this is bs that RX has the least quality among lexus lineup. Even if you drive a Rolls or Bugatti, it is still mechanics, and something may or may not break down. I would not rush to misjudge Lexus so harshly because of an isolated incident, and numerous Lexus followers would be on my side.

The nature of those defects could not have been discovered even by a mechanic prior to sale, so it seems the vehicle was in great shape at the time of sale. When you buy used, even if its a Ferrari, you are playing a lottery. Would you have been able to avoid this when you first saw a rusty spot on the towing hitch? No, because there is no connection between vehicle used for towing and its headlights or bad master brake cylinder.

scottydog: in my area RXs keep their value better. A 2004 AWD w/o NAVI under 100k mi sells for 16K at the dealer auction. A 2006 is 3 model years newer and would cost at least mid 20's from the dealer lot. Even it's not a fully loaded one, I still think 22k is a great price, in relative terms.

 

Check out CR reliability reports. The RX is still highly rated. The bottom of the list includes Mercedes M/R Class, BMW X5, VW Tuareg, Jeep GC.

I too think 22k is a decent fair price. If offered a 06 for 29k and a new 09 for 36k I'd pick the new one... :-)

 

Now I see what the problem is, you actually use CR as a reference when you shop for a car. Didnt you know that CR have been giving Lexus and Toyota good ratings for years without testing them and based the high rating on just their pass reputation. CR is good for toaster ovens and washing machines, but thats about it.

 

CR uses repair surveys for their data. If you read other reliability reports besides CR they all seem to point to the same conclusion. Lexus (and the other Japanese suvs) all seem to rise to the top, the germans are in the middle, with the American machines at the bottom. I've been lucky with my Jeep, but I keep waiting for things to start breaking.

I've been very impressed with the RX350 quality, and hope it will live up to it's reputation repair wise. time will tell...

 

I believe this is the second time you've used journalists to vouch for german cars. Journalists are not reliable sources. Every year they say BMW is the best car on earth. Yet stories of over heating engines are all over the net regarding the new 335. You're listening to propoganda. Lexus may have slipped a little recently but they are still leaps ahead of the germans.
All the major mags have Bimmers in their long term fleet. Never any Lexus. Lexus doesn't give out their cars to journalists apparently. That tells me the journalist could be just a little biased. WHy would I believe anything they say. Well actually, they don't even talk about reliability. Just handling characteristics...as if real world driving was like driving between cones. Please.

 

Lexus is not at fault.. This shouldn't push you away from Lexus. The "wholesaler" screwed you over, not Lexus.

 

Actually the auto ratings come from real users, not CR. Read the Mag.

 

This statement is simply untrue.

While the Germans have made improvements in their reliability they are still nowhere close to Lexus. BMW has improved the most and is still has 37% more issues. Audi and MB are not even up to the industry average. 72.5% and 79% more issues than Lexus. To argue that the German's are equals to Lexus for reliability is baseless.

To place value in C&D that is so blatantly biased towards BMW is ridiculous.

Maybe you should do a little more homework instead of posting your biased opinion?

 

Hilarious!

You discount CR but place stock in C&D.

I think that most CL members will recognize from this logic how much credibility your opinions have....very little.

 

You are misinformed G-Man. Go take a look at a recent copy and you will see that some Lexus and Toyota vehicles had lost their "recommended" status over years past. Simple matter of it taking time for the statistics to catch up with Toyota and their living on their past reputation.

 

Really?

In the Feb 2009 issue they show the Lexus ES and the Toyota Avalon as the top two recommended Large Upscale Sedans.

In their Annual Automotive issue you will find Lexus and Toyota to be recommended for nearly every model.

The new Automotive issue is due in a couple months. I expect from the ratings I see below that this year will not be much different than the last.

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...tisfaction.htm

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...sedanssuvs.htm

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...ntvehicles.htm

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/c...andpickups.htm

 

Boy this thread is hijacked and heading to Cuba!

Hey this is Lexus country. The BMW forum is around the corner...

 

LOL at this thread. Buy used car and when there is problems blame it on the manufacturer not your own due diligence...

 

You're right, I should have been more diligent and taken it through the headlight soak test. If there is a design and/or manufacturing flaw, who do you suggest I blame if not the manufacturer? Thanks for the useless post.

 

Here is one headlight for you:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Parts...1%7C240%3A1318