Lexus RX 300

alden168 · January 2002

I'm planning to get a FWD sometime this end of the month. Can somebody tell me where to get a good deal on a lease. FWD, NAV,Leather,Value Package, Dual Heated seats, Rear Spoiler. I have a trade 1990 BMW 525I with 161k miles but clean. Can someone provide me with a formula to get the estimated monthly for 48months.

alden168 · January 2002

What would be a good price for the package that I have indicated recently

ravl · January 2002

There are so many who come her asking "What's a good price?" A good price for one market would be a 'steal', not done, in another. If you have access to "the big city", then you'll be able to negotiate a lower price.

What I did was RESEARCH. Use Edmunds numbers, add around $400. for advertising, configure the car a few different ways so that you have apples to apples when you're ready to buy. Go at the end of the month-last 2 days. Begin by offering $300. over invoice and go from there. You'll soon learn how tough, or RX300'd, you are. The car is awesome and they know it.

Research is key. Edmunds gives good ball park figures with their TMV.

Another suggestion that helps a lot is to go to the lot 'just looking', take a pen and paper, write down all of the features the vehicle you like has, then come home and punch the numbers to determine their true invoice (remember to add advertising). Good luck.

raddboy41 · January 2002

Yep, I've got to agree with "outrun" on this one. First, I'm so sorry to hear about your wife's accident, but reading your website and looking at the pictures makes me even happier that my pregnant wife and 2 yr. old son ride in one. The impact near the B pillar is marginal to cause the side airbag to deploy from my observations. Not to minimize your wife's pain, but looking at the RX and then reading that your wife only suffered bruises, possible concussion and stressed areas is a testimony to Lexus quality!

kmh · January 2002

From what I've read and own, your choices are either the Michelin Cross Terrains, Bridgestone H/Ls or the Goodyear Integritys.

I have a set of Bridgestones on one and Goodyears on the other. Personally I like the Bridgestones for their better handling qualities yet still get a smooth, quiet ride. The Goodyears seem a little soft with the stock suspension, IMHO.

I don't own Michelins but have read good things from other owners who switched.

Good luck.

kmh · January 2002

Just click on the link on side of this discussion about IIHS crash tests. The results are rated pretty well for the RX though I don't know about side impact...

Just my two cents, but as many others have stated, the mere fact the lady is alive and be able to tell about should be a pretty good testimony to the safety of the vehicle.

No vehicle is perfect nor any driver, you just hope you have luck and the best possible safety equipment surrounding you while on the roads. I believe I'm in a pretty darn safe vehicle for me and my family.

rpawlak98 · February 2002

The Lexus dealership is telling me that the MSRP of the premium plus package is $4,000 but it lists as $2,045 on Edmunds and other car sites. Can someone tell me why this is? It is important to me because the lease price is based on the MSRP (among other things).

pmhtv · February 2002

I own a '99 RX300 AWD with 36K on the odometer. For some time now, I've experienced an "engine booming/vibration" when the transmission is in drive and the vehicle is idling (i.e. when you are stopped at a traffic light). The problem seems to be worse in colder weather. Although the NHTSA website lists this problem, the dealer doesn't seem to be able (or unwilling) to duplicate. The recommended fix according to the website is an exhaust damper. Has anyone else experienced this problem? And if so, did you have the damper installed? Thanks.

jiamin · February 2002

Hi pmhtv,
Although my 2000 RX does not have this, I'd like to know a little more details. At idle at a traffic light, if you shift between N and D, do you feel a noticeable difference in vibration? I read some articles about RX saying that there is an electronic unit that generates a series of pulse to counter-balance the engine vibration. Is there any chance that this circuit is not working?

laurasdada · February 2002

I believe that the list price for the premium plus is just over $4k. However, Lexus gives a $2000 discount, netting $2k. My Lexus salesman stated that the discount would soon be lowered to its pre-"December to Remember" discount of $1500. Essentially a $500 price increase. I do not know if this is true or not.

A good price for a loaded (non-nav)2002 AWD RX300? From what I've read here, in the $36.8 to $38k range, depending on location. Try carsdirect.com, configure the RX as you want it and see what their price is for your zip code. Use that as a rough guide. I did a bit better, negotiating below that price. Although, I think I may have left a few $$$ on the table...but the evil wife is thrilled with her RX. Also, 90% of my dealer's inventory was configured similarly (loaded, that is: premium plus, wood wheel, HID, cargo cross bars, cargo mat, wheel locks, heated seats)
The HID headlamps are very cool.

GO PATS!!!

mvs1 · February 2002

rpawlak98, you've lost me for a second here. Did your dealer/salesman tell you that a lease price is determined by MSRP??? Although there are many factors that determine a monthly lease payment such as residual, money factor, etc. The MSRP never comes into play. Unless your paying MSRP!

GO RAMS!!!, for monetary reasons of coarse

raybear · February 2002

Is what is used to determine the residual.

00rxguy1 · February 2002

My wife drives her 2000 RX and she loves it. However, she mentioned to me one day when we were driving that she has seen the 2001 RX tail lamps and she wants me to put it on our 2000 RX. i went to the dealer and they told me that it would not fit. I saw a posting somewhere in the town hall of someone installing the 2001 RX tail lamps into their 2000 RX. He even included some pictures of the installation process and the end result. I believe that it is possibly to fit the tail lamps in. Does anyone have any experience with doing that or opinions. i would greatly appreciate it.

mrrogers · February 2002

I found an ad for a 2000 RX300 FWD theft recovery with 15K miles and a salvage title for $22,500. There are several photos on the website, and the car looks fine. I would be afraid of a salvage title for a wreck or a water damaged car, but does a theft recovery pose less of a risk? It is an out of state car. I wonder how much trouble I would have getting the car licensed in my home state?

kmh · February 2002

I think I saw the same post but on another discussion board. But nevertheless, I recall that the new taillamps do physically fit but that the wiring is different but not impossible to make work.

My opinion is that if you're going to do the back, might as well do the fronts as well and then change out the grill too. If it's gonna look like a newer model, might as well go all the way. :-)

keithwand · February 2002

I too called my dealer in MI because I like them too and why not update the car.
I was told around $700. installed by the dealer.
It's my wifes car and I got voted down. Oh well, whatever!!!!

edgeworth · February 2002

I have a 2001 RX300 with Bridgestone/Dueler tires and 13,000 miles. Hit a curbed last night and ruined one tire. I remember comments by others about the RX300 tires--they are not very good for vehicles in this price range. Are these Bridgestones tires good? Shall I just take the opportunity to replace all of them with better tires? What are better tires for RX300? I am interested in safety and low road noise. I live in Washington DC where winter is mild and I don't drive off-road. I welcome any advice.

ssssteve · February 2002

I have a '00 RX and couldn't stand the Goodyears on this vehicle. I replaced them (very recently) with Michelin Cross Terrains.

These tires are very good IMO. There's no dif in road noise, the handling is greatly improved, handling in rain / wet roads is much better. The car seems more "pinned" to the road which is really what I was after.

So - for what it's worth, I reccomend the Michelin CT tire. Just dig around for the best price. You might have to wait a few weeks - especially if you get a price from a heavily discounted store.

Good luck!

im_brentwood · February 2002

Hmm..

Salvage title? or Rebuilt title? If it has a SALVAGE title then the car has to pass a DMV inspection before it can be issued a rebuilt title.

I'd carfax it before you buy it myself.

$22,500? it is cheap. They say its a 50% whack for a salvage/rebuilt, but I think closer to 40%.

Currently an 00 FWD RX300 is a $28Kish truck at wholesale auction. That assumes, CD, Roof and Leather. With no sunroof, no CD and No leather, $23K or so.

So, figure $31K for retail... And you're at $22,500.

But what is wrong with it? Just an ignition switch and a missing.. ohh.. spare tire and CD Changer? or missing seats? Airbags missing?

Bill

pmhtv · February 2002

jiamin:
The booming noise is intermittent - in other words, it does not occur everytime I drive the car. However, when it does happen, it is loud enough and resonates at a frequency that is particularly bothersome. Shifting the car from D into N does alleviate the problem some, but you should not have to do this with any car, let alone a Lexus. I am assumming that since this problem is listed on the NHTSA website that more people have experienced this booming noise.

fantom · February 2002

Edgeworth: With one tire ruined why not replace it with your full size spare? Pick up a used Dueller or Badyear spare until your ready for four or five new tires.

I've spent lots of miles on Dueller H/L's and some time on Michelin CT's in an RX-300 and can assure you that the only significant difference is price. They are both excellent tires, and both are a huge improvement over the OEM Badyears.

Like some of you, our RX-300 is my wife's primary ride and she loves it. So do I, EXCEPT for the probably logical, but very unorthodox switchology the Japanese have come up with. The controls drive me nuts on those few times I get behind the wheel. Is it just me getting older, or do some of you get the same feeling?

GO RAMS!!!, but by less than 15 points also for monetary reasons ;-)

mrrogers · February 2002

The car appears complete based on five pictures on the website. It has leather. The alloys and seats look fine. The steering wheel horn cover is intact, but that does not mean that there is an airbag under there. It is not obvious if it has the sunroof and CD, but I see very few 2000 RX's with leather and no sunroof and no CD. Your idea about carfax is a good one. I also thought the price was very cheap. My Mother is 78, and she still tells me if a deal sounds too good to be true, it usually is. I should make a list of questions, and call the guy. Bill, thanks again for your time.

im_brentwood · February 2002

Yeah...

Just see how badly its been hurt. If it was a theft recovery, thats not too bad. Sounds like it was recovered after 30 days and the ins co had already paid a claim.

Just be aware that it ISNT worth $30K...

Bill

steevr1 · February 2002

Speaking of changing the taillight and headlamp assemblies, has anyone removed the headlight assembly to change the foglight. I called the dealership and they said you have to remove two screws. There's a screw on top of the headlight assembly and another on the side that attaches the assembly to the tiny center grill above the bumper. It feels as if something is still holding the assembly in place. I picked up a set of Sylvania Silver Star 9006 bulbs which as supposed to be very close to the color temp of my HID lowbeams. There's no way to get at the foglight bulb without removing the assembly. Thanks.

bironb · February 2002

I recently purchased a 2002 Highlander with a 3.0 litre V6 and there is what sounds like a tick, tick, tick sound when idling. Apparently,this is pretty common with the Highlander's and has had much discussion on Edmund's Highlander Forum. My service dealer told me that the sound is coming from the fuel injectors, and it's common to Toyotas V6 engines. I believe the Lexus RX 300 has the same 1 MZ-FE V6 engine has the Highlander, has anyone noticed the same ticking sound and if so, what was Lexus response?
Thanks

rmorin2 · February 2002

I have been having the exact same problem with our '00 RX since it was new. It has been back to the dealer numerous times and had the following repairs, all under warranty but the noise is still there. Worse when the temperature is below 45. Only audible when idling in Drive or Reverse. Noise is much less when in Neutral.

I have had a complete new exhaust system and new engine mounts but the noise is still there. I have asked my service manager to check with Lexus to see if other owners have reported similar problem. If this is on the NHTSA site, there must be a manufacturing problem.

Please keep posting if you find a fix because I am getting desperate. Thanks.

hairydog · February 2002

Wife has 2001 and loves it. No problems at all with 22k on odom.

I am trying to locate the AC filter she said should be replaced.

If anyone has replaced AC filter I would appreciate some insight.

kmh · February 2002

The filter is located behind the glovebox and a couple of easily removable panels must be "popped" out before you can replace the filter.

Open the glove box and located a small rectangular panel to the back of the glove box. Gently pull that off.

Take a flash light and you'll see behind that is the panel to the filter. There should be a couple of tabs that you can grab and tug out the panel. The filter can then be pulled out. There should be directional arrow to show which the the filter should be positioned but if not just remember the orientation of the filter. Put in the new filter and reverse the procedure for the panels and that's it.

Good luck.

mrrogers · February 2002

Years ago, the Porsche 924 had a similiar problem. Chuck Stoddard, the mechanical genius who owns Stoddard Imported Cars in Willoughby, OH, could sometimes fix the problem by loosening the engine and transmission mount bolts, drive the car around the block, and then re-tighten the bolts. I don't know if the same fix will work on your RX. Good luck!

hairydog · February 2002

Bingo! You were right on target. Found it and it was filthy. Many thanks!!

pmhtv · February 2002

rmorin2:
Sounds like we have the same experience - the booming does seem to be more acute in colder temperatures and only occurs when idling with the transmission in DRIVE; no problems when actually driving.

Did you show your technicians the NHSTA message? Did they install an exhaust damper to help curb the noise/resonance? Unfortunately my problem is not vibration but rather an intermittent booming noise and as such, "difficult to replicate" when I take it to the dealer. I've even tried different grades of fuel, but that has not helped either.

shus226 · February 2002

Is there a Chilton Repair Manual for RX300 and Where can I purchase one.
thanks,

kmh · February 2002

Recently I've been hearing pinging noises when accelerating. It occurs either on level or inclined surfaces. This is the first I've heard the pings and I'm attributing it to some possibly bad gas. I've put about 3/4 new premium fuel but still seem to hear the pinging. What's my next step?

kmh · February 2002

Check to see if you have like a half-priced book store in your area and see if they have one.

Next might be to see if Chilton's has a website and possibly order it through there.

However, I've seen the Chilton's manual and I didn't feel like it was a thorough as I expected. Your next best bet might be to order the Lexus manual. I know those can be ordered from the dealership at about $250 or so.

Good luck.

csvipersah · February 2002

Can you replace the tail light houseing and the headlight housing on a 1999 RX 300 with the tail light housing and head light housing of a 2001 RX300? I just like the way the new one looks and I'm wondering if theyre exchangeable.

kmh · February 2002

The non-HID lamps can be put into the '99-2000 models. However, I've read the wiring for the rear tail lamps are different but can be done with enough persistence.

rmorin2 · February 2002

pmhtv

My noise is really not a vibration, but rather a reverberation. The dealer has also had trouble replicating it but has tried very hard to please us. The noise is definitely there but does seem to come and go. No difference with different grades of fuel but also does seem to be temperature dependent because we do not notice it in the summer. There is absolutely no noise once you start moving and the noise almost goes away when you take it out of gear, either N or P.

I did send the link to the NHTSA site to my service manager. I don't know if they installed the exhaust damper but they have replaced the muffler.

pmhtv · February 2002

rmorin2

Thanks for the input - reverberation is a good way to describe this annoyance. Let me know if you get any resolution.

pschiffe · February 2002

Anybody know if these are available in blackwall. All that I have seen have raised white letters on one side. Dealer says they can be mounted backwards with lettering on inside but this seems like a rather poor solution to me.

Pete

paulblue02 · February 2002

I recently purchased a set of these at Discount Tire for 108.00 each. They said it only comes with raised white letters. They installed them with the white letters to the inside, and the blackwall side looks great. The profile is easier to detail than the Bridgestone HT/ Duelers.

gsenthil · February 2002

I have some chips (on the hood and door sides) on my 2001 Black RX (less than a year) 2-3mm in size. Are they covered by warranty?

Senthil

tprice · February 2002

Any suggestions for narrow based coffee travel mugs not being secure in the cup holders (i.e., even with the holders ratcheted in)? Design does not seem good even for broader based mugs. Otherwise, car is great (5 days old!).

jiamin · February 2002

So far the only thing I don't like is the top cup holders for rear passengers.

silly1040 · February 2002

Paint chips will not be covered.

I highly recommend that you try and cover the chips with touch up paint and then do something to protect your RX from further damage: Invest in a Clear Bra.

It will probably cost you a couple hundred dollars, but I've had mine on for over 1 year and it's doing a great job of protecting my first $40,000 vehicle.

mooretorque · February 2002

The CrossTerrain is not a "directional" tire, so mounting with RWL to the inside is fine. This is the usual tire mfgr solution to offering both a RWL tire as well as a blackwall.

Even back in the days when I worked in a service station (approaching 30 yrs ago), "whitewalls" were not present on both sides of the tire, giving the customer the option.

kraus1 · February 2002

Has anyone removed the crossbars from their RX300? My dealer tells me that it leaves several screw holes that need to be filled and painted. On ClubLexus, there are several messages from people who have simply removed theirs.

Thanks

ssssteve · February 2002

pschiffe - Just have the letters mounted to the inside as paulblue02 suggests in 4299 post.

I have put these on my '00 rx with the black wall showing / letters to the inside. Tires look great! Car drives much better.

paulblue02 - you got a much better deal than I did!!! I should've kept hunting - but just wasn't in the mood.

jiamin · February 2002

Hello ssssteve,
What was your original tire? After the new Michelin tires installed, do you notice the noise difference? I will probably never go off road, therefore a good road grip, plus as low noise as possible are all what I'd like to have when it coms to replacing my tires. Thanks.

silly1040 · February 2002

My RX is a 2001 and I removed the crossbars by myself in about 3 minutes.

Twist the round knob that is connected to a screw. Twist it all the way until you can remove the cross bar. In the track is a piece of metal that the knob was screwed into. Slide this piece of metal to the back of the track where it can slide out. I then screwed the knob back into the piece of metal so I wouldn't loose it during storage.

remounting the crossbars is a little more tricky since you now have line up the screw with the piece of metal. It took me about 7 minutes.

good luck.

gsenthil · February 2002

You mean to say your RX drives better because you mounted the CTs differently?

Sorry- couldnt resist.

Senthil

------------------
I have put these on my '00 rx with the black wall showing / letters to the inside. Tires look great! Car drives much better.

Lexus RX 300

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