2006 RX330 questions

[Hadyourphil]

I have previously owned two 2001 RX300's, one AWD, one not. Both died of transmission failure at mid 200k miles (planetary gear). Since then I've owned a Ford Fusion that succumbed to the tinworm. Having missed my Lexii,  I am looking at a 2006 with 182000 miles. Carfax report looks ok but I see no reference to replacing the timing belt.  I don't recall replacing the belt on either RX300 (!). My questions about the RX330 are... How does that year's transmission hold up? What issues might I find, e.g. Any ticking time bombs. 

Long time away from this forum. It was quite helpful on the past.

[zieke]

I assume you never had those trans. fluids changed, hence the failures. You're lucky they lasted that long. Personally I change trans. fluid after around 75-80k miles. I don't believe there is such a thing as "lifetime" trans. fluid. As for the timing belt I believe the manual says change every 100k miles. I believe this has to be done without fail because of the disaster if a timing belt breaks. A Lexus is normally a very reliable vehicle, but when the miles pile up, there is more Maintenace required to keep it that way.

[McBrian]

Agreed on the above re: fluid(s) but anything man made will break at some point... 

Please DO NOT RELY on Carfax. It is a (kind of) good indicator of where the car lived, but only will show services for businesses who participate. It is a business in itself and masterfully has become some sort of standard, but it's a i s h t standard for decisions and should never be the/a sole factor.

If you are buying a car with no (or spotty) service Hx you must start your own with a full fluid sweep and if there is no indication of the major services within those mileages you need to factor that into your pricing negotiations. And then do it...!!!

[Hadyourphil]

Time for a quiz: Which car seems to be a better deal... an '01 RX 300 w/152,000 miles OR an '06 RX330 w/182,864. $5695 for the '01, $5900 for the '06...

[McBrian]

The one where the owner talks to you and their feelings for the car show in its condition. It's OK to pay for that. Seems mystical, but trust your gut and pay attention you know? You're not new to Lexus. Dig into those previous experiences.

Neither one of those have extreme miles so they weren't used hard by the year vs mileage numbers.

Did they have a good dealer presence under warranty (you can call their dealership and check) Did that continue afterwards? My experience with low mileage L-cars is they are/were owned by older dealer-loyal people so the base is good.

And always get on the ground and look underneath at EVERYTHING. Shouldn't be a lot of rust on that era car, but are there dents and scrapes on the low parts? Are the jack points and the rockers destroyed? Does all of the rubber look in good shape or visibly cracked/aged?

[Hadyourphil]

Both cars are at dealers... Neither one is close by. I am in Manitowoc, Wisconsin and the cars are in Madison and Naperville, Illinois. It is quite likely I will have to buy one of these sight unseen. The '01 appears to be rust free. Not sure about the '06 as it is black and any rust is difficult to see. '01 is gold and looks spotless. Wish they were closer. (Think the '01's dealer delivers!)

[zieke]

I would not buy either one "sight unseen" unless I had bulletproof info about where it had been and if it was maintained. Lexus built many, many Rx's so I would research closer dealer inventories in Appleton, Green Bay, Fon Du Lac, and Sheboygan which should be close enough to go and inspect one. I bot a vehicle from Carvana which included a 7 day free return policy and a 90 day repair warranty. Carvana is in Green Bay, Madison, and Milwaukee.. I would at least try them.