What next after a bulletproof 02 RX?

[Cruiser459]

We run a first gen 02 plate with 122k on it, our 3rd Lexus, and 2nd RX

We get it serviced, put fuel in it and point it in the direction we want to go. Without missing a beat it goes there and back at pace, we've just completed our 6th 500 mile round trip in 9 weeks (due to a bereavement and needing to sort things) on top of normal stuff - and it's been faultless.

Aware of its age and rust being flagged up on the last mot (a previous owner had a boat) we've begun to think about "the future" but the forum comments that seem to appear frequently about Battery and hybrid and air suspension faults are a concern.

We're not going to be looking at a £15k plus thing when the time comes so do we just run the current beast till it drops (we can cope with its thirst and the need to get the air con compressor bearings done some time) or is there a model out there that that can be left in airport car parks for weeks on end and start, for example, or won't want some serious money for air suspension pumps etc

We love the seamlessness of the good old V6 and it's ability to transport loads and cover ground with ease. So the question is ... what next?!

Are there years and RX models to avoid once you move into the "more modern" era?

[SLACKBLADDER]

Why not look at a Gs 03/04 300 or 430 I've had both the 430 having better economy than the rx  not so ugly as the ls  and you can get some nice ones for a good price  don't touch the later is250 petrol with Manuel transmission 

[Cruiser459]

We ran a lovely 02 GS300 alongside our first 51 plate RX for a while and let it go simply as we didn't need both. Six months later the RX got written off, we ran a runabout for a while but "it wasn't a Lexus" and we eventually tracked down our current beast.

I'd love a 430 but not sure I'd have the "resilience" not to explore its pace! 

We pay about £50 a month for tax and insurance, and have a brilliant independent who looks after our car. When the RX split the exhaust and we were told it would be mega he pointed us in the direction of a local specialist who custom made it for £240!

 

 

[sorcerer]

Just get a later RX without air suspension, you know it makes sense

[SLACKBLADDER]

I've just bought a 53 rx300 sel cost me 4.5 I'm finding teething problems tracking is one possibly limited slip diff not sure  it's still a lovely car but I was impatient and now I've missed a one owner 430 in bronze out of all lexus I think the v8 is indestructible 

[GSLV6]

A GS300 is possibly....no, definitely the very best car I've ever run in my life.  Go for a tidy low miles Mk3 and you'll have change from £6K and a car that will run on for years with good economy compared with an RX, possibly better comfort, certainly better road manners, better performance and more excitement behind the wheel if and when you want to use it. Oh....it ought to be reliable too with the main niggles being limited to exhaust and shock absorber replacements, usually within 80 to 90K miles, sometimes sooner.  Besides this, they are genuinely bomb proof and the real gems in the Lexus used line up....imho anyway.

[SLACKBLADDER]

Don't buy anything June 06 onwards the car tax is very expensive  about 500 a year

[GSLV6]

Yes, good point.  Tax is currently £495 for all post 2006 models I believe.

[Fsport]

Ive owned a 2nd Gen 54 plate RX for 6 years now.   Ive never taken it to a garage for servicing.   Did the yearly oil/filter myself and also replaced the brake discs and pads myself.   Car is a family car and has been faultless. 

I also have a track focused car for my personal use but with the rain,  ice and general poor weather I am considering another 04/05 RX300.   Love the 450H F sports but waiting till they drop below £10k before getting one. 

At £3k ish the RX300 must be one of the best buys out there for someone looking for a reliable and practical car. 

[GrahamG]

Have had my '06 RX350SE for three years and love driving it fully loaded across France into the Alps.

It has no air suspension which I would avoid like the plague.

The 350 has extra acceleration on hand with an overall better fuel economy than the 300 and seems to be pretty much bulletproof. After nine years [40,000 miles] mine had virtually no rust underneath and no water ingress problems at the rear of the cabin.

Would definitely buy another subject to a no rust survey and full Lexus history but when lightly loaded it does not provide a luxury ride and I do wish it were more like my LS430.

 

[Funkyboy]

On 29 January 2017 at 8:11 PM, Cruiser459 said:

We run a first gen 02 plate with 122k on it, our 3rd Lexus, and 2nd RX

We get it serviced, put fuel in it and point it in the direction we want to go. Without missing a beat it goes there and back at pace, we've just completed our 6th 500 mile round trip in 9 weeks (due to a bereavement and needing to sort things) on top of normal stuff - and it's been faultless.

Aware of its age and rust being flagged up on the last mot (a previous owner had a boat) we've begun to think about "the future" but the forum comments that seem to appear frequently about battery and hybrid and air suspension faults are a concern.

We're not going to be looking at a £15k plus thing when the time comes so do we just run the current beast till it drops (we can cope with its thirst and the need to get the air con compressor bearings done some time) or is there a model out there that that can be left in airport car parks for weeks on end and start, for example, or won't want some serious money for air suspension pumps etc

We love the seamlessness of the good old V6 and it's ability to transport loads and cover ground with ease. So the question is ... what next?!

Are there years and RX models to avoid once you move into the "more modern" era?

Keep hold of this one. Sounds like you've got a very reliable car. Spending more wont get you anymore reliability