty up the Oxygen Censor which led to the problem. OEM from then on and no more problems.

Personally, I really prefer the styling of the next generation, RX350, before the BIG GRILL phenomenon that is now plaguing Lexus. But more money.

One of my best friends parents had an RX300. We would borrow it occasionally during college for road trips. It was pretty uninspiring to drive, but it was trouble free for a long time until they eventually sold it.

My one complaint was the seats. They were a very slick leather with zero support, and even during slow around town driving you constantly slid back and forth from one side of the seat to the other. With a seat belt on you weren't going very far, but it was incredibly annoying and actually wore me out over long trips. The effect was worse in the back seats. I HATED riding in that thing.

I would try one before you buy for sure to see if it's comfortable for you and any passengers you may carry regularly.

Thanks guys. Any thoughts about the RX330 vs the 350? Other than the 3.5 v6 vs the 3.3. Both great engines.

The 350 feels much stronger. Got a 330 new in 04. The loaner Lexus gives us when servicing the 330 is always a 350. The 04 has 95k on it now, routine maintenance only.

A great vehicle that should serve you well. I would try to find one with the factory tow package option. Obviously it will have the hitch, but they also came with an oil and trans cooler, larger radiator, and different fan.

Rev. A. Are you referring to the 330 or the 350?

Thanks

So it is a 2006 RX330 in Breakwater blue. I have not seen it yet in person but that will happen soon.. But feel good about it. Good salesperson at the dealer has been helping me. The dealer sold it new. Has a partial service his on it. The big Toyota dealer has done the rest of the maintenance on it. Has good tires. AC blows cold.
Frame and undercarriage rust is not an issue. Guessing I am paying about 1/3 of what it cost new.

Vehicle has a good, clean history. Good maintenance history as well. Water pump down at 90k. Currently has 120k so I fell like it has at least 50% of its life let. Maybe even more.

Our 2006 is still our best car. Check dash for cracks and try to get it replaced before buying. Watch out for leather cracks.

quote:

Originally posted by 4MUL8R:
Our 2006 is still our best car. Check dash for cracks and try to get it replaced before buying. Watch out for leather cracks.

BTW you can now buy a Dash Pad Overlay. Pretty cool idea. When installed they are almost indistiguishable.

It's a lot less expensive than all the labor and a new dash pad.



Link to original video: https://youtu.be/jr5SYTkDwDQ

So I picked up an 06' RX330 Breakwater blue color. 121k on the clock. Is what you would expect as far as exterior for a 15 year old rig.Interior is pretty immaculate. Virtually no rust. Drove it about 700 miles over the end of last week and weekend. Ran like a Sswiss watch. Not a powerhouse but rock solid Japanese quality made vehicle. Nicely apportioned and luxurious as you would expect for a Lexus. I am feeling like it will last for many years. I doubt we will put more than 10k a year on it if that. Water pump was done at 90k so good for another 60k

Price was $11k. Might of been a bit high but still a good value for a nice quality rig with a ton of life let in her hopefully.

Got 22 mpg on the highway at 70-75 mph.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: old rugged cross,

Good choice on Lexus. We put 250k miles on two different Lexus we owned.