Used RX: Miles vs Years
09-11-21, 12:23 PM
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2021
Location: Texas
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Used RX: Miles vs Years
I bought a 2011 RX350 a few months ago and have found it to be such a spectacular value for the $$ that now I'm looking to buy a second one. I think I have two excellent options, but also a hard decision between the two and would appreciate some extra opinions and insight. Here are the two options:
2010 RX450h -- $15k
80k miles
It's been a 1-owner lease vehicle its whole life, now being sold from same Lexus dealership that has leased/serviced it its whole life. Other than a minor fender bender 10 years ago, the history is impeccable. My concern is with the hybrid battery—I view the fuel economy as a benefit, but I'm worried about its longevity, strangely because of the very low mileage on this one. Both interior and exterior are about as good as could possibly be expected for an 11-year old vehicle.
2013 RX350 -- $12k
170k miles
Again, a very well maintained vehicle in excellent condition inside and out. Two owners, good documented history, in excellent shape. Far higher miles, but 3 years newer.
All thoughts appreciated!
2010 RX450h -- $15k
80k miles
It's been a 1-owner lease vehicle its whole life, now being sold from same Lexus dealership that has leased/serviced it its whole life. Other than a minor fender bender 10 years ago, the history is impeccable. My concern is with the hybrid battery—I view the fuel economy as a benefit, but I'm worried about its longevity, strangely because of the very low mileage on this one. Both interior and exterior are about as good as could possibly be expected for an 11-year old vehicle.
2013 RX350 -- $12k
170k miles
Again, a very well maintained vehicle in excellent condition inside and out. Two owners, good documented history, in excellent shape. Far higher miles, but 3 years newer.
All thoughts appreciated!
09-11-21, 04:43 PM
#2
That is a hard choice. Both could be potentially great options. Have you looked at their respective features? One might have something over the other that might make the decision easier.
Take a good look at each body panel, and make sure there isn’t any mismatched paint on the vehicle that’s been in an accident. Very hard to match paint on the RXs.
Take a good look at each body panel, and make sure there isn’t any mismatched paint on the vehicle that’s been in an accident. Very hard to match paint on the RXs.
09-11-21, 06:24 PM
#3
Me personally I would shy away from the hybrid. Toyota battery packs allegedly holdup way better than most but across different brands the life expectancy is about 10 years and 100K. Unless you have a hybrid shop in mind/local that deals with rebuilding the battery packs at a reasonable price you will get murdered if you just walk into the dealer for this service.
I personally recently purchased a dealer maintained 2010 with a impecable records and 88K for 13K which to me was a little high but this is the market we are dealing with. The 13’s are prettier and the Navi is upgraded so you can install a car play device but to me not worth the $3-4K premium.
Of your two choices I’d keep looking. I look at 125k as the max mileage for a car that is over the 5 digit price range. No matter how good the maintenance history is at the beginning it usually tails off at the end. This is when people just trade it in rather than paying before the big $$$ service the dealer just presented them with.
The motor on these should easily last 200-250k but that close to 200k you should plan on needing to put $1000-$2000 into it to keep it feeling like a Lexus should.
I personally recently purchased a dealer maintained 2010 with a impecable records and 88K for 13K which to me was a little high but this is the market we are dealing with. The 13’s are prettier and the Navi is upgraded so you can install a car play device but to me not worth the $3-4K premium.
Of your two choices I’d keep looking. I look at 125k as the max mileage for a car that is over the 5 digit price range. No matter how good the maintenance history is at the beginning it usually tails off at the end. This is when people just trade it in rather than paying before the big $$$ service the dealer just presented them with.
The motor on these should easily last 200-250k but that close to 200k you should plan on needing to put $1000-$2000 into it to keep it feeling like a Lexus should.
Last edited by ellocovg; 09-12-21 at 06:46 AM.
09-12-21, 05:51 AM
#4
Last fall I found a 2010 RX with under 72K miles, one owner, meticulous maintenance record, no accidents, super clean, loaded and bought it from the dealership where it originally purchased and had all its service performed. About $16K. Recently, my GF traded in her 2005 RX with 180K miles for $4K and got a 2013 RX, loaded, no accidents, very well maintained, under 50K miles, super clean and purchased from the dealership where the car was originally purchased as a lease and then bought by a seconded owner…$23K.
With both cars, we were looking at Lexus dealerships only to buy from and searched within a 250 mile radius. It took both of us about 1 1/2 - 2 months to find THE car we each wanted. Patience and daily checking Lexus dealer websites eventually pays off.
So my point is and what another member suggested, you can do better. I too would stay away from the hybrid unless the battery pack was replaced. You can also find 8-11 year old vehicles with lower miles. They are out there. One just needs to be patient and look at inventories daily.
Good luck in your search!
With both cars, we were looking at Lexus dealerships only to buy from and searched within a 250 mile radius. It took both of us about 1 1/2 - 2 months to find THE car we each wanted. Patience and daily checking Lexus dealer websites eventually pays off.
So my point is and what another member suggested, you can do better. I too would stay away from the hybrid unless the battery pack was replaced. You can also find 8-11 year old vehicles with lower miles. They are out there. One just needs to be patient and look at inventories daily.
Good luck in your search!
The following users liked this post:
PL404 (01-12-22)
09-12-21, 07:00 AM
#5
Moderator
Try using the advanced search feature at
https://www.cars.com/
You can select how far away to limit your search, mileage cap, other features, etc.
You can do the same thing at Autotrader.com and I think at CarFax.com which now lists used cars.
If you have a VIN you can then go to toyota.com, join, enter the VIN and see the dealer service history
https://www.cars.com/
You can select how far away to limit your search, mileage cap, other features, etc.
You can do the same thing at Autotrader.com and I think at CarFax.com which now lists used cars.
If you have a VIN you can then go to toyota.com, join, enter the VIN and see the dealer service history
10-02-21, 09:40 PM
#6
Pole Position
I'd pass on the hybrid unless your wanting to take on the added expense. The '13 would of been a great deal w/ less mileage for sure. Open your search raduis & keep looking. I wasn't in a hurry when I bought one for my wife. Best of luck& happy hunting......
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post