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My friend is planning to sell her well-maintained, 2000 Lexus RX300, 45,000 miles for $15,000. I trust her -- she takes excellent care of the car -- my question is -- can I trust the car? I don't mind spending $15,000, but I wouldn't want it to turn into $20,000 or more in a year's time if something major goes wrong with the car. From all of the reviews I've read on this model, it seems that people have had a major repair somewhere between 75,000 and 125,000 miles.
Opinions please on whether or not I should go for it.
Spend the money and have a quality mechanic look it over, perhaps even a Lexus dealer. Even if it cost you a hundred or two for a coplete inspection, that's cheap for the knowlwdge you bought a good, trouble free car. If you pay to find out it's not worth the money, it was still money well spent.
As far as if it's worth the price, check it out in New Car Prices, Used Car Prices, Blue Book Value, Car Reviews - Official Kelley Blue Book Site
You can put in all details and get the price for private party seller, dealer, or trafe in price. You can also look in AutoTrader.com - Buy Used Cars, New Cars, Sell a Car, Find Car Dealers
to get an idea what like cars are advertised for. You will be a better, smarter buyer with a little knowledge on your side.....
Working for a Lexus dealer i will tell you that this vehicle does not have as many problems as people think. Of course I see quite a few of them at the service bay but it's because people do not do regular schedule maintenance. You can do the maintenance yourself and not bring it to the dealer.
As far as the common failures are the coil packs, the charcoal canister and vacuum switching valves but nothing else.
Even with a few minor problems the RX should be a reliable car, as with any Toyota or Lexus or Pontiac Vibe. It shouldn't get that bad mileage either, unless its AWD. It's a crossover SUV with the Camry engine.
Don't quote me on this, but the charcoal canister trouble shouldn't make the car run any different or affect gas mileage. But it will make you fail an emissions test if it turns on the check engine light.
Too expensive, would go for no more than $13K in my area. If it's higher than KBB retail then it's definitely too high. Also, if it's 8 years old and still has such low mileage then it's probably been driven short trips, which can be harder on the car. You should make sure she has changed the oil every 3 or 4 months, and you should be prepared to do a 60,000 mile service on it.
My friend is planning to sell her well-maintained, 2000 Lexus RX300, 45,000 miles for $15,000. I trust her -- she takes excellent care of the car -- my question is -- can I trust the car? I don't mind spending $15,000, but I wouldn't want it to turn into $20,000 or more in a year's time if something major goes wrong with the car. From all of the reviews I've read on this model, it seems that people have had a major repair somewhere between 75,000 and 125,000 miles.
Opinions please on whether or not I should go for it.
Definitely a toughee, Mimi.
Just from your information, I would consider it but not before a qualified mechanic has given it a check-up. However, there is always a risk with any vehicle that is 8 years old and some maintenance and/or repairs should be anticipated.
As an FYI . . . here's the information from Kelley Blue Book
Thank you all for your responses. I went to test drive the car yesterday. It was in superb condition but one thing ruled it out for me. I'm not sure I am explaining this correctly -- there was too much road noise -- not noise from other traffic, but like loud feedback from the tires on the pavement -- do you know what I mean? And, they were brand new top-of-the line tires. We really had to raise our voices while driving to hear each other. She acknowledged the noise but said she always plays her radio so it didn't bother her. I suppose I noticed it more because my husband and I had been test-driving new vehicles for the past three weeks and the whisper-quietness of the Toyota Highlander is still with me. We could actual whisper in that vehicle and still hear each other -- I was just hoping to not have to spent $35,000+ right now -- and her car is just beautiful in every other way.
I was also a little uncomfortable about the price -- I would have offered less to a stranger, but it is difficult to haggle with a friend.
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