Need Advice On Buying 99 Rx300

[zman7]

Hello everyone, I am a new member and would like your advice/expertise on buying a used 99 RX300.

I am looking at purchasing a 1999 RX300 from a used car dealer, it only has 48,500 miles and seems to be in excellent overall condition inside and out, they are asking $14,900 with a little negotiation I got the price down to $14,000. I took it for a road test both in the city/highway and it seems to be in very good condition. Although on the highway it seemed to rev very high around 4000 rpm at 60mph but in retrospect I don't think I had the OD button pushed, so I'll test it again to confirm.

I would like to know what items I should have the mechanic look for during the inspection before I buy. The only problems I seen with the car was that the driver side window kind of 'hicups' when it rolling up (slightly), the rear passenger pwr door lock doesnt work and the air conditioning isn't all that cool. Beyond that there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it.

I would like to get your opinion on this, does it seem too cheap (or expensive)? IMO I think it's a good price. What items are problematic for this model? What parts would you inspect before buying? Dumb question but I'll ask it anyway, how can you tell if it's an AWD or FWD model?

I really love the RX and would like to buy it but want to make sure I am not buying a money pit either. Thanks! :)

[bored7one4]

i would check if the reving is going to be a problem because i just got a used 2000 rx300 and i think it has a tranny problem where it reving too high on the freeway, 5000 rmp at 80mph and 4000 at 60mph. that with the OD on. but it nothing is wrong with the engine than yes it is a good buy but IMO i think the price is too good to be true. is this at a indepented dealership or private seller.

One thing i want to point out is that the powertrain warranty is 6 years or 70,000 mile so if you got a 99 rx then i think i powertrain warranty is over and so if you do have a tranny problem then you would have to cover the expense yourself. In my case it barely still under warranty and i got 67,000 miles.

[zman7]

I will def check the rpms on the highway again and get a full inspection of the tranny before buying. I am looking at a used car lot, I always vowed I would never buy from one but this offer seems to be to good to pass up. That is why I have some hesitation and want to do my homework on this. About the powertrain warranty I have to check that out as well. I am going to get it inspected at either the local Toyota or Lexus dealership garage. I know I'll probably pay more than with a regular mechanic but to me its worth the extra piece of mind.

[bored7one4]

I will def check the rpms on the highway again and get a full inspection of the tranny before buying.  I am looking at a used car lot, I always vowed I would never buy from one but this offer seems to be to good to pass up.  That is why I have some hesitation and want to do my homework on this.  About the powertrain warranty I have to check that out as well.  I am going to get it inspected at either the local Toyota or Lexus dealership garage.  I know I'll probably pay more than with a regular mechanic but to me its worth the extra piece of mind.

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it will only cost 96$ for dianostic on the car and it up to you to fix it or not at the lexus dealership. if you do fix it there, they will wave the $96 and you pay for the whole cost of repair.

[zman7]

it will only cost 96$ for dianostic on the car and it up to you to fix it or not at the lexus dealership. if you do fix it there, they will wave the $96 and you pay for the whole cost of repair.

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Thanks, also with the digital odometers is there anyway they can roll back the odometer with a computer? And how can you tell if the model is FWD or AWD, this model has a button on the console for 'snow' traction is that it??

[Rx330driver]

Thanks, also with the digital odometers is there anyway they can roll back the odometer with a computer? And how can you tell if the model is FWD or AWD, this model has a button on the console for 'snow' traction is that it??

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Ok, i used to own a 2000 rx300 so ill try to remember as much as i can. If the car, (below the stereo, and behind the shifter where the heated seat button area) has a trac off button???, then u have a 2 wheel drive, if its left blank, the most likely u have a AWD. or an easy way is to ask lexus at the dealership, or at any auto place and tell them to lift it up and gas it. lol. Anyways, with the odometer, my rx300 had some gauge where it told me empty after refueling at 14,000 so they had to change the computer which reset the odometer at 0 so i know u can do that. Correct me if im wrong :D

[bored7one4]

it will only cost 96$ for dianostic on the car and it up to you to fix it or not at the lexus dealership. if you do fix it there, they will wave the $96 and you pay for the whole cost of repair.

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Thanks, also with the digital odometers is there anyway they can roll back the odometer with a computer? And how can you tell if the model is FWD or AWD, this model has a button on the console for 'snow' traction is that it??

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my car doesn't say it a AWD but on the title of the car said it and yes my car has the snow traction thing too, so my guess is that it is AWD

[bored7one4]

FYI - just got a call from lexus and they said the reason the car is reving is because of the Knock sensor ( i dont know if i spelled that right) . Does anyone know anything about this part. it gonna cost me $975.

is this a easy fix that i can do myself or should i let them do it.

if the car you are buying has the same problem as i have then i think you still would have a pretty good deal buying the car even if it mean puting out $975 or less to fix it, that would make it around 15k for a 99 rx300 with 48k mile on it.

i think it a good deal.

[bronzemaxell]

Thanks, also with the digital odometers is there anyway they can roll back the odometer with a computer?   And how can you tell if the model is FWD or AWD, this model has a button on the console for 'snow' traction is that it??

digital odometers can be replaced with another one with different miles

[Erv]

Hello everyone, I am a new member and would like your advice/expertise on buying a used 99 RX300.

I am looking at purchasing a 1999 RX300 from a used car dealer, it only has 48,500 miles and seems to be in excellent overall condition inside and out, they are asking $14,900 with a little negotiation I got the price down to $14,000.  I took it for a road test both in the city/highway and it seems to be in very good condition.  Although on the highway it seemed to rev very high around 4000 rpm at 60mph but in retrospect I don't think I had the OD button pushed, so I'll test it again to confirm. 

I would like to know what items I should have the mechanic look for during the inspection before I buy.  The only problems I seen with the car was that the driver side window kind of 'hicups' when it rolling up (slightly), the rear passenger pwr door lock doesnt work and the air conditioning isn't all that cool.  Beyond that there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with it. 

I would like to get your opinion on this, does it seem too cheap (or expensive)?  IMO I think it's a good price.  What items are problematic for this model?  What parts would you inspect before buying?  Dumb question but I'll ask it anyway, how can you tell if it's an AWD or FWD model? 

I really love the RX and would like to buy it but want to make sure I am not buying a money pit either.  Thanks!  :)

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In 2003 I bought one with 97K on it and paid $18K for it. I had to have an O2 sensor changed ($100) on it and have had 3 wheel bearings changed. My parking brake system went to hell because of corrosion ($1,100 Ouch!), also had timing belt changed ($350). But these are all maintenenace items that would have to be done on any car.

The only thing is that many parts are "dealer only", and you really get whacked when the parts come over the counter at a Lexus dealer.

Overall I have been very satisfied, the vehicle is a blast to drive, I look forward to it every day. It's great in the snow. I put on 55,000 miles in 2 years.

If you can buy a warranty for it I would do so. The repair costs can be mammoth on these things because of the prices for parts. One parking brake shoe is $35!

The good thing though is they are built well and they use high quality materials and construction methods; I think that is why they hold up so well.

Just don't let a 3 year old boy loose inside with a ball point pen!

[zman7]

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In 2003 I bought one with 97K on it and paid $18K for it. I had to have an O2 sensor changed ($100) on it and have had 3 wheel bearings changed. My parking brake system went to hell because of corrosion ($1,100 Ouch!), also had timing belt changed ($350). But these are all maintenenace items that would have to be done on any car.

The only thing is that many parts are "dealer only", and you really get whacked when the parts come over the counter at a Lexus dealer.

Overall I have been very satisfied, the vehicle is a blast to drive, I look forward to it every day. It's great in the snow. I put on 55,000 miles in 2 years.

If you can buy a warranty for it I would do so. The repair costs can be mammoth on these things because of the prices for parts. One parking brake shoe is $35!

The good thing though is they are built well and they use high quality materials and construction methods; I think that is why they hold up so well.

Just don't let a 3 year old boy loose inside with a ball point pen!

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Hey Erv, thanks for the advice. I will be taking it for my third test drive later this week, this time I will make sure the OD is on when driving on the highway :whistles:

For the replacement parts, I remember reading somewhere on the net that it's possible to use toyota parts in some cases where applicable because the parts are the same as regular toyota parts and since the RX300 uses a Camry platform. If thats true that would help out on the pocketbook.