Was shopping for a used 350 when I came across a 330 which is cheaper with less miles. If I’m not too concerned with horsepower, are the engine and transmission just as reliable as a 350?

It’s an 06 RX330 with 108k for 8k for reference. Compared to 08 and 11 RX350 with 125-158k for 11k.

I need reliability vs bells and whistles. Although a few whistles are nice. Thanks!

 

Two different engines, One has timing belt (RX330) and one timing chain. Both are outstanding vehicles, but with such low mileage, I would say both are well worth it.

 

The 2nd gen RX in 330 and 350 flavour will be very similar apart from the drivetrain

I'd wager the 3MZ is even more reliable and definitely easier to work on than the 2GR at the cost of significantly less power and a bit less economy on the highway. The 3MZ in the RX330 will need periodic timing belt replacements and is an interference motor so it can get destroyed if a belt snaps. Since it's an 06 as well it gets the updated rear valve cover that solves the sludge issues in the PCV system of the 1MZ/3MZ motors. The transmission is the same but the RX330 has a higher final drive of 3.48 vs. 3.28 for the 350, it also has a different valve body and uses the thicker and older Toyota T-4 trans fluid vs. the more thinner and modern WS fluid of the 350 and all newer cars. You also lose the viscous coupler transfer case that the RX350 gets. One bonus of the RX330 is it uses the ABS sensors for TPMS instead of the problematic direct TPMS sensors in the 350 that love to go out and cost a fortune to replace.

I would try driving both

 

I concour w/ what Matt mentioned above. My thought initially when looking at gen2's was it didn't matter what engine was in it, till I drove a 2gr powered rx, which showed me to go w/ a '07+ rx. 40/45 additional hp makes a big difference. Yeah I did see a few great 330's, but I was looking for 350. It just added one more time & one more item that I was looking for. If your not looking for grunt off the line, then possibly a 3mz would work for you. I'd take a 3mz over all the other 6 cylinder powered mid size suv's........

 

Both options sounds like they are priced fairly, all give you a great and reliable car if maintained properly before you buy and. I have the RX330 the timing belt doesn't bother me as changing it every 100K miles isn't a concern on my part on parts cost me under $250. If it were me I'd go have a look at each, decide if color is a concern to you, have a PPI (pre-purchase inspection) done by a reputable garage that knows these things or a trusted mechanic to verify it is in good shape AND no rust (this is VERY important!) you can't go wrong with either. Once you get it plan on replaccing all fluids (trans.diffs, coolant, motor oil, brake) and you should be good for awhile). Do know they don't get very good MPG

 

I have a 2004 rx330 and I really like it. The timing belt is a bummer since its like a 1500 dollar job. Mine has the mark Levinson sou which has like zero options to replace since its part of the HVAC system. The 2006 I think has Bluetooth which mine does not and that's a bummer. My rx has 202k on the clock and Im hoping to see 300k
Tom

 

Welcome to Club Lexus and your 1st post!

Sir, for the record we are not stuck with the navigation if we don't want it

I successfully yanked out the factory navigation and put in the non-Nav info center.

Mine is not Mark Levinson but it can probably be done
.
PS, I have a timing belt on my RX 330.
But, I will never have to drop the engine to get to the timing chain because I don't have one. BOOM. Lol

 

You should see that easliy+ , if you do or have the basic maintence done......trans fluid & filter, tranfer case, rear diff, brake fluid flush, coolant, ect.

 

Ive been doing all this stuff since I bought it even put new plugs in. Im getting it to where I know everything is fresh moving forward. I've put 20k on it since last Nov and it is solid. It has a 0420 code for bad catalytic converter but I get good Mpg so not gonna deal w that for now.

 

Timing belt is an extra expense but the 3MZ doesn't have the inherent leaky timing chain cover issues, no VVTi cam rattle (which sometimes outright breaks) plus the 3MZ is easier to work on IMO. I have a RAV4 with the 2GR and a Highlander with the 3MZ I prefer the Highlander.

 

Not to mention the rubber oil cooler lines that can blow up or the oil cooler itself that can leak and requires removal of the front exhaust manifold. Not a big deal for DIYers but definitely an added cost to the price of the car if it hasn't been upgraded w/ the metal lines if you are not a DIYer. I love the 2GR a lot, but sometimes it pisses me off. Doing the rear valve cover gasket is also a lot worse as well vs. the 1MZ in my Highlander (Same job as 3MZ).

 

#1 My advice: Gather all the service records you can for all 3 cars you're looking at and compare which has been maintained the best.
I would lean towards the 2011, especially if it has been maintained, simply because of age: It's newer.

#2 Rust. Maybe where you live it's not an issue, but compare which car has the least amount rust underneath.

Otherwise, as others have said, 330 vs 350...they're both good.

 

at this point get the one that's the better specimen like the above poster said. In my opinion, I love the 3.5 V6 and it hauls *** for a family car.

 

I love the 3.5 too, despite it being harder to work on and maybe having more failure points (Still damn reliable). I'd choose it at the end of the day over the 330 PLUS it is a lot easier to find parts or replacement as Toyota put it in everything unlike the 3MZ. @Felix had a great explanation for why he chose one back then. All it took was one merge on the highway to have him sold - same for me!

 

My 2006 HiHy is quicker 0-60 than any 2GR SUV except maybe the 3rd generation RAV4.
What parts can't you get for the 3MZ?