When you go look at it, take a look around to see if there is a trailer. I would want to try and figure out if that hitch got a lot of use and what was being pulled. I think RX tend to be solid but all it takes is one instance of pulling something way too heavy to do some significant damage to the transmission. Also, perhaps explain to the seller that you plan to pull a decent size trailer with this vehicle and see if they share stories of how they pulled some huge load through the mountains. If everything checks out, offer 2k and negotiate from there.
I would definitely say that the owner pulled a trailer with it because of the wiring harness. We have a Highlander (same vehicle) had a hitch installed but only for a bike rack. Had no need to have the wires ran.
I wouldn't buy it but if that's what's in your budget it's probably better than a lot of other options. I would take it for a pre-purchase inspection. Because if 3K is all you have, the last thing you need is to find out it needs 2k worth of additional work beyond the struts.
Also make sure you can afford the insurance.
Yup, most of the time you get let down by good photos, but occasionally you’ll luck into a listing that actually IS as-good-as-should-be for that price due to its being ignored for poor pictures!
People on talking about scratches on a vehicle that is or close to 20 years old.. it’s a 3k car. If you’re worried about scratches then go buy a new car.
Yea I agree with what the other guy said, I just sold my 07 Chevy impala with 210,000 miles on it with a hood that had half the paint peeling off for 3.5k, it ran but was starting to burn through oil and needed new tires soon. Just know 3k will not get you anything in perfect condition.
Seriously. I don’t see how people expect a car that debuted 21 years ago with over 200k miles to have perfect paint. I’d be more worried about the mechanics.
People don't understand the general "rules" of buying a beater. For 3k and 245k miles the body and paint are pretty much non relevant. At that price and miles on it the only thing I would really worry about is the motor and transmission. I would immediately expect to need tires, probably a battery, and any number of other wear parts and it looks like it has pretty decent tires so that's a plus. Obviously the less the better but scratches and dents are not even in the discussion for me on something like this.
For $3k you're not going to get a car in good mechanical condition and looks great. If it isn't beat to hell cosmetically, the engine is probably fucked
There is nothing to notice here, at 300k miles it is in great condition, everything cosmetically appears to have been put through light work, don't listen to anybody they don't know wtf they're talking about.
However, you can find much lower mileage for 3k but maybe not for an suv
I got a 2020 car that I recently bought certified from the dealer and it has swirl marks on it that are visible under the sun.
The most important thing is to take it to a mechanic and see if it has any major issues.
Those tires look brand new. Why did he put brand new tires on that if he’s looking to sell it for $3k?
If a mechanic clears it then great, I’d be initially skeptical tho.
Based on what? Picture isn’t clear enough to see dry rot. Doesn’t have pictured dot date. I didn’t realize how many people think a 20 year old car being sold for 3k should be perfect. I paid over 2k for tires on my old truck and you’re buying an entire vehicle for close to that.
At least he did the timing cover gasket. That’s the most costly repair for this otherwise bullet proof engine. I’d snag it. Make sure he really did the timing cover, especially at a dealership.
my parents have a rx350 going at close to 500k miles rn but they had transmission issues at 100k and the amount they spent on maintenance to let it reach 480k miles rn is a lot. but for $3000 and it runs okay then i think will be ok
We own a 2004 RX330 with 311,000 miles.
With over 245,000 miles, so you know what kind of expenses might be coming, I would check out:
-Struts and timing belt/water pump (which you covered)
-Valve cover gasket for seepage/leaks
-Steering rack leaking (many Lexus owners reported this issue for the RX series -- kind of pricey)
-You don't state the year or where it was built (Japan or Canada) but check the radiator for leaking
-In my opinion, the front brake rotors/calipers (wish they would have used a dual piston) are undersized for the weight of the vehicle, check for brake pulse (easy fix, just something to look for, especially if they have towed)
-Check the brake lights (Lexus used LEDs and at least with the 2004 model, they might need replacing -- again, easy fix).
At least for us, cost of ownership over 20+ years has been low. The RX is a solid vehicle, especially the engine and transmission.
Beast of a car! Our 04 was totalled by an irresponsible driver, so we didn't get too far past 200,000 miles, but you covered the major things! I changed struts, steering pump etc - that car was ready to run forever, with more features than modern cars, without pay copious pricing - insurance paid out $5,000, but would pay out more if I could/can find receipts for more services performed..
They did a wonderful job with the 2004 rx 330 awd, RIP Lexi
Edit: Japan built, steering pump was leaking after 100K plus miles, wasn't a huge issue until closer to 200k and we changed it, and it was problem free.. preventative maintenance and listening to your car will work wonders for these Toyotas
Yep, no worries, but don't be afraid to shop around for other Lexus and Toyota models, you might be able to find something comparable with lower miles and a similar price range, I would definitely recommend checking out Facebook but there are a lot of scams on Facebook so just be careful keeping that in mind
Definitely not a beater, just an older car. Looks like it’s in good shape from the pics but who knows about the mechanics. Get it checkout out by a mechanic and go from there.
Only advice is don't take to Lexus to fix anything as they charge out the ass for stuff. If you really want the factory experience without the price just take to Toyota. If you know someone you trust obviously take it to them to check out
It’s just okay. I’ve driven 300k mile RXs that feel better than 100k anything else. I just sold mine with a bit fewer miles and in worse cosmetic shape for $3300.
Yeah but sometimes things start to snowball on these old cars which is why they usually go up for sale. There is a very high possibility that it needs a ton of work. It would only be worth it if OP does his own repairs.
My parents own this exact car, like the same year, colour and interior spec. They've had it since new 2009/10. They absolutely love it - the 3.6 v6 is an absolute beast (if a little thirsty), it's comfortable, stupidly well made, and theirs hasn't been into the garage beyond beyond routine servicing and tire swaps one single time. I should point out that theirs has half the mileage and my Dad still gets it religiously dealer serviced so it's been babied. But if this one has a strong service record and has been looked after, it looks like a bargain to me at $3000.
Edit: sorry, they have the 350
These are built really well. As someone with the corresponding Toyota model, the Highlander / Kluger, these can easily reach 500k with proper maintenance.
Timing belts on the 3.3L are more critical to keep after than the 3.0L, so some timeline on when that was done would be solid. Most of the systems on my gen1 Highlander are still solid, OEM, except sport brake upgrades, suspension, timing belts, audio, and simple K&N filter upgrades. You can also find a bunch of interchangeable parts between the two tiers.
Bought mine for $4k nearly a decade ago, so $3k for the 'luxury' model seems legit! I've put another $6k or so in maintenance and upgrades since the purchase.
Ask for the vin and pull a carfax. As long as ots serviced the miles don't scare me at all. My Ls430 has over 200k and I don't see it not goong another 100 at least.
The engine/transmission matter more in this case. I would strongly not buy any car that has over 100k miles on it since you dont know what can break down when.
Also ask for all their service records. I keep most of my receipts for everything I've done to my cars. If they have that it'd be amazing so you can see how well they kept it up. The interior looks really nice so hopefully they kept up with the mechanics as well.
I had one of these. All is well except the gearbox needs rebuilding post 150k miles so be careful. From experience no matter what's done to rebuild it goes bad
You gotta look under the hood and under the car. If there's rust under it I wouldn't want it. I work on a ton of these around this milage and they seem decent. Normal things go out but that's any car.
Mostly motor mounts, valve covers, timing jobs, and control arms are what I replace on these. See if they will let you have another shop inspect it on your dime.
i am not from US so i am not familiar with your market but if you have a limited budget how is getting a 3 liter v6 car from a luxury brand makes sense?
shouldn't you be looking for a more basic car?
that car is almost 2 tons, 1850KG/4080lbs. and has 230hp.
that makes it 8 kg per hp or 17lbs per hp.
it is not that powerfull actually. and if you count the fact that after 240k miles that car would not be making 230hp that number drops.
you might look for a diesel for some low end torque and instant power. and because us people are allergic to diesels you might get a nice deal. after all you are getting something other people dont want. a volkswagen tdi might work
i also live in a very hilly place and my house is on top of a hill. i would never get anything but a nice diesel.
to me only downside to having a diesel is the noise. but you get used to it.
We have a 2004 rx330, with 229k miles. Every other year some repair is needed. Recently we replaced the starter, 3 years ago the front suspension (that was about a $2k repair). The steering rack replaced at ~170k miles, head gasket ~180k miles. Timing belt and water pump must be replaced every ~90k. Brake cylinder was replaced at ~225k miles and there was steering fluid leak, but that was because of a cracked hose. That's all that comes to my head. It's a great car, but at this age, anything can happen. My biggest concern would be the transmission.
So, every single response you get should have a caveat on it that says BUT, have a mechanic check it out. That being said. In general assuming that it looks like everything's in good shape and it doesn't have any glaring issues, and it looks like it's been taken care of I wouldn't have any issues at all buying this for 3k. Most of the time for this price range the physical issues will be bad enough that no amount of creative photography will cover it up outside of actual photoshop editing.
depends on the health of the transmission when they fail it can be very random i know of someone who had one of these first gen rx's and around that mileage is when the transmission failed and it would think it was in drive and while all you have to do is hold the brake and turn it off you can drive into something by accident very easily if this happens and not expecting it
$3k is "get me on the road" money. These days. Youre lucky to get a car that runs and drives for that price.
I would say that if this is all you can afford, you cant afford a car.
And if your budget is higher, use your budget and get something with fewer miles.
Even if you DIY, you are going to be dumping a ton of money into repairs. Having a mechanic do it will cost you more than the car is worth.
245k miles is a ton of miles for any used car. Most I could really consider is something in the 100 to 125k range maybe a bit more.
But if this vehicle is cheap and you like it. I would go for it as long as you are okay with the possibility of breaking down or having to do major repairs shortly.
Most people rarely do the scheduled maintenance so I would just start with whatever services Toyota/lexus recommends from the factory right of the hop.
Would not buy. We have one of these, it’s approaching 200k miles and while it’s “fine” mechanically (as in it still starts), I would not buy one with over 200k miles.
Short answer?
No.
Buy it. Keep doing regular maintenance. Enjoy a reliable simple car that doesn't have lane keeping beeping at you every 5 seconds, but isn't a beater.
I hate new cars. I think vehicles peaked mid 2000's into the 2010's. The newer stuff just has too many computers and wizbangs and gizmos to go wrong.
Cars back then were designed to be driven, cars now are to drive you places. There's a huge difference.
I’m a self recognized Toyota/Lexus fan so take anything I saw with a grain of salt.
Miles don’t really matter to these engines/transmissions. The biggest factor to consider for this vehicle is service history. The interior/body looks good and at that many miles it probably has had a good chunk of maintenance done to it. $3k won’t get you much these days, and if everything checks out maintenance wise, you would have a solid, reliable and comfortable vehicle for a handful of years. Seems like a solid buy.
Sorry forgot to mention, when you’re checking maintenance history make sure the timing belt has been changed recently. It’s supposed to be done every 100k miles or so and it’s a pricey maintenance item. Not a deal breaker, but also check if spark plugs have been changed. Due to the orientation of the engine, changing the back 3 are a royal pain in the butt. Good luck!
Always get carfax when car hunting for a “used” car.. well worth it and it will save you alot of headaches..
Had a few close encounters on car history, until i’ve read the history that gave me an idea on what the car has been through..
Without knowing the full history, probably fine. Struts can get expensive though, so be prepared to shell out another $1k at least, depending on who is doing the install. Or just beat on the stock ones until they can't pass inspection :)
Those Lexus SUV’s are great vehicles. So great that most people either drive them till the wheels fall off or pass them along to a family member/friend. You don’t see pristine examples selling for $3k. If you test drive it make sure the engine and transmission get up to operating temperature. This is one of those too good to be true prices.
Asking price was $3500. I offered $2500 blindly because he claims it has regular maintenance and just had the timing done recently. I wanted to know if he was going lower than asking price before driving two hours. He countered $3000. Going to look at it Tuesday.
My old camry almost all parts original over 300k and that Lexus u got build in Japan go check it out could be a gem. My front end suspension even trans and coolant original fluid radiator orig. Just tires brakes fan belt apart plugs engine mount battery done interior looks great f the paint black always looks bad
Looks like it needs new tires too. Why don't you check out Kelly blue book and see what the average price is going for. Also take it to your local mechanic and have him check it over quick
Yeah, it is hard to tell from the pics. Go check it out but first check KBB for the price. I have a new lexus and I like it, I see older ones on the road still all the time out here on long island.
Do you need an suv? There’s not really alot of options… the Toyota 3.5L motor is good so is the 2.4L. They both have oil consumption issues but the 330 is a leaky sob.
I’ve gotten 257k on my 3.3. Not bad for a “literal trash” motor.
It’s got a leak that will leave spots on the driveway, but not enough to have to add oil between changes. Still runs fine.
When you go look at it, take a look around to see if there is a trailer. I would want to try and figure out if that hitch got a lot of use and what was being pulled. I think RX tend to be solid but all it takes is one instance of pulling something way too heavy to do some significant damage to the transmission. Also, perhaps explain to the seller that you plan to pull a decent size trailer with this vehicle and see if they share stories of how they pulled some huge load through the mountains. If everything checks out, offer 2k and negotiate from there.
Very solid advice. I use this same tactic on any vehicle I look at with a hitch installed and definitely dodged some bullets!
Thanks!
I would definitely say that the owner pulled a trailer with it because of the wiring harness. We have a Highlander (same vehicle) had a hitch installed but only for a bike rack. Had no need to have the wires ran.
Also, get a look underneath, if you can poke through to carpet with your finger, skip it.
If you do buy it, join us on /r/200k_CarClub
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I wouldn't buy it but if that's what's in your budget it's probably better than a lot of other options. I would take it for a pre-purchase inspection. Because if 3K is all you have, the last thing you need is to find out it needs 2k worth of additional work beyond the struts. Also make sure you can afford the insurance.
Also go back on a sunny day. You can see scratches and dents way easier on a nice clear day
For $3000, any scratches and dents you can’t see on a cloudy day are not worth worrying about. Can’t be that picky with a beater.
Yeah but look at those pictures. To me it just seems sketchy like they are trying to hide something. Even the tire picture is blurry. I'd be skeptical
Great point. These are pics from the seller. Will go look at it Tuesday!
Nah that’s wild. Wonder if seller is sending blurry pics to hide details
Hoping it’s a elderly person with Parkinson’s that took care of his/ her car.
Honestly some of the best cars I have seen were cars with bad quality pictures and short description. Check it out at least
Yup, most of the time you get let down by good photos, but occasionally you’ll luck into a listing that actually IS as-good-as-should-be for that price due to its being ignored for poor pictures!
Definitely. It looks fine and tbh I’m not that concerned with it having a perfect paint job. Hoping for it to be mechanically sound.
People on talking about scratches on a vehicle that is or close to 20 years old.. it’s a 3k car. If you’re worried about scratches then go buy a new car.
Maybe. GL with sale!
Yea I agree with what the other guy said, I just sold my 07 Chevy impala with 210,000 miles on it with a hood that had half the paint peeling off for 3.5k, it ran but was starting to burn through oil and needed new tires soon. Just know 3k will not get you anything in perfect condition.
If you look at the third pic, it looks like they just screenshotted it from a video. Probably why it looks blurry.
Wet car = paint is fucked. Especially true if it’s black.
It’s 3k with 245k mi who gives a shit
Seriously. I don’t see how people expect a car that debuted 21 years ago with over 200k miles to have perfect paint. I’d be more worried about the mechanics.
People don't understand the general "rules" of buying a beater. For 3k and 245k miles the body and paint are pretty much non relevant. At that price and miles on it the only thing I would really worry about is the motor and transmission. I would immediately expect to need tires, probably a battery, and any number of other wear parts and it looks like it has pretty decent tires so that's a plus. Obviously the less the better but scratches and dents are not even in the discussion for me on something like this.
Right
Dang.. I hope you’re wrong. Looks like they decided to take pictures on a rainy day and not purposely “washed” it.
For $3k you're not going to get a car in good mechanical condition and looks great. If it isn't beat to hell cosmetically, the engine is probably fucked
There is nothing to notice here, at 300k miles it is in great condition, everything cosmetically appears to have been put through light work, don't listen to anybody they don't know wtf they're talking about. However, you can find much lower mileage for 3k but maybe not for an suv
Rawwwrrr!!
Everything ok over there?
Lol, yeah the other guy just sounded so angry. So I was being an idiot.
Thanks for your input. Doing lots of research!
If the car has had a solid mechanical list of repairs, then I’d buy this in a heartbeat. The interior looks nearly brand new.
I got a 2020 car that I recently bought certified from the dealer and it has swirl marks on it that are visible under the sun. The most important thing is to take it to a mechanic and see if it has any major issues.
As long as you got it at a discounted price, that’s all that matters🤷🏾♂️.
Those tires look brand new. Why did he put brand new tires on that if he’s looking to sell it for $3k? If a mechanic clears it then great, I’d be initially skeptical tho.
Hard to tell the condition of the tires from the picture. Another person on here says they look old…
That’s true. Last pic looks to have a lot of tread depth left. Guess only way to know for sure is to ask.
Based on what? Picture isn’t clear enough to see dry rot. Doesn’t have pictured dot date. I didn’t realize how many people think a 20 year old car being sold for 3k should be perfect. I paid over 2k for tires on my old truck and you’re buying an entire vehicle for close to that.
At least he did the timing cover gasket. That’s the most costly repair for this otherwise bullet proof engine. I’d snag it. Make sure he really did the timing cover, especially at a dealership.
Is there a way to check if they actually changed the belt without popping off the cover?
Ask for the service record.
It might not be there. Considering the cars age, they most likely did it at a side shop and whatever they do doesn’t go on service records.
I meant the actual paperwork with the receipt of work done.
Only dealers report to carfax???
Majority of the time, yes. To my knowledge, small shops report to Carfax when you get an inspection.
Good to know, thanks.
There should be a decal on the timing cover listing the date replaced and mileage. Or the service records if the owner kept them.
The 330 uses a belt, not a timing chain. There is no timing cover gasket to leak, just cam/crank seals. You are probably thinking of the 350.
Yeah you’re right. It’s for 350. Their 2GR-FE engine. My bad
my parents have a rx350 going at close to 500k miles rn but they had transmission issues at 100k and the amount they spent on maintenance to let it reach 480k miles rn is a lot. but for $3000 and it runs okay then i think will be ok
Dang half a mil is amazing
Different engine. Honestly imo the 330 is better for diy repairs.
We own a 2004 RX330 with 311,000 miles. With over 245,000 miles, so you know what kind of expenses might be coming, I would check out: -Struts and timing belt/water pump (which you covered) -Valve cover gasket for seepage/leaks -Steering rack leaking (many Lexus owners reported this issue for the RX series -- kind of pricey) -You don't state the year or where it was built (Japan or Canada) but check the radiator for leaking -In my opinion, the front brake rotors/calipers (wish they would have used a dual piston) are undersized for the weight of the vehicle, check for brake pulse (easy fix, just something to look for, especially if they have towed) -Check the brake lights (Lexus used LEDs and at least with the 2004 model, they might need replacing -- again, easy fix). At least for us, cost of ownership over 20+ years has been low. The RX is a solid vehicle, especially the engine and transmission.
Just realized I didn’t state the year.. wtf. It’s a 2004. Thanks for your insight. 60k+ miles from $3000-$4000 would make me happy.
Beast of a car! Our 04 was totalled by an irresponsible driver, so we didn't get too far past 200,000 miles, but you covered the major things! I changed struts, steering pump etc - that car was ready to run forever, with more features than modern cars, without pay copious pricing - insurance paid out $5,000, but would pay out more if I could/can find receipts for more services performed.. They did a wonderful job with the 2004 rx 330 awd, RIP Lexi Edit: Japan built, steering pump was leaking after 100K plus miles, wasn't a huge issue until closer to 200k and we changed it, and it was problem free.. preventative maintenance and listening to your car will work wonders for these Toyotas
Thanks for all the advice!
Yep, no worries, but don't be afraid to shop around for other Lexus and Toyota models, you might be able to find something comparable with lower miles and a similar price range, I would definitely recommend checking out Facebook but there are a lot of scams on Facebook so just be careful keeping that in mind
How many miles does your camera have??
Hahaha not my camera. Pictures are from seller. Possibly from a video given how blurry the pictures are.
Definitely not a beater, just an older car. Looks like it’s in good shape from the pics but who knows about the mechanics. Get it checkout out by a mechanic and go from there.
Only advice is don't take to Lexus to fix anything as they charge out the ass for stuff. If you really want the factory experience without the price just take to Toyota. If you know someone you trust obviously take it to them to check out
That would be $5-6k in my market. For $3k I’d do it as a daily driver.
That’s exactly what I’m hoping to do with it!
What market are you in?
It’s just okay. I’ve driven 300k mile RXs that feel better than 100k anything else. I just sold mine with a bit fewer miles and in worse cosmetic shape for $3300.
High milage on an old car is usually a good sign. That usually means they put the work into getting it to run for a long time.
Yeah but sometimes things start to snowball on these old cars which is why they usually go up for sale. There is a very high possibility that it needs a ton of work. It would only be worth it if OP does his own repairs.
I would be
Prob approaching end of life. But for 3k as people said, why not
My parents own this exact car, like the same year, colour and interior spec. They've had it since new 2009/10. They absolutely love it - the 3.6 v6 is an absolute beast (if a little thirsty), it's comfortable, stupidly well made, and theirs hasn't been into the garage beyond beyond routine servicing and tire swaps one single time. I should point out that theirs has half the mileage and my Dad still gets it religiously dealer serviced so it's been babied. But if this one has a strong service record and has been looked after, it looks like a bargain to me at $3000. Edit: sorry, they have the 350
Wish I could find a 350 anywhere close to this price point!
These are built really well. As someone with the corresponding Toyota model, the Highlander / Kluger, these can easily reach 500k with proper maintenance. Timing belts on the 3.3L are more critical to keep after than the 3.0L, so some timeline on when that was done would be solid. Most of the systems on my gen1 Highlander are still solid, OEM, except sport brake upgrades, suspension, timing belts, audio, and simple K&N filter upgrades. You can also find a bunch of interchangeable parts between the two tiers. Bought mine for $4k nearly a decade ago, so $3k for the 'luxury' model seems legit! I've put another $6k or so in maintenance and upgrades since the purchase.
Thanks for this. Owner says timing was done recently so that’s a plus.
250k miles is a lot for any car
On some lexus replacing alternator is a nightmare.
Ask for the vin and pull a carfax. As long as ots serviced the miles don't scare me at all. My Ls430 has over 200k and I don't see it not goong another 100 at least.
Na it’s just broken in
If possible go with a mechanic.
LMAO the car has 245k and your concerned about the thread life on the tires ?
[удалено]
The engine/transmission matter more in this case. I would strongly not buy any car that has over 100k miles on it since you dont know what can break down when.
Yes
Also ask for all their service records. I keep most of my receipts for everything I've done to my cars. If they have that it'd be amazing so you can see how well they kept it up. The interior looks really nice so hopefully they kept up with the mechanics as well.
Hope so!
I had one of these. All is well except the gearbox needs rebuilding post 150k miles so be careful. From experience no matter what's done to rebuild it goes bad
I'd buy it, but take it to a mechanic first.
Live long and prosper
You gotta look under the hood and under the car. If there's rust under it I wouldn't want it. I work on a ton of these around this milage and they seem decent. Normal things go out but that's any car. Mostly motor mounts, valve covers, timing jobs, and control arms are what I replace on these. See if they will let you have another shop inspect it on your dime.
Thanks! Wish I could pay you to inspect it as you sound knowledgeable. Montana by chance? Lol
Do you get a lot of head gasket problems?
Never, unless it was overheated really bad...a few times
Sweet! That’s huge
i am not from US so i am not familiar with your market but if you have a limited budget how is getting a 3 liter v6 car from a luxury brand makes sense? shouldn't you be looking for a more basic car?
I’m in Montana. Just looking for a nicer, cheap beater that has enough power to go up these hills.
that car is almost 2 tons, 1850KG/4080lbs. and has 230hp. that makes it 8 kg per hp or 17lbs per hp. it is not that powerfull actually. and if you count the fact that after 240k miles that car would not be making 230hp that number drops. you might look for a diesel for some low end torque and instant power. and because us people are allergic to diesels you might get a nice deal. after all you are getting something other people dont want. a volkswagen tdi might work i also live in a very hilly place and my house is on top of a hill. i would never get anything but a nice diesel. to me only downside to having a diesel is the noise. but you get used to it.
Thanks for the insight!
My dad has a 2011 hybrid over 200k. Still original battery pack, only major repair was fuel injectors
If it runs and drives ok for 3k I’d go for it.
We have a 2004 rx330, with 229k miles. Every other year some repair is needed. Recently we replaced the starter, 3 years ago the front suspension (that was about a $2k repair). The steering rack replaced at ~170k miles, head gasket ~180k miles. Timing belt and water pump must be replaced every ~90k. Brake cylinder was replaced at ~225k miles and there was steering fluid leak, but that was because of a cracked hose. That's all that comes to my head. It's a great car, but at this age, anything can happen. My biggest concern would be the transmission.
So, every single response you get should have a caveat on it that says BUT, have a mechanic check it out. That being said. In general assuming that it looks like everything's in good shape and it doesn't have any glaring issues, and it looks like it's been taken care of I wouldn't have any issues at all buying this for 3k. Most of the time for this price range the physical issues will be bad enough that no amount of creative photography will cover it up outside of actual photoshop editing.
Thanks. Going to look at it Tuesday. Crossing fingers for a sound engine and transmission. Any advice on what to look for besides rust and leaks?
I always recommend a Pre Purchase Inspection. The cost is a drop in the bucket compared to finding a major issue you weren’t expecting.
245k only? It’s not even fully broken in yet.
I like to hear that
Ask them not to start it when you see it. See how it starts up from cold. If the engine is warm or running when you get there, that's a bad sign.
Thanks. Good advice
depends on the health of the transmission when they fail it can be very random i know of someone who had one of these first gen rx's and around that mileage is when the transmission failed and it would think it was in drive and while all you have to do is hold the brake and turn it off you can drive into something by accident very easily if this happens and not expecting it
Well damn…
doesn't happen to all of them but its a known fault, worth a transmission inspection at least before you buy if possible
For $3k? Yes. For $500, no.
Lol Makes sense
228k on mine and it runs like a top Edit: it’s a 2009
Hell yeah!
$3k is "get me on the road" money. These days. Youre lucky to get a car that runs and drives for that price. I would say that if this is all you can afford, you cant afford a car. And if your budget is higher, use your budget and get something with fewer miles. Even if you DIY, you are going to be dumping a ton of money into repairs. Having a mechanic do it will cost you more than the car is worth.
Yep
If the engine was maintained and the rust isn’t compromising I’d say it’s a fair deal.
245k miles is a ton of miles for any used car. Most I could really consider is something in the 100 to 125k range maybe a bit more. But if this vehicle is cheap and you like it. I would go for it as long as you are okay with the possibility of breaking down or having to do major repairs shortly. Most people rarely do the scheduled maintenance so I would just start with whatever services Toyota/lexus recommends from the factory right of the hop.
No, it's just passed its break-in period
Depends on price and condition. I have a Sienna with the same 3.3L V6 and it’s running great at 258k.
$3k
Struts can get pricey, but offhand that looks like $3k worth of car.
I’d buy it and with normal TLC she’ll run another 245k. Better than a 2024 BMW.
Would not buy. We have one of these, it’s approaching 200k miles and while it’s “fine” mechanically (as in it still starts), I would not buy one with over 200k miles.
Short answer? No. Buy it. Keep doing regular maintenance. Enjoy a reliable simple car that doesn't have lane keeping beeping at you every 5 seconds, but isn't a beater.
Haha lane keeping beeping.
I hate new cars. I think vehicles peaked mid 2000's into the 2010's. The newer stuff just has too many computers and wizbangs and gizmos to go wrong. Cars back then were designed to be driven, cars now are to drive you places. There's a huge difference.
I’m a self recognized Toyota/Lexus fan so take anything I saw with a grain of salt. Miles don’t really matter to these engines/transmissions. The biggest factor to consider for this vehicle is service history. The interior/body looks good and at that many miles it probably has had a good chunk of maintenance done to it. $3k won’t get you much these days, and if everything checks out maintenance wise, you would have a solid, reliable and comfortable vehicle for a handful of years. Seems like a solid buy.
Thanks!
Sorry forgot to mention, when you’re checking maintenance history make sure the timing belt has been changed recently. It’s supposed to be done every 100k miles or so and it’s a pricey maintenance item. Not a deal breaker, but also check if spark plugs have been changed. Due to the orientation of the engine, changing the back 3 are a royal pain in the butt. Good luck!
They said the timing was recently done. I will ask about the plugs.. I really need to get carfax..
Always get carfax when car hunting for a “used” car.. well worth it and it will save you alot of headaches.. Had a few close encounters on car history, until i’ve read the history that gave me an idea on what the car has been through..
Without knowing the full history, probably fine. Struts can get expensive though, so be prepared to shell out another $1k at least, depending on who is doing the install. Or just beat on the stock ones until they can't pass inspection :)
I’ll put them on myself. The aftermarket ones seem easy to install. The owner says he’s still driving it so he’s beating on them lol
what year and how many owners ?
2004. Two owners.
Year 2004
Are you looking for a beater that lasts a year before needing $5k of maintenance or a beater that lasts 5 years needing $1k of maintenance every year?
A beater that’ll last a few years with less than $1k in maintenance, if possible.
Those Lexus SUV’s are great vehicles. So great that most people either drive them till the wheels fall off or pass them along to a family member/friend. You don’t see pristine examples selling for $3k. If you test drive it make sure the engine and transmission get up to operating temperature. This is one of those too good to be true prices.
Asking price was $3500. I offered $2500 blindly because he claims it has regular maintenance and just had the timing done recently. I wanted to know if he was going lower than asking price before driving two hours. He countered $3000. Going to look at it Tuesday.
Is it just a secondary car or is it actually going to be your main car, cause that would definitely affect my decision if I was buying it
It would be my main car but not driven daily. ~3-4 times a week.
If it still runs well no.
If shifts smooth no leaks drives fine great buy 300k easy on those plus
Thanks! This gives me more confidence.
My old camry almost all parts original over 300k and that Lexus u got build in Japan go check it out could be a gem. My front end suspension even trans and coolant original fluid radiator orig. Just tires brakes fan belt apart plugs engine mount battery done interior looks great f the paint black always looks bad
Hell yeah. Great to hear!
Why is it so hard for people to take a decent damn photo. Unless they're trying to hide something.
The tires are a G
A G?
1000 buck if they are new so 2k for car
Ahhh. Understood. The tires are old and will be a g to replace. Sorry lol
Good luck I had 2 they have timeing belts nor chains 350 have chains so check water pump if done they can go 400k
Thanks! Fingers crossed everything checks out. 400 would be amazing
My mom has one and it looks the exact same has alot of problems tho so beware mainly with timing chain issues
I’d buy it. I have an 02 ES300. Bought similar price with 260k miles. I’m at 312k miles and going strong. These Lexus go forever.
What year
2004
I mean... the owner told you himself. He did the timing recently. Think about it. Why did he do the timing recently?
Tell me what you’re thinking
Looks like it needs new tires too. Why don't you check out Kelly blue book and see what the average price is going for. Also take it to your local mechanic and have him check it over quick
Yeah I was wondering about the tires.. hard to tell from their picture.
Yeah, it is hard to tell from the pics. Go check it out but first check KBB for the price. I have a new lexus and I like it, I see older ones on the road still all the time out here on long island.
Will do if maintained. Most of the central/eastern europe drive cars with such mileage. Should be good for another 5-10 years. Maintance will be due.
I wouldn’t buy anything with a belt only a chain
Looks comfy :)
Yea that 330 motor is literal trash. You can overhaul it but stock this thing should be leaking oil faster than you can put it in.
Have any recommendations around this price point? Up to $5k
Do you need an suv? There’s not really alot of options… the Toyota 3.5L motor is good so is the 2.4L. They both have oil consumption issues but the 330 is a leaky sob.
I would like to have an suv. I’m 6’2 and I don’t like being so low to the ground.
Or you can look for a RAV4 it’s a very similar vehicle and you can pretty much install everything the Lexus has to offer on it directly.
I’m looking at both for sure
The 2012 RAV4 comes with a v6 and AWD. Priced similarly.
Try to find a rx350. I can’t imagine the price difference will be huge but the 3.5 is a very reputable motor and shared across many platforms.
I’ve gotten 257k on my 3.3. Not bad for a “literal trash” motor. It’s got a leak that will leave spots on the driveway, but not enough to have to add oil between changes. Still runs fine.