Bamboozled

Has anybody had good luck in selling one of these? My wife likes it and I hate it. Tried to trade it in a couple of times now (MB ML350/Acura MDX) both dealers offered very little for our RX on trade-in. Took it to the dealer we bought it from, they didn’t even want it.

I appreciated your post, our dealer had no interest in taking our '04 RX330 in trade on a 2010. The thing was a rare treasured gem when they sold it, but it was like a lump of radioactive waste at trade in time. We like the RX, and the dealer has a great service department but this will probably be our last Lexus because of the reprehensible sales tactics of our local Somerset County NJ Lexus dealer. Apparently our dealer is not the only bad apple out there though. I have purchased many vehicles and our Lexus dealer is the only one so far that could by its own actions substantiate all those bad stereotypes of polyester-clad, slimy car salesmen out to cheat the customer. Despite a high-quality veneer the sales staff has left us with a lingering sense of distrust that cannot help but cloud our thoughts of Lexus vehicles.

What did you think of the MDX?

We're looking to get a second car, my sister is getting her license very soon and she needs something to drive, I really want an RX so I devised a plan so that I'd get an RX, my mom gets my ES and my sister gets my mom's '02 Buick LeSabre...

Anyway is there anything I need to look out for in the '04 model since it was the first year in that style, are there any common problems with it? It is a Lexus Certified Pre-Owned so I'll get the warranty but I just wanted to know if there is anything I should look for.

Here is the car I'm looking at....

http://www.lexusofmelbourne.com/VehicleDetails/396693833

Also, how easy is it for dealers to move cars, I live in NW Ohio and this is in Florida. Would my Lexus dealer be able to bring it up here without giving me hassle about it?

Transmission, transmission, TRANSMISSION!!!

I think you can get a lower price. 04's with 70 are going for about 19 - 22. If you look hard you could probably find one with about 40 - 50K for mid to low 20's i bet. Use Craigs list, Kelly Blue Book, Various websites etc, to help determine market value. And also know that the markup on used lowmilage vehicles is HIGH at the dealerships usually.

Our selling dealer offered us $15,000 in trade for our mint condition '04 RX330 AWD with 38,000 miles on it. What a joke. My point? More than any vehicle we have ever owned have we been more disappointed in the retained value of the Lexus. We had wanted to purchase the 2010 RX but really do not see the point. So, don't be afraid to bargain, there are plenty out there, and at least in this area of New Jersey they are being taken in trade real cheap. You are wise to buy a used RX rather than a new one... let some other sucker fall for the Lexus myth and purchase it new, baby it, and get taken at trade-in time. It has been a very reliable car all around and a used one should serve you very well indeed. Unfortunately after the experience we had with our local (and selling/servicing) dealer at trade-in time I would be extremely hesitant to purchase another Lexus product.