OK, So I have a 2001 RX300 FWD, 170ish K miles on her, cant decide if I should bother fixing it or just sell it and buy a new car, I just dont know if shes really worth anything the way she sits hoping you all can give me some ideas of what I can do. Here is a list of her issues.

Needs knock sensor, shes stuck in limp mode and cant drive on the highway very long
Needs new shocks
Needs brakes/rotors
Origionally silver, was painted black and now is peeling/oxidizing but a good buff will fix most of it, (was quoted $100 a while back)
The cats are going bad, rotton egg smell every car I've ever had that had that smell the cats eventually plugged up and couldnt drive
Valve covers leak like crazy
Need all new door lock motors
Needs new antenna
Wont let me put gas in the tank, have to do it very slow
No idea when timing belt was changed or if it ever was

Other than that, before the knock sensor went out I had her runnin like a dream, had low idle issues put new IACV in didnt fix, threw some other things at it didnt fix, brand new battery and alternator, pretty sure its the cats at this point, did about 5 drains and refills on the tranny and a filter change, shifts like a dream, doesnt burn oil (that i can see), starts fine. Whoever owned it before me must have kept it in a garage, undercarriage is practically rust free,

SO, with tax time and all coming up, I could fix most of this myself, with some help, but I just dont know if its worth it. In all honesty, I'm a Ford guy at heart, but I will say I really like Toyota now, their quality and service is in another universe compaired to Ford. But at the end of the day, I'd much rather spend my time working on a car I reallly want, this car was given to me, and although it has been great, its just not my type, I'd much rather have a mustang, or Mark VIII or something Im more passionate about. anyway, what are your thoughts? Can I even get anything out of it? I know some people would pay to have it, but that might be hard to find. I could fix it and drive it another year, but with how everything in the world is going, Im afraid my time for finding something is running out. And im afraid in a year it will need cats and/or timing job, and ill be kicking myself for not selling it.

Any thoughts are appreciated. Thank you.

 

It needs a lot and since your passion lies elsewhere, I'd say get rid of it. Not sure how much you would get in that shape though. I've had 2 Mark VIII vehicles and loved them both, but as you know they are getting up their in age and the air suspensions on them require maintenance. Some switch them to passive, but I would not recommend it. If you keep the RX you'll need to come up with a plan on what to fix first and proceed from there in a logical order. I couldn't live with the paint issue.

 

Hmm you do need lot of things. Infact I did most of the things you mentioned 2 years ago. But now the knock sensor is on. I do not want to do remove everything.
I say if you can find a good mechanic like a neighbour or DIY then you can do those things for fraction of shop price.

 

Ya I had a `96 Mark VIII, It was a great car that thing had almost 300hp with a V8 and got better gas milage than the RX, until my cousin backed up into it with his truck totalling it, and then ghosted me, but the paint doesnt really bother me, its an old car.

 

I know I can do it, I have a buddy that is a ex-mechanic, and has helped me bring a f150 that had been sitting in a warehouse for 8 years back to life, pretty much rebuilt the whole front suspension, the only hard part is him having the time to help. But I can do most of it myself thanks to the forum and interwebz lol

 

roll with the Toyota- after april get a mustang- these cars are unstoppable-at least if she is fixed you will get more money for her when you decide to dump, if that day ever comes

 

I think that might be what im leaning to, just looking around the market, there aint much, and everyone wants a arm and leg for everything, I think that might be the best thing to do, might as well get some more experience under my belt.

But if that is the path I take, I guess the next question would be about knock sensors, I know the rule of thumb on the forum is OEM always, but they are $210 a piece!!

I've seen a kit for about $43, comes with 2 denso sensors and the harness on partsgeek, has anyone on here triend them or know of a cheaper brand that would work? I stay away from ebay and amazon ive heard about all the counterfit parts on there.

 

Check the DIY (start at the sticky). There is huge amount of labor, so don't skimp on the parts. Sensors are pricy but you need quiet a few gaskets.

Salim

 

I would sell it as-is. Parts are gonna cost about $1500++

you can always buy another Yota with lower miles and less issues

 

the question is though, how much can i get for it

 

kbb fair to good condition. The market is in favor of sellers. Used cars are up 25%. Just tell the buyers what it needs and be honest. Hell, maybe give them a few new parts. IMO any running vehicle nowadays is worth $2500 all day long. Use KBB but I am guessing 2700 to 3500. You can always start high and negotiate. Buyers are going to low ball you at first, regardless.

 

Just a friendly reminder. 300 first gen forum should not be made for sale thread of any member's vehicle.

Salim

 

Not at all, just looking for recommendations, thank you.

 

I will give my 2 cents based upon why my 99 RX is no longer with me and had it for almost 18 years until almost 2 years ago. It also came down to a knock sensor issue and I could have done a bypass. The alternative was to either replace some engine internals or just get a new engine. What was the major factor for me is I found myself traveling a lot more as roundtrip and back between where I live and downtown is 60 miles (never looks like it or feels like it), but it added up in tolls and gas. My RX was originally purchased because I went to Mexico for almost 6+ years and it served its purpose more than enough, but come 2020 I needed mpg and that is why I now have a CT (on my second one as last one was just totaled by some clod).

So my advice to you and I see it touched upon above, if your RX still serves its purpose then chances are you should lean towards keeping it, if not look at alternatives.

BTW, I never wanted anyone else to have the RX after me, so got about $250 for it and it went to the junkyard for retirement. Maybe not the greatest send off, but I have had peace in the years since.

 

The fact that it's been painted, and it is no longer original, PLUS all the things wrong with it, I'd definitely sell it.

The work involved in getting it back up to snuff would probably be more than the cost of a nice clean ORIGINAL RX 300, since it seems like you can find nice ones for less than 5 grand. I got ours for 4500 and she's super clean and all original.

This does not sound like a vehicle I would put the effort into.

Best of luck in your decisions.