RX300

[BIGdaddy]

Lexus RX300.

Any info?

Is it based on another more commonly known chassis?

AWD only? or?

Saw one recently and noticed it has the correct dimensions as a family hauler, but don't know much about them.

 

[Wasatch]

Camry Chassis. Family owns a '99. Great car and runs like new with 150k... Not the best for an offroad vehicle as the underbelly is very exposed and the ground clearance isn't the best.

 

[BIGdaddy]

Camry Chassis. Family owns a '99. Great car and runs like new with 150k... Not the best for an offroad vehicle as the underbelly is very exposed and the ground clearance isn't the best.

Gotcha. Thought I had heard it was a car chassis setup. I know a few folks here at work that love theirs as well. Very much a "change the oil, fill the fuel tank" type of car.

 

[dejablu311]

I have been driving a front wheel drive version around for the past 6 months and it is very practical. The fuel mileage is much better then an AWD version but the transmission tends to lurch a bit from a start. The high center of gravity rocks it off its front tires and the inside tire starts spinning like crazy. Everyone who drives it does the same thing. It makes pulling out into traffic a bit of a gamble. The AWD version would not have this problem. The motors are known to have piston seal problems so regular oil changes are mandatory. The fact that it is more car then truck makes for a great ride and makes it very controllable when blasting down a gravel road. The interior quality is typical lexus for the time period...awesome. The cup holders are absolutely useless around turns but there are many of them for long trips. Even with my long board on the roof I managed 26 mpg on a 10 hour trip to Florida. I haven't hooked a trailer up to it yet but I have filled it completely up with fire wood and it handled the weight surprisingly well. It was still very composed on twisty roads and the brakes were more then adequate. Overall I think it is a great option for weekend camping trips and long road trips. Hope thishelps.

 

[stonepa]

My wife drives a 5 year old RX400H. Great gas mileage and zero issues. Car works great in mud and snow but I doubt it would carry much of a load. As a commuter it works a lot better than any of my other trucks.

 

[DanKunz]

If you want to wheel a Lexus, get a GX470/460 or LX450/470. LX has a ton of aftermarket support and the GX crowd is catching up.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10150905786088123&set=vb.602333122&type=3

 

[Stick Figure]

Couldn't find a better pic, but Rhys Millen did compete in a rally series of some sort back in the late 90's early 2000 with an RX300 and did quite well. Obviously doesn't mean it would be my first choice as a an off road vehicle, but still not a bad resume addition for it.

 

[Containerized]

For what it's worth, the Toyota Harrier (basically a raised-up Camry station wagon, which is what the RX300 is based on in the U.S.) is super common here in Africa, even in areas with no paved roads at all. No, they aren't great, but they're a tenth the cost of a Land Cruiser over here and they use Toyota parts. So that's enough to make them popular.

 

[BIGdaddy]

For what it's worth, the Toyota Harrier (basically a raised-up Camry station wagon, which is what the RX300 is based on in the U.S.) is super common here in Africa, even in areas with no paved roads at all. No, they aren't great, but they're a tenth the cost of a Land Cruiser over here and they use Toyota parts. So that's enough to make them popular.

THAT's interesting. Thanks for the info!

 

[p nut]

I would choose your XJ over the RX, personally.

 

[thebrassnuckles]

The wife has an 05 RX330 AWD

it rides like a dream, I keep trying to convince her to put some all terrain on it and play, but she is pretty reluctant...

 

[BIGdaddy]

The wife has an 05 RX330 AWD

it rides like a dream, I keep trying to convince her to put some all terrain on it and play, but she is pretty reluctant...

Thanks for the response. What is her main hang-up, if you don't mind me asking?

Just doesn't have the desire to get out, or just not in her daily driver, maybe?

Do these rigs have any kind of skid plating with the AWD package? If not, I might be reluctant to damage the tender underbelly, too.

-B

 

[Jay H]

They seem similar to 4.3 generation 2006-2011 Rav4. Only the rav is probably faster with 269hp v6 light weight and awd.

 

[thebrassnuckles]

It's her car, and I have my own to smash up

 

[corax]

One thing to be aware of is that the RX300 has a pretty huge turning radius, just over 20' IIRC. The RX330/RX400h and later models cut that down to right around 18' - it might not sound like much, but it is noticeable. Out of the RX series, I like the interior & design of the RX300 best. The outside world is much more visible than the other models if you're the type to twist around and look out the side or rear windows. As has been said, regular oil changes every 5k miles are recommeended to prevent sludge build-up and the resultant problems that can create in the variable valve system (oil pressure driven actuators).