Looking to get an RX350, which year is recommended?
08-02-19, 03:44 PM
#16
08-13-19, 01:45 PM
#18
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Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: MN
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08 oil line
Just had the oil line go on mine at 193,000 miles. Had about half a quart left, no light, no warning. The car never ran weird or made any noise and still runs great after getting it fixed this week. Definitely an inconvenience for sure. Bought it with 189k and had the alternator go. About a $450 part plus labor. Other than that the car is awesome. Definitely will buy a newer one when I upgrade.
08-13-19, 05:35 PM
#19
(2) Dealer gave me a 2-year warranty, which was great, because they replaced the 12v battery ($250) and the rear lift struts ($200), and a biggie, the braking actuator that had begun making "barking seal" noises, a well-known and expensive issue with Lexus cars ($2,500). So the dealer warranty was very valuable to me.
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08-21-19, 06:39 AM
#20
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Ok, thoughts on what might be the better buy?
2013, well maintained according to Carfax, with 45 ish miles
OR
2015, well maintained according to Carfax with 85 miles
both around $23k
2013, well maintained according to Carfax, with 45 ish miles
OR
2015, well maintained according to Carfax with 85 miles
both around $23k
08-21-19, 07:37 AM
#21
You need to use the VINs to research the full service history of both vehicles. Until you do, you are just guessing.
Track down the actual service providers, call them, and discuss exactly what they did. Carfax records are not specific enough. I always spend a day making phone calls and talking with the service providers before I make my final decision regarding whether or not to make an offer.
Track down the actual service providers, call them, and discuss exactly what they did. Carfax records are not specific enough. I always spend a day making phone calls and talking with the service providers before I make my final decision regarding whether or not to make an offer.
08-21-19, 08:02 AM
#22
Intermediate
I always went for the older car with lower mileage. But the car must look like it was cared for. I can tell whether the car was always up kept, or if it was just detailed for sale.
08-21-19, 08:33 AM
#23
Driver School Candidate
You should be able to get a lower mileage 15 for that same price... I did... Just bought a 15 with 50000 miles. Well kept. Spoke to the previous owner. said he had all the service records and was really **** about it... He is going to get me the records but you can tell a lot by getting somebody to look at it that knows about them.
We love ours. After having it for 2 weeks , my wife drove it to Canada by herself then I flew to Buffalo and we drove it through NY, OH, KY, TN, VA and back home to NC,, Flawless.
Carfax only tells you what was reported. I like to talk to the previous owner if the records are not readily available. Can also be a crapshoot... lemons do exist everywhere...I make Margaritas with mine...
We love ours. After having it for 2 weeks , my wife drove it to Canada by herself then I flew to Buffalo and we drove it through NY, OH, KY, TN, VA and back home to NC,, Flawless.
Carfax only tells you what was reported. I like to talk to the previous owner if the records are not readily available. Can also be a crapshoot... lemons do exist everywhere...I make Margaritas with mine...
08-21-19, 08:45 AM
#24
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
2013- regular maintenance intervals at this same dealer were done frequently. Only other things that were done over the lifetime: battery replaced (owner left trickle charger on while away for 6mo and blew the connection), refinished rear bumper and scratch repair, shocks replaced, water pump replaced, new tires.
Seems well maintained, unless any of those things are red flags? Looks like the dealer inspected as if CPO, it's not listed as CPO, maybe just missed the cutoff for CPO age requirements, was newly purchased in Sept 2012.
Thanks for your input and helping me out!
Seems well maintained, unless any of those things are red flags? Looks like the dealer inspected as if CPO, it's not listed as CPO, maybe just missed the cutoff for CPO age requirements, was newly purchased in Sept 2012.
Thanks for your input and helping me out!
08-23-19, 10:36 AM
#26
Moderator
Eponagirl - none of those repairs are red flags. The rear shocks leaking were a well-known issue and some folks had water pump problems, but now you have a replaced water pump and fresh coolant. Although it is rare for one to fail with less than 45,000 miles. It was under warranty.
With that many miles I would think the brakes would have been done by now. What is their status?
Sounds like a nice vehicle. Did you get it?
With that many miles I would think the brakes would have been done by now. What is their status?
Sounds like a nice vehicle. Did you get it?
08-23-19, 11:22 AM
#27
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Clutchless, thanks for the input. Brakes were declined by previous owner to be replaced (probably knew at that time he was going to sell/trade in). It appears that this car was only driven 6 mo out of the year. Must have gone down to FL for the winters (there was a service down done there at some point). Is it a problem to get a car that was put away for that long? It might have been driven a little by someone during the 6 mo away time. Explains the low miles. Also, is there much difference between 2013 and 2015? I was considering holding out for a good 2015, but if this sounds like a good car, then maybe I should just save the extra money and get the 2013?
EDITED TO ADD: the brakes were listed as Front 6mm and Rear 4mm remaining. Not sure if that is good or bad? Should I get the dealer to replace before buying?
EDITED TO ADD: the brakes were listed as Front 6mm and Rear 4mm remaining. Not sure if that is good or bad? Should I get the dealer to replace before buying?
08-23-19, 02:08 PM
#28
Brakes at my dealership would require new pads when the thickness is at 3 mm or so.
6 mm and 4 mm .......looks like a rear brake pad replacement coming soon. Consider factoring the cost of new pads plus labor into your offer.
I purchased a CPO with 6 mm and 6 mm May 2018 and had my front pads replaced 1 year later.
Of course driving habits will factor in too.
You could also have an independent mechanic inspect the car prior to your purchase.
Good luck!
6 mm and 4 mm .......looks like a rear brake pad replacement coming soon. Consider factoring the cost of new pads plus labor into your offer.
I purchased a CPO with 6 mm and 6 mm May 2018 and had my front pads replaced 1 year later.
Of course driving habits will factor in too.
You could also have an independent mechanic inspect the car prior to your purchase.
Good luck!
08-23-19, 03:21 PM
#29
Moderator
Your rear brakes need to be replaced. On the RX the rear brakes wear out first most of the time. Ask them to replace the front and rear brake pads as part of the deal. It will cost them very little vs what you would pay a shop later.
I don't know the differences between a 13 and a 15. I suspect it would be if anything, improvements to the infotainment system. 13 was the year of the mid model refresh from the 2010-2012 models.
I don't know the differences between a 13 and a 15. I suspect it would be if anything, improvements to the infotainment system. 13 was the year of the mid model refresh from the 2010-2012 models.
