Does anyone here have a Lexus RX350? or buy a CPO from Lexus?

[evident]

My GF is going to buy one at the end of the month, probably a 07 or 08 certified preowned w/ about 30k miles on it. while we've done a lot of research already does anyone here personally have it (or your significant other) and what are your opinions? she's hoping to get it around the $30k price range. CPO offers a bumper to bumper warranty up to 100k miles and a bunch of other services such as free oil change and service till 100k i think. she commutes 25 miles highway to a train station everyday then takes a train the rest of the way to work, so she wants something comfortable to ride in. she currently has a 98 CRV that i wouldn't particularly call comfy. she will be looking to get the nav package w/ mark levinson sound system, for bluetooth. she definitely wants a cute ute, since i'll be driving a sedan/coupe once we get settled she wants something we can pack a ton of crap in for the future.

We've crossshopped a ton of vehicles and she is pretty set on getting one of these. I know a bunch of you will say omg its boring but it seems like it's def. the car that she wants.
We drove a used FX35 and EX35 and while she liked them, she said she wont know what to do w/ all that power:laugh: we also drove:
murano: same price as rx350 for all the options she wants, rogue, escape, vue: too spartan, cr-v: seatbelt doesn't "feel right" for her, same w/ the RDX, mkx is ok but meh.

i personally woulda taken the FX35/EX35, but its not my choice and honestly i think its a pretty nice car. if anyone can share your experience w/the RX350, or buying a CPO from lexus and tell us what to look out for please do.

 

[lastig21]

I've driven the RX350 before, and it was on my short list when shopping for our new car. We ended up with an Infiniti CPO.

I won't speak about the RX much. I think they are great, and are very comfortable. If you've done your research, you should know if its the car for you.

I really like the Lexus CPO program for older vehicles, but you will not be getting as much from a newer model (2008). The CPO program includes 100k total miles on the vehicle, or 3 years from when you purchase it as a CPO vehicle. There is still enough factory warranty on a low-mileage 2008, that the CPO warranty will not last long after the factory warranty expires. On low mileage older vehicles (05/06), you will generally get a longer warranty with Lexus than other makes.

The Lexus CPO program offers one free oil change (like most other luxury brands). If the dealer is including free service for life, get it in writing and make sure its not at an added cost (unless you think it is worth the price).

I forget the cost, but the Lexus CPO program does add a significant price onto the car. For a low mileage 2008, I might skip the CPO warranty and buy the car cheaper. For a 2006, I think you could find a low-mileage CPO RX for a better price with essentially the same warranty.

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: lastig21
I've driven the RX350 before, and it was on my short list when shopping for our new car. We ended up with an Infiniti CPO.

I won't speak about the RX much. I think they are great, and are very comfortable. If you've done your research, you should know if its the car for you.

I really like the Lexus CPO program for older vehicles, but you will not be getting as much from a newer model (2008). The CPO program includes 100k total miles on the vehicle, or 3 years from when you purchase it as a CPO vehicle. There is still enough factory warranty on a low-mileage 2008, that the CPO warranty will not last long after the factory warranty expires. On low mileage older vehicles (05/06), you will generally get a longer warranty with Lexus than other makes.

The Lexus CPO program offers one free oil change (like most other luxury brands). If the dealer is including free service for life, get it in writing and make sure its not at an added cost (unless you think it is worth the price).

I forget the cost, but the Lexus CPO program does add a significant price onto the car. For a low mileage 2008, I might skip the CPO warranty and buy the car cheaper. For a 2006, I think you could find a low-mileage CPO RX for a better price with essentially the same warranty.

thanks for your reply. I feel that the 2007 is the earliest we should go back, since the 2007 is the RX 350, w/ a new powertrain. the 2006 and back is the RX330 and is equipped w/ a weaker engine and i can't recall off the top of my head its missing some features like TPMS. is it possible to not buy the CPO warranty on a used car being sold at the dealer?

 

[halik]

My parents bought a ES330 as a CPO car with the 100K mile warranty and they love it. Came with a couple of free oil changes and at 40K the car literally still smells brand new.

 

[lastig21]

Originally posted by: evident

thanks for your reply. I feel that the 2007 is the earliest we should go back, since the 2007 is the RX 350, w/ a new powertrain. the 2006 and back is the RX330 and is equipped w/ a weaker engine and i can't recall off the top of my head its missing some features like TPMS. is it possible to not buy the CPO warranty on a used car being sold at the dealer?

I forgot about the model change. I would stick with the 2007 as well. Depending on the mileage, you would gain an extra year on the basic warranty with a CPO vs a used. The original powertrain coverage would actually out-last the CPO warranty on a 2007 (by years, not miles). If the mileage is high, then the CPO warranty would be worth it. If its a low-mileage car, the standard warranty might cover you enough.

I didn't get into negotiations with any Lexus dealers. With Infiniti, you could drop the CPO certification (on cars that were being listed as CPO). They weren't thrilled with it, as I guess its additional cushion in the sales price. You may have the same luck with a Lexus dealer. I don't know what the Lexus certification costs, but the Infiniti certification was $895.

 

[drewdogg808]

The new engine with the 07 is nice. I wish it was around when I purchased a 05 rx330 for my wife. Our rx330 does have TPMS though. The warranty is great for piece of mind but we haven't had any major issues 4 years later and 64K miles now. I did get the 100K mile extended warranty but haven't used it for anything yet, and now we're looking for a larger suv (lx470).

edit: my sister in law has an '08 rx350...they like it alot but didn't know about the new redesign that just came out and wished they waited...lol.

 

[evident]

the new redesign for 2010 is gorgeous and the interior i think is a big step ahead of the previous gen. but w/ all the features she wants it will be $45K+ and that's stretching wayyyyy to much!

 

[Bryf50]

Originally posted by: evident
the new redesign for 2010 is gorgeous and the interior i think is a big step ahead of the previous gen. but w/ all the features she wants it will be $45K+ and that's stretching wayyyyy to much!

Interesting, my parents lease on their rx330 ended and after looking at the new rx350 they were completely turned off. The interior especially just didn't look right. Anyway they ended up getting an XC60 T6, which has been great so far.

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: Bryf50

Originally posted by: evident
the new redesign for 2010 is gorgeous and the interior i think is a big step ahead of the previous gen. but w/ all the features she wants it will be $45K+ and that's stretching wayyyyy to much!

Interesting, my parents lease on their rx330 ended and after looking at the new rx350 they were completely turned off. The interior especially just didn't look right. Anyway they ended up getting an , which has been great so far.

what i really like about the new 2010 is the center stack. XC60 looks great too though.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: evident
the new redesign for 2010 is gorgeous and the interior i think is a big step ahead of the previous gen. but w/ all the features she wants it will be $45K+ and that's stretching wayyyyy to much!

Stretch to a $39k brand new Q5 I tell ya. BTW, I think the exterior of the new RX is horrible, but the gadgets and all else are nice as always from Lexus.

 

[JulesMaximus]

We get them as loaner vehicles sometimes when my wife's Lexus is in for maintenance. They are very comfortable and roomy. Nice ride for sure.

 

[zoiks]

I can't stand the shifter on the center console on those vehicles.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: zoiks
I can't stand the shifter on the center console on those vehicles.

Meh, it isn't in the way and it works well in that location.

 

[zoiks]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus

Originally posted by: zoiks
I can't stand the shifter on the center console on those vehicles.

Meh, it isn't in the way and it works well in that location.

But it still looks like shit in that location.

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: rh71

Originally posted by: evident
the new redesign for 2010 is gorgeous and the interior i think is a big step ahead of the previous gen. but w/ all the features she wants it will be $45K+ and that's stretching wayyyyy to much!

Stretch to a $39k brand new Q5 I tell ya. BTW, I think the exterior of the new RX is horrible, but the gadgets and all else are nice as always from Lexus.

we saw the q5 when we were at the infiniti dealership (audi's was literally next door and shared the same lot) and its very nice too. out of our league just like the RX and we're kind of reserved about audis, her dad has a pretty new passat that has a problem every month.

 

[evident]

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
We get them as loaner vehicles sometimes when my wife's Lexus is in for maintenance. They are very comfortable and roomy. Nice ride for sure.

how's the service at your dealer like? do they rape you on oil changes? i'm thinking about doing all oil changes for her to save some $ but take it in for anything intermediate/major

 

[evident]

bump

 

[JulesMaximus]

Originally posted by: evident

Originally posted by: JulesMaximus
We get them as loaner vehicles sometimes when my wife's Lexus is in for maintenance. They are very comfortable and roomy. Nice ride for sure.

how's the service at your dealer like? do they rape you on oil changes? i'm thinking about doing all oil changes for her to save some $ but take it in for anything intermediate/major

Of course they do. But it's more about convenience than anything. We get a free loaner even when she takes it in for oil changes and she's in and out of there within 15-20 minutes with a brand new loaner car and I don't have to deal with it. Believe me, that's worth more than the money I'd save on an oil change every 5,000 miles.