I am new to this forum and have always wrenched on my own vehicles, and in another life was a dealership flat rate artist. I bought an RX 300 with 195k miles for very very little. The shop had a quote of $1500 for inspection repairs, plus more for emission repairs and missed the fact that the tires were dry rotted. Theft mixed with incompetence.It was poorly maintained by shade shops (shops that are staffed by shade tree mechanic types.) They tried to sell the PO new brake cables and adjusters for $700 when the cables just needed tightening. Never send a nursing mom to get an estimate.
After some light wrenching and $500 in parts (windshield, pads fore and aft,fluid flush, bulbs, a/f sensor (ebay denso for $95), polishing out headlight lenses) it passed inspection and emissions.As spring warms up I will go after fluids and filters. Probably the timing belt water pump too.
Thanks to this group for the help on code interpretation.
If one can be found is a good backup awd transaxle a good plan?
I found a rolled rx and what interior things should be obtained for spares?

 

Aside from my antenna, all of my interior stuff is working. There are some things I need because of damage - is this RX at a parts yard? As in, is it available to pick over by the rest of us who may just happen to be nearby?

I've read of people needing a new heads-up display, driver's side window master switch, and the heater/fan servo under the dash. I think there are repairs that can be done to the master switch and servo, so they may not be that critical. I have about the same mileage, so maybe someone with more can chime in.

 

Transmission problems with the RX300 have been noted on this site and are probably more common than average. However, I think it is still a minority of cars that have this problem, so I wouldn't get a backup transmission on the off chance yours might go out.

 

Well taken.so................... On craigslist in Charlottsville VA there is a first gen rx 300 transmission awd for $300 that allegedly was rebuilt and they have paperwork for it. Maybe CL can help CL. I know nothing of the car.
car was hit in the front.

 

If fluid flush didn't include the drivetrain, I'd probably do a transmission filter/drain/fill, rear diff, and transfer case drain and fill. See DIY section.

On my RX, the rear diff was the dirtiest (and the fill plug was tough to remove). I'm keeping fresh transmission fluid to minimize any transmission issues. I didn't have any problems removing the front transfer case drain plug.

Also, when you did the front pads, I'm assuming you greased the slider pins. The lowers seem to always stick on my RX.

I haven't purchased any spare parts and plan to wait until I need something and decide. I have a local drive shaft place that can rebuild the transaxles if needed.