FUN FACT!: In the NA Miatas the door is actually used to reinforce the chassis. In fact the aftermarket even makes this cool thing to help with that. (Below)

That’s a damn sight cooler than any Vette IMHO

All I know is a close friend had trashed his 4wd CRV and needed transportation for work but also wanted something to get to his fly fishing spots with the dogs. He ended buying another friend’s 2WD RX300 with 150k for $4000 as a transitional car. He even referred to it as “the Lexus” jokingly knowing it wasn’t his…

they’re ungodly reliable like every lexus.

We turned in our 1999 RX300 about a year ago. At about 65k miles the transmission had to be rebuilt, and the dealer kicked in about half the cost. The major problem that had a high cost repair was the electric door locks that became unreliable. The repair is cheap on parts but requires tearing each door apart. We…

We got this RX non-cert used from our local Lexus dealer and then had my dad check it out. He caught that and we built them fixing it into the purchase of the vehicle. Worked out perfect. 

I know that story, I just paid $400 for an OE GX axle...and I got a good deal on it. (boot was torn long enough that its clicking, wasn’t around to catch it in time)

So 2009 RX owner here(the XU30 part of my name).

The 2009 RX350 has no issues. The engine kinks were worked out. Biggest thing is the axle boots leak and thats not cheap.

The AWD transmission can and will go bad for no reason.  I just changed out the valve body on mine, because at least one of the solenoids crapped out.  This is pretty well documented.

the RX is kinda like the is300 SportCross if the IS was FWD and swollen from a bad reaction to shellfish.

My mom and one of my friends both traded in their second generation RX when one of the swiveling headlights died. The repair was shockingly expensive because the entire unit needed to be replaced and probably recalibrated, and you can’t drive around with one headlight for any length of time

Look out for transmissions, radio antennas, rust, change the timing belts on time (If 1st gen), change your AWD diff fluids on time, and USE SYNTHETIC OIL AND PREMIUM FUEL. My father had a beautiful ‘99 RX300 with a rare Aqua green color (some shit like that), and he decided to treat it like a Camry. It ran all the…

There easy to find for $3000 or less in Minnesota, but they almost always have catastrophic transmission failure and aren’t driveable without repair.

My grandfather had a second gen RX hybrid. He ran it up to almost 300,000 miles in about 7 years before trading it in for a newer RX. Mostly highway miles. IIRC, it just needed oil changes, tires, a radiator, and a headlight. He mentioned he never even had to replace the brake pads, thanks to his driving style and the…

My mom has one and the thing is bullet proof. It’s very reliable and maintenance is not too bad — typical wear and tear items and oil changes. I have to warn you that these things are a snoozefest to drive. The brakes feel like rubber bands and the steering and suspension are very bland. Which is to be expected with…

Look up the oil sludge problems in that 3.0 liter motor. It’s nothing to take lightly.

My mom is still driving hers around the Denver area. I know in the last year or two she’s had major work done on the transmission, power windows, and I think also the radiator (can’t remember for sure).
Anyway, >$5k of repairs in the last two years.

also: timing chain > timing belt

Can confirm the first gen transmission woes. Was a great used car until the transmission crapped out a month later.