10acimport

CHUWANT

Just bought a 2003 AWD w/ 115k, factory HID, sight-unseen on eBay for $4,001. One owner before used dealer, from 2002-19, no reported accidents, and i feel like i made out decently.

- Paint is okay for 17 years. Black leather original and looks like i could imagine it wearing on a car after 5-7 years, 60k. But the infamous left side of drivers seat shows no more wrinkles or lines than the rest of the black leather.

- Exhaust leak... Front pipe gasket and epoxy due to the janky and ghetto rig for bolting the exhaust

- Shift indicator in dash and the one by shifter goes in and out, will get to that eventually

- Cooling system: Radiator looks like trash, but coolant temps never higher than 199°. Also gurgling sound comes and goes, obnoxious noise coming thru the dash into the cabin but I'm hoping it's only trapped air

-When i showed up to close the deal, the car was dead. Obviously unacceptable but i told the guy just put an appropriate battery as a replacement, and this new battery is likely getting junked, but a) i just charged it at autozone (free!) and b) since I've seen two different batteries both be dead in this car, I'm concerned it's something else (maybe in addition to just being a new battery as well.
-Crappy old battery has died twice, from drawing power that should not kill a battery by any means. Leave the door open with key ignition in auxiliary for 10 mins, come back and it's dead type of stuff.

- Slightly troubling noise coming from where the timing belt and alternator are.... Not loud, not screeching, not grinding, but like a spinning belt that gets moderately noisy (sounds like something I would expect to hear in a 16 year old car). Turning on the climate control (i dunno if only AC or also with low fan or heat) makes the car get very loud as well. I believe it's multiplying of the "spinning belt noise" or coming from the same area. No clue if it when timing belts were ever done.

-Tranny feels great except for the 2x where I've gone WOT or pedal 80% to the floor... It seems to hang around in 3rd not going into 4th, or it may be how long 4th gear is.

-Bank 2 sensor 1..

-drivers door actuator - doesnt lock or unlock with remote... Manually locking my door zzzzz


Why does turning on my AC make my car go from clean and quiet to jalopy-sounding? Any thoughts?

If my transmission fluid turns out to be filthy, should i not mess with it?

jbl-1985

If the transmission fluid is filthy or even slightly dirty. MESS WITH IT. These cars have a history of prematurely failing transmissions. Some run for 300k, some for 70k. Make sure your fluid is CHERRY RED and sweet smelling (not burnt). There are plenty of DIY's here that show you how to do a thorough drain and fill. You should have the pan dropped and change out the transmission filter as well. It is a fairly easy thing to do on your own and again there are DIY's on here to point you properly. If you don't feel comfortable, get to a trusted independent mechanic or last resort, a Toyota dealership to get you shored up. Transmission flushes are generally frowned upon with these cars since they sometimes can go awry.

Lexish

2000 RX AWD 233,452, got it (2nd owner) at 113,000 in 2008. Still going, lots of rattles though.

JAB

1999 original owner, 260,000 miles
2003 second owner, 133,000 miles

JosiM

1999 RX300 212,665 miles (2nd owner) purchased with 30k miles in 2001.

Still rides smoothly. Regularly maintain services while under warranty at the local Lexus dealership where it was purchased. Ongoing regular required oil changes. Major work on the life of the car includes timing belt, spark plugs, coils, and eventually at 130,000 miles transmission failed and had to be rebuilt/replaced. I have found fixing minor issues myself using youtube and the local crash yard to cut down on repairs/parts costs. Amazon and Ebay have also been a big help. Issues like driver side window, rear passenger power lock, headlights upgrade, worn leather parts, etc. I even had my car keys upgraded to a key fob from an Ebay key company. Recently, had a part in the ac replaced (actuator) when a loud noise started and mode button wouldn't work although the air was cool. At some point, if I find there are way too many repairs exceeding what a monthly car payment would be then, I will purchase my next certified pre-owned luxury.

So far after 18 years, it is well worth keeping while I'm approaching the 213k mark. Sounds great and rides exceptionally well with Michelin LTX tires. Considering cars are not investments and only depreciates, I'm doing my best to keep it as long as possible to avoid car payments and higher insurance costs.

ldfog

2001 RX300 AWD. 2nd owner. Bought at 60k miles. Changed the timing belt/water pump at 125k. Replaced all 4 door lock motors at about 190k. Changed transmission fluid every 30k miles. Replaced exhaust system from flex pipe back at 230k. Sold it at 238k as it was starting to go through oil about 1 quart per week. Still ran strong.

Code99

2002 RX300 AWD, 3rd owner. First owner bought new at 0 miles, sold 3 years later at ~35k miles to second owner who I bought from 14 years later at 188k miles.

Done so far:
Replaced MAF
All new tires,
All new rear brakes including calipers and rotors because the drivers rear caliper half-way locked and was dragging on the rotor.
Headlights buffed/sanded due to being super yellow and limiting visibility.
Knock Sensors and Harness
Replaced rear valve cover with updated model due to oil consumption.
Replaced burnt out center console light at gear shift.
Basic maintenance (oil and filter, air filter, spark plugs, gaskets, headlight bulbs, misc bulbs)

To Do:
Timing Belt and Water Pump (this should last until car is dead)
Fix bad door lock actuator on drivers front and hatch doors
Procure a second key with remote fob - I only have one and it's in poor condition.
Add Bluetooth and aux input to stereo.
Adjust throttle cable.

Solace

Wow, some crazy high miles in here! My 2003 baby is at 130,XXX, and the only work done outside oil changes, to my knowledge, was the timing belt at 60k. She runs beautifully, has never failed me!
Well, she has some.. quirks. The locks all work independently and aren't controlled by the button on the front door. And there's a sizable chunk out of the bumper. But other than that, all good! lol.

Jstoltz

I have a 2010 RX 350 with 263,000 have only had to replace a water pump and oil line. I put about 30,000 year on it...

Margate330

Hi jstoltz,

Welcome to club lexus!

dalerk

Have 2000 AWD with 364,000+ on original engine and second transmission (rebuilt @ 220,000).

BatmobileX

I started this thread over eight years ago! I still have the same 2010 RX 350 that I bought in 2011 and I love it! Aside from the back hatch which is currently manual only, it runs like a charm and have had no real problems at 89,000 miles.

Phantom410

213k with original engine and trans. no major work other than shortblock at 80k (warranty recall for sludge problem, did not own it at that time) grandparents purchased new in 99, dad bought it in 04, and I bought it in 2014. Will be running it till it dies

JAB

263K on my 99
230K on my 02