Oh Boy.... Think I May Have One.

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.

MaineiacMoose

MaineiacMoose

Joined
Feb 13, 2016
Threads
19
Messages
215
Location
Maine
Hello all,

I have been looking for a clean rig that has lower mile's. I wanted a 06 or 07 for the vvt and such but Its not a deal breaker for me. I recently came across an 03 lx with complete service history on lexus.com. The truck has 74k miles and is driving distance from me! My question is would it be appropriate to post the service history on here to have educated eyes take a look at? Most of it is good but it had some cat issues and steering rack issues.

Thanks for your input.
Maineiac
 
This LX has some persistent issues that would concern me:

1. CELs related to emissions, showing problems with the cats, O2 sensors, etc. That could be signs of other engine problems.
2. Steering problems are not common, so you'd want to know that those issues were actually resolved.
3. It doesn't seem like the "transmission grinding" issue was actually resolved.

All of the above issues can be potentially very expensive to fix if they have not been resolved and pop up again. Unless you get a "steal of a deal", I would probably pass on this one.
 
Did I read that right, the muffler was replaced? Did it rot away? If so, how bad is the rest of the undercarriage?

I was linking the grinding and braking feeling together and thinking it was engaging CDL related?
 
I'd pass...
 
"CUSTOMER STATES THE VEHICLE FEELS THE THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED AT ALL TIMES WHEN THERE NOT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD - 68250 FOUR WHEEL DRIVE BUTTON WAS ENGAGED. DISENGAGED FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. PROBLEM ABATED."

That darn "four wheel drive button"

I'd skip this one brother
 
2000 LC said:
"CUSTOMER STATES THE VEHICLE FEELS THE THE BRAKES ARE BEING APPLIED AT ALL TIMES WHEN THERE NOT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO NOT ACCELERATE LIKE IT SHOULD - 68250 FOUR WHEEL DRIVE BUTTON WAS ENGAGED. DISENGAGED FOUR WHEEL DRIVE. PROBLEM ABATED."

That darn "four wheel drive button"

I'd skip this one brother
Click to expand...

??? Did they mean CDL button?
 
MaineiacMoose said:
Hello all,

I have been looking for a clean rig that has lower mile's. I wanted a 06 or 07 for the vvt and such but Its not a deal breaker for me. I recently came across an 03 lx with complete service history on lexus.com. The truck has 74k miles and is driving distance from me! My question is would it be appropriate to post the service history on here to have educated eyes take a look at? Most of it is good but it had some cat issues and steering rack issues.

Thanks for your input.
Maineiac
Click to expand...

Without seeing a picture and knowing a price, it is kinda hard to determine what to do.

I would take a look and test drive it since you mentioned this is within driving distance (I assume couple hr round trip). I would bring a scanner (if you have one), or stop by at Autozone/local part stores during test drive, ask them if they can pull CEL code. I would bring print-out of those records, and use it as leverage to reduce the price further. Tell them steering rack is $1K, cat is probably another $1K, etc etc and see if they would budge on the price ;)

Do prepare to walk away if there are things that makes you feel uneasy about the car. Good luck!
 
CarGurus - Find great car deals

I think I am going to pass I need something that is going to be good to go for awhile. Thank you Pablocruise for the link but if I am flying to but it will be to a southern state lol. It is driving distance but not close enough to just go take a peak at it 10 hours round trip. The truck looks to be in great shape but I have lived in Maine for a long time and there aren't many cars here that make it 13 years here with out lots of rust. The dealer also has not replied to me witch is kind of funky.
 
That LX looks to be a very well maintained rig from an owner who could afford to have Lexus fix anything and everything. I'd be concerned with them having to replace the rear hatch handle as this is an area that often rusts out if not cared for and will lead to a snapped handle. If the handle area of the top portion of the clam shell is rusty, it's usually an indication of more rust where you can't see. If it's close to me I'd be happy to take a look for you.

I looked at a dozen LC's / LX's in New England when I was searching for mine a few years ago and I was always discouraged with the amount of rust I found - even on '07's with $30K asking prices. With the LX and the typical New England rust, I'd also be concerned with AHC - this is costly to fix when the parts fail from salt and rust.

In my search, most if not all '06-'07 LC's came with AHC too so unless you can find one without AHC, focus on the '03-'05 LC.
 
Last edited:
I know what you mean about the rust. I looked for a while before I bought my 4Runner. The ones from Maine were pretty rough. Mine is from Connecticut and it was acceptable for me at the time I just wish I had had it under coated when I bought it.
 
MaineiacMoose said:
I know what you mean about the rust. I looked for a while before I bought my 4Runner. The ones from Maine were pretty rough. Mine is from Connecticut and it was acceptable for me at the time I just wish I had had it under coated when I bought it.
Click to expand...

I bought mine in Newport, RI and it sat at the prior owners Summer Home. I was surprised that it had much less rust than others I had looked at until I discovered it was purchased in CA and lived there for all but the last two years. And 2 years on the Newport coast did it's magic on the undercarriage so I treated it with fluid film as soon as I bought it and have kept it up for the past few years. Good luck in your search - when you find the right 100, you'll be very happy!

Now that I have one, I will buy another one from a dry state in the South - TX, NM, AZ, CA, etc. when my kids start driving in 5 years.
 
If you get bored and want to eyeball it I would be down for a real world look. I still haven't heard anything back from the dealership. I would be interested in the underside the most and I bet their may be a few others on here who may be curious too.
 
The '03 you listed is out by Springfield - sorry, don't have time to go that far. If I'm near the '06, I'll stop by and snap some pics of the underside.
 
Seems like it needs constant attention. Does not seem like a good pick. Constant Engine light warnings, and also the Grinding of gears. That does not sound normal for something that is that low on miles.
 
I have read a few service histories for LX's and some owners can be real babies. They take it in for some small thing and nothing is found, then they get courtesy vehicle. On the other hand TLC records are usually, oil change, oil change, oil change... It's mostly the same vehicle, but different kind of buyers.
 
RND1 said:
The '03 you listed is out by Springfield - sorry, don't have time to go that far. If I'm near the '06, I'll stop by and snap some pics of the underside.
Click to expand...
Aghh I did not see the link for the 06 my bad. That is a few more miles than I would be interested in at that price. I do appreciate your offer though. I may have to take a road trip next week and put eyeballs on the 03. I could stop at the dealership that did the service and see if they remember the truck and see if they can tell me anything.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Back
Top Bottom