1999 Lexus RX300 2wd from North America - Comments

Replaced MAF sensor at 124, 000 miles

replaced knock sensors at 124,000 miles.

I thought I was having problems with the transmission too because the car wouldn't go into overdrive.

I took it to a small shop and they replaced the mass air flow sensor and two knock sensors and the car runs like new again. very glad that it wasn't the transmission. it still cost 1100 to fix, but the MAF sensor are about 100 dollars and the knock sensors are around 200 dollars each for parts from autozone. I think that was a good deal though I didn't shop around. the tranny goes into safe mode when the sensors are bad and won't go into overdrive.

That's all the repairs in seven years of owning this car, so I'm happy.

I am the original poster.

I was having intermittent starting troubles. I noticed some white powdery stuff on the battery terminals, so I cleaned it and I haven't had a problem since.

Also one other repair I had done in this car was a year ago when there was a rattling noise in the rear wheel well. The mechanic replaced something, but I forgot what that was and the problem was solved. It was only 200-300 dollars.

Well, the car still drives very good, but I never changed any of the fluids like brake, coolant, or transmission, or spark plugs. I didn't because the spark plugs, transmission oil don't need to be changed in this car according to the manual and timing belt, even if it breaks, won't damage the engine in this car.

After driving this car since new, general comments-

After getting the overdrive problem fixed, I have 21 mpg on the mpg display in mixed city. Highway it gets 24 mpg on a long trip, driving with cruise control.

There are no rattles or squeaks anywhere in this 7 year old car, so fit and finish was excellent. However, the pop-up cup holder is broken, but there is another set in the console, so I don't mind. All the electronics still work excellent.

Some driving impressions:

Cornering ability is not very good. It feels unstable when cornering in highway on ramps, and I drive conservatively, but I also drive a BMW Z4 and the Infiniti FX35, the other two cars in my family.

However, it drives quiet and smooth. I prefer this car over the other ones for errands, because the steering is very light and just easy to drive.

Turning radius is not very good - you have to negotiate u-turns carefully.

Front brakes squeel when cold - it doesn't bother me. The Infiniti is even worse, but I should probably have that looked at since it's still under warranty.

Update by original poster:

the car now has 170k miles and still running good and transmission seems fine. I replaced the transmission fluid at 140k for the first time but the shop didn't have the proper fluid and they said they could put in some additive to be like a type IV fluid. I just went along with it and I haven't had any issues with that. I have also used 10w30 instead of the recommended 5w30 for as long as I can remember- the local oil change place doesn't have 5w30 and was told it was better for high mileage cars.

After 10 years of owning this car- bought in 1998 as a 1999. the interior leather shows very little wear and looks better than the 2004 fx35 (although with tan leather). all the electrical works and the car drives excellent with no rattles/creaks at all.