By accessing this website, you acknowledge that Edmunds and its third party business partners may use cookies, pixels, and similar technologies to collect information about you and your interactions with the website as described in our
Privacy Statement, and you agree that your use of the website is subject to our
Visitor Agreement.
Comments
Part of the transaction was the tow pkg. which the dealer instated that day at Lexus of Pleasanton in Calif.
Very happy with the RX I have 2000 miles on in 3 weeks. Great in snow and ice I live at 6000 feet in the mountains and need awd to get home.
The dealer is stroking you about the tow pkg
Our car is still experiencing a resonating rumble at idle when in gear. If anyone has any ideas please post as the dealer has not been able to diagnose the problem. Thanks.
goto:
http://www.velocityjrnl.com/jrnl/2001/v2kmdl2273mult.html
TC
Thanks for the congrats. My pick up date is set for Saturday, but now we're set to get heavy rain or snow in NY. I really wanted a clear day to inspect the car before I drive off. I'm torn between postponing and just picking it up anyway. I need my new toy!
TC
According to James Healey's USA Today review of the Highlander:
"Highlander is ... atop mainly Camry hardware."
"When it's time for the inevitable RX re-do in a year or two, it'll go on the chassis that Highlander uses today, which means more space and refinement."
It is a fairly different vehicle than the RX. Larger, more cargo room, larger payload weight, an allegedly smoother ride, but WAY different sheetmetal and lesser appointments. While I personally don't care for the Highlander's styling, I think the next-generation RX will do well to incorporate the Highlander's chassis improvements.
Full review at:
http://www.usatoday.com/facelift/usatonline/20010112/2984673s.htm
I'm very much ready to get RX300 . Are you all happy with RX? Any comments, inputs or suggestion is appreciate.
Thank you to all,
I love my RX when I get behind the wheel life is a little sweeter.
The following opinion is based on driving my wife's '00 RX300 on occasion, and on using a '00 ML320 loaner for a couple of hours while my C320 Tele Aid software was being "reflashed".
The ML is bigger inside than the RX, and is not as luxurious. The ML is basically a truck, while the RX rides and drives like a car. They are quite different vehicles and your choice should be based on how you intend to use it. As a sidenote, I was surprised to see that the ML had all the knobs and switches for the Nav system, but when you pushed or turned any of them, the screen would say "Navi System Not Installed" or something to that effect. Why doesn't it just say "Cheapskate!"? I would not want the controls for some accessory present if I don't have the accessory itself. But I guess the RX has a CD button even if you don't have the CD changer????
Wanted the blue vapour colour , but it was too difficult to find and no deals on it.
Havent lost that new car smell as yet
I feel like a crack addict going into withdrawl...
The ML does ride firmer (as most European vehicles do vs. Japanese vehicles) than the RX, but that's the way that it was intended. I didn't particularly like the soft feel of the RX or the light and numb steering. Note that the shocks and springs have to be firmer due to the ML's heavier curb weight and significantly higher payload capacity (1350lbs vs. the RX's 950lbs).
mvs1, actually quite a few people do take their $40K SUVs off-road. Off-road instructors have been saying that their seeing more and more MLs in the off-road classes/courses. Considering that most people buy these vehicles for their foul weather flexibility though, your snow buster comment is appropriate.
Tony, good luck with your delivery tomorrow! Remember to take it easy for the first little while.
Drew
Host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
WRT to RX handling, yes, it is a cushier ride but many folks swear that a) the '01s have tightened up a bit and b) throw a set of Michelin LTXs on and the RX becomes a more responsive ride. Don't know why Lexus throws such garbage tires (goodyears) on an upscale vehicle.
TC
You should have a look at Consumer Reports test of the LTX M/S; if you don't have it, I can try to dig it up for you. It was good, but not the best tire (it was only so-so in certain areas, I believe). The highest rated all-season SUV tire was the BFgoodrich Long Trail T/A. If they do make it in the RX's size, I'd recommend those instead of the (admittedly crappy) Goodyear Integrity tires.
I test drove a '01 RX just recently - about 2 weeks ago - and didn't notice any significant difference to the previous model years. However, I did notice that the Toyota Highlander's ride was definitely slightly tauter than the RX's. It's still rather softish compared to the MDX or ML though...Pros and cons for both configurations.
Drew
Host
Vans and Aftermarket & Accessories message boards
TC
The RX is comfort. Its built well. It is worth every penny. The A/C cools & dehumidifies & maintains an even temperature (vs the QX4).
My wife got it after riding wiht a coworker in his ML320. It was just OK, she felt. Not as good a ride in her opinion. ML320 had been in the shop so much he dumped his ML320 shortly after my wife got the RX. He now has an RX. Hes very happy.
Too many people getting RX tho. Seems they will be the beetle of the future!
One day as I rode on the passenger side I simply lowered that seat as far down as it would go. Wow! I can lie completely flat, even on my back, with my legs fully stretched out. With a comfortable pillow under my head it's almost as good as my bed at home.
A warning, though. Reclining like this is dangerous while moving since the shoulder harness won't work correctly during an accident. Still, with my poor health and bad lower back, I consider it worth the risk. By the way, on these highway miles I cruise at 75-78 MPH, AC off this time of year, in my AWD model with 87 oct. gas on Good- year Integrity tires. I'm getting 22.5 to 23 MPG.
Buy RX! Enjoy! Enjoy! Joe Tuso
Scrambling an SUV over rocks does not happen around here. We import all our rocks from Ohio.
The ideal SUV is a four year old Ford F-250 4X4 with an electric winch on the front bumper, a come-a-long and a chain saw in the pick-up bed.
Please, enough of posts that write as if every off road expedition is above timberline in Montana.
As I mentioned on a previous post I'm getting a new 300SE as well. Mine is to be delivered to my home on Tuesday evening. (the day after yours).
Maybe we should compare our fortunes to see how on each side of the pond Lexus deals with its customers.
The only goodies I'm getting is a towing hitch for my caravan (trailer). Not bothering with the Nav system as the one I saw here shows the map upside down to the way I read maps.
Maps are upside down, huh? Well, I guess the way we drive on this side of the pond is backwards also ;-)
Seriously though, I didn't really consider getting Nav at first. But I got too good of a price to pass up. I also think having it will contribute to resale value down the road.
I'll let you know how things go, hope your delivery goes smooth.
TC
Cheers
Harry
I'll let you know what I find once I play with mine.
TC
Thats in US Dollars. The SE (without nav) costs 48,000 US Dollars, over here. My tow hitch and electrics are going to set me back another 1,250 US dollars.
By the time I look in here tonight you'll be crawling all over your new toy.
Cheers
Harry
Everything else went pretty smooth, though I have to compare notes on the "trinkets." Didn't get any! No mug, hat, shirt, etc. Oh well, what do you expect when you are dropping around $40K on a vehicle .
I really can't say how well it performed since I won't push it for the first 1000 miles. But the ride is smooth and the Nav is a blast! We even got a little lost when leaving the dealer, but having the map on the screen got me right back where we needed to be. Lotsa fun!
I've read most of the manuals(!) and a few questions and nit picks:
1. In other cars I have had, the doors will auto-lock once the car reaches a certain speed, can the RX do this?
2. I noticed in the manual that a lot of the car "reactions" such as how windows auto-open, locks react, etc. can be changed, but it says contact your dealer. Can't this stuff be programmed by the owner? Many cars allow this.
3. The so called "in-dash" CD changer isn't in dash, it's in your glove compartment! I knew this going into the purchase, but it still sucks. Makes changing a CD while you are driving impossible.
4. Do you lose any "system info" if you have the Nav unit? It just seems stuff is "missing" from when I saw the regular LCD systems display in the non-Nav model. Maybe I'm not looking in the right place?
5. I heard rumors that the Nav can play regular DVD movies? True?
6. I see a lot of RXs with cell antenaes mounted on the right-side cargo area window. Is this a Lexus install/option? Or just a good spot to do it yourself?
Well, that's all for now. I don't get to drive it right away because I do a lot of parkway driving at constant speeds, not good for the engine I'm told. The wife gets to break it in.
TC
Hope this helps.
P.S. Remember, PL is pretty much a serious process, if they match your bid, you are expected to execute the sale. My advice is bid low, yet reasonable. $600 - 800 over invoice is doable on a RX300 nowadays.
Ray Catena in NJ is the sister dealership to the one I bought at in NY. They seem like a class operation. I also talked to Greg (NJ) while I was shopping around, it just so happen that the NY office came through with the better price. My office is actually 1/4 mile from the NJ dealership, so I'll probably be taking it there for service.
The configuration you are looking for is EXACTLY like what I wanted until I got the good price on the Nav model. This is the way you have to buy it, the formatting will be probably come out screwed:
Inv MSRP
C1 Cargo Mat $47 $76
HH Two-Level Heated Front Seats $352 $440
HL (HID) Headlamps $412 $515
RF Color Keyed Rear Spoiler $224 $280
VP Premium Package Plus $2,273 $2,525
WL Wheel Locks $31 $52
WU Wood & Leather Steer Wheel $264 $330
Invoice MSRP
Base Price $30,970 $35,655
Optional Equipment $3,603 $4,218
Destination Charge $545 $545
----------------------------------------
Total $35,118 $40,418
Okay, now throw about $300 onto the above invoice and let's say it's $35,450. Offer $36,250, if they don't bite try $36,450. I'd make them bite the low bid since you are going to lose $$$ on the shipping, they might feel sympathetic.
I've heard vehicle shipping will cost about $600(?) from Florida to Texas, so I'd use that as a ballpark in your case. I'm sure the dealer has done this before and quote you a more accurate figure.
Hope this helps,
TC
2) no, requires use of dealer-only programmer
3) yup
4-6) don't know
Hope this helps a little!
Pete
"RX 300 Silversport
An enhanced sporty image will contribute to sustaining the presence the RX 300 has established in the luxury SUV segment. The new Silversport embraces a dynamic interior, sport suspension and custom black pearl finish replaces chrome badging.
The 2001 RX 300 Silversport comes in two colors: Black Onyx and Millennium Silver Metallic, both with black interiors. Brushed aluminum trim replaces the wood trim, and perforated leather covers the seats and steering wheel.
In addition, a one-touch open/close moonroof with sunshade and an in-dash six-disc CD autochanger are standard features on the Silversport Edition.
A Euro-tuned Sport Suspension and custom front grille add the final touches to the Silversport Edition. The enhanced suspension offers sporty stability and control with less body roll around curves, while maintaining exceptional ride comfort. With its brushed aluminum, high sport-performance look, the grille rounds out this dynamic new version of the RX 300.
The special edition RX 300 Silversport will go on sale in April. Pricing will be announced at a later date.
Powered by a 3.0-liter V6 engine which employs Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i), the RX 300 Silversport meets the challenge of the sport enthusiast with quick response and strong pulling power."
http://www.rodmillenstore.com
TC