doobn

Hi All,
My local dealer is holding a freshly traded 2005 RX330 with 19k miles and Nav, with Premium Plus package. Says it is in perfect condition. We agreed by phone to $34,400. Will be seeing it tomorrow and will buy either this or a new RX350, similarly equipped for $40,250. So, here's where I would LOVE your thoughts... considering the out-the-door price difference is about $7,000, which one should I get?

Thanks!!
Jo

phiton

if you really want the extra power and quietness then get the 350 for sure but otherwise the 330 is still like new and you save 7k. Or you could also get a new 350 w/o nav for about 35-36k which is only a little more than the used 330.

RX_brain

Test drive both cars. If you think 7k is worth it for the 350, go for it! Keep in mind that the RX will be redesigned in a couple of years. I will personally keep the 7k and take the 330 for a little less power/quietness. Good luck!

32kcolors

Test drive both and consider not only the power/quietness but also the NAV system. I've had a RX330 loaner before and unless you push it, you're probably not going to notice much difference in power. But the new Gen 5 NAV system in the 350 might make a bigger difference.

bankr

Shoulden't you be getting an '06 for theat kind of dough?

Bankr

RX_brain

Not on a Lexus. But I will still try to trim down the price some more if I were you. I prefer a higher mileage Lexus CPO (30k-40K), for a lot less price and more options, longer warranty. If your dealer is good, you'll be delivered a near new Lexus car. My neighbors and co-workers could not believe my RX has 45k already. I'm a very happy Lexus owner so far.

DaveJ

I went through the exact same debate about 2 weeks ago. I ended up buying the cpo 2005 RX330 AWD with NAV, towing package, adaptive lights, heated seats, etc. My RX330 had about 32K miles and some scratches. The dealer touched up the car, detailed it, and replaced just about everything I asked for, including a new carpet. They even resurfaced and repainted areas of the wheels that were scraped from curb damage.

We didn't need AWD, but after driving a loaner RX350 FWD for about 1 week I'm glad I got the AWD. To me, there are two advantages the RX350 has over the 330. One is more power, which is plentiful. The other is slightly better gas mileage.

I like driving our RX330 AWD better than the new RX350 FWD. Even though the loaner has only 7K or so miles, it has numerous rattles. The steering was much lighter than the RX330 AWD and feels totally disconnected. Maybe it's because of the AWD, but the steering on my RX330 AWD feels tighter and requires more effort, which I like. I think my RX330 is quieter than the RX350, but I'm not certain.

I also feel my RX330 AWD is more forgiving on bumpy roads and has a smoother ride, but maybe that's just the tires. Regarding the power of the RX350, well, it's great, except for the torque steer. There's a lot of it and I don't think it's very safe when quickly accelerating on slippery road conditions. Again, my RX330 AWD is much more stable, with less power of course, than the RX350 FWD. It's very easy to spin the tires on the RX350 FWD, especially on wet roads.

I really like our '05 RX330 AWD. Had I driven the '07 RX350 FWD for an extended period of time before purchasing the '05 RX330 AWD, I doubt I would have bought the RX350, at least not a FWD version. It could be most of the differences I experienced were differences between FWD and AWD. But, there's something about the RX350, at least the model I drove, that just didn't seem to have the usual Lexus high quality feel to it. It was OK, but just didn't feel right.

I really like that I was able to get all the options I wanted in a great car without paying new car prices. This is my wife's car, and I really wanted her to have the NAV option, but I would have had a tough time spending around $6K to get it if I bought new. And I feel good for once that I didn't lose thousands of dollars in depreciation the minute I drove the car off the lot.

By the way, I think the $34400 price is excellent and is better than the price I paid. Good luck with your decision.

doobn

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and, especially to DaveJ, whose recent experience with the same decision was very very helpful.

We just came from the dealer and bought neither the 330 nor the 350. The 330 did not have the interior color we wanted and the dealer quoted an obscenely low trade on our 2000 ML430, so we are still in shopping mode. We did, however drive both and definitely appreciated the additional power and quiet offered in the 350.

Cheers for now.

doobn

Thanks to everyone for your thoughts and, especially to DaveJ, whose recent experience with the same decision was very very helpful.

We just came from the dealer and bought neither the 330 nor the 350. The 330 did not have the interior color we wanted and the dealer quoted an obscenely low trade on our 2000 ML430, so we are still in shopping mode. We did, however drive both and definitely appreciated the additional power and quiet offered in the 350.

Cheers for now.

srashid

I had the same problem with low trade-in value from Lexus on my 2002 ML320. My solution was to find a 2005 RX330 with Nav on 11k miles at my local Mercedes dealer. They didn't want a Lexus on their lot, plus they gave me a great trade on my ML because they can resell it as a Starmark Certified car. You may be able to do the same.

crapz1

5th gen NAV is worth it...go with the 350.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

I'm glad you didn't get it. Personally, for an 05 with 19K miles at $34K is definately closer to an 06 price an 05. My dealer was advertising outgoing brand new 06 Premium Plus packages (No nav) for $36K. For an 05 Premium Plus with nav at 19K mile I would expect you should be able to get them for about $30-$32K.

hsk73

You can get a brand new car for that price!!

JorgeGVB

I have the same ML you did and had the same problem with a low trade offer. I decided to just sell it myself.

RX_brain

Brand new Lexus must be selling cheap in California!