Anyone got experience of the Lexus RX300?
Discussion
My mum has the hybrid version.
It does what it says on the tin really. Never had any issues with it and it's a nice car to waft around in.
They're very refined/comfy. I remember sitting in the back once and being followed by a Transit van at about 40mph up a bit of a hill - the loudest noise in the car was the Transit's engine!
It does what it says on the tin really. Never had any issues with it and it's a nice car to waft around in.
They're very refined/comfy. I remember sitting in the back once and being followed by a Transit van at about 40mph up a bit of a hill - the loudest noise in the car was the Transit's engine!
I guess you want a newer version, but I've got my Dad's 52 Plate sat outside at the minute whilst he's away. He's Never ever had an issue with anything from new and had 80k trouble free miles, just put petrol in it. He regulary tows a huge trailer with it full of Glass too and it's a bit of a workhorse for his tools and the dogs, the leather in the back is usually filthy. When it's valeted though the interior comes up like new. It's got FSH and he was offered 4k trade in for it at BMW the other month!!! He said he'll just run it into the ground, i'm actually quite tempted by one myself.
He used to have Range Rovers but got fed up of the reliability and got this. Whenever i need to do any distance, i'll allways borrow this over the 350Z. I absolutely Love it. Just sublime levels of comfort and you just waft along. It's also pretty quick when you give it some stick, and makes a great noise
I seem to average around 25mpg when doing my usual urban runs to work etc.
He used to have Range Rovers but got fed up of the reliability and got this. Whenever i need to do any distance, i'll allways borrow this over the 350Z. I absolutely Love it. Just sublime levels of comfort and you just waft along. It's also pretty quick when you give it some stick, and makes a great noise
I seem to average around 25mpg when doing my usual urban runs to work etc.
Edited by Aviz on Saturday 25th September 20:27
Edited by Aviz on Saturday 25th September 20:30
Matt UK said:
OK thanks, good to hear.
Any know faults? There must be some things for me to look out for?
I looked at these - the earliest 2000 cars around the 4k mark. Speaking to the service guy at a main dealer he was a bit stuck for things to watch out for until he remembered he had heard of a gearbox go once. Just the one mind. The list of areas to check include worn tyres, brakes and wiper blades - seriously, that's about it, from what I could find out. Remember it's a Toyota, one where the Landcruiser reliability engineers were out to really really impress people. Be interesting to find someone who's had a lemon, if they exist in Lexus-world!Any know faults? There must be some things for me to look out for?
We sold our 04 plate last year had it 18 months. The only problem in the time was an oil leak from the driveshaft, it was quite an expensive repair due to the gearbox having to be taken out.
Other than that the normal service we had done was very reasonable.
Quite a solid reliable car.
Other than that the normal service we had done was very reasonable.
Quite a solid reliable car.
My wife had an RX300 (newer shape 2003) for 2 1/2 years and we absolutely loved it. We sold it recently and truely regret it (well I do), we've replaced it with a "newer" Nissan Murano and whilst the Murano looks fresher and has plenty of toys it lacks the comfort and refinement of the Lexus. It does handle better but the downside as already mentioned is comfort as the suspension is much firmer and less forgiving. I am toying with selling the Murano and buying another Lexus!!
In the time we had our RX nothing went wrong, everything worked and the car just had routine servicing and consumables replaced such as tyres, discs and pads. The SE-L models can have trouble with their air suspension and as such can be very expensive to fix. If it were me in the market again then I would just buy a well specified RX300 SE.
Jules
In the time we had our RX nothing went wrong, everything worked and the car just had routine servicing and consumables replaced such as tyres, discs and pads. The SE-L models can have trouble with their air suspension and as such can be very expensive to fix. If it were me in the market again then I would just buy a well specified RX300 SE.
Jules
The only car I've ever bought and considered to be a fail was my IS200. Completely reliable and very well put together. Nothing went wrong and there was far more electronics to help than the antiquated fascia suggested. Only it was just the most soulless thing I have ever driven. Another poster said "boring" and they weren't wrong - it wasn't just a little lacking in fun which I was prepared for - it was soul-destroying bland. No fun to be had even if you switch off the gadgets and try.
I got rid and would have rather been driving a 206, Clio or some other cheap tat. If you enjoy your driving then re-consider, please!
I got rid and would have rather been driving a 206, Clio or some other cheap tat. If you enjoy your driving then re-consider, please!
FamilyGuy said:
The only car I've ever bought and considered to be a fail was my IS200. Completely reliable and very well put together. Nothing went wrong and there was far more electronics to help than the antiquated fascia suggested. Only it was just the most soulless thing I have ever driven. Another poster said "boring" and they weren't wrong - it wasn't just a little lacking in fun which I was prepared for - it was soul-destroying bland. No fun to be had even if you switch off the gadgets and try.
I got rid and would have rather been driving a 206, Clio or some other cheap tat. If you enjoy your driving then re-consider, please!
I don;t think he's looking at an RX300 to do any spirited driving though, so probably irrelevant.I got rid and would have rather been driving a 206, Clio or some other cheap tat. If you enjoy your driving then re-consider, please!
Thanks for the comments - I'm hearing the 'boring' thing coming through loud and clear and I'm not really surprised by this.
To clarify, it will be the family wagon- the missus will drive it mainly and I'll drive it on weekends / holidays.
Boring is fine (she has a Scenic at the moment). All I'm really looking for is reliability, comfort, ability to carry people/stuff.
At worst, they don't seem to be that popular and at best polorise opinion - which is good for me as 2nd hand they look a bit of a bargain.
To clarify, it will be the family wagon- the missus will drive it mainly and I'll drive it on weekends / holidays.
Boring is fine (she has a Scenic at the moment). All I'm really looking for is reliability, comfort, ability to carry people/stuff.
At worst, they don't seem to be that popular and at best polorise opinion - which is good for me as 2nd hand they look a bit of a bargain.
Edited by Matt UK on Sunday 26th September 15:20
Matt UK said:
Thanks for the comments - I'm hearing the 'boring' thing coming through loud and clear and I'm not really surprised by this.
To clarify, it will be the family wagon- the missus will drive it mainly and I'll drive it on weekends / holidays.
Boring is fine (she has a Scenic at the moment). All I'm really looking for is reliability, comfort, ability to carry people/stuff.
At worst, they don't seem to be that popular and at best polorise opinion - which is good for me as 2nd hand they look a bit of a bargain.
Well our family wagon is a 1.7T Alhambra and it was a pleasure to drive through the corners compared to the Lexus. I'm not talking spirited driving, I'm just talking A to B with children stuff. It was not just woolly, it just simply had nothing.To clarify, it will be the family wagon- the missus will drive it mainly and I'll drive it on weekends / holidays.
Boring is fine (she has a Scenic at the moment). All I'm really looking for is reliability, comfort, ability to carry people/stuff.
At worst, they don't seem to be that popular and at best polorise opinion - which is good for me as 2nd hand they look a bit of a bargain.
Edited by Matt UK on Sunday 26th September 15:20
The mistake I made on the test drive was to try and see if it had any handling vices - which it didn't. What I should have done is also to see if it had any positives - which it didn't.
I have two customers that bring them in for servicing - both with 100k+ on the clocks and both have been pretty good in that the owners haven't recieved any massive bills for work - They've had a few bits go on them but nothing more than any other car - ugly as f
k though and massively bland - Owners both love them though so can't be that bad
k though and massively bland - Owners both love them though so can't be that bad
whilst I cannot argue with that, she currently drives a Renault Scenic so the base point for comparison is very, very low...
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