cfiiman

After a few days going back and forth with the dealer I went ahead and came up some on the price of the 02 RX300 I was working with them on. I came up about 1K dollars more than my first offer which was low considering it was OTD, even with the body damage. Plus I made them throw in a Master key, which means they are swaping computers on it so I think that is fair. I think after some body shop visits it will not be too hard to get the body fixed for around 1500, which is much less than I thought at the time. The clincher for me though was from some of you guys that said service records make the difference, so I called the Lexus dealership and they ran the VIN for me. Turns out it was serviced at 5, 10, 20, 30, 60, 70 and 80K miles just recently and all at my local dealership, which explains what nice running/driving condition it is in. Also there were no open items such as recalls or anything else that had not been done. Plus when I pulled the oil and tranny dipsticks the oils were like brand new and the dealership had done nothing to it from trade in which is in line with my thoughts that the owner cared about the service. I am excited, although I have to admit this board oozes a lot of negativity about this vehicle which I can understand if you have had problems, that is never fun and would sour anyone I suppose. But I also feel some of you are like the "old crusty guy" eveyone knows that is never happy and always *BLEEP*ed off about something (no offense intended, just an observation). And I mean that more by the way I have read comments you have made to me as well as other posts in the archives I've read. Anyway, to all of you that helped thanks for your replies in other posts and I am glad to be a member of the club.

Well they seem stuck at mid 11's, not sure what to do from here, I think that is too much with the body issues but I don't think they care...

So if it is not clear coated, is it just enamel or is there something else? Thanks everyone for there replies.

Thanks to both of you for the only decent replies to the question I actually asked. Mikey, I see exactly where you are coming from and I am thinking that probably is the way to go, I was thinking maybe it wouldn't cost exactly that much to fix is all so it would be a good deal, at 10K I say it is fair, 12, no way, and I also agree with you Sktn, I doubt they will get that much at auction anywhere. I guess what I have run into (someone who works in the industry and is a friend told me) that a dealership would rather take less for it at an auction then to actually sell it to someone for less than what "they think" they can squeeze out of them, really is too bad they are like that, but then again that is only why I have only bought 1 car in my life at a dealer and it was a Corvette I couldn't get in the private market at the time exactly the way I wanted. Thanks again you two for your replies.

I know I should keep my mouth shut, but.... cfiiman's car buying insecurities and persistent expectation that someone on an Internet board can tell him what to pay for a car is moving from the sublime to the ridiculous. LexKid360's recommendation to perpetrate insurance fraud is ridiculous and has no place on this board. I didn't want to say anything but I felt the same way, I would NEVER even consider that. And to you Mccldwll, geez all I was asking for was what you all might think is fair as far as negotiating goes since you all are already RX owners, but since I don't seem to be getting any help at all on that without being told I have to know every tiny detail about the car's history (impossible btw) and have an expert at Lexus engineering division systematically take the car apart into individual pieces and inspect it before we come up with a fair number, and if I don't do all this, my questions are "getting so ridiculous" just do not worry about it, sorry I asked And that is hillarious you think I'm a troller b/c I am asking about price on an rx, what a joke.

ok, thanks. Well here is where I am, the are at 12K OTD, I am at 10K OTD, salesman told me he would work on it and call me tomorrow. This car is going to the auction if I don't buy it (they say) and it already was at a local one like I said and brought 7700. I think I'm being fair at 10K with the damage to the body, but they probably think otherwise. In my area, you can get a nice one with 70-100K miles on it for about 10-16 depending on what dealer, year and miles. Lets put it this way, I would say this vehicle, if the body was nice all the way around it would be a 15K car. But I know I can not have the paint done right for less then 5K if it was a total repaint so that it what I am basing my offer on, as the ones that they ask 15K for are almost perfect except for a small scratch or nick here and there

Lexkid, thanks for that info! Can anyone confirm this? (not that I don't believe you, just making sure no one else might think differently) If that is the case, then maybe I should plan on giving a little more for this, I don't know, the body work it will need might be somewhat expensive, as the jerks who keyed it managed to hit 4 panels, (both 1/4's and both doors). Can anyone give me what would be a high-low range on an all cash deal on this suv?

Point taken, the car has a clean carfax showing some services at Lexus dealer locally, I am looking into the maintenance from the dealer. I still feel someone should be able to give me a "ballpark" as to what I would pay, yes, assuming the car is taken care of which I believe it has been.

Sorry, some clarification is needed I guess, I was assuming that the car has a good history/service record, so with that end mind I am asking about price alone, what is fair. In reponse to your reply though, I will say, from what I have read, service history does not make a difference, I mean isn't that what you and "lenore" are complaining about? That you have done everything and still had problems? If so I'm not sure why you think that is very important, but nonetheless, assume for this thread it is ok. Thanks, Jason

Ok, some of you may be aware of my last purchase, a 00 RX300, 133K miles, really really nice, but found out it had some body work and the "seller" knew and said it didn't, at least I am pretty sure, so I took it back. I have found another one, it is an 02, Black 87K miles. It is really nice only it has been vandalized (at the dealership) it has been keyed in 2 places each about 15" long or so, and a dent in the back passanger 1/4 panel I am assuming from a kick to it or something (I hate vandals and theives). They sent the car to auction today and I actually was there, I looked at the car and was going to bid on it. It was really nice although I like white better, but anyway I like the mileage best. Anyway at the auction the high bid was only 7700.00 which I thought was a steal, and since I knew the dealership I was pretty sure they would not accept that bid so I called them on my way home. They said I was correct and that they would not accept that and it would be sent to another auction. I told them I was interested and they have arranged for me to look at the car privately on their lot tomorrow afternoon. They have told me they only want what they have in it, not a penny more (yeah right). The told me that was 11,600. Now I would say for a car that didn't need any paint work that would be a good deal from what I have seen, but for this one with the damage I am unsure. I also do not know if they want tax/fees/liscensing on top of that (probably do) which would make it more like 12,500 which there is no way in hell I'm going to do b/c I know the paint work will be a couple grand at least. Anyway I wanted to get your all's thoughts on it. What would be a fair price, considering it only brought 7700 at auction and that it needs cosmetics? Any chance you think they would take less than 10K out the door? Is that even fair? I await your responses, thanks! Jason

I see your point, and as far as being prepared to spend $$$$ on stuff I'm up in the air. I mean it is one thing to have to fix something evey now and then, but quite another to be throwing loads of it at something that continually has problems. I fear that maybe I have let the "internet" and the complaints of upset rx300 owners dictate my purchase here. I am prepared to spend $$$ I just don't want to have to continuallly throw loads of money at any car b/c of maintenance issues, and anyone that says well that is just the way it is, is completely wrong. I understand a used car is a gamble, however that is all I have ever owned, and this is a matter of principle not b/c I can't afford a new car. Originally I was looking at lower end suv's, blazers and explorers to be exact, but it seems like to get a nice 02'ish or so explorer you have to spend high 5K's in my part of the country and it seems like if I put a little more with it you can get a lexus rx300, but maybe that is the wrong way to think about it, I'm not sure. All I know is it seems like lower miles on an RX300 doesn't protect you either according to what I've read, in fact I would be much more *BLEEP*ed off if I paid all the extra $$$ to get a lower mile rx300 with say 60K miles and then the tranny went as opposed to say a 100+ one for a lot less $$$ and it happened. I mean for a 60K mile rx300 we are talking almost 20K in my area, where 100+ mile one is more like 10K. Being that miles do not seem to be the reason the tranny fails why would anyone buy the lower mile one? This is strange b/c this rx300 purchase is so backward from every other deal I've made. I always just looked for a well maintained vehicle and if it ran/drove perfect, engine looked/smelled/sounded good, I've been confident in the purchase, but not with the rx300.

Well, I thought I was in luck today (sort of, finding out all this tranny stuff lol) and came across an ad at a local dealer (bigger one) with a 99 with 160K miles on it. I was thinking hopefully the tranny had already been done, so I go out to look at it and they say it didn't sell so they took it to the auction to be wholesaled. OK, well later in the day they go and get it b/c I said I was interested and drive it 25 miles back to the dealership for me. I take it around the block, it was not my first pick on color but over all a really nice clean rx300. So I tell them I like it and we start talking price. I'm thinking, "well it was going to the auction, so maybe wholesale with that many miles they would get in the 7's for it so maybe I could do ok here", well he comes back with an out the door price of almost 13K! I laughed out loud, my !Removed! out actually and said the manager must be either a) smoking crack in his office or B) think i'm some kind of !Removed!. I then proceeded to tell them that smaller independents are "buying" these cars at these auctions and putting 8900.00 on them and will come down almost 1000.00 dollars with cash, so I know what they are getting them roughly for at the auction. Plus I explained about the tranny issues and how this is on very "borrowed" time and I'll be having to spend 4K on that soon and did they expect me to put 17K in this 160K mile lexus with a rip in the leather? They said yes, I said good day, wow, I can't believe they came at me with that number, am I crazy here?

Thanks guys, I just got back from test driving an 02 MDX w/ 116K miles. You know, it really was a nice car, the interior was just awesome and it had navigation too. The came down to 10.5k out the door which is probably an ok deal, but honestly there is just not the "wow" factor that I had with the RX, I"m really depressed over it all. The whole weekend I just would stare out the window at it lol, I really fell in love with it, damn I want it back so bad, but I know i'm asking for trouble...:(

Well, it is official, I am no longer an RX300 owner. Much thanks to all of you on this board that helped me. I have no idea how it would have turned out, but there were just too many red flags on this seemingly perfect car. First it was finding out about the tranny problems on these, second was the fact that as of a month ago it had a leak at the rear main seal that was not fixed (apparently according to lexus computers), third was the body work, and the kicker that actually made me laugh was on the way back to the dealer to take it back a dash light came on that looked like a car with rear blinking lights or something (I don't have an owners manual so not sure what it does) I'm sure that light was something simple, but all this was just too much for me to stomach b/c when I made the purchase I was assuming it was all perfect with no body work/lights/possible tranny problems/etc. I'm sad, but maybe it will be fun to look for something else, I don't know. I did drive an MDX, it was an 01 with 116K miles at a reputable dealer, they wanted around 10K out the door, I really liked it, are they good cars? Do they have any problems? Jason

Thanks for your replies, well I am taking it back right after I get off the computer here. I saw today in the sun what appeared to be body filler in a small area under the rear door and 1/4 panel. Upon further investigation it seemes that several of the body panels on the driver's side didn't line up. The hood is cockide when you compare the gaps in the headlights and the fender buldges weird on the driver's side. I took it to a professional body shop and they said "yep, definately a lot of work has been done to this car, and it really is not that good either", that was the last straw, based on all this that I have read, the record that just last month the real main seal was leaking and the owner did not fix it, and now the body work after I explicitly asked this dealer about any to which he responded "no way, it is perfect, nothing has been done" and the mother F$#%#% owns a body shop so don't give me the "well I didn't know" routine. That's it, thank goodness we get 72 hours to change are mind, you know it really sucks, this is why I feel used car dealers are sleezy, and I really wanted to trust this guy. The short of it, I guess I was only an RX300 owner for a couple days, and I really loved this car, hopefully I'll find another in my pricerange. Anyway you all that think I should keep it, this changes your mind right? Thanks, Jason

Grumpa, I agree with you, but since this is my first lexus I am just nervous, maybe too nervous. Here is the update: I called Lexus and ran the VIN #, it has been in several times for alignments and trim things, just misc. stuff. There was only one "service" record the guy said and that was at 7K miles. So either nothing has ever been done to the car (not likely IMO b/c of how nice it is) or the maintenance was performed somewhere else like an independent or something. Don't know if this is any reason for concern or not. Second, the dealer told me that just last month it was brought in and they found a rear main oil seal leak but the owner "declined" to have it fixed to the tune of 1225.00. I have no idea if it was fixed elsewhere, doubtful since it was just last month, but maybe it was fixed by this dealer, I do know a "major service" was just performed b/c the dealer showed me on the auction slip that is for dealer's use only. He said that runs about 1200.00. The Lexus dealer told me that if I bring it out today they would put it on the rack and let me know if it is still leaking or not for free, should I do that? Or am I being to particular based on the fact it has 133K miles on it? I spoke to my Father about the whole thing, and he said "any" car with that mileage will probably have a leak or two and could have problems with a transmission, that is just the way it is. I guess I know this, but this is the most expensive car I've bought as an "everday driver" so to speak. I thought maybe I should take it to the dealer, then if there is a leak, talk to the independent that sold it to me and ask him to fix it. Would that be wrong? Should I not worry about a small leak if it never drips on the ground? And no I have not seen anything leaking from this car on the ground. Thanks for any help. Jason

Ok, I'll do that today and report back to you all later on today. And yes he did say if it needs a rebuilt transmission within 2 years he will do it for 1400.00, he even wrote it in the contract, but again, I'm sure there are different quality levels of a transmission rebuild and I don't know how "good" his shop would be. I do know from reading all the complaints on the net that most people are unhappy with their lexus dealer and just b/c you go to the dealer that is no guarantee of getting a quality rebuild either so maybe it is 6 to one half a dozen to another. I just want this to be a good experience that's all. I don't want to have to put a tranny in this car in 2 months or something, even if I can do it for 1400. And yes I know it can happen to any used car, but my wife has a 98 accord with 225K miles on it and that thing runs and drives like new. Now I know it is a 5 speed, but still. I just felt like the "lexus" name I would be fine then I read all this crap about the trannies. And who knows how trustworthy this small independent is, I mean I think he is, but until you "have" to have something done I guess you really never know if someone will be true to their word or not. Let me ask this, he told me that for anyone it would be 1400, not just me, so 5 years from now it would be that too theoritically, so why is there such a price difference? I have heard some people getting a rebuild for around 1700, that seems reasonable to me, but 4-6K???? That is bull$hit. Oh, and I have not got a carfax report, besides them telling you if it has been in a wreck or not, why get one???

Do you know anything about the history of the vehicle? Is there any possibility the trans. has already been worked on? What does the trans. oil look like? You didn't say whether it was FWD or AWD. The AWD seem to have the most problems. Gone 200k- 300k Mi. with no tranny work in an RX? Probably not (miracles still do happen, maybe you'll be the 1st.) I don't think there are very many of any brand of car that the trans. goes that far with NO work- that's probably not very realistic. Toss a coin in the air- it's your money. How reliable is this dealer? Will he still be around if the car actually lasts 18 mo. and then the tranny goes? If he has guaranteed to do it for $1400. flat will he shop around for a place that will agree to do it for that price, but it's a cheap job? ANY car with 133k mi. is a crap- shoot. You may get another 100k care free miles out of it or it may blow up on you a month from now. There is a reason they're called USED cars. People don't trade in a car with 133k mi. on it because they wake up on Sat. morning and decide I have nothing to do today, I'll go trade this like new car in that I think I'll get another 150k trouble free miles out of because I like people so well that I want to spread this good fortune around. Like I said, flip the coin- it's probably as sure a thing as anything else on a car with 133k mi. Good Luck on your decision. I get what you are saying, and my answer is I don't know. The shop has been around for 25 years and he does service/body work/sales. He seems like a good guy to me (the owner). I want this car but seriously I am not a guy who drops 20-30 grand on a car, so I have to get one with over 100K miles. I have no idea if the tranny was replaced. The car was bought at an auction (dealer auction) and he only buys the "best" so these don't come in often he said. I have the title with the previous owners name and address, I guess I could look them up and call them? As far as him being around in 18 months, I would say yes b/c he has been there 25 years, but it is possible he could shut his doors tomorrow I guess. And the quality of his fix, I have no idea, this is my first dealing with them but he is "packed" with customers so that says something to me. Also he is in perfect standing with the BBB with no complaints, that speaks volumes about an independent sales/service dealer. Question is, maybe I should just try to find an explorer or something, maybe I"m not the kinda guy that should own a lexus? Please anyone and everyone that can respond please do, I have a way out if I want it, honestly I love the car, but all these posts about problems have really scared me. Thanks, Jason

Hey all, You may have seen my first post introducing myself and my new (to me) RX300 with about 133K miles on it. I bought it at a dealer who has given me untill this wednesday to bring it back (and they will give me my money back). I wouldn't have even considered it until tonight when I ran across a thread about tranny problems or nightmares really, and the high cost of fixing them. I LOVE THIS CAR soooo much, but I am thinking that I should take it back b/c of the tranny issues alone. I spent 9 grand on it and I am not happy that if the tranny goes out I'll be spending another 5 grand, I would just have got a newer vehicle for that price. I am so torn up over this now b/c I have told/shown everyone my beautiful suv but I am thinking that this thing could turn into a nightmare. Most stories I've seen I'll be lucky to get 20K more miles out of it even though it is perfect now. Please some of you that are more experienced tell me what to do, I have never owned a lexus before and I am really nervous. Should I take it back, if so I'd like to do it tomorrow. ***Edit, I should mention that I did talk to the guy about "what if it goes" on the tranny as I am always concerned about that with any used car not just this rx300, and he said (and wrote into the contract) if the tranny goes within 2 years he will fix it for 1400.00 flat, does that change anything? On my search of people upset and having tranny problems the prices for fixing it ranged from 1700-6000, how in the hell is there that much of range on this? I will be contacting several tranny places tomorrow and asking them about how much it would be to fix an RX300 tranny. Furthermore, most people's complaints I read said that the Lexus dealer were !Removed! clowns at best when servicing their vehicles. I would like to know what percentage of RX300's have this tranny problem. I mean is there no one that has gone 200-300K miles without a problem anywhere in the world???? Maybe what I am reading on the internet is a small fraction of owners who are *BLEEP*ed (understandly so) and that is why it is all so negative. Isn't there any positive stories about the RX300 trannies? THanks, Jason

bluestu, I am looking for a key like you did on ebay. There is not a way you can post the instructions you got with you key could you? It would be a nice thing for us to have on the board, maybe make it a sticky post or something? Jason

Hello all! I am a brand new member and just got my first RX300. She is a pearl white 2000 model. Just wanted to say hi and introduce myself. I never really looked at Lexus or anything prior to a couple of weeks ago, I knew they were nice cars/suv's but never gravitated towards them. I always really did like the looks of the RX300 and I needed a new suv for my business. So the search to find one commenced. Anyway after looking at several used Blazer's and Explorers, etc. I just couldn't believe what people wanted for these suv's. I mean I can't tell you how many 98-02 blazers I looked at with 100K miles that were not by any means perfect condition and they were asking 6K, and drove like crap. So I came across a Lexus RX300 and thought "eh, I'll give it a go" and I mean WOW, I was blown away. I was in love like it was my first car and I was 16 again lol. So I decided that was it I had to have one of these and nothing else will do. So this is my girl, she is a flawless 2000 model with just over 100K miles. She runs and drives as well as any new car I've ever been in or, probably better :) Anyway, glad to be a member of the club! Sorry the pictures were taken at night right after I brought her home. Jason