1999 Lexus RX 300 3.0 liter V 6
Summary:
Excellent reliability and AWD drive
Faults:
Some sort of fuse box went out in the back... $250 to replace. My rear running lights went out.
Driver side door actuator (controls remote control locking/unlocking) went out.
Key fell apart.
General Comments:
Regular maintenance has been my only real expense. The fit and finish is amazing. When I shut the door on this car, it sounds better than on a brand new American made model. Very tight.
It's a regular snow (or sand) bunny. The AWD feature works great. Goes anywhere.
Wind noise is minimal for an SUV, but not like the sedans.
The ride has more of a truck feel... but that's what it is, really.
Some idiot in design forgot to include a COMPASS. Now maybe that doesn't mean much to you east/west coasters, but to us Midwesterners, it's indispensable.
All and all however, a great car. I'll buy another one when the wheels fall of this one. But that may be in another 20 years.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 30th January, 2008
12th Jul 2007, 20:27
I am just starting to hear about transmission problems with my '99 AWD Lexus RX300. I am at 107,000. When the engine check light went on and I could not get overdrive, I took it to Charlie's Foreign Auto Repair. After fixing the knock sensor ($890), the overdrive works, but it does not shift well between 2nd and 3rd gear. The repair shop is suggesting I need a rebuilt transmission for $5,000. Can this be true that it is common for this car to need a new transmission after only 100,000 miles? I might expect that from my '69 Ford Ranchero, but not a '99 Lexus! What is the true story?