To buy or not to buy an RX350

[Bert Viloria]

Hi everyone, first time potential RX350 buyer here.
I've heard and read all the reviews on the RX350
and it seems like the perfect small family SUV.

Are all the testimonials accurate? Is it really
that good of an SUV? I was leaning towards the
Pathfinder for power and utility and some off-roading
but I thought, I really needed more handling and
comfort as we will be using this SUV for the
family vacation trips.

Any 350 experiences, good or bad is appreciated.
I am looking to buy the 2008, or the 2009 if
the price is right. Your purchase prices are also
welcome as I would like to know the ranges of
prices. I live in Montgomery County, MD.

Thanks!

[ACAR]

Post by Bert Viloria
snip
I live in Montgomery County, MD.
Thanks!

I live in Howard County, MD. Hello, neighbor.

While the RX is a very nice vehicle, before plunking down all that
cash perhaps you should test drive a Toyota Sienna minivan. Last time
I drove an RX it didn't feel any different than a Sienna with upgraded
tires. Not only is the minivan cheaper, it gets better mpg and offers
far more utility. I was thinking about an RX but decided to keep my
Sienna, which now has over 210,000 miles. Bought a Corvette instead;
great reason to leave the kids at home! You could probably buy a Jeep
for off roading for the price difference between the RX and Sienna.

[Stephen Jacobs]

Post by Bert Viloria
Hi everyone, first time potential RX350 buyer here.
I've heard and read all the reviews on the RX350
and it seems like the perfect small family SUV.
Are all the testimonials accurate? Is it really
that good of an SUV? I was leaning towards the
Pathfinder for power and utility and some off-roading
but I thought, I really needed more handling and
comfort as we will be using this SUV for the
family vacation trips.
Any 350 experiences, good or bad is appreciated.
I am looking to buy the 2008, or the 2009 if
the price is right. Your purchase prices are also
welcome as I would like to know the ranges of
prices. I live in Montgomery County, MD.
Thanks!

My wife drives an '04 RX 330 (essentially the same vehicle) and adores
it. We've gone on long trips and it is a wonderfully comfortable
vehicle. I don't think it'd do well off road so if that's your desire,
look elsewhere.

[muzzy]

I've had an '08 RX350 since July - outstanding vehicle






On Mon, 14 Apr 2008 20:16:24 -0400, Bert Viloria

Post by Bert Viloria
Hi everyone, first time potential RX350 buyer here.
I've heard and read all the reviews on the RX350
and it seems like the perfect small family SUV.
Are all the testimonials accurate? Is it really
that good of an SUV? I was leaning towards the
Pathfinder for power and utility and some off-roading
but I thought, I really needed more handling and
comfort as we will be using this SUV for the
family vacation trips.
Any 350 experiences, good or bad is appreciated.
I am looking to buy the 2008, or the 2009 if
the price is right. Your purchase prices are also
welcome as I would like to know the ranges of
prices. I live in Montgomery County, MD.
Thanks!

[tww1491]

Post by Bert Viloria
Hi everyone, first time potential RX350 buyer here.
I've heard and read all the reviews on the RX350
and it seems like the perfect small family SUV.
Are all the testimonials accurate? Is it really
that good of an SUV? I was leaning towards the
Pathfinder for power and utility and some off-roading
but I thought, I really needed more handling and
comfort as we will be using this SUV for the
family vacation trips.
Any 350 experiences, good or bad is appreciated.
I am looking to buy the 2008, or the 2009 if
the price is right. Your purchase prices are also
welcome as I would like to know the ranges of
prices. I live in Montgomery County, MD.
Thanks!

If you use a Lexus dealer for maintenance, it will be expensive. We traded
an 01 300 for a 03 Pilot and our costs were cut by 75%. We are still on the
original brakes on the Pilot at 75k miles whereas we had to rebuild the
rears at 27k on the 300 at a cost of around $350.00. The Pilot also was a
7-8 seater and was an AWD with the same gas mileage at the 300 which the
dealer insisted had to run on premium. The Pilot was more powerful and runs
on regular.

[greg]

Post by tww1491

Post by Bert Viloria
Hi everyone, first time potential RX350 buyer here.
I've heard and read all the reviews on the RX350
and it seems like the perfect small family SUV.
Are all the testimonials accurate?  Is it really
that good of an SUV?  I was leaning towards the
Pathfinder for power and utility and some off-roading
but I thought, I really needed more handling and
comfort as we will be using this SUV for the
family vacation trips.
Any 350 experiences, good or bad is appreciated.
I am looking to buy the 2008, or the 2009 if
the price is right.  Your purchase prices are also
welcome as I would like to know the ranges of
prices.  I live in Montgomery County, MD.
Thanks!

If you use a Lexus dealer for maintenance, it will be expensive. We traded
an 01 300 for a 03 Pilot and our costs were cut by 75%. We are still on the
original brakes on the Pilot at 75k miles whereas we had to rebuild the
rears at 27k on the 300 at a cost of around $350.00.  The Pilot also was a
7-8 seater and was an AWD with the same gas mileage at the 300 which the
dealer insisted had to run on premium.  The Pilot was more powerful and runs
on regular.- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

An 01 RX300 had 220hp and a four speed transmission. The 08-09 RX350
has 270hp and a five speed transmission. Unless you're getting the V8
Pathfinder, the power should be comparable. What's your definition of
off-roading? The Lexus will excel in luxury for on-road driving
compared to any truck-based vehicle; the Murano would be a closer
vehicle to the RX. Even so, the viscous limited slip center diff AWD
system of the RX is very capable, though it lacks the 2-speed transfer
case, trans holder/descent controls, and ground clearance for true off-
roading which the Pathfinder has.

Drive both vehicles and think about where you'll be driving it most of
the time.

[j***@hotmail.com]

Also check the review on Edmunds.com. Around $3x,xxx out of a list:
www.edmunds.com

Acura RDX
BMW X3
Buick Enclave
HUMMER H3
Infiniti EX/FX35
Lincoln MKX
Mercury Mountaineer
Nissan Murano
Volvo XC90

Post by Bert Viloria
Hi everyone, first time potential RX350 buyer here.
I've heard and read all the reviews on the RX350
and it seems like the perfect small family SUV.
Are all the testimonials accurate? Is it really
that good of an SUV? I was leaning towards the
Pathfinder for power and utility and some off-roading
but I thought, I really needed more handling and
comfort as we will be using this SUV for the
family vacation trips.
Any 350 experiences, good or bad is appreciated.
I am looking to buy the 2008, or the 2009 if
the price is right. Your purchase prices are also
welcome as I would like to know the ranges of
prices. I live in Montgomery County, MD.
Thanks!

[ackerberg]

Post by j***@hotmail.com
www.edmunds.com
Acura RDX
BMW X3
Buick Enclave
HUMMER H3
Infiniti EX/FX35
Lincoln MKX
Mercury Mountaineer
Nissan Murano
Volvo XC90

Post by Bert Viloria
Hi everyone, first time potential RX350 buyer here.
I've heard and read all the reviews on the RX350
and it seems like the perfect small family SUV.
Are all the testimonials accurate? Is it really
that good of an SUV? I was leaning towards the
Pathfinder for power and utility and some off-roading
but I thought, I really needed more handling and
comfort as we will be using this SUV for the
family vacation trips.
Any 350 experiences, good or bad is appreciated.
I am looking to buy the 2008, or the 2009 if
the price is right. Your purchase prices are also
welcome as I would like to know the ranges of
prices. I live in Montgomery County, MD.
Thanks!

I recently purchased a 2003 RX 300 that had 49+k miles. What a great SUV
it is. I had been following the prices of these SUV's for 6 months and
the prices hardly go down. If you keep the vehicle in good condition you
can drive it for minimal depreciation. I recommend these vans without
any reservations.

[Bert Viloria]

Thanks to all who replied...

After reading more about the 'SUVs', I am now
more inclined to check out the newly designed
2009 Honda Pilot...good gas mileage, more
standard features, bigger cargo volume, and
more utility which me and the wife both agree
we need...plus, the prices I am assuming will
be a bit cheaper...

I know the engine is less powerful (the Pilot will
be 250 hp and 255 lbs torque, but I thought about
the gas mileage (17-22) and all of our very
favorable experiences with Honda (we still own
working 1990 Civic and 1997 CR-V) and we thought
why not stick with Honda - reliable, cheap
maintenance, and they just work and work, and
they keep working - that sounds good for me :)

Thanks again for all the comments...

Post by Bert Viloria
Hi everyone, first time potential RX350 buyer here.
I've heard and read all the reviews on the RX350
and it seems like the perfect small family SUV.
Are all the testimonials accurate? Is it really
that good of an SUV? I was leaning towards the
Pathfinder for power and utility and some off-roading
but I thought, I really needed more handling and
comfort as we will be using this SUV for the
family vacation trips.
Any 350 experiences, good or bad is appreciated.
I am looking to buy the 2008, or the 2009 if
the price is right. Your purchase prices are also
welcome as I would like to know the ranges of
prices. I live in Montgomery County, MD.
Thanks!