Wife is thinking of buying a certified pre owned RX 330 MY 04 or possibly MY 05. We've never owned a Lexus before. Is it a good and reliable car? How does the maintenance go? Thanks for any inputs.

 

They're good cars, very reliable. I never owned one, but always got one as a loaner from the dealer.

It got around 17mpg highway miles.

Maintenance is expensive at the dealer (at least in NJ). They have a high hourly rate. On the plus side, they'll come pick the car up from your house for service, bring you a loaner that's usually a step above what you own, and the car always came back vacuumed and washed.
It was definitely the best service I've ever had from a car dealer.

Here's the edmunds opinion:

http://www.edmunds.com/used/2005/lexus/rx3...view.html?pop=1

I'm sure you know there are FWD and AWD versions. AWD's probably not a big deal in Houston.

Your wife might like the automatic rear hatch, so take that into account if it matters to you.

 

They are very good and extremely reliable. My mother just bought a demo and got a great deal. They actually go to her home and leave her another one to drive for the day and go service hers. She is in Daytona Fl but most Lexus dealerships I have heard of do similar things.

 

Great SUV for what it is. Just bought a 2005 with Premium Plus, Nav, etc. Cushy and comfortable. Avg around 20 mpg, mostly city driving, some highway. Top notch fit and finish, and materials.

Lexus maintenance is somewhat pricey, but it doesn't really require much, you could probably get by on oil changes, and then 30,000 mile check ups.

 

Thank you guys. Keep it coming please. Is there a Lexus RX330 forum that I can check out?

 

They are some of the most boring and benign cars on the road. However, that seems to be the car's most endearing quality to many of the buyers. It will never do anything that you don't want it to: It will never excite you, it will never scare you, and it will never fail to start in the morning.

I stopped over to visit my parents a few days ago only to find out that they are getting ready to buy their 10th RX. They have already had 9 of them and they have never had a single problem with one of them. They are also pretty safe cars. My sister had one and rolled it 3 times on the highway in a snowstorm and she got out without a scratch.

My advice: if you are looking for comfortable, reliable transportation and don't want to have to worry about anything, the RX might be exactly what you want.

 

www.clublexus.com

 

Mine is great. No problems what so ever except the time when some rate ate my wiperfluid lines. I usually get around 21mpg. The perfect size for me. It is a little boring to drive, but I have a fun car to fill that void.

Sam

 

My parents have a 2004 RX330 FWD, it has been two years and no problems so far. It is not the quietest vehicle, but definitely very very reliable.

 

I've had 2 Lexus. All I have to say is excellent service. You should have zero doubts in buying one. Not one out-of-pocket expense (other than oil changes) for both, not that anything ever went wrong! Our dealer covered scheduled maintenance since we had a total of 11 cars from them, 6 at one time.
First one was a '99 GS400 (bought new)
Second was a '03 IS300 (also new)
They are the reason the high-end domestic brands are slowly dying, they don't build crap.