kthan

Thank you for your posts. wwest, But, what I meant by 20-30% airflow in rear air/heat unit was regardless what air/heat position I set. So, even if I set it to upper body (for maximum air/heat output), the rear unit has only very minimal airflow. This applies to both Air conditioning and heating. Also, as RX330driver informed, if all RX units are doing this way (with no malfunction), it seems to be pretty disappointing. I am still wondering if this is really the case of $40000 Lexus SUV.

While waiting for the posts, I found that P0171 may be related to Mass Airflow Sensor. Can anyone clarify/help me out?

I found that rear AC/heat (through the center console) flow becomes too weak, compared to the main(front) Air/heat. I would say only 20-30% air comping through the vent (If I set the main air 100%). Does it mean there's something wrong? Do I need to check some particular things? Thank you for your help in advance.

I got check light on in my 00 RX300 (currently only 21000 miles) and ran a computer scan at Auto Zone today. The error code is P0171..System too lean (Bank 1). It looks like Oxygen sensor goes bad/dirty (couple of members reported the light turned off after just cleaning the sensor, not replacing it). Would this diagnosis pretty accurate? Or could it mean there is something other than O2 sensor wrong? I did not find any suspicious symptoms but I recently had occasional knocking sounds. I thought this sound because we used 87 gas for couple of tanks. It is not constant knocking (just on and off for about 3-5 minutes). Today I made the tank almost empty and then refuel with 89. With 5 mile driving, the knocking sound was gone. I don't know if the knocking sound is related to this issue or not. If it is a problem of Oxygen sensor, I would be surprised because the current mileage is only 21000. I found some other posts but they are all over 60-70K miles. Also, please advise me how to handle/fix the issue (how much would be the parts and labor?). My car is already out of warranty, but I found some (oxygen sensor) cases that the dealer services fixed it for free (as "good will gesture") because of its early failure. I am wondering if I can ask them about my car. Another concern: if the oxgen sensor goes bad, is there any possibility that the other related parts (like other 02 sensors) go bad in near future (Or, the failure of a (emission related) part has nothing to do with the continous problem of the other related part)? I did not purchase a extended warranty yet because the current mileage (21000) of my car is so low. But, I started to be very concerned about reliability of my car due to the check light problem and other issues (I posed it next to this thread).

How should it be taken care of in order to prevent failure? Just change the fluid every 15000 miles? Regarding the transmission problem, since I will buy extended warranty anyway if I buy RX300, I don't think it would be a big matter, as long as the extended warranty price is much higher than expected (anyone have idea?). It seems to me that the cost of repair/maintenance that is not covered under extended warranty would be expensive. What maintenance would I expect up to 50000 miles and how much more expensive, compared to the others, say toyota vehicle? (like Tune up, battery, tire...probably, brake pad, anything else?)

Hi there, It is my first post at this forum. I have been a occasional poster at Toyota Nation, though. Now I am faced with a tough decision for my new car. I currently have 2000 Camry LE V6 and want to change the car because this car had really poor city mpg (only 12 mpg... but still very good at highway... 27mpg as promised). I originally looked for 06 Camry SE 4 cylinder (because of gas). While I am searching the car, my friend suggested me to buy his wife's 2000 RX300 AWD(with only 20000 miles) with limited option package (as far as I found, they have all the options except Nakamichi Audio and VSC..original MSRP is $40200. I belive Traction control is standard..right?). Right Now, I am actually driving RX300 because my friend and his family was out of country for four month and asked me to take care of the car. My driving impression on RX300: nice, quiet, and smooth ride, luxurious feel with all the bang and whistles, versatile as SUV and AWD, and it is Lexus! I found some cons/doubts on the car, though: As many pointed out, big turning radius, little too soft brake (I need more power to brake... maybe it is just a matter of adjustment specific on this car), tranny shift not as smooth as Camry I had...(maybe it seems to be related to the car owner... my friend's wife mostly drive at a city and quite slowly...may need another break-in?), and, as known, gas mileage (the panel shows lifetime mpg so far was 13.9... but according to her, she got about 18mpg in a city). My friend offered me a KBB private party price ($20000-$21000, depending on either excellent or good). Considering purchase costs, RX300 would be cheaper about $2500-$3000, but I would need extended warranty (about $1000? please give me any info) since I heard some had tyranny problem with this model. Plus, I need to spend more gas. I am driving 70% city/30% highway. If I can get 20 mpg in Camry (compared to 15mpg with this car), assuming 12000 mile/year with $3/gallon), I need to spend about $600 more per year. But, instead, I will get all the benefits RX300 had (SUV, AWD..great for snow/rain here in Chicago, luxury & convenience..etc). Also, I would have more davaluaion on a new camry than RX300, if I plan to use either car for about 3year/36000 miles. Other than cost/benefit shown I do know this is very personal decision. What I want to ask here is how about the above RX300 in terms of reliability, performance and resale value? Would this car okay if I got extended warranty and tried to adjust some areas I mentioned above (i.e., brake adjust...possible? or, I have to get used to.. and brake-in for smoother tranny and faster accelation)? I was quite surprised at the resale value (dramatic decrease from $40000 to $20000 in five years with only 20000 miles). I am little worried about this too (after 2-3 years with around 50000 mile.. can I sell it around $16k?). I am so sorry for this long post. But, I really need your opinions/comments for my next vehicle. I truly appreciate all of your valuable inputs.