A quick review, commentary and walk around of my daily beater car, a dark navy blue Lexus RX300 AWD. This was the first luxury crossover and still packs a lot of practicality and luxury for a 20+ year old car. It has also been dead reliable. Let me know your thoughts and comments below!
These are great cars. Run forever! I just bought a 2000 Lexus RX300 with over 215K miles on it and it still runs just like new.
I just bought a Lexus RX300 2 weeks ago. Worse piece of garbage I've ever owned! The knock sensors were bad so it doesn't shift into overdrive - so it was revving 5k rpms on the highway! What a piece of junk! Took it to my mechanic and he found a bunch of other problems wrong with it along with the knock sensors. It ended up costing me almost $2k to fix! I've owned 4 other vehicles and this is the most money I've had to spend on a vehicle. And it still isn't fixed! The 2nd day driving it after getting it back from the shop, it still won't shift into overdrive! Now back at the shop again! Biggest headache I've ever dealt with a vehcile!
@@NATEG01 😮 similar story I bought a 2004 honda accord lx about a month ago and it’s been a real pain first check engine light was on for the knock sensor I ended up fixing that a week goes pass and check engine light pops back on for a vacuum leak so once again I fixed the issue then 2 days later check engine light comes back on for the catalyst converter on top of that all of the windows stopped working door actuators went out then the radio now the car needs upper and lower control arms shocks and struts I purchased from the auction for 1900 I’m so done with this car it’s ridiculous it’s literally been one thing after another I’m at the point where I just want to say screw the car
@@Fyourfeelingz 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Cool, Yeah I’m going to buy one with 250k miles if all check out with scheduled maintenance
@@NATEG01too bad so sad
Bought my Lexus new in 2002, and after owning it for 21 years, I’m getting close to 250k miles. I don’t know if the new ones will hold up as well as I understand they’re no longer made in Japan. I plan on keeping this for at least another 100k miles. It still looks great. Leather upholstery’s not worn and that’s after 21 years. The only problem I’m having are the electric windows are getting a little flakey. Never owned a better car.
I have this vehicle in white. It has 86K miles on it and I've been driving it daily since 2018. My Mom bought it new for around $30K and drove it until 2016. When I got it it had 41K miles on it. I had to replace the battery and engine computer module PCM/ECU totaling $1120, a couple of bulbs, wiper blades, and of course oil changes. It is an incredibly well built car assembled in Canada. Maybe I love it because it was Mom's but I surmise I'd still appreciate it's value.
I think you were duped on the computer. I'm positive the battery would have done thf job. Just saying
@@MikeSmith-cn6ub maybe. I was in Florida at her Condo when I picked it up. I have all her service records and saw where she had the battery replaced in 2010 so replacing the battery was a no brainer. As far as the engine computer the code reader was showing replace and I did find reconditioned ones online for between $165-$400 but just decided to purchase new OEM unit. It was just a simple plug in.
just got one lastweek, any tips? its at 190000
@@designbyhazema I just clicked over 92 and I don't have any advice except ask owners in your area who they trust with the maintenance of their's and don't trust mechanic who reccomends any engine oil other than SAE-5W-30. I haven't encountered any issues other than the one's listed in my OP. I have found a recommended shop I think I can trust and they read the codes at oil change service. With tax the oil change and diagnostic check was $65 using Castrol brand oil. Oil and filter would cost me about $40 so $25 for labor is very reasonable considering their posted shop hour rate is $90. Good Luck
Just got a 2000 with 188k miles and it runs like a top. The cosmetic condition is immaculate it's very luxurious for the price I paid. A little slow, but that's not terribly important. It gets up and goes when it needs to. Get some pads to cover the front seats and they won't get all ripped up. Change oil often, transmission oil often, and keep her clean and it will last forever (until the trans blows up)
Just bought my 2000 Lexus RX300 FWD with 101k miles, runs and drives like new, excellent cars!
I have 03 currently with 188k have loved every second of it easy maintenance and can last for a long time. I plan on doing a build to make it the first RX 300 F sport
Well done. My 1999 has 258000 so far. I love it!
Lexus always shines.
Very nice vehicle, love the blue! Rare to see in AWD.. I own a black 2002 RX 300 myself, with a black leather interior and the wood grain. I love it! California car bought it with 82,000 miles in 2015 for $7,500 cost me $1,000 to have it shipped to Chicago. Amazing buy! As for the "ECT snow" button for the transmission.. ETC means Electronic Transmission Control. What it does is put the vehicle in second gear instead of first gear when you first accelerate from a dead stop..As when you're in a higher gear you're at a lower RPM, hence you're not spinning your tires as easily. To me the ideal setup for this vehicle would be rear wheel drive with a slightly larger V6 engine maybe a 4.0 L with a AWD option when you want it. Outside of that these vehicles are so smooth riding, accelerating, reliable, easy to handle and safe vehicles. It's a great vehicle for just about anyone really. I can't think of any driver that shouldn't be driving this vehicle.
Thank you!
So do you leave it on while driving out of the snow or threw it, or only when stuck?
@@Ildvrilk Only Engage the ECT SNOW button while you are driving in the snow/through snow at slower speeds, under 40mph..It will only benefit you by not spinning your tires, when accelerating from a dead stop..It will not help you to get you "unstuck"..That's why all-wheel-drive would be ideal for this vehicle. Unfortunately there are very few of them out there with that option. Mine is front-wheel drive only, unfortunately.
I actually found one for my mother-in-law a couple of weeks ago that is this exact model year, color, and everything. It had 118,000 miles on it and she bought it for $6500. It was originally $8000, but they dropped it by $1000 and she negotiated another $500 off.
@@AJSHOPE That's a good price for the millage you described. Congrats on your purchase 👏
Thanks for this. I’m looking at an ‘02 for a daily beater.
i had an '03 RX300. First ever Lexus. First ever SUV. It captivated me. I traded it in on a 2010 RX350, and traded that in on my current vehicle, a 2017 RX350 (I have an '06 SC430) on the side for fun though :-) Love the RX
Also thanks for this video it was very helpful
I thought it looked bad 21 years ago, but now I think it looks great. Maybe because crossovers look terrible now.
These are great cars you can get a solid used one for around $3000 or less and Metra just recently made an aftermarket ac kit for these so you can k on put a modern radio in also. Only real issue is the turn radius in parking lotts and you need to check the timing belt if the car has over 100k on the odometer but that’s a lot of cars. Take care of this and it It will last well over 250k miles
Great video!
Actually. When you think the memory seat doesnt work. It actually works. One time i thought it doesnt work and another time i was pressing random buttons and it started working i was so happy
I just picked a 2003 today from a bid site. Once I cleaned it from the former smoker, I fell in love. I know it's going to be one of my favorite cars. I haven't tried the CD player in the glove compartment. I have a 2014 Subaru Forester, which I'm going to sell. Ten years newer and does not even compare to such a wonderful Lexus.
Same I got a 2002 AWD sport utility with just bumper damage and 94k miles for $850
oh my god, a 2002 vehicle that has a face mask on it. It's end of 2022 now !!! Love this car
Was having such a great time with the fine Japanese CD player in the glove box until the cartridge with five CDs jammed and won't come loose. Not giving up on that... Would you be parked at the Seven Oaks monument?
Why no emblems of AWD ????
what happened to the timing belt ? how can I prevent damage is it a disadvantage I own a 2001
hello, what kind of drive is there, plug-in or permanent?
Where can you get the new stereo?
Hi. How much Petrol he drinks if you have a chilling drive-in style?
I have this vehicle in the same color as a 2001 with just 84,000 miles. The only real problem I have had and am still having is some sort of parasitic draw that eventually drains the battery if the vehicle sits more than a couple of days. I think it's related to the door and window switches, and any replacement parts have to be salvage at this point.
Hey Guys we are helping our mother sell her Black 01 RX 300. It is an immaculate condition showroom condition no joke not a scratch on the interior or the exterior of the car. It has 220,000 miles on it and she has all of the records in the last year to three years of differential fluid changes transmission work engine, maintenance you name it had the AC done couple years ago couple window regulators it runs like a new car
The interior looks like a 2010 what the hell, lexus really was ahead of its time in the late 90s
That's a nice car, fren. You should reupholster the front seats. 🙂
Lexus is the only car I'll buy.
I like the smaller size of these early RX's.
just came across this looking at a 2001 with 196k on it, any update on yours for a refrance?
still runs and drives smooth and perfect but the AC has broke again. Seems to be an isolated issue with mine
What is the top comfortable cruising speed , considering fuel consumption and noise? I am looking for a highway car that can do 90 mph all day.
it can do 90 all day. fuel consumption will be higher but just fine, upper teens. No noise issues. Car does top out at 110 so you won't be doing anything crazy but 90 all day is just fine
What’s the gas mileage like?
All the new gens RX, one has to pay extra for all that fancy wood
Is it awd all the time or is there a button for engagement
its all time awd
I've own the JDM version since 2000s.. Decided not to scrap it... It needs new paint job and some foot work..
Just got a white one for $2,500
How many miles did it have on it when you bought it?
160K! glad you enjoyed!
How is this car on gas? How are repairs? I really love the car..
The car is okay on gas. It can get 25 mpg highway if you really try. With normal use it's more like 21 highway and 15 city. The only repairs I did were an O2 sensor (cheap as any other car) and A/C rebuilt (pretty expensive but not a common issue on these). Repairs are hardly needed and pretty cheap, it shares many parts with the ES and Camry and there are plenty of RX in scrap yards to pick parts from.
How much did you pay for yours? I am looking at one with 80k miles for 3,500
nvm... as i watched, i figured it out lol
@@DannyWohl That's a really good deal. I got mine with 140k miles for that price. Very clean though
@@DannyWohl that’s an amazing deal considering the mileage - assuming it’s somewhat clean and not salvage title. You should jump on it
Did you buy it?
@@mrtyreus0 i was going to... i was 2nd in line though unfortunately
Огонь
I wouldn't have riced it but rather considered a manual swap.
with that narrow wheel base? you want to roll over?
I've been thinking the same for so long but what manual gear train would be suitable for the rx?
If you maintain the vehicle very well this car will last you 500,000 miles plus