I'm a used car dealer i buy and sell rx300 very often. if service right they should do well over all.
however i have notice more and more problems with transmition simple problems that are easy to fix.
yet you take it to lexus and they have no clue all the know is new tranny $3,000+. nothing else.
the is an on going problem it has even been brought up in a service bulletin.
The shift solenoid they control AT fluid transfer thats what make it shift.
after 90k they get sticky and stuck and malfuntion, then you get check engine light and the others showing.
I have an obd2 scanner so i check the computer codes my self P0770 (Shift solenoid E Malfuntion)
Easy fix should not be more then $500 in a tranny shop.
Lexus knows this is a probelm however when mention it to lexus mechanics they don't have a clue.
See a solenoid is comes in a pack of 5 they run $250-$350
a new tranny is big money $,$$$$.$$ lexus truly would rather making $ over $3,000 for rebuilt tranny then get your old one fix it cheap and sell it to some other poor sap for top dallor$$$.
see its much more profitable then just selling you the cheaper part the solenoids.
they make it a point to keep there techs iggnorant of the issue.
to them its just another dollar.
Make: LEXUS
Model: RX300
Year: 2001
Type: PASSENGER CAR
Service Bulletin Number: 00504
NHTSA Item Number: 10009396
Summary Description:
PROPER IDENTIFICATION OF THE 5 SOLENOIDS USED IN THE U140E/U140F TRANSMISSIONS. *TT
Make : LEXUS Model : RX300 Year : 2001
Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Service Bulletin Num : 010102 Date of Bulletin: JAN 01, 2002
NHTSA Item Number: 628655
Component: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
Summary:
SPECIAL POLICY ADJUSTMENT FOR CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED SPECIFIC MECHANICAL ENGINE PROBLEMS ATTRIBUTABLE TO THE CONDITION KNOWN AS OIL GELLING OR SLUDGE. *TT
Make : LEXUS Model : RX300 Year : 2001
Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Service Bulletin Num : BR00301 Date of Bulletin: SEP 14, 2001
NHTSA Item Number: 625528
Component: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:DISC:PADS
Summary:
SUBJECT REGARDING FRONT BRAKE GROAN / SQUEAK. *TT
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/tsbsearch.cfm
http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/results.cfm