Lexus RX 300

mvs1 · August 2001

Regardless if you own the car or the bank does you'll still get the same trade in allowance. Unfortunately unless you go out and by a car cash or with a large down payment, which most people don't do, you'll be upside down. Just some advise don't tell the dealer that your trading in a car until after you've come to an agreement on the price of the new car. Dealers like to blur the lines between the new car purchase and old car trade in, in their favor.

And no car buying isn't all that fun, patience is the key.

jeffmust2 · August 2001

Had a '92 Grand Caravan which my wife nicknamed "The Death Trap." Almost killed her twice and while I believed the third time...oh well, that''s another story.

Why trade it to the Lexus dealer who will give you little for it since they won't likely keep it on their used car lot but will wholesale it to another dealer down the street, probably a Dodge dealership? True, on a trade you get a sales tax benefit bec the value of your trade is deducted from the sales price of the new RX before tax is calculated, but, in this case, you're gonna be out thousands to save a few hundreds.

Sell it privately via classified ad or your local lot that feature private party vehicles for sale. I sold our '92 Death Trap for $8000 at such a local lot in '98 when it was almost six years old, had 85k miles on it, and the wonderful factory paint was falling off in large flakes.

Remember, at Chrysler, "The Beauty is Only Skin Deep."

Good luck.

mooretorque · August 2001

LL, JM2, sales tax laws vary, of course, but in Arkansas (and I suspect most other states), you'll get to deduct the amount that you sell your Chrysler for whether it goes thru the dealer or you sell it privately (as long as the private sale is within 45 days of the purchase of the new vehicle). To be precise, you/I pay the full sales tax on the new vehicle, but the Dept of Revenue (Isn't THAT appropriate??? These are the folks who keep track of our tickets, too.) provides a form which is mailed back in when the old vehicle is sold and then rebates the amount of sales tax that the buyer will pay.

Motto: check with your DMV. Good luck, LadyLisa. Regardless of the scabrous condition of your van, they remain popular, so I bet you'll have no problem selling it!!!!

stever · August 2001

How to Sell Your Car

Steve
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huj1 · August 2001

I'm looking for a white '01 RX300 with Navigation system. I checked a few dealerships around northeastern PA, and they all quoted me a much higher price for that trim. One offered me a demo with 7k for $38500. Another offered me a brand new for around $40k. Do they sound right? After browsing the posts here and pricing on edmunds website, I figure that the TMV is only around $38400. Do I really have to pay such high premium just because of the specific trim? Does anybody know any good Lexus dealership in tri-state area (PA, NJ, DE) who is easier to deal with? Any advice, tips would be greatly appreciated.

drummerboy · August 2001

I got the same car in february for ~$38,000 (not including tax/license) from carsdirect.com. I think carsdirect is only available in California though. Check autobytel.com, priceline.com, or any other internet service. I think you will get the best pricing online. Trim does not make a difference in the price. Dealers usually try to sell you cars on their lot though. If you use internet service, it can track down which dealers have the car that you want. It's much more convenient.

ws4fun · August 2001

I'm in Chicago and got a deal during Lexus' "Golden Opportunity" end-of-year sale - a 2001 new RX300 4WD with every add-ons except Nav/HID. The price is $36600 plus tax/title. It is my favorite Indigo/Ivory color combination and the only one left in the lot.

Is this a good deal? Should I go for it or wait for a "better" opportunity? (Didn't see a lot of Chicagoan in this board but I'm sure seeing a lot of Rex around the town - what deal do you guys expect at this moment?).

Cardirect.com gives $36438 on the exact car but I think the service quality of my current dealership worth the $200 difference.

Quazimoto · August 2001

Contact Bill Cool (yes that is his name!) at Lash Lexus 425 Electric Avenue Lewistown, PA 17044 (717) 248-0119. They are in the middle of nowhere and have very good deals. They are also very easy to do business with.

spakchar · August 2001

have any of you seen this 2002 model, kind of a cross between the is 300 and the RX, kinda interesting concept.

mikey00 · August 2001

were you able to get more details on your dealer's fix for the noise. My dealer tried twice and I still have the noise.

sathomasga · August 2001

Anyone know a source for a custom-fit, rubber cargo liner without a lip in the back? Seems like lifting stuff over the lip of the, e.g., Huskyliner would be a pain. (What I really want is the exact same liner that I had in my old Land Rover Discovery. It had a small lip on three sides, and was slightly thicker the more "interior" it went, creating a slight downhill slope toward the rear of the truck. Spills rolled out the back, but there wasn't a lip to get in the way of loading. This was official Land Rover, though; not aftermarket.)

TIA

topgun7 · August 2001

Does anyone know what is new for 2002 and the new pricing? thanks

tonychrys · August 2001

How about something like this:

http://shop.petmarket.com/hatlinforsuv.html

tonychrys · August 2001

"Lexus' trend-setting RX 300 continues to sell extremely well as customers look for a vehicle that combines the functionality of an SUV with the comfort and convenience of a luxury sedan. For 2002, the MSRP for the RX 300 will not increase, continuing at $33,955 for the front-wheel-drive model and $35,705 for the all-wheel-drive model."

ges1 · August 2001

I am on the verge of purchasing a 2001 Rex with the black exterior. I live in a pretty rough winter climate, and I have been noting with some concern, the lack of clearcoat finish and general increased maintenance of the black finish. Should this be a serious concern?

tonychrys · August 2001

I think you already answered your question.

wwest · August 2001

As in where? Alaska?

In a "pretty rough winter climate" I would worry about the RX's lack of true AWD first and religate the paint issue to the other end of the concerns list.

I say this while owning a 2001 RX AWD and living in the Seattle area. We have had only two snow storms in the past ten years serious enough to have given me concerns about the RX's wintertime capabilities.

But even with the Vehicles owned during those two events, an 85 and then a 92 Jeep both with "true" AWD AND 4WD, I still had to rely on my trusty old tire chains at those times.

My advice would be that you carry a good set, or two sets, of tire chains during the wintertime if you truly mean "pretty rough winter climate".

I often travel to (skiing) or over, the Cascade mountain range in the wintertime and I ALWAYS carry a set of chains. On many occassions I have been able to continue on when even other 4WD vehicles had to turn back due to adverse road conditions. I absolutely would not take the RX into an area of those conditions without a good set of tire chains onboard.

r22549 · August 2001

Could you define what you mean by "true AWD" as opposed to what the RX has. Thank You...

huj1 · August 2001

Thanks a lot for you guys' advice! It helped me a lot. I finally got an RX300 with Nav, heated seat, spoiler ... for a little under $39k. It's not the lowest price I found, but considering the convenience of local dealership, it might worth the extra hundreds of dollars.

One thing that surprised me big time was the ease and efficiency of priceline. It actually worked and worked great! I first tried carsdirect and autobytel, but their quotes were all above $39k. Then I tried priceline.com and I got a very competitive quote ($700 over invoice) within several hours. Just as I was about to take the offer from priceline, the sales manager of the local Lexus dealership called me again. As soon as I mentioned priceline, he started dropping price and we worked out a deal in less than 20 minutes.

Anyway, the stressful shoppoing is over and I will enjoy my RX300. It will arrive next week, I can't wait to get behind the steering wheel!

robz3 · August 2001

How does this RX300 do in snowy or icy weather? Even though it has AWD, the tires don't seem to be all that aggressive. We live in upstate NY that gets a lot of snow in the winter and I want to get an idea of how it might do.

Thanks

wwest · August 2001

The RX AWD is basically a Front Wheel Drive vehicle, a "solid" connection to the front drive, and a viscous clutch to the rear, giving it a native, latent, drive ratio of 70/30 front/rear.

IF the front starts to spin faster than the rear then the viscous clutch "stiffens up" routing more of the engine torque to the rear until it reaches a maximum of something close to 51/49.

I live in the Seattle area and frankly I don't yet really know how it will do come a hard snowstorm, but you should be aware that it is not a Jeep, it does not truly operate in AWD except in extreme circumstances.

Oh, if you read the owner's manual carefully it does imply that the transmission will automatically shift into over-drive when coasting to avoid possible loss-of-control in slippery conditions as a result of a higher proportion, ratio, of engine drag torque to the front vs the rear.

phud · August 2001

Hello RX300 owners,
I’ve long desired to own a RX300. I am planning & hoping to purchase one later in this year, how exciting.
I live in Connecticut and would like to inquire the pros & cons of a Front Wheel Drive(FWD) vs All Wheel Drive(AWD) & other info of the RX300, where information is available upon your own experience or opinions as the owner.
Is there a significant difference in performance of a FWD vs AWD? How well a FWD handles on snow & icy road? Needless to say, an AWD is handling better than the FWD regardless of the road condition, but would a FWD give any trouble in snow? I own a Camry with FWD and it hasn’t given me any trouble/grief on the snow. So I would assume the FWD of RX would handle as same, and/or better, as to any FWD cars. How about the gas mileage of FWD vs AWD? Is there a great difference in miles per gallon?

Recently, just received a lot of info & advertisement that now RX300 has a good sale on the 01 model because of 02 model will soon arrive. Unfortunately, I have a limited budget for the car, so I can only have what I can afford but not for the wants on options, how pity. So what's a reasonable or good deal price on the RX300 with the following options: AC, Radio/CD player, Keyless entry, Rear spoil, Sun/moon roof, etc.
I am aware that the FWD is ~$2k~ less than the AWD.

If anyone in CT or in the neighbor states (MA, RI, NY) has recently purchased one and got a good deal out of it, please let me know the sale person’s name & location of the dealer. Include the price and what options you have on your purchase. Also if anyone can tell me what is the discount percentage, a reduction deal from a sticker price, considers as a good deal? Or how much you’d normally get off from the sticker price?

Feedbacks & opinions are most welcome.
Best Regards,
Don

Dphu99@yahoo.com

malhokc · August 2001

FYI,
If anyone is looking into getting an additional CD magazine for the RX (not from the dealer), this is the product
Pioneer JD-T612

vinceburlapp · August 2001

I just got a much better picture on my site:

http://www.thehollywoodextra.com

I think they are going conservative.

It will be larger and more expensive also...

tonychrys · August 2001

...I'm glad I got a 2001. Also not looking foward to them shifting production from their award-winning Japan manaufacturing plant.

drew_ · August 2001

It's a Photoshop'ed picture. They slapped the LS430 front end onto it. There is a dealership sticker on the rearview mirror too. ;-) Most of the pictures from that site have been scanned in from various magazines, BTW. Heh heh...

Drew
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wmquan · August 2001

Gotta be a fake picture like Drew said. I don't see how they could get a third row into that alleged 2003.

topgun7 · August 2001

Is there any change for 02 RX? More power? 5 speed AT? more safety feature? thanks.

alsop · August 2001

Thank you for the info, Drew...which is good news. As a side note, that photo looks more like an alien creature from a sci-fi movie than a luxury SUV! On a separate note - thanks, too, for being a great, fair, fun, educational host...here on the Lexus RX300 Town Hall club as well as others you host!

sathomasga · August 2001

Anyone had any experience toting a canoe on the factory roof rack? Weight's something to watch (fiberglass canoes can top 80 lbs), but otherwise it seems doable. But then again, I haven't tried it, so there may be something obvious I'm missing.

TIA

stever · August 2001

I haul a lot of canoes around, but don't know how substantial your RX300 crossbars are. It's hard to beat a "dedicated" rack for support though. In any event, please be sure to tie the boat down front and rear and also across to the racks. I'm going boating tomorrow if I can swing a ride :-)

Steve
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avery1 · August 2001

I have a '99 RX and am gettting ready to order the Hidden hitch made for the Highlander and the Toyota part #Q14467 mentioned on the forum a couple of months ago. There was a comment from someone saying they couldn't get power to their system. Did I miss a resolution to that problem? Has anyone purchased and successfully hooked up this combo? Hidden hitch has a choice of adapters to go with the hitch, either a 4 pin or a 6 pin. I don't have a specific trailer or use now for the hitch. Which adapter should I get? The Hidden hitch people tell me this adapter is needed in addition to the Toyota part mentioned above. Is that the case? Thanks.

spakchar · August 2001

You can count on your RX performance in snow and Ice to exceed your expectations. Don't fall victim to the hype that this car does not provide the performance of a "real suv". On my ski trips to utah and Lake Tahoe, My Rx was excellent in some very difficult conditions. It also has been fine on some dirt and gravel roads, although I'm not about to take it into the rocks and scrub. After, 15k+ miles I've never experienced the smallest skid, and I have those cheap integritys.
IMO, with michelins, in offroad or snow and ice, the RX will literally run circles around those "real suvs". This car continues to exceed my expectations everyday.

robz3 · August 2001

Thanks for your reply about the snow performance of the RX300.

mikey00 · August 2001

Posts #2273,2345,2365,2366 all had info about the hitch if you want to review any of it. IMO the Hidden Hitch is best looking highest quality hitch available for the RX. The price is just an added benefit. Back when I installed it I sent a mail note to Hidden Hitch informing them they are missing a marketing opportunity because they informed me the hitch was only for the HL and would not fit the RX. I noticed they have since updated their web site to acknowledge that the hitch fits the RX.
Now the wiring is another story. The harness listed on their web page is for a HL without a towing prep package. It splices into the taillight wires in the rear. The towing prep package provides you with the plug in connector in the black plastic housing under the spare tire among other things. The prep package is an option on the HL but standard on the RX. I sent another mailnote informing them of this. So, the RX should only need the connector from toyotaguys.com. Raddboy41 had trouble with this harness, but said he had no voltage at the factory plug and suspected an RX problem and would have them check it at his next service. I had voltage at my factory plug after installing a fuse in the tow position in the fuse box. However, I never purchased the toyotaguys.com harness because my hitch is only for a bike rack
Hey raddboy41 are you still out there? How about an update for us.

ladylisa · August 2001

After much haggling, the lowest I could get Butler Lexus in Macon to go on a '01 AWD RX w/Nav, heated seats, and tow hitch was $39,500. He said that Nav's were hard to find right now and that was the last one on their lot. With the depreciation hit I would already be taking by buying at the end of the model year, would I be better off waiting for the 2002's and paying a little more? Or do you think I would have to pay a lot more (close to MSRP)?

tonychrys · August 2001

This is a guess, but I'll give my reasoning.

First, you'll noticed that I previously posted info on 2002 pricing. RX MSRP won't go up in 2002, so that's good news.

Second, the economy is slow, even the Rex's sales figures are down, and it happens to be the #1 selling luxury SUV.

If you can wait towards the end of November and the economy hasn't picked up, my hunch tells me there will be 2002s sitting on dealer lots.

We were able to get your configuration last January for at least a $1000 less than what you were quoted. It wasn't even on the dealer's lot yet, but we had cash in hand. Also, we used Priceline.com, which is usually good at finding dealers who just want to move cars off the lot without goughing you on profit.

Good luck.

wwest · August 2001

If you really think the RX, even with VSC & Trac, can run circles around a a REAL SUV, then I would be willing to lay odds you have never driven a REAL SUV in adverse weather conditions.

I would be willing to bet you that an 85 Jeep with that puny little I4 would easily run circles, not talking about dry or wet pavement, nor am I talking about dry powder snow, around any RX, including my own 2001 RX with VSC and Trac.

Performance in Idaho and Utah... We often travel there to ski on dry powder vs the pacific boilerplate we often ski and drive on out here in the western cascades.

You don't say what the snow conditions were when you were there but I can tell you that my 63 T-bird did fine in lots of deep snowy conditions back in central montana in the mid-sixties, but there were also lots of "snowy" conditions in which I dared not take it out of the garage.

I am reminded of someone who said "I knew Jack Kennedy, and let me tell you, you're NO Jack Kennedy". Sounds like you don't know SUV's and until you do don't go giving advice to someone who might be a real novice and believe you know what you're saying.

wwest · August 2001

I should admit that my own 2001 RX has not yet been put to the "test", nor was the previous RX, a 2000. When I say REAL SUV I mean one with true AWD, one that can bias most of the torque either way, front or rear. While I don't think I would especially need it to support my position, in my opinion a REAL SUV would also have 4WD.

And unless you would want the contest to continue off-road neither of us would need the low range gearing option of most REAL SUV's.

I have experienced too many circumstances, on public roads and highways here in Washington and Oregon, wherein even the Jeep's AWD wasn't up to the task at hand, and I have had instances wherein even in 4WD mode I still needed two sets of tire chains to get moving.

I'm not taking issue with the capabilities of the RX here as much as I am your denigration of other "true" SUV's.

Oh, where do you live, was that skiing trip your only snow encounter or do you live in some winter wonderland.

avery1 · August 2001

Thanks Mikey00. I just reviewed those posts. I am still unclear on the harness/adapter issue. It sounds like what they call an adapter is what you are calling the wiring harness which I don't need to order from them. So I will plan on ordering just the hitch from Bageco and then the connector from toyotaguys.

sjeffery · August 2001

Hello all, just how much of a real deal is this ongoing Lexus sale? I understand they are trying to clear out the 2001's. What is reasonable additional discount to expect? I'd like a AWD 2001 with the preferred package. Any help appreciated. TIA

myredrx · August 2001

Hi Don (2725) We live high on a hill in Glastonbury and I finally gave up my trusty Corolla for a 1999 RX300 that we bought from Hoffman in E. Hartford this March (after getting stuck in the snow). It is a certified used vehicle that came off of lease with low mileage and I absolutely love it. Was great in the snow, and we are using it (with a Yakima rack) for kayaks this summer. We also have an ES300. We have had nothing but good luck with Hoffman - they fall all over their faces to take care of you. We also have a 97 ES300, which we bought in 97, so the level of service has been consitently good for several years now. We think the certified used vehicles are a great deal. Dont count on finding any 2WD versions around here, I dont think Hoffman even carries them. We get 19 mpg consistently. The salesman is a former professional football player, I think for the Jets, Bill Jones. Tell him the lady from Glastonbury in the red rx sent you. He even sent us cookies.

lordkama · August 2001

Hello!

Looking to buy 2001 RX300 with Premium Value package, Heated front seats, Wood/leather steering wheel, Cargo mat and net, Crossbars, Wheel locks.... List: $39890

They offered $36500. What do you all think of the price? I saw on Kelly Blue Book web site there is a $500.00 customer incentive.

Is this a good price?

Thanks!

pschiffe · August 2001

The Hidden Hitch P/N for 99-01 RX is 90647! To power the lights you will need a converter such as Hoppy #46255. The "flat four" connector is standard on small boat, utility, personal watercraft, snowmobile and camper trailers which are within the Lexus' tow rating. If you need help on the wiring email me and I will give you detailed instructions, if you have a fax number, even better. Those were posted by me back in Sept.'99 but unfortunately those old Town Hall forums are no longer archived.

Pete

avery1 · August 2001

Thanks pschiffe. Glad to see you still visit the forum.

stever · August 2001

It'd take some digging, but there's about 5 "big" Lexus RX300 topics in the archives, starting with the granddaddy back in 1998. You can find all the archived topics by going to the SUVs main page and clicking on the Archived Discussions link.

I see you are a real "old-timer" here.

Steve
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izabelajohn · August 2001

This is the second time my check engine light is on within the last three weeks on my 2000 RX300. The first time dealer said they checked everything, nothing was wrong, cleared the code from the computer and now it is back on. I am supposed to go to the dealer again this afternoon but this is very disturbing (I checked the obvious like the gas tank cap and oil and they appear fine). Has anyone had that happen to them? I don't want to be going to the dealer every couple of weeks to "have the code cleared"!!! I want them to fix the problem.

jfetter · August 2001

I will try and clarify the wiring parts...

The wiring harness is a 30" connector with a flat four (standard hitch plug) on one end and the Lexus/Toyota harness on the other. It is intended to connect to the factory wiring point (under the rear end about where the spare tire is) and extend to the actual hitch, where it terminates in a flat four plug. You NEED this part.

The part from Bageco, the part they include with the hitch for a small fee is an interesting adapter. It is a black, plastic connector with mounting holes that has a flat four connector on the BACK. You plug in the adapter to the flat four plug (wiring harness) and you now have either flat four OR round 6-pin capabilities as the front side of this adapter has BOTH plugs. Both plugs are powered from the flat four connection on the back, it is just a nice way to terminate since you now have both flat four and 6-pin for whatever type of trailer harness you have.

You only NEED the hitch and the wiring harness, the other part is a nice option and looks very professional as it has a nice black plastic housing with mounting holes. The only problem is, I still haven't found a good place to mount it! I have my flat four wiring harness end just hanging near the hitch currently until I decide if I should drill the bumper or hitch cross bar and mount the plastic adapter. I want it to look nice but I am a little nervous about drilling 2 holes in the hitch bar since I am not sure if this will weaken it (seems silly that 2 - 1/8" holes will weaken 3"+ steel)...

Let me know if that didn't clarify what each part is and I'll have another go...

Jfetter

wwest · August 2001

Tell me what the code was that they cleared and I can tell you what the Lexus shop manual says went wrong. The dealer will tell you the same thing if you ask. Remember that the problem might also be a faulty, intermittent wiring connection to what "device" the code indicates.

My VSC failure lite came on just after I bought the RX but then cleared itself after driving a few yards.

The dealer technician was able to tell me the yaw detector output value and the steering wheel position at the time of the "failure".

avery1 · August 2001

Thanks jfetter. I was feeling pretty dense there for a while but now it is as clear as can be.

Lexus RX 300

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