rockhead

I own a 2001 RX 300 Silversport and have a problem with my key. On the back side of the remote, the screw holding the remote together fell out and with it, the "guts"/the entire electronic mechanism of the key. I didn't notice the guts were missing until it was too late, and they are now lost. I still have one working master key, but need to replace the electronics on the damaged key. The blade on the damaged key is cut and in perfect shape, but I now have no electronics to it - just the shell and the cut key. What are my least expensive but most reliable solutions for this problem? I've seen the replacement keys on eBAY but am a little leery about the ease and actual success of the programming. Any advice is greatly appreciated.

The plastic housing of my key to my 2001 RX 300 broke all around. I've tried several times to close it with electrical tape but the tape keeps peeling off. I read a previous thread about this issue but it seems almost all the links included in that thread for replacement housings are dead (granted, the thread was from about a year ago). The electronics of the key work fine - it's just the plastic housing that's cracked. So, today, in June of 2006, other than spending big money at a dealership, what are the alternatives to replacing the plastic part of the key? It's a bit embarassing driving a luxury SUV and pulling out my key with cracked plastic and electrical tape hanging off all around. Looking for the most economical and easiest solution. Thanks in advance for your help!!

Thanks for all your opinions on the scratch and repair. Was thinking about going to the Lexus dealer tomorrow, but was looking for the paint code on the vehicle. Couldn't find it on the doors, under the hood, etc. I believe I looked everywhere. Any clues on where the specific paint code would be listed on a 2001 RX300 Silversport? Thanks so much!!

Hi All, Just received a nice two-inch scratch from either a shopping cart or something else on the driver rear side bumper of my 2001 RX300 Silversport - Silver in color. The scratch itself is dark black - looks like it scraped right through the paint. I tried a little rubbing compound, but it didn't work. What are the best suggestions for touch-up paint for a 2001 RX? Getting it from the Lexus dealer? Buying it online? Who has the best quality paint and how easy is it to apply? I've only had the vehicle a few months, so I'd like it to be virtually undectable. Any help/advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!!

The battery on my 2001 RX 300 died. Here's the problem - The car is in my driveway and is blocking my other car that's operable. I wanted to push the Lexus out of the way, however, I can't get it out of "park" to be able to move it. It won't budge from "Park" mode. Any clues on how I can shift the car out of "Park" to get it out of the way? Thanks so much!!

For what it's worth, when my dealer gave me the service history on the car I'd bought, they said they couldn't print it out, so they read it to me and I had to take notes. Odd, but at least I got it. I got my service history thru email. How did you get it through e-mail? Did you call a specific phone number? Could you provide the details? When I went to the service department of the Lexus dealer that performed the maintenance for over four years on the RX I later bought, they would not print me out a list of the history of the vehicle. As in a previous mention, the service rep just read it to me, but refused to give me anything in writing. Again, this was from the dealer where the car was originally purchased, where all servicing was completed and, specifically, the rep that knew this car and the owner prior to my purchasing it. He wouldn't help me at all. Thanks.

I have a 2001 RX 300. I'm also interested in installing a Sirius radio - for Howard. Not knowing anything about the installation, what are my options and what's the best way to go about this? I just purchased the vechicle, so I want to do as little damage to it as possible and don't really want to alter the SUV cosmetically (as in installing an outside antenna, etc). Any advice/opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Just curious to see the price you paid for your RX. I purchased a 2001 RX 300 Silversport about two weeks ago and wanted to compare the deal I got. Thanks.

Just purchased a 2001 RX Silversport today. I've read in previous posts about possibly getting better mileage using premium gas versus standard grade. Will the extra cost of premium fuel pay off in the longrun with MUCH better mileage? Approximately how much better mileage per gallon should I expect using premium gas instead of standard? I'm just wondering if it will really make a noticable difference in the mileage versus the cost. Any help/answers are appreciated. Thanks!!

Been looking for a low mileage RX 300 for quite a while. A connection of mine works in a dealership and called me tonight regarding a 2001 RX 300 2WD with only 38K on it. It's supposedly real clean and loaded - (CD, moonroof, etc.) Since it was a trade-in, the dealership does not have the service records on the vehicle. (So I don't know about the oil/transmision fluid change history). I plan to run a Carfax tomorrow. The dealers price is going to be around 24K, but I could probably get first crack at it for around 21K. Researching the price on the web, it seems like a very good deal. What do you all think? What should I know about the 2001 2WD RX's? Any particular issues or problems? As a result of this site, a few months back, I passed on a good deal on a 99 RX AWD due to the well-documented tranny problems. Is there anything about this year and model that stands out? Any and all help is greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance.

A previous poster mentioned Westminster Lexus "has a good reputation for offering big discounts" regarding a new RX330. I'm looking to purchase a Pre-owned RX 300. Does anyone know of any dealers in the Los Angeles/San Diego/up to Santa Barbara area that have "a good reputation for offering big discounts" on pre-owned cars? I've visited all the dealers websites and, of course, all are in about the same ballpark regarding prices. However, I'm looking for someone who will do significantly better in pricing - maybe because they want to move more cars, have greater inventory, are more motivated to sell, etc. Has anyone had any luck or any specific salespeople they can recommend? Also, what are the hot tips for getting the best price on a Pre-owned? Of course, I've heard wait until the end of the month, but what other useful information does anyone have? Thanks so much!!

A previous poster mentioned Westminster Lexus "has a good reputation for offering big discounts" regarding a new RX330. I'm looking to purchase a Pre-owned RX 300. Does anyone know of any dealers in the Los Angeles/San Diego/up to Santa Barbara area that have "a good reputation for offering big discounts" on pre-owned cars? I've visited all the dealers websites and, of course, all are in about the same ballpark regarding prices. However, I'm looking for someone who will do significantly better in pricing - maybe because they want to move more cars, have greater inventory, are more motivated to sell, etc. Has anyone had any luck or any specific salespeople they can recommend? Also, what are the hot tips for getting the best price on a Pre-owned? Of course, I've heard wait until the end of the month, but what other useful information does anyone have? Thanks so much!!

I'm in the market for a Pre-Owned RX300 and, when I get one, wasn't thrilled with the prospect of taking it to a dealer for servicing. I had asked about an independent mechanic in the LA area. Someone suggested Luxury Motorworks in Monrovia. Has anyone used them? If so, what have your experiences been like? What's their reputation? How honest?, etc. Just wanting to get some background before I make a decision on where to bring my business. Thanks so much!!

Thanks for all your responses regarding my post on the 1999 AWD RX 300. As a result of your experiences/advice and after much consideration, I decided against purchasing the car. After doing a lot of research here, I saw that Lexus changed the transmission on RX's manufactured after July 2001. So, if we still want to get an RX 300, would you consider a 2001/2002 2WD RX 300 manufactured after that date "a safe bet?" Are the chances of it lasting 200,000+ miles (with all scheduled maintenance of course) pretty strong and much better than the 1999-2001 models? Will the oil/sludge issues still be a factor in these later models? When I asked a Lexus rep about the sludge issues regarding the 1999, he said it was mainly a problem with cars on the East Coast. He said, because we're in LA and the climate is so different, it won't really be an issue. What do you think about the validity of that statement? Unfortunately, there are too many things I like about the car, however, I'm looking for peace of mind and don't want to have to constantly worry about the transmission failing. I've never had this type of problem with any car I've owned. So, if we're determined to get one, at the LOWEST price possible, but also considering the reliability factor, what would you suggest?

I'm in the process of searching for a Pre-Owned RX 300. I don't want to bring the car to the dealer for servicing. I have GREAT Independent mechanics for my Honda and Volvo, but am needing recommendations for a Lexus/Toyota mechanic. Does anyone have any suggestions in the Los Angeles/San Fernando Valley/San Gabriel Valley area? Someone experienced enough to work on an RX 300, considering all it's quirks and issues. I greatly appreciate any and all suggestions. Thanks.