mikey00

Stick with the Lexus OEM pads. As monarch said above they are the best. They have excellent stopping power, low dusting and last a long time. It's also nice to have pads that wear evenly from to rear. Most other cars I have owned wore out the front first. I just changed mine at 75k and could have gone a little longer. This is my second RX. They were equally as good on the first one. Do a search on this and other RX forums. You will find very few complaints and a lot of praise for factory pads.

Is the black rubber hose behind the air filter box disconnected from the metal tube that it attaches to? This is a common problem and happens when someone checks the air filter. Pull the EFI fuse to reset the light.

You must have one of the original registered master keys to use this procedure: simultaneously depress and release brake and accelerator pedal 1 time insert existing master key into ignition within 15 seconds depress and release accelerator pedal 5 times within 20 seconds depress and release the brake pedal 6 times and remove key within 10 seconds insert new key into ignition within 10 seconds depress and release the accelerator pedal 1 time after 80 seconds new key is registered and security light goes off remove new key and depress and release brake pedal 1 time If you do not have an original registered master key, the ECM (Engine Control Module) must be replaced or flashed to add additional keys.

I second what VGR is saying. The stock pads on this car are one of its better features. They work well, last a long time and have relatively low dusting.

2001 added VSC and bigger gas tank plus the NAV option.

Does it sound like an exhaust leak? There is a flex type piece up at the exhaust manifold that commonly fails. It shouldn't cost too much to fix as long as you stay away from the dealer.

It could be nothing, but I would be very suspicious of a car that only registered 10 miles in 11 months. It's highly unusual that a RX would sit on a lot that long or take that long for an engine replacement due to sludge.

60K is the same as a 30K. Not all fluids require changing. Per the Lexus manual the only fluids that require changing are oil, coolant and brake fluid. It would also be wise to change the auto trans fluid, given the trans failures some RXs are having. Air and oil filter also get changed. Manual also lists re-torque drive shaft bolts (AWD only). This is unnecessary and rarely done even by dealers. Every thing else is just checks. You may want to check over at the Edmunds site. You can get a complete breakdown of RX services required at different intervals along with costs.

75,000mile service is a relatively minor one. Should be less than $50. as long as you stay away from the dealer. Timing belt is not due till 90K. I plan on having a Toyota dealer do mine for around $300. when the time comes. About buying the car, I would say if you really like it go for it, but know the risks involved, My rant about Lexus can be found in another post here titled "RX300 AWD Would you buy again?"

I have never heard of flushing the power steering fluid and it is not listed by Lexus as routine maintenance. It sounds like your service advisor is out to win the Disney trip this year.

I believe the Consumer Reports data will in time catch up with what is currently being reported on Lexus Owners Club and other real time message boards. I wouldn't be suprised if the RX makes their list of used cars to avoid someday.

I been the owner of a 2000 RX and replaced that with a 2001 RX. Both have been extremely realiable and served their purpose well. But to answer your question there are many reasons why I would not buy another. First is Lexus really overcharges for both parts and service. I have found many ways around this over the years: do it yourself, local mechanics, Toyota service, aftermarket parts, OEM internet parts. etc. But sooner or later you may need a dealer and/or part and that's when Lexus will get you. It may be as simple as a sun visor that won't stay up (as many RX visors won't) and Lexus is the only game in town for the part and it cost $200. Or it may be as complex as a $4400. transmission replacement. I read posts on this and other RX forums about services recommened by Lexus service advisors and prices paid and I consider it border line fraud. Second reason is the sludge issue. It is a known fact that if you don't change your oil on a reasonable schedule your RX engine has a very good chance of sludge. But there are also many cases of well maintained RX engines having the sludge issue. Lexus has been great in stepping up to the plate here and providing the 8 year warranty against sludge. But I wouldn't get caught owning this car after 8 years. My oil gets changed every 5K with Quaker State synthetic blend but I still fear it will sludge sooner or later. Next reason is the RX transmission failure rate and failure of Lexus to address this issue. Lexus claims the fluid is lifetime fluid for normal use. Not only is this not true but there are cases where fluid has been changed and in fact the RX maintained every 5K by Lexus and the transmission still failed. I am changing my fluid (DIY) at least every 30k and keeping my fingers crossed. Again this is a great car with many fine points (I have never had brake pads last this long) but there are a few glaring issues. Just my 2 cents.

Check the link I provided. The openings for the remote buttons are there. Since it is not the buttons themselves that are failing, you have everything you need.

Here is a key blank for $19. Just take the back off and put it on yours. http://www.nvo.com/natl/displayroom/catego...ml?catuid=13456

I don't think the ATF fluid is overheating due to insufficient cooling capability. If this were the case, the RXs without the cooler (non-tow prep package) should be failing at a much higher rate than the ones with the cooler. I agree the cooler isn't the greatest but it must be a lot better than none. Most RXs with the tow prep package never see a hitch. I believe the failures are being caused by fluid being contaminated with debris as the result of a poor design. VGR: It's not just the neglected transmissions that are failing.

Paintless dent repair is a special technique used to repair a dent where the paint has not been damaged. No painting is required hence "paintless". I had a dent repaired on my RX with method and it turned out great.

I traded in my 2000 to get a 2001 with the additional features a 2001 offered such as VSC, bigger gas tank, SS option. etc. The turing radius was not one of those improvements. It remained the same.

A defect in the factory wiring is highly unlikely. This was a common problem many had with 2001 RX (not sure if this applies to 04). They would put in the fuse and add the pigtail by plugging into the harness in the black plastic compartment under the spare but found there was no power. In 2001 there was also a plug in power module that needed to be added. Did you use the module?

Lets play dodgeball.

My 01 takes exactly 4 qts but I did not know about the front differential plug the 2 times I drained it. When my wife comes back with the car I am going to look for the front diff plug. I guess I should include that in my next drain. That may bring it up to about 5 qts. Do you have a cooler, which comes with tow prep package which was standard equip in 01. That may be the 1 qt. difference.

Add #8 I forgot I can't even drive this thing in sand.

Just pull the fuse labeled EFI in the fuse box. You can't miss it. I also pull the one next to it labeled ECU-B but I don't think that one really resets anything. Some people pull the battery cable just to be sure.

No. Even though I am on my second RX now and have been very pleased with both. What I don't like is that I see Lexus service departments everywhere taking advantage of the uninformed. They charge ridiculous prices, perform unnecessary maintenance, and actually get people to feel good about it because they are getting a free loaner. As cars get more sophisticated, like 400h, the dealer dependency will increase and prices will go even higher.

Here is a recent discussion. http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums/index...topic=18432&hl=

irontoad.com newlexusparts.com