RX - 1st Gen (1999-2003) Discussion topics related to the 1999 -2003 RX300 models

Help should i buy a 99 rx300?

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Old 03-05-09, 06:26 PM
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MONIQUES
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Default Help should i buy a 99 rx300?

So I can say my love for Lexus started with my first car, an ex300 1992. I gave it to my dad when I felt I wanted something newer and regreted it everyday. So after driving a impala I am back searching for an older Lexus. I am supposed to look at one tomorrow that is a 1999 rx 300 with 180k. I am afraid because the post says minor tranny problems. I am taking a mechanic with me but I am not sure if what is minor now may be major in the long haul. I have a 3 year old and would love the high ride, the dependablilty and luxury lexus offers. But again I dont want to jump into a nightmare. The price he is asking is $3600. Should I run the other way?
Old 03-05-09, 07:01 PM
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salimshah
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Check this thread
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ms-really.html

Salim
Old 03-05-09, 08:22 PM
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MONIQUES
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Sounds to me like it is a flip of the coin after reading salimshah thread. I am still a little torn but leaning towards going to see the truck.
Old 03-05-09, 08:26 PM
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cduluk
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I would go take a look; it couldn't hurt...

check the fluid. Make sure it's reddish and doesn't smell burned or anything.
Old 03-05-09, 08:36 PM
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MONIQUES
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Yes that is what my mechanic friend said was the first thing he would do. Check the fluids.. Then he said he is gonna hook his machine to it and see what readings he got. So i hope this is something small. I would love to drive this suv home and take a drive south with for a month.
Old 03-05-09, 08:54 PM
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cduluk
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For $3,600 you really can't go wrong. The price of a tranny replacement is in the $4,000 range. Hard to believe it could be worth less than the transmission!

In that event, the car would be totaled if the transmission died...
Old 03-06-09, 05:32 AM
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MONIQUES
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I agree I think the owner is having hard economicals times as we all are. But I think he is just not in the mood to fix it. Hey I am up today and ready to see if it is worth it. i will post later on rather or not I got the truck.
Old 03-06-09, 06:12 AM
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UNOHOO
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well ive got over 220k miles on mine, if its taken well care of itll last you forever, theres some people on here with even higher miles

if this tells you anything, i plan on taking mine with me when we move to new zealand in 10 years....
Old 03-06-09, 06:50 AM
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MONIQUES
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Ok Unohoo I am sold. The miles was another questioning factor I had. I plan to take the suv on a road trip from New York to South Carolina and Atlanta as soon as I get and service it. So I do feel a lot better about going to see it now. Wow 220k and you still look forward to 10 years that is awsome!! ok I am leaving in an hour. I hope someone else does not beat me to the punch.
Old 03-06-09, 11:27 AM
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sktn77a
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Give it a thorough test drive. Drive it in forward and reverse gears and check out anything unusual. He could be an honest seller that just wants to sell it or he could be someone who has had the symptoms of a failing transmission and is trying to unload it quickly. You could use the transmission issues as a bargaining point or as a means of getting a 7-30 day money back guarrantee if the transmission fails.
Old 03-06-09, 12:01 PM
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lexus114
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Originally Posted by MONIQUES
Ok Unohoo I am sold. The miles was another questioning factor I had. I plan to take the suv on a road trip from New York to South Carolina and Atlanta as soon as I get and service it. So I do feel a lot better about going to see it now. Wow 220k and you still look forward to 10 years that is awsome!! ok I am leaving in an hour. I hope someone else does not beat me to the punch.
the 1mz-fe 3.0 motor (if taken care of) will go 300,000 miles with ease.
Old 03-06-09, 12:29 PM
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Originally Posted by lexus114
the 1mz-fe 3.0 motor (if taken care of) will go 300,000 miles with ease.
i would also dare to say, at least with my experience that car is pretty f'n durable too, mine runs a good bit better now than when i first bought it, and believe me, im rough as hell on cars, this is the longest ive ever had a single car and i bought this one in nov 06 which i believe has now doubled the time length of my previous record
Old 03-06-09, 12:32 PM
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lexus114
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Originally Posted by UNOHOO
i would also dare to say, at least with my experience that car is pretty f'n durable too, mine runs a good bit better now than when i first bought it, and believe me, im rough as hell on cars, this is the longest ive ever had a single car and i bought this one in nov 06 which i believe has now doubled the time length of my previous record
you da man!!..... know what im sayin!!
Old 03-06-09, 02:34 PM
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benprunkle
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Originally Posted by lexus114
you da man!!..... know what im sayin!!
I have a friend with a 99 RX300 and they are maintenance challenged. Who knows what they have done with the car "if anything" and it still runs pretty solid.
Old 03-06-09, 08:53 PM
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trhs75
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For that money, I would get it if it appears to be in reasonably good shape! Good for you!


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