Lexus RX 330

stoli25

Why people want a 3rd row in a suv?
get a minivan.
I'd not want rx330 to have a 3rd row seat, instead I would go for more space to put my golf clubs.

chsmithins

Those are reasons why we just decided to pull the trigger and buy an '03. We actually like the smaller size of the current model and didn't want a bigger car. We like the rounded look of the current model and didn't want a traditional square SUV. We felt the 5th model year was a good bet versus the possible teething problems of a new model, a new assembly plant, a new engine, and I believe a new transmission. We also didn't necessarily have to have the latest and greatest.

Our price was sure right also. We bought in southern California from Lexus Mission Viejo (it was from a reference from someone on this board, by the way) for $500 over invoice for 2WD with Nav. Up here in the Northwest dealers demand MSRP! We were told, however, that some of the current price break in SoCal was from the glut of cars coming in after the west coast dock strike. Once that supply glut clears prices may firm upwards again there.

I had emailed about 5 dealers and got good responses compared to the stuffy Northwest dealer attitude. It was a great buying experience. Everything was done and confirmed prior to entering the dealership.

We're happy with our decision so far . . . hope it stays that way.

rkanter

Anybody know what the actual dimensions of the vehicle would be? I am hoping it will be around the 188" length to compete with the MDX and XC90, but that's a pretty big jump from the current 180"

xsfo

The RX330 will be pretty close to the Highlander in physical dimensions and specs. The Highlander uses the same vehicle platform as the upcoming RX330. So use the Highlander for reference.

This means the RX330 will be about 184" long and 72" wide. It will definitely NOT be 188". Lexus wants customers who want a larger SUV to get the GX470 instead. Don't knock the GX, it's pretty nice. Unless you can't afford it. :P

essweb

Standard Seating 5 5

Optional Seating N/A N/A

Front Headroom 40 in. 39.7 in.

Rear Headroom 39.8 in. 39.1 in.

Front Legroom 40.7 in. 41.7 in.

Rear Legroom 36.4 in. 34.7 in.

Front Shoulder Room 57.9 in. 58 in.

Rear Shoulder Room 57 in. 57.2 in.

Front Hip Room 55.1 in. 55.3 in.

Rear Hip Room 54.9 in. 55.3 in.

MFR Passenger Volume 105.7 cu.ft 103.1 cu.ft

Standard Towing 1500 lb 5000 lb

essweb

There is not much difference in terms of size between the HL/4ers or RX/GX. Unless you are towing, and need to drive off road a lot, there is no advantage of getting a 4ers or a GX. It is good that Toyota offers 4 choices for the mid-size SUV sector, but I think Honda is doing fine with just two. Toyota can stay on top as #1 only because Honda is having problem producing enough of its SUVs/van.

Also, a limited 4runners cost more than a RX300, While the HL SR5 v6 and 4Runner SR5 v6 priced at about the same level. I find that interesting.

wwest

Unless you actually have need of AWD functionality. In which case the GX or 4r will, could be a real bargain.

essweb

A 4x4 anything is better than a 4x2 anything. A 4x4 + VSC is better than a 4x4 anything.

The true is: If .4 million a year of new camry and another .4 million a year of accord can do well in all weather, then a 4x4 VSC HL or RX is needed merely for added assurance - and because I can pay the extra for that extra assurance.

Regarding off road and rock climbing capability, I will probably do it once a year or less. Because like most of the population, I live in a place where there is highway. The only reason I even need a 4x4 with VSC is because of the snow in Michigan.

ng9999

wwest

merely for added assurance...

Just in case we have a repeat of Dec 90 or late dec of 95, our 85, then our 92 Jeep 4x4 needed 4 snowchains on the HIGHWAYS in order to navigate around all those camrys and such, including some 4x4s that went out without snowchains on board.

AS I see it VSC is no more of an added advantage than more tread contact patch. I would much prefer a "sick shaker" type of warning of impending loss of directional control so I would learn by being in the "loop".

diploid

http://apnews.excite.com/image/20021204/WINTER_STORM.sff_NCAM102_20021204162327.html?date=20021205&docid=D7NNA6BG0

essweb

For THAT kind of assurance, I suggest Land Rover, Land Cruiser, or a non H2 Hummer.

Or, I will just call in sick and save me the extra 3,000,000 Cent I need to pay that stupid car just in case the sky falls.

If my maths is right, VSC is actually cheaper than 4 Blizzak tires. In fact, VSC is one of the fewer and fewer advantage Toyota has over Honda. I am sure the new TL will change that when Honda makes stability assist standard just like those cheap bose speakers...

essweb

I don't think that has anything to do with Jeep's LEGENDARY 4x4 capability. It is merely one of those routine minor issues like engine failure.

diploid

Arrogant owners who think their Jeeps are immune to the forces of physics and nature.

diploid

In fact, here's the caption underneath the photo: "Cody Baker, of Barnardsville, N.C., walks to back to his vehicle in Asheville, N.C., Wednesday, Dec, 4, 2002, after he lost control on the icy roadway and hit the guardrail, going the wrong direction, on his way to work."

So, no minor engine failure in this case.

rkanter

Don't get me wrong. I think the the GX is a beautiful car (except for the rear tailgate). I just don't want a V8 that gets 15 or less MPG. It's just too much car especially when the pricetag with the options I want will run me around $50K

essweb

That pricing and the fact that RX330 lacks 3rd seat keep MDX's waiting list long.

diploid

Found this while lurking in the Sienna room.

http://the-sun.com.hk/channels/car/20021203/img/m4120301_big.jpg

diploid

We like to reject Vince's page, but here's another pic.
http://thehollywoodextra.com/lexus/lexus.html

In this one, the new RX looks like a big wagon. The current version does a better job at imitating an SUV.

ruski

the color looks off as if someone did a bad photoshop job.

landdriver

That's what struck me about the 330 is that it doesn't look like an SUV at all, it could pass for a car (at least judging from the pics.). This is not necessarily a negative; I suspect that some people, myself included, would like a car that is built a bit more rugged than your standard automobile, but anyone buying this to show-off the fact that they have an SUV will need to have their head examined (or at least their vision corrected).

wolfx

considering the GX is around $50-55k loaded, the RX should be in the $40-45k range.. is that what everyone else expecting?

diploid

If you're going by MSRP. But I know for a fact that people are able to get the current RX close to (or even under) invoice.

diploid

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5596

"The RX330 is bigger in all dimensions than the current RX300 and able to accommodate an optional third-row seat. We expect it to be powered by a 240-horsepower 3.3-liter V-6 when it makes its 'official' world debut at the NAIAS in January."

magnetophone

I don't get it - is it just me or is this new RX look like a larger jacked-up version of an IS300 SportCross, which is not selling well at all?

I think it looks too hatchbacky!

gteach26

From the pictures I've seen there simply isn't any room in the rear for a third row... especially since the rear liftgate seems flatter and more "hatchbacky" (thx magnetophone) than the current RX. I guess it is possible but the third row must be tiny if its there.

diploid

It's either really tiny or rear facing. At least it's optional.

Regarding the carconnection.com spy pic: the end looks more sloped because the hatch is up. If it's down, you can see (from the other spy pics) that there are blacked out pillars, so it's not really that sloped.

xsfo

The real answer is that there is no third row seating available for the RX330. The Car Connection text is just plain wrong about the third row seats.

I mentioned before that the RX330 will be close to the Highlander in size. The RX330 is the Lexus version of the Toyota Harrier. From a Japanese article of the new Toyota Harrier the dimensions of the will be:

186" Length

72.6" Width

65.7" Height

106.9" Wheelbase

The article is at: http://www.auto-g.jp/news/200212/05/newcar01/index.html

bored

It DOES look like a hatchback. May as well be classified as one. As a matter of fact, all of the "toy" SUVs should be hatchbacks.

I don't understand the American Public. The hatchback is the ultimate vehicle. It can carry slmost anything, almost (If not more) than the SUV can. What happened to them? All the rest of the countries like them. What's wrong with us?

I can officially say this: The RX300 has turned from ugly, to oogly.

wolfx

and Americans as a group consider stationwagons just too ugly!

my wife actually hated hatchbacks until we spent 10 days in Italy and all she saw were the "cute" hatchbacks that Europeans love, and next thing you know, to my great surprise, she said "you know what.. that Mini looks cute now that i think about it"

maybe if every american moved to Europe for 2 weeks they'd come back with a different perspective on hatchbacks.

wwest

Definition, please.

Anyone notice that even the Porsche 911 comes in a hatchback version now?

Never understood why Ford discontinued that beautiful Capri "bubble" hatchback. Screw the Mustang, bring back the Capri!

sopecreek

(from pseudodictionary.com)

oogly - Extremely ugly. Use an exaggerated or elongated pronunciation of "ugly."

wwest

I was afraid it was a deriative of OOGLE, as in dammit Willard, stop oogling those girls.

Anyone know if we'll see the RX/e (prototype) soon?

nofeer

THe market is at 3rd row seats, mcx, pilot explorer, the bmw lookalike isn't attractive to my family needs and have to go outside lexus for an mdx. there are people who want carlike ride, awd, suv look, that's what made rx300 so popular. I can't believe lexus is going backward. why even make a vehicle MORE expensive than the HL, and the same size. More cannabalism????
TELL ME WHY I SHOULD BUY AN RX330???? please, why not a HL for far less, or Pilot/mdx

Having such a rake of the rear hatch makes it even less usuable than a trunk. that's why i won't get the bmw, and the HL more and more attractive.

Hope tha rx330 is larger longer and more competitive with the mdx, if not there goes market share. the GX isn't the answere. body on frame, solid rear axle, ==== truck ride, I DON'T WANT TRUCK RIDE.

coolguyky7

Why don't you read the posts on the GX board. The people who have ridden in it love it.

wwest

And SOME people LOVE the butt ugly SC430.

That rear swing door only reminds me of the vehicle which will undoubtedly carry me to my final resting place.

coolguyky7

Has anyone noticed that Cadillac's new smaller SUV will be called the SRX?

diploid

Is there a significance to that?

wwest

SRX: Superior to, or SUPER RX.

coolguyky7

Well I would think that its a little too close to the RX's name especially given that they are relatively competitive vehicles. I'm somewhat surprised Toyota didn't get after Cadillac for the name like they did with Ford on their LS sedan.

mariner7

Whats the story between Lexus, Lincoln and the name? I always thought minor league of Lincoln to take name of another company.

BTW Lexus and Infiniti SUV's are going to share the similar names: RX, GX, FX, etc.

coolguyky7

I love it when car companies threaten each other. The latest is the one Chrysler tried with its Jeep grille trademark saying the RX's grille was too similar, along with another vehicle...possibly the Hummer H2? I think Lincoln backed off of the LS when Toyota wanted to call the Tundra the T-150 ("replacing" the T-100). Still, I think the LS sounds too close to the LS 430.

Kirstie_H

Are you considering buying the Infiniti FX45, the Volvo XC90 or Lexus RX 330? A tv producer is looking for folks who are likely to buy one of these vehicles in the future. If you fit the bill, and would be willing to share part of your experience with the media, please send your daytime contact information and vehicle shopping list to jfallon@edmunds.com by January 15, 2003

berg32

I read here that RX330 will be based on the current Highlander. But I thought the current Highlander was based on the old RX300. What is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?

landdriver

See post "Re: Next Highlander Re-do/Iteration---When?" Dec 09, 2002, in discussion "Toyota Highlander" for the whole truth behind the RX 300, the Highlander, and the RX 330.

berg32

Thank you landdriver. So, if the RX330 is based on the RX300, and if I don't need the larger size, then it seems like I will save some $$$, not miss out on a major improvement, and I don't need to wait for the RX330. Do you agree?

coolguyky7

Has anyone seen that picture of a possible roof option for the RX 330? It was like a glass roof made of several glass panels that slide back making a huge sunroof.

maxhonda99

berg32, But the RX330 will be a major improvement over the RX300. True, the RX330 will be a evolution of the RX300 platform, but that evolution will bring about may changes including better structural integrity, more safety features, a bigger more powerful engine, improved ride & handling, more features and so on.

nofeer

The Daily Auto Insider

GM, Toyota to Intro Hybrid Models

December 24, 2002

<http://www.caranddriver.com/images/pg_button_red.gif>

Page 1 of 1

General Motors and Toyota are gearing up to produce hybrid gasoline-and-electric versions of sport-utility vehicles and pickup trucks, the Wall Street Journal reported.

GM intends to offer hybrid systems as optional equipment across much of its lineup between 2004 and the end of the decade, the WSJ said, citing a company official familiar with the plans.

Toyota plans to launch hybrid versions of its Lexus RX330 luxury SUV and its Toyota Highlander SUV before the middle of the decade. Toyota is also "considering" developing hybrid versions of the Camry.

Over the next few years, most major auto makers plan to roll out hybrid versions of their SUVs or pickup trucks. Ford has already announced a hybrid version of the Ford Escape small SUV late next year; Honda also is considering expanding its hybrid offerings, perhaps in the next generation of the Odyssey minivan, Acura MDX and Honda Pilot; and Chrysler plans a hybrid version of its full-size pickup truck.

Next news item

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now that would be interesting, thought at first i wouldn't consider this since i would like larger but if hybrid, welll hmmmmmmmm

berg32

Thanks Maxhonda99 for your comments. If the RX330 is for me, the bigger engine matters, but if for my wife it probably does not. The current size is better for her, it will fit in our garage. Improved safety features matter for both of us, of course. Maybe we'll buy a used RX300; there is a glut of them locally, but prices seem high.