1999 Lexus RX300 rx review from North America

Persistent check engine light.

Starting to have problem with transmission.

The RX drives and handles well.

Never has had very good gas mileage.

Starting to worry about transmission.

Bought the RX300 in 2004 with 45000 miles on it and have put 24K on it in the last 2 years. Had no problems until about 6 months ago when the check engine light came on. I figured it was the oxygen sensor since that is the most common cause on everything else I drive. Took it to a local garage, (nearest Lexus dealer is 2 hours away), they said the code was for the left side running lean i.e. the oxygen sensor. They replaced the sensor and the light stayed off... for about 30 seconds. Drove it with the light on for since. Last week my wife said when she pushed on the gas the car would hardly move. She got it home and I drove it to a Lexus specialist here in the area. After having the car for a week they informed me that they had replaced the throttle position sensor and checked 3 other codes that showed up on their computer. They got rid of all but one, the knock sensor. According to them, the sensor is working fine. So I have the car back, but the light is still on. But, they also informed me that while they were test driving the car, they could not get it to shift into OD. Also, they told me that the transmissions are chronic problems on the RX300 and I can expect more problems in the future. So now, after reading all the other comments on this site, I am just a little freaked out. I really don't want to spend 4-5K on a new transmission. I have a 1990 GMC Sierra with 160,000 very hard miles on it and I don't know if the fluid has ever been changed. I don't think a fairly late model car should have the kind of transmission problems that everyone is describing in their reviews. I would probably buy a RX330, but after reading this, I will most likely get some kind of extended warranty.