jdgrinder

Hello guys,

I am interested in buying a 1999 RX300 with 171k miles. The dealer said they were highway miles. From what the guy said he bought it from the Lexus dealer because he knows them well. I was talking to him today and he said he could get a history of the car through the dealership. So that is good also he said he could get an autocheck. I guess that is better then carfax. My main concerns is what should I be worried about at these high miles. I know timing belt is one but what else. He has it listed at $4,995 and was wondering what you guys thinks. I know I will need to see the history to get a good idea on maintenance but want to hear your guys opinion and what goes out at these miles. Thanks

Jeremy

bob2200

Welcome to ClubLexus.

I wouldn't take anything this used car salesman says as necessarily true.

How does he know they were mostly highway miles? The dealer told him? How did the dealer know? The owner told them?

Also, I'd be suspicious that the dealer sold the great car to him because they "are friends". I suppose he is offering it to you because you are a friend too?

Maybe I'm just a suspicous person.

Lexmex

Welcome to the Club.

Autocheck sometimes shows stuff that doesn't show up on Carfax. My own RX300 was involved in accident by the previous owner and that showed up on Autocheck, but not on Carfax. If it were a dealer car, then there is a corresponding maintenance record. Via Lexus.com every owner can look up their service record at Lexus dealers.

Take a look a at the color and smell of the transmission fluid (dipstick front driver's side near battery). Should be red and slightly sweet smell, not brown, burnt or silvery pink.

lexus114

I`d pass on that one.

jdgrinder

yea I dont really believe that its mostly high way miles. I will check about that transmission fluid. I will have our mechanic look at it if I decide I want it. So is the main problem at this high miles is transmission?

crankshaft

Transmission & timing belt.

Lexmex

I worry more about trannies than the engine oil sludge issue, particularly when one is looking at 99-00 RX300s.