theanimala

I've been looking around at getting a 2001 RX300 with Nav. For a low mileage one I am still seeing these things asked for in the mid-low 30's. I expected a bigger price drop now that not only are 2004 models out, but that a whole new vehicle is out with the RX330. It seems as though it's in that period before prices are adjusted on older models.

We are in no rush for a car, so I don't mind waiting a small while, but you know how it is when you want something. I would think that soon many more 2001's will be coming off of lease and the prices should drop. Any input?

LexFather

I doubt it. With Lexus, there is never a huge drop in price when a new model comes out. As a matter of fact, the car decreciates just as if the same model was out. RX 300s are selling like hotcakes at dealerships as certified pre-owned.

Rx900

hey, if my 2000 rx300 was still for sale at my dealer, it would cost about $29k to $30k even after the rx330 came out. You can't believe this but my Rx300 had no options, none, nada. It had cloth seats, no cd player, no moon roof, 2wd, but only had 33,290 miles when i traded it in. Prices for a used Lexus don't really drop that much. They are known for high resale values. U got to believe it, my rx, $29-30k , no options, . It also got into an accident. It got rear ended that's why i traded it in for a gx. I only got the car for only $31,000 + tax.

disco_y2k

I have been thinking of trading/selling my 1999 RX300 over the last year or so, but cant decide LOL, anyway I have been watching the blue book value on it kinda closely since then and it has dropped a little more since the 330's came out, i mean a little more than in the past. not an extreme amount but enough to notice.

o8yb

Back in June 2003, I was seriously shopping for a RX300 before I finally decided to buy the new RX330.

I found one 2001 siliver Rx300 AWD 15k, load for $26000, called the owner price suddenly jump to $32000 , bargain with the owner for a long time try to get it down to $29000. No luck.

Found a 2001 with 10K, fully loaded everything AWD with NAV for $33000, I called the owner price suddenly went up to $34000 . I offered $31000. No luck again.

Found many 1999,2000 AWD from the dealers with 50K miles most asking $26k+. No even want to drop a dime.

Found a 2002 loaded AWD, 7k miles. $36000 firm.

Finally my wife and I were pissed. Okay pay a little bit more and buy a new one.

Now I have a silver '04 RX330 AWD Performance pkg is in my gargage.

RX300-BV

That just seems so odd, considering we picked up our 2003 RX300 new, with chrome rims even (No NAV), for even less then $32K.

o8yb

When did you pick it up? Is it an AWD? Fully loaded? There are not that many RX 300 for sale in my area (back in June) Market demand was very high so that was why many sellers increased their asking price.

Anyway I like my Rx330 better than RX300, I wish I have a RX400H

KVA

I have an '01 RX300 Silver Sport (purchased CPO for $29K about a year ago) and the Lexus dealer stated that the demand is still very high for the RX300 because so many people are split between the new design RX330 and the old design. People are still walking into the dealerships and asking for the RX300...the dealer even offered to buy mine off of me because they are so rare and hard to come by.

RX300-BV

I'm really looking forward to the RX400H as well.

We took delivery of our 2003 RX300 FWD in late March, the week before the RX330's came out. It was basically when all the Lexus dealers were trying to "dump" their remaining RX300's to make room for their deliveries of RX330's. The car had a cash incentive at the time, something on the order of $1500, plus Lexus was offering low financing.

The car came with most everything offered on a non-nav package. It had the premium plus package, roof rack, spoiler, wheel locks, etc. The only thing we added was the chrome rims, which the dealer gave at a pretty low cost as well.

Although we could have waited for an RX330, a similarly equipped one at the time would have cost probably $6k - $8k more (factory chromed rims also were in short supply at the time), probably with a little higher financing rate as well.

parula

RX300-BV, nice buy at that price! You caught it at the right time.

Hopeful

I think many people just do not like the styling of the 330. (Plus they were, and probably still are, selling for $40K) I know I wanted the 300. I paid $30k for my 01 RX300 in August of this year. But it was in immaculate shape and only had 5000 miles on it. I do feel I may have paid a bit too much but with the seller having so many offers, I had to buy it at asking price. (Someone called her while I was sealing the deal and they offered $1000 more than I was buying it for.)

linda

toy4two

when I bought mine I paid 23000 for a 2000 AWD in perfect shape and 30k miles. As I was writing the check a couple came back from the night before and decided they wanted it. TOO LATE. Also as I pulled out another couple came in to buy it, that was 4 months ago.

The RX300's are very much in demand so I hope it hold its value.

I tend to buy cars that don't lose much value such as the second generation MR2 (kept it for 5 years and only lost $1000 on it, and I could have sold it for more with the number of calls I got!) and I want a MKIV supra but they never seem to lose their value, in fact many articles I read say they appreciate in value!

scooby doo

I've been reading through this thread and never thought the 300 would hold its value. Don't misunderstand me, I'm extremely pleased as old postings in this site had fingered the 300 to drop in value after the next generation was released.

Whats the pro's of the 300 that keeps you folks from making the move to a 330? How much do you think a 2002 RX, premium package, HID and wood grain steering is worth? This vehicle has about 12K miles and totally immaculant, absolutely no dings like the day it was delivered to me.

Scoob

Lexmexico

My Pros- I like what I got.

I took a good look at the RX330, but

1. Did not like the rear, the back of the RX300 is absolutely beautiful, why mess with it and turn it into an BMW X5 rear.

2. The ride felt exactly the same. I sensed no difference when I tested the RX330 and this compare to my 99.

3. Nav system is better in the RX330, but is that any reason to buy a new RX.

4. 220hp in the RX300, 230 hp, in the RX330, hellllllllo? More power for the price please!

5. Production moving to Canada (took Camry and others a little time to get specs up to snuff in the U.S. production).

6. Look at a base model 300 and the a base model 330, what's the difference other than the exterior.

AM I MAKING ANY SENSE?

RX300-BV

Well at the time we made our purchase, the number one reason was the cost. We could pick up a new RX300 for less then $32K or we could wait one week, pick up the new RX330 with the same specs for about $39K. Both cars' looks appealed to us. Although I still don't like the rear tail lights, style and positioning, on the RX330. The 300 was also in its 5th year, the 330 in its first. The 330 probably would exhibit the "1st year model bugs" while the 300 was less likely to have similar bugs. Color was a factor. My wife loves the Blue Vapor on our 300. The similar 330 Breakwater Blue has more of a greenish tint to it. The smaller profile of the 300 was another deciding factor. My wife just prefers the smaller size.

The two cons of the 300's though were the poor turn radius and the poor performing OEM Goodyear tires. But neither were big enough issues to dissuade us from the RX300.