Buying another used RX300 - your choice from these options?
#1
Buying another used RX300 - your choice from these options?
I have a 2003 RX 300 AWD (bought @51k for $17.3K in May 08, now @91K miles - A/C not working now and front driver side lock actuator failed - not working with remote - nothing else major so far - knock on wood).
Planning to buy another for my wife.. Here are some I found near ATL.
1. 2002 RX 300 FWD 74K miles- no rear spoiler (we like having one) - Black ext and tan int. Asking $14.8. Don't know if the 90K service is done. No service records, but clean carfax. Ext and int looks clean. Forgot to check underneath the oil cap. 1 owner vehicle and they are elderly couple. GA car. owners mentioned that they did change the timing belt (because it was past 6 or 8 years?) even though it didn't reach 90K miles. sold by acura dealer.
2. 2003 RX 300 FWD 94K- no rear spoiler - Black ext and tan int. Priced at $15K. Not many service records. Noticed that there is some sludge underneath engine oil cap. Also idle rpm when we started it was 1500. Later it came down to 900-1100. Ride was a little odd (jumpy) when it is shifting. This is at a lexus showroom and the price might go down probably to under $13k (not sure- guessing). 2owners. GA car. sold by lexus dealer.
3. 2003 RX 300 FWD 88K - no rear spoiler - Gold ext and tan int. Owner was relative of a lexus dealer. About 200mi from me. All services done at dealership. 90K service done but timing belt was not changed? asking $16.9. Offered $13.2 and they didn't accept it saying it is an exceptional car . 1 yr 1st owner and rest are 2nd owner. GA, SC car. sold by lexus dealer.
Liked #3, but what would be a good price for that car (and for #1 )? #1 is ok too (should I be worried that it is 2002?).
Any suggestions? What would be your choice?
Any ATL RX300 owners?
Planning to buy another for my wife.. Here are some I found near ATL.
1. 2002 RX 300 FWD 74K miles- no rear spoiler (we like having one) - Black ext and tan int. Asking $14.8. Don't know if the 90K service is done. No service records, but clean carfax. Ext and int looks clean. Forgot to check underneath the oil cap. 1 owner vehicle and they are elderly couple. GA car. owners mentioned that they did change the timing belt (because it was past 6 or 8 years?) even though it didn't reach 90K miles. sold by acura dealer.
2. 2003 RX 300 FWD 94K- no rear spoiler - Black ext and tan int. Priced at $15K. Not many service records. Noticed that there is some sludge underneath engine oil cap. Also idle rpm when we started it was 1500. Later it came down to 900-1100. Ride was a little odd (jumpy) when it is shifting. This is at a lexus showroom and the price might go down probably to under $13k (not sure- guessing). 2owners. GA car. sold by lexus dealer.
3. 2003 RX 300 FWD 88K - no rear spoiler - Gold ext and tan int. Owner was relative of a lexus dealer. About 200mi from me. All services done at dealership. 90K service done but timing belt was not changed? asking $16.9. Offered $13.2 and they didn't accept it saying it is an exceptional car . 1 yr 1st owner and rest are 2nd owner. GA, SC car. sold by lexus dealer.
Liked #3, but what would be a good price for that car (and for #1 )? #1 is ok too (should I be worried that it is 2002?).
Any suggestions? What would be your choice?
Any ATL RX300 owners?
Last edited by kasak; 03-27-11 at 06:24 PM.
#3
All of the prices sound high to me (at least for this area).
You can't see sludge under the oil cap, that is just a baffle and it's appearance generally tells you nothing of value. #1 for $12,500 would be a good deal. IMO.
Are you in Atlanta or Minnesota?
You can't see sludge under the oil cap, that is just a baffle and it's appearance generally tells you nothing of value. #1 for $12,500 would be a good deal. IMO.
Are you in Atlanta or Minnesota?
Last edited by carguy07; 03-27-11 at 11:20 AM.
#4
Just changed the zip code. Was in MN and now in ATL. It still doesn't change the location shown under my name to the left of this post..
#5
+1. Be patient, I don't think those cars will sell at those prices. Hold out for a 2003 that you like at a good price.
+1. The only way to see if you have sludge is to take the valve cover off.
+1. The only way to see if you have sludge is to take the valve cover off.
#7
two of the same ... or almost same ... nah not for me.
But my vote would be for #3 (limiting the choice to those 3). Cant read the mind of the seller but asking price of 16.9 ->16.5 quick sell -> 16wait and see ... offer below 14 would be a quick No.
If he is a close friend of delaler, he would have consulted and priced what the dealer would sell it for .. [means a 1k of dealer.] ... My bottom line offer would be 15.5 with timing belt + needed idlers etc. As is 14.8 tops.
Salim
But my vote would be for #3 (limiting the choice to those 3). Cant read the mind of the seller but asking price of 16.9 ->16.5 quick sell -> 16wait and see ... offer below 14 would be a quick No.
If he is a close friend of delaler, he would have consulted and priced what the dealer would sell it for .. [means a 1k of dealer.] ... My bottom line offer would be 15.5 with timing belt + needed idlers etc. As is 14.8 tops.
Salim
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#9
two of the same ... or almost same ... nah not for me.
But my vote would be for #3 (limiting the choice to those 3). Cant read the mind of the seller but asking price of 16.9 ->16.5 quick sell -> 16wait and see ... offer below 14 would be a quick No.
If he is a close friend of delaler, he would have consulted and priced what the dealer would sell it for .. [means a 1k of dealer.] ... My bottom line offer would be 15.5 with timing belt + needed idlers etc. As is 14.8 tops.
Salim
But my vote would be for #3 (limiting the choice to those 3). Cant read the mind of the seller but asking price of 16.9 ->16.5 quick sell -> 16wait and see ... offer below 14 would be a quick No.
If he is a close friend of delaler, he would have consulted and priced what the dealer would sell it for .. [means a 1k of dealer.] ... My bottom line offer would be 15.5 with timing belt + needed idlers etc. As is 14.8 tops.
Salim
We really wanted a black on black 2010 Audi A4 with 11k miles for $28K, but cutting on budget. 14.8 still seems high for an 03 FWD with 88K miles. I am thinking max 13.5.
#10
#1 sound suspicious. Carver had mentioned a very similar vehicle when he was looking for the replacement for his wrecked '01.
So I would suggest to also go to the Lexus service database to see if there are any entries in there.
When my '01 was totaled a few weeks ago I started looking for a replacement and found a perfect '02 with 75K, perfect paint, perfect leather, nice Carfax then I plugged it into the Lexus service database and the last entry, just a week or so before was a report of a sludged engine.
The owner had traded it immediately. So everyone all along the line, the owner, the dealer, the wholesaler are thieves. I pity the poor guy that ended up with it.
The owner had traded it immediately. So everyone all along the line, the owner, the dealer, the wholesaler are thieves. I pity the poor guy that ended up with it.
#15