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It's definately your dealer's policy, because the Lexus Certification checklist that the mechanic signs off on (it's the 5th item on the list) states verbatum, "Vehicle has 1 master key with remote entry (if applicable) and 1 valet key." I'm only a couple of hours away from Dayton. Maybe I should take my business there even though I live about 10 minutes from my local Lexus dealer. Sounds like a great one you've got there!

$15K? Nice going! Even with the "issues" you spoke about, you got a fantastic deal. They really are nice rides. Like you, I'm a fairly new owner who surfed this board for info BEFORE I bought. And, like you, I also bought a key and programmed it with instructions available on this board, thus saving me a bundle of cash. Did you get any maintanance history with it?

Hmmmm...I always wondered what was under there.

Great deal GatorStar. First Lexus? Keep the oil changed to avoid the sludging issue.

You can buy used (already cut) keys on Ebay for around $25. They're on there constantly. I've never taken mine apart to see if the key comes loose from the remote part. But couldn't you buy an old used one and just replace the broken part (casing)?

Did you ever see the movie "Poltergiest"?

Tom: According to the checklist that I just printed off of Lexus' website regarding CPO, the checklist says: KEYS - Vehicle has 1 master key with remote entry (if applicable) and 1 valet key.

My mistake. I guess I was thinking of the SLIPPERY roads. Either that or my Mazda owner's manual said it. Nonetheless, I couldn't use it for hilly terrain in that piece o' crap because of the constant, annoying downshifts. One thing I don't like about ToyoLexus CC (as opposed to HondAcura's) is that the cruise light is always on with Lexus (when you have the master control on) where the Acura only comes on when the system is actually engaged. Just a little less corn-fusing.

Are you sure about this? My mother only got one master key when she bought her car. Lexus is saying that you only get 1 master key and 1 valet key. Thanks Paul I bought a Certified vehicle a few weeks ago and only got one key. At the time of purchase, the dealer ordered me another key. When the key came in, I was a little dismayed to discover that it was just a valet key and not a remote key. I was told that the certification program says that they only have to provide one (1) remote key and one (1) valet key. That's it. I've since ordered a remote key on Ebay and am waiting for it to arrive now.

Just got back from a 200 mile trip in my RX 300 and used the cruise control for most of the trip. A lot of it was hilly terrain. I only experienced downshifting when going up some VERY steep hills. I haven't seen this in the Lexus owner's manual (because I haven't looked) but most manufacturers don't recommend that you use your CC while driving in hilly areas. We used to have a 2000 Mazda MPV van that would downshift TWO gears when going up hills with the cruise on. It would nearly red-line everytime it downshifted. I hated that thing!

Wow...times have changed. When I turned 16 (oh boy...another old-timers' story) I had to buy myself a 14 year old 1962 Chevy II (for $250!). The thing didn't even need a key. If you DO have to buy a key and want to save a few bucks, buy an uncut key on Ebay (like I did for $56). You'll have to get a local locksmith to cut it for you and that'll cost an extra $30. That's still about half of what it would cost you from the dealer. And after the way they've treated you and your 'rents, I wouldn't give them an extra nickel.

I just won a key on ebay today for $56.00. Not knowing at the time that I had won, I asked the service advisor today at the dealer about getting a key cut. She told me that for security reasons, no Lexus dealers cut keys. She said that you have to order them from their parts department and they're shipped to the dealer already cut (using info from the VIN). Is this a bunch of BS that she fed me? Should I try calling around to see if anyone here in my town will cut a key?

I recently bought a 2000 RX 300 with 53K miles for about $21K. Great deal, but it's in the shop right now awaiting a new engine. :o Luckily for me, I bought a Certified vehicle, so the repairs will be completely paid for by Lexus. If you buy one, do some research into the vehicle's maintenance history. If you're not sure whether the oil changes were done on schedule and the vehicle is not certified, then tread lightly.

Are you talking about your DRLs? I changed bulbs in mine (9005s) in hopes of getting rid of that lazy looking amber color, but they still came out the same. I changed the parking light bulbs to a blueish bulb and they look 1000 times better.

Great price for that year, even WITH those miles. Like always when buying used cars, make sure you have some history on it. This (as I've found out being a new member and buyer) is especially true when buying a used Lexus. If the oil hasn't been changed on schedule, then you've got engine sludge issues you'll be dealing with. If it were a Certified vehicle (and it can't be with that many miles) than you wouldn't need to care. But unless you've got $4K laying around to plop down on a new engine, than pass it up if you can't find service records. HINT: If the dealer that you're considering buying from has a free 30-day warranty, than maybe you could buy it with a little piece of mind because if the engine has developed sludge problems, it'll use oil like it's chugging beer. If you put any miles at all on it within those 30 days, you'd see a drop on your dipstick and be able to take it back to the dealer to have them check the engine for you. GOOD LUCK!

I recently bought a 2000 RX 300 (CPO) for around $21,900 at a dealer. It had 53K on it. It was listed on the lot for $24,800 but it was the last day in June and they were trying to move some inventory. One of the nicest things about the CPO was that I got a great (3.9%) finance rate for 60 months. That's tough to beat anywhere. Wait until the end of the month and go looking again; hopefully you'll get the same deal as I got.

I just bought a 2000 RX 300. Is the filter in the same place?

Anybody else ever notice that when ever you see a car comming in the opposite direction, with a headlight out, it is almost always a VW??? I see a lot of newer Volvos with one "eye" out. Think it has anything to do with the "V"?

It's happened to me with the sunroof open and no other windows open. Opening one window slightly makes it go away. It's almost deafening otherwise. Weird.

Bama...PharmaGuy says it best. In a nutshell, the price looks to me like an incredible deal, but is it really? Especially if you have to buy a new transmission in a few weeks? Or an engine? The maintenance records will tell just how good of a deal you'll get. I always look at the condition of the interior, as well. If they don't take care of the inside, they probably don't care much for the other parts, either.

Great find tds...what you failed to mention was that Lexus was #1 overall! And the RX was best in its class, too.

Although it's getting fairly good reviews (so far) for reliability, I would tread lightly when considering a first-year production model car like the Toe-rag, or whatever VW calls it. Considering that they're about the same $$$, the Lexus seems the better bet to me. 'Course, if you're looking to turn heads, I guess the VW wins out. Good luck selling your RX for $43K though; most dealers have plenty of 04 stock left and many (like my local dealer who has FIFTY on their lot) are dumping them for invoice price.

I would swear it was your tires, even though I see you've bought new ones. Whatever it is (other than the tires, of course), it would surely be covered under the power train warranty so I'd make an appointment soon.

Lexus tells me that I'm Millennium Silver. Thanks 93LS, for the hint about the Lexus site. I'm now registered and officially a Lexus owner.

sgriffith...you mentioned that you do your own "fluid replacement". Are you talking about oil changes, as well? I've read that it's pretty tough to change the oil on RXs due to the location of the filter. Having just bought mine and not crawling under it yet, I don't know either way. Do you need a special filter wrench for these? I'd rather do my own oil so that I can personally be responsible for what's going in and how much.