Buying a used Lexus RX450H - What to look for

[Mandark]

Hi There,
We're in the lookout for a new car and somewhat accidentally, the Lexus RX450H appeared on the radar. Originally were were going to just replace our Audi A3 with another A3 but looks like it's possible to get somewhat a older Lexus, that will be more comfortable and spacious at less than 14k which is not too bad.

We're in London and the car would mainly see city driving and some motorway, totaling around 6k miles a year. Whatever we buy, we'd like to keep it for for at least 4 years or longer (depending on the depreciation). As this will be our first non German car, I would appreciate some tips on what to look for in the car etc.

Here's a set of questions that I'd like to start with:

1. Mileage: What's acceptable milage? The cars I see around 14k mark are high mileage, between 75k - 100k. Is that too much? We'll not get anything without full service history obviously
2. Depreciation: We're looking at 2012 facelift models preferably, however won't mind a pre-facelift model at around 10k also. Is it worth going for a facelift model spending 3-4k extra when we're going to keep the car for 4 years at least?
3. Model: What model should we look for? For example, is it worth paying extra for a F-Sport model? Pre-facelift vs. facelift - what are the major differences?
4. Technology: We're very attached to apple CarPaly. Clearly for a car this age, there won't be any factory option, but is retrofitting an option? I've seen some questionable sources claim so, but I'd rather hear from here
5. Warranty: Does Lexus provide extended warranty for older cars? How much does it usually cost and is it worth it?
6. Checks: Apart from doing full RAC inspection or equivalent (feel free to shout if any other service is is preferred) what other things should I look out for? For example Rust or any other known problem areas, e.g. suspension/panaromic roof/tailgate? What items should've been changed/replaced/serviced that general maintenance service schedule doesn't cover for example?
7. Avoid: Obviously not all options in a car are desirable or problematic long term. For example air suspension could be a costly failure. With that in mind, what specs should I look out for that generally should be avoided or if no not possible, ensure that they had been properly maintained/looked after?

That's all for now. Thanks!

 

[PCM]

 etc.

[BigBoomer]

Wouldn't you be better off posting this in the RX section of the forum? This section is for the LS models.

[Mandark]

37 minutes ago, BigBoomer said:

Wouldn't you be better off posting this in the RX section of the forum? This section is for the LS models.

Sorry I thought this is?

[ColinBarber]

1 hour ago, Mandark said:

Sorry I thought this is?

It is now as it was moved, but not initially. 

[ColinBarber]

1 - mileage shouldn't be a big concern if serviced correctly. Costly services are 60k, 100k and 150k.

2 - facelift models are normally worth having as they tend to make minor improvements, not that there were really any problems with the earlier ones. Obviously the more expensive the car is the higher the depreciation so you will need to weigh that one up.

3 - F-Sport looks better and has more sporty suspension - you should test drive different grades. If you want comfort then a non F-Sport on 18" wheels may be more suitable. Specs are here:

4 - there are a couple of 3rd party systems that provide retrofit capabilities. They seem beta release products at best so you need to be comfortable with tech and willing to put time and effort in upgrading/troubleshooting etc. Not worth it for the average Lexus owner.

5 - extended warranties are available to take out on vehicles up to 10 year old. 2 years cover is around £1000 which includes AA breakdown and a couple of MOTs. You need to get the vehicle serviced at a main dealer to maintain the warranty.

https://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/warranty/extended-warranty/

hybrid health check will get you warranty on the hybrid Battery (not the other hybrid components) for £59 or included in a main dealer service.

https://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/servicing-and-maintenance/hybrid-health-check/#health-check

6 - brakes, sliding pins on the callipers can corrode and cause the discs to rust if not regularly greased.

Check for any water ingress in the boot area - more common on series II but could start to happen on series III

Check underside for corrosion - again happens on series II, hopefully better underseal protection on the series III but only time will tell.

7 - Series II RX with air suspension gets unreliable with age so we should assume that same for the series III although at the moment issues are uncommon. Nothing else to avoid from a spec point of view.

[Mandark]

43 minutes ago, ColinBarber said:

1 - mileage shouldn't be a big concern if serviced correctly. Costly services are 60k, 100k and 150k.

2 - facelift models are normally worth having as they tend to make minor improvements, not that there were really any problems with the earlier ones. Obviously the more expensive the car is the higher the depreciation so you will need to weigh that one up.

3 - F-Sport looks better and has more sporty suspension - you should test drive different grades. If you want comfort then a non F-Sport on 18" wheels may be more suitable. Specs are here:

4 - there are a couple of 3rd party systems that provide retrofit capabilities. They seem beta release products at best so you need to be comfortable with tech and willing to put time and effort in upgrading/troubleshooting etc. Not worth it for the average Lexus owner.

5 - extended warranties are available to take out on vehicles up to 10 year old. 2 years cover is around £1000 which includes AA breakdown and a couple of MOTs. You need to get the vehicle serviced at a main dealer to maintain the warranty.

https://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/warranty/extended-warranty/

hybrid health check will get you warranty on the hybrid battery (not the other hybrid components) for £59 or included in a main dealer service.

https://www.lexus.co.uk/owners/servicing-and-maintenance/hybrid-health-check/#health-check

6 - brakes, sliding pins on the callipers can corrode and cause the discs to rust if not regularly greased.

Check for any water ingress in the boot area - more common on series II but could start to happen on series III

Check underside for corrosion - again happens on series II, hopefully better underseal protection on the series III but only time will tell.

7 - Series II RX with air suspension gets unreliable with age so we should assume that same for the series III although at the moment issues are uncommon. Nothing else to avoid from a spec point of view.

Amazing - thanks for the insight.

[Lager shandy]

do you need such a big car how about a RAV4 or a Toyota Yaris great little city car .or get another panzer with apple car / android auto 

[unclepoo]

I`m in a similar position as mandark, I`m wanting a rx450h but I`ve looked at rav4 hybrids. I looked at a 2016 excel I thought it was rather plain inside, nothing like as nice a place to be as a RX. Running costs would be less, but if I`m spending a large amount on a car, it must be a nice place to be. 

[ColinBarber]

The latest RAV4 (2019+) is nicer than the old one but still no RX and in another price bracket due to their age.

[Rxowner]

I am in the same position as you

[Barry14UK]

You don't say what model RX cars you have driven and I would suggest you try at least the Sports and Advance models.  The air  suspension on the RX Premier can be problematical and the general view is that it is not markedly different in reality to the conventionally metal sprung models.  (From reviews I have read on the Audi Q5, having air suspension on that car rather than not makes a considerable improvement by comparison).  You are contemplating changing from a relatively small saloon in the A3, not just to say a Q5 but a high riding larger RX hybrid that drives very differently and indeed best requires to be driven differently.  The RX is certainly a very comfortable car best driven in a relaxed fashion.  Surveys show it is one of the most reliable cars but when major parts are needed these can be expensive.  Even some moderately priced parts can work out expensive when you include the cost of fitting, replacing sparking plugs and water pump being prime examples due to the hours of work involved.

A car older than 5 years qualifies for Lexus 'Essential Service' which is pretty much the same as a normal service but is called differently as Lexus want to keep your business rather than your taking an older car to a non appointed Lexus garage for service.

Most people (including me) find the Sat Nav poor.  I fitted a TomTom while others use Google maps etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[caranalyticsinuk]

first of all you need to mileage check of a car and secondly need to check the car speed,model,colour because these are the main thing.

[Barry14UK]

1 hour ago, caranalyticsinuk said:

first of all you need to mileage check of a car and secondly need to check the car speed,model,colour because these are the main thing.

These are indeed important considerations but surely the first thing you need to establish is that the RX is the car and best model for you.  As regards speed, they are all good for about 7.6sec  0-60mph from standing start and a top speed in excess of 120mph which is probably enough for people driving this type of vehicle.  It is not the sort of car you take round the Nurburgring or demonstrate at Japfest.  What may be an important factor for some is the type of automatic gearbox fitted which provides a continuous surge but to those unused to CVT seems like clutch slip with racing engine under moderately hard acceleration.  This might be a deal breaker for some. I prefer the more conventional transmission but have become used to RX CVT type box.  Brakes are generally pretty good and certainly adequate, although I have experienced better at high speed. 

The colour choice is not very extensive, black, white, silver and grey being most numerous followed by burgundy.  There are a few other colours, particularly with older cars which included blue and a sort of beige but by looking only for one of these you would seriously reduce your choice.  MPG for a large, heavy and comfortable car such is the RX hybrid is reasonable and depreciation is probably less than other SUV's in this sort of category.