I'm considering buying a used RX300 and the only really bad things I have heard are:
1. The exhaust manifold cracking - which isn't that bad
2. The transmission failling at around 100k miles
If I get one I will drive it until it dies of old age so I am concerned about the transmission.
There have been some posts saying that these problems may be caused by using the wrong transmission fluid ( not from Lexus/Toyota ).
My concern is that I may get one with the wrong fliud from improper maintenance or that the problems are with the transmission in general, and I really don't want cough up 3-7K if it decides to die at 125K miles.
And if it were changed with the wrong fluid, but is still working would it be worth it to flush it out with a few hundred bucks worth of the correct fluid would that maybe save it ?
Consumer reports doesn't show transmission problems for this model......
We have a RAV4 with 190K on it, with no problems but excess oil consumption, so I"m hoping the RX will be a step up ( in a big way ! ) and have the same level of reliability.
Just looking for some guidance from the experts.
Thanks !