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240k+ Just replaced my timing belt, serpentine belts, water pump and radiator flush. Close to $1200 at a friends auto shop. Replaced coils a little while back (Don't get cheap ones!). She is running like a dream. Invested on some interior cosmetic items. Outside of some paint fade on my window trim it still looks great. Purchased from Lexus dealer as a one owner who did all the maint at Lexus around 130k. I would drive her a cross country and not think twice. Made a couple VA - FL runs with no trouble. Added a slightly older pic. I replaced the headlamps with some China numbers ($120 for the pair with bulbs!) Cruising SkyLine Drive....
Malib - I'm not 100% sure (have to look it up) but I (hired a mechanic) replaced a "Blend Door Actuator" that goes behind the dash. I couldn't get air up to the front window to defog. May want to research that. Worked great afterwards!
Malib - I'm not 100% sure (have to look it up) but I (hired a mechanic) replaced a "Blend Door Actuator" that goes behind the dash. I couldn't get air up to the front window to defog. May want to research that. Worked great afterwards!
I have 176,000 miles spent a lot of money getting her in shape, Rebuilt trans new power steering rack and pump. new control motors heat/AC, new drilled slotted rotors Akebono ASP118 performance brake pads, LED taillights HID performance head lights. Timing belt and every seal replaced and everything that goes with timing belt replacement. Idler control valve and other things. It's like having a new RX300. I plan to keep her another several years. I also found McGuire's ceramic wax at Wall Mart the paint looks new and really shines. I run all synthetic oils in everything. THE MOST MILEAGE WAS A LADY WITH 497,000 MILES WITH THE ORIGNAL MOTOR AND TRANS 2001 RX 300.
Got a 2001 rx300 a month ago from an older lady down in Phoenix and drove it home to Minnesota. 175k miles and drives great, replaced back struts. Car has a great service history and looks new, leather interior in perfect condition as well as paint. It’s amazing on snow. Overall it feels so well made, and I’m hoping I can get it to 300,000 so I feel like I got my money’s worth. I’ve had way newer cars that don’t feel as well made.
2 true...I'm at 250k now and listed some of my stuff earlier in this thread. I did the HVAC actuator too. My struts are going out in the rear but still working (rides nice). When I did the timing belt\water pump replaced seals behind the timing belt cover as well.
Got a 2001 rx300 a month ago from an older lady down in Phoenix and drove it home to Minnesota. 175k miles and drives great, replaced back struts. Car has a great service history and looks new, leather interior in perfect condition as well as paint. It’s amazing on snow. Overall it feels so well made, and I’m hoping I can get it to 300,000 so I feel like I got my money’s worth. I’ve had way newer cars that don’t feel as well made.
Yes, your driving a small tank. I am the original owner of a 2002 RX and am close to 290,000 and it still drives wonderfully. I may have posted above in this thread with more information but, yes....for at least the forceable future, its Toyota and Honda vehicles for me...
Glad to see your having a good experience...take care of it and that will continue...
I bought a 99 AWD with now 225k miles 2 weeks ago and runs great. The only thing that popped up after a couple of days of driving was a p0171. I did the MAF cleaning and the CEL hasn't came back on.
The timing belt/pump was done at 194k miles and fluids looked clean when I checked. I know the miles are high but the test drive was excellent and @ $1900 and NO covid tax, I couldn't pass it up! Similar condition/miles are 3k and up in my area.
The wife loves it for the comfort and excellent space for the front and rear passengers! The gold paint has its imperfections but shines better than most cars in its era.
It understeers like a cow but livable. My previous vehicle was an 05 z71 4x4 Tahoe that was similar so I'm use to it. It was at 250k miles and still running strong before it was stolen and totaled.
I have a 2001 RX-300 with 262,000 miles that we bought new. I still love it. It is my daily driver and it runs like a champ. Last summer I took it on a 6500 mile cross country trip. It still has the original engine and transmission. I take it to the dealer every 5k for service and when something is not right. Yes it costs more than an independent shop but the work is done correctly, guaranteed, and it is certainly cheaper than buying a new car every 5-6 years. 17 years with no car payment. People sometimes ask "why did you just put $1500 - $2000 for a repair into a car that is 20 years old and probably not worth $3K? My response is that a new car payment is $600-$700 a month if I trade it in. If I get another year out of the $2000 repair I am way ahead. I had a 1993 Lexus SC-300 that I bought new and owned for 26 years and got 308,000 miles out of it with this same approach. I only sold it because I could not fit all my grandkids in it. Obviously, not everyone agrees with my philosophy of buying a car you love and then taking care of it for as long as possible - but it sure works for me.
Original owner of 2000 Lexus RX300 with 290K+ miles. Original engine but had the tranny replaced due to the sludge problem many years ago. Worked out a "deal" with Lexus for that where they paid for the parts, I paid for the labor.
Currently the car while its great, runs like an old car. Ha. I do take care of her but I stopped going to the dealer for service about 6 years ago - when it stopped making financial sense (for me) to do so.
The dealer will charge $500-$700 for something you can do for $20 and some research online.
The last (big) thing I did to her was change the front drive-shaft. Dealer wanted $1,500 to put a new driveshaft that would what? last another 290K miles? vs. I can buy a used one from Pick-A-Part for $40 and install myself in a couple of hours. The other thing I'm dealing with now is the dreaded P0440,P0446, etc. It won't pass smog now...
I believe its the oft reported crack in the overfill check valve. My plan so far is to cut through the body rather than drop the tank. I know, I know.... But she's a 22 year old car. In car years that's like a 50 year woman - she's ready to go under the knife for a face lift.
Today I just solved my rear lights indicator problem after upgrading to the 2002 version of lights.
The car looks quite a bit newer with the new lenses.
She has a styling package that I got from Japan when these first came out.Never saw another one like it on the streets. 18" chrome wheels that I still think are the most attractive I have ever seen (Enkei Milano Tazio). Custom fog lights, etc. (I was making bling when i bought her and she was my first new car, so, I went all out)
Even after 22 years when I see her parked I still think she's beautiful. LOL
Last edited by rdaught; 02-04-22 at 11:15 AM.
Reason: Added more info
Original owner of 2000 Lexus RX300 with 290K+ miles. Original engine but had the tranny replaced due to the sludge problem many years ago. Worked out a "deal" with Lexus for that where they paid for the parts, I paid for the labor.
Currently the car while its great, runs like an old car. Ha. I do take care of her but I stopped going to the dealer for service about 6 years ago - when it stopped making financial sense (for me) to do so.
The dealer will charge $500-$700 for something you can do for $20 and some research online.
The last (big) thing I did to her was change the front drive-shaft. Dealer wanted $1,500 to put a new driveshaft that would what? last another 290K miles? vs. I can buy a used one from Pick-A-Part for $40 and install myself in a couple of hours. The other thing I'm dealing with now is the dreaded P0440,P0446, etc. It won't pass smog now...
I believe its the oft reported crack in the overfill check valve. My plan so far is to cut through the body rather than drop the tank. I know, I know.... But she's a 22 year old car. In car years that's like a 50 year woman - she's ready to go under the knife for a face lift.
Today I just solved my rear lights indicator problem after upgrading to the 2002 version of lights.
The car looks quite a bit newer with the new lenses.
She has a styling package that I got from Japan when these first came out.Never saw another one like it on the streets. 18" chrome wheels that I still think are the most attractive I have ever seen (Enkei Milano Tazio). Custom fog lights, etc. (I was making bling when i bought her and she was my first new car, so, I went all out)
Even after 22 years when I see her parked I still think she's beautiful. LOL
09-13-21, 08:41 AM
1999 - 240k!
