Neophilius

I am considering buying a 99 or 00 rx300. While looking for reviews online, I found your website. It is fantastic and I thank everyone for the time they have spent posting their information to help others. Here's my question. Given the numerous problems with the transmissions in the 99 and 00 models, is it even worth buying one at this time? I am looking at a 99 w/ 84K miles or a 00 w/ 97k. Everything I've read says that the vehicle is great except for the transmission problem and sometimes the sludge problem. I also saw elsewhere a few electrical problems but they seem rare. Do you think it is worth considering purchasing a 99 or 00? Am I wasting my time even considering them? I've loved the look and feel of the rx300 forever. But I don't want to spend 11-14k on a car just to turn around and drop another 3-4 grand on repairs. Given the fact that I can afford either of these but not the newer versions or I would buy one of them instead, what steps should be taken, if you think it is worth the gamble on having to replace the tranny? I am assuming that I should check w/ the local Toyota dealer, as we do not have a Lexus dealer for 275 miles, to see if they can find the service records if done at Lexus. I am also assuming there has not been a transmission replacement yet but will check to find out. (the 99 is at a Ford dealership and the 00 is at a small used car place that has sold and repurchase it twice before) But beyond that, I am thinking that at the very least the transmission fluid should be changed, probably completely flushing the system, and make sure they use type IV and check the filter. Probably looking at possibly replacing the timing belt too since we're at that mileage. What else should be done for preventative measures? Again, I am asking for advice that if I purchase either of them what can be done to minimize the chance at having the problems that seem to be very prevalent from this site. When I spoke with these salespeople neither of them had a clue, or pretended not to know, about the transmission problems. The guy at the Ford dealership suggested I purchase a service contract from them to cover the powertrain. If I understand our coversation, as I am pretty car ignorant, I could purchase a 3 yr/36,000 mile "warranty" that covers the sealed, I think he said lubricated, powertrain. I think that means, and I haven't read the contract, that I could pay "no more than $1500" which means $1500 for 3 yr/36k protection against the transmission failure and that if it happened, I should be covered for a full replacement by the Ford dealer. The original warranty has expired and I am assuming that not all of the maintenance has been done at Lexus service centers because we don't have any, other than the Toyota dealer (I know, not the same thing). If I'm right, basically I would spend $1500 on an insurance policy that if the transmission went bad, the Ford dealer would pay to have it fixed. Which sounds like a pretty good thing due to the probability of having problems from 84k to 120k. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, the 99 has 84k miles and no heated seats. The 00 has 97k miles and heated seats. The other options are about the same. I live in South Dakota so heated seats are good. And it seems the 00 has less problems than the 99. But there's also 13k more miles. Any opinions as to which would be better, assuming price is virtually the same? Maybe $800 more for the 00 but we haven't haggled yet. Thanks for your help.