manu4t

I will add my trans story to the RX300 chain here - 2002 RX300, had 197,500 miles on it with no problems except having to replace the usual things (battery, tires, brakes, etc.). I am huge on pre-emptive maintenance (oil change 4K miles, fluids changed on time, 90K service with timing belts replaced pre-emptively, etc.). As I am driving to work around this mileage time (197.5K) I felt the lower gears slipping badly going up a small incline. Having read the horror stories on here about the trans, I suspected the life of mine was at an end. Drove it to my local mechanic (no problems with the trans on the way over there, which was temptation to do nothing) and I was right, the planetary gear was going and about to drop. Dropped a new trans in (at 3200 I think I might have been overcharged) and while I was in there, went ahead and did the preemptive stuff, timing belt, water pump, etc. Runs like a top, 10K warranty on the trans. I think I am good for another 100K (fingers crossed). Whether we keep it that long or not, well who knows.... Anyway, my 2 cents in talking to the mechanics who worked on it along with others who have worked on it in the past is that the determining factors are: 1. Type of driving (mixed, all city, or all highway); 2. Driving habits (do you shift quickly from park to drive, drive to reverse, etc. - hint, this is BAD); 3. Regular maintenance on the trans with the fluid and filter; 4. Where in the country you are located (southern climates seem to help a bit, northern climates demand more of the trans due to varied road conditions, etc.). Whether the above paragraph is right or wrong, I make no contentions. Again, just conveying what I was told by several mechanics (whom I trust). But, seems like mine lasted longer than average on here, and 60% of my driving is city street, 40% highway miles, so I have a blended type of driving.