2FiVE8

wow i had no idea that the newer tailights were in demand, i guess its the same the second gen GS, i swapped mine out on the GS for a newer pair, i might be open to looking for a newer RX and swapping out the tailights, since you guys said that Lexus improved on some stuff in the 2001 model, thanks.

jgaynor

Take any likely candidates to a trusted mechanic. Have them put the car on a lifft and examine the catalytic converters, exhaust flex coupling and O2 sensors. Also the shocks and struts.
Around a 8 years or 100,000 miles they will also be recomminding a new timing belt.
The items mentioned can carry fairly hefty charges. if some or all have been recently been done thats to your advantage.

saudiboy

I have a 2002. I like the car, but the turning radius is poor. Also, my tranny blew up. The cup holders are pretty marginal. And there seems to be an issue with the door actuators on these cars; this is an expensive repair ($400 - $500).

lexus114

BUT,with all of that said. Its still a great vehicle.....

saudiboy

I'm not giving it up. I haven't been kind to it and at 123,000 miles it's as dependable as my dog.

cduluk

saudiboy, your transmission failed on your 02 Rx300??

People have been debating whether or not lexus fixed the poor transmissions by the 02 model year- your info is very helpful!

lexus114

I think 02 was the transitional year,meaning it depends on how late in the year it was built.

cduluk

I thought 01 was the transitional year?

lexus114

I still see a lot of trans trouble on here with 01`s,your best bet is an 02.

BBLexus

yes the gas tank is bigger, the turning radius will challenge and frustrate you from time to time (yes you will find yourself backing up and going for a 'redo' on turns in a parking lot ) but hey it is a very nice ride. They're built to last, assuming it has been and will be well maintained.

DigitalEye

Funny thing, the conventional thinking used to be that the trans changed for the 01 year, then a bunch of 01's began to fail and some thought it may have been a mid-year or 02 change. So far very few 02's have been reported as failed but , who knows, maybe they are all the same. Somebody will find out the truth eventually.


If it were me I'd only buy an 02 or later. For those years at least I wouldn't worry about sludging and maybe(maybe not) whether the transmission was fixed. Other than those things and problems with a few failed coils and failed door actuators, they're fine vehicles.

mikey00

Interesting observation. I looked at trans failure rates on both NHTSA and Consumer Reports. Many assume 02's are better because the failure rate is lower. But if you look at failure rates for the previous years and roll them back in time so they are the same age as the 02 the failure rates match. If I were shopping for a used RX I wouldn't look at anything older than 02 in hopes that something has changed but there is nothing out there to support that.
Other interesting points: Lexus uses the same part # trans for 99-03. Rebuilders ship the same rebuilt trans for 99-03. Rebuild kit part #s are the same for 99-03. Of course this could just indicate that an improvement in 02 was rolled into all the previous years but Lexus usually does a part # change for that. We really won't have anything conculsive until the 02s age for another year. But even then the 01s will only move to a higher failure rate to match the current 00 failure rate and so on.