[Thai]

Hey all,

There is a nice 2013 RX350 F-sport near me for sale by reputable dealer. Silver with black interior. 13k miles. It has NAVI option (with 12-speaker Premium audio system), intuitive parking assist, and HID. Price is $43,200.

From pictures (including pic of driver's seat), this is a super clean car...Texas car, no snow. Not even leather creasing on the driver's seat!

Compared to later years, this RX misses on Eyes-free Siri integration and 115 volt rear outlet. Nothing else has changed since 2013.

So, this begs the obvious question...what do you guys think? $43k for NX 200t or the above RX F-sport? I am conflicted since i have never bought a used car before. But, RX does come with a super solid reputation. BTW, if bought new in 2013, the above RX costs around $53k.

I am going to test-drive it tomorrow. If this RX F-sport proves to be as good as the pictures, then this is very tempting!

 

[mojo]

Thai, is this a CPO from a Lexus store? If so, go for it, thats barely even a used car, especially if you're getting it with a warranty...

 

[David]

If it doesn't seem like it was abused or have anything questionable about it, i'd say go for it.

 

[Thai]

Thai, is this a CPO from a Lexus store? If so, go for it, thats barely even a used car, especially if you're getting it with a warranty...

Not CPO, but i plan on getting Lexus EXTENDED warranty anyways. Do you guys know of a good Lexus dealer to call for that?

Will update you guys after test drive.

BTW, i did check with local Lexus service about the car above...had only 1 service done at 10k miles (oil change, etc)...no other servicing done, which is a good sign that this car did not have any loud rattles or clunking...unless it was driving by a deaf person.

 

[avocado]

You still have a lot of the original warranty left so you have time to get an extended warranty. I got my RX used (CPO) and would do it again. I think the F Sport comes with other goodies like an adjustable suspension and leather steering wheel? Don't like the feel of wood steering wheels. Good luck!

 

[Thai]

You still have a lot of the original warranty left so you have time to get an extended warranty. I got my RX used (CPO) and would do it again. I think the F Sport comes with other goodies like an adjustable suspension and leather steering wheel? Don't like the feel of wood steering wheels. Good luck!

I actually like the wood steering wheel! I had that on my old Mercedes....loved it! I am an old fart!

F Sport comes with these exclusive goodies: sport tuned suspension (non-adjustable...aka stiffer ride...need test drive it), dampers b/w strut towers front & rear to dampen vibration from frame twisting when going around corners (does NOT increase rigidity apparently; like in CT200h), F-sport nose (main attraction for me!), 19" rims (looks much better), perforated leather with contrast stitching, all leather steering wheel, 8-speed transmission with paddles (saves gas on highway; main attraction for me), and standard AWD (main attraction for me).

And what is nice about all this...RX350 engine takes REGULAR gas! So, the F-sport has standard all-wheel drive AND (due to 8-speed tranny) still gets better gas mileage than even the 2wd model on the highway! Win-win situation.

 

[avocado]

Re: Regular gas. It use to be that you had to use premium in the older style RX350. I had a Lexus loaner one and had to put premium in it.

 

[Thai]

Re: Regular gas. It use to be that you had to use premium in the older style RX350. I had a Lexus loaner one and had to put premium in it.

I think that in 2012, all Lexus that uses the non-direct injection 3.5L V6 is compatible with regular gas.

RX 350 F-Sport gets 18/26/21 mileage on regular.

 

[Thai]

Update...i passed on the RX 350 F-sport. The ride was HORRIBLE!! The car was beautiful...like new. But, the ride was bouncy and harsh! It seems like the rear suspension was particularly bad...like riding a pogo stick. It was bad...really bad. Tire noise too.

No wind noise...so, the Lexus RX that we all know is under there somewhere...destroyed by the F-sport mods.

Basically, the reviews are right...Lexus went overboard...bouncy harsh ride + road noise. I even checked tire pressure to make sure that the used car place did not over-inflate the tires...it was 32 psi, within factory specs.

 

[mojo]

now i wonder if any of that translates to the NX, or they earned their lesson? Considering body roll has become a detractor de rigueur I don't know...

 

[Thai]

now i wonder if any of that translates to the NX, or they earned their lesson? Considering body roll has become a detractor de rigueur I don't know...

Hopefully...and i am sure that they did since this is a fresh design from the ground up (relatively, being based on RAV4 platform).

The problem with RX350 F-sport is that it is stiff BUT has body roll...in other words, poor design. I guess that you cannot turn a luxury cruiser (known for soft supple suspension) into a track athlete. The NX was conceived from beginning to be a track athlete...so, i have confidence in Lexus getting it right.

 

[Thai]

Well, last night, i pulled the trigger on a 2015 Acura MDX SH-AWD with TECH package. No more Prius. Prius had 82,500 miles on it. Getting tired of stuffing my 3 kids in the back seat...and feeling kinda small on the Texas highways, where big trucks rule. I miss sitting up high.

After RX 350 F-sport bombed with me, NX was still in the race, but Acura dealership (and salesman i know well) gave me a deal that i could not turn down (aka good trade-in value for Prius and discount on MDX). I need a decent size SUV. AWD is a must. Reliability. Good stereo. Good crash protection. Memory seat. Good headlights.

So far, so good...enjoying it...quiet, comfy, and very good stereo! My kids finally have some room in the back with AC vents!

BTW, i have emailed ADMIN about this and asked to step down from moderation since i won't be owning a NX anytime soon.

Thanks guys for the discussions.