Talk me out of buying 16/17 CPO Lexus RX350 vs a new CX5 GT Reserve

[7eregrine]

This*s in fact a short-term reliability test on a 2017 report to 2014 VW and Ford. I simply don*t believe a turbo would survive on my 1998 Honda CR-V with 185K miles. The replacement of a turbo charger would be costly to such an old vehicle.

And you are, in fact, the most pessimistic person on this site.

 

[Kaps]

If the OP is very image conscious a Taurus / ES350 and MKZ are perfect candidates.

 

[Unobtanium]

If the OP is very image conscious a Taurus / ES350 and MKZ are perfect candidates.

Please make this make sense.

 

[sm1ke]

For what it's worth, my 1990 Volvo Turbo Intercooler was running fine and was about to hit 200,000 miles when Bambi's dad tried to tackle it one foggy night.

Regarding "more moving parts = more potential problems," I feel that way about:
-electric windows
-sunroofs
-electric seats
-folding side view mirrors
-electric door locks (although they're better than the vacuum ones on my '63 Lincoln)
-thermostatically controlled HVAC
-ABS
-everything that controls every function on a modern engine

Took the words right out of my mouth. Anything and everything has the potential to break. That doesn't mean that it will. Turbos are not wear items that need to be replaced every 50k or 100k miles. Just like an engine, if they are designed and maintained properly, they should last the life of the car.

The RX 350 V6 is the same engine/ same family 2GR V6 as you see in 2007-2018 Avalon, Camrys, Highlander, Tacoma, ES350, Sienna. This is Toyota's bread and butter. Each of these cars are bullet proof. You are putting 3 years of CX-9 against this? You are making Honda fanbois look rational.

This. The drivetrain in that RX is so proven it's not up for debate.

I am not disputing the fact that RX350's engine is reliable. All I'm saying is that the 2.5T has been in use for 3+ years with no turbo failures or engine recalls to report (aside from one CX-9 here on the forums that had a coolant leak). If it's been generally problem-free for 3 years, I personally think it's safe to assume it would be problem-free for the life of the car, assuming that the car receives regular maintenance. Will it be as reliable as the RX350? Nope. But that doesn't mean it'll blow up after 150k either.

At the end of the day, if comfort and reliability are paramount, get the RX350. It's as simple as that.

 

[ColoradoDriver]

Just as an FYI, here are some numbers I was able to pull and posted in an earlier comment:



Trying to get data on longevity (#vehicles @ 200,000 miles) of any brand is tough.

Wow, that's interesting. Well consider myself schooled. I just assumed.

 

[Kaps]

Please make this make sense.

Taurus - rides high almost as high as a CX-3 comfortable to get in and out. Come in SHO trim that is fun and has a huge trunk + if he doesn't like ladies' cars - it fits the bill.
Lastly - Ford sedan values are crushed now. Whatever 19s are left are sold with 30+% discounts. 25k for a 38K MSRP fusion and so on. Taurus is not much different.

 

[mox44ah]

Isn't a Lexus just an overpriced Toyota anyway?

 

[Mantra 7]

Isn't a Lexus just an overpriced Toyota anyway?

Following that line of thinking, isn't a Signature just an overpriced Mazda?

Some will say yes, some will say no. It's up to the buyer to decide what a vehicle is worth.

 

[CX-5um]

An approach on a CPO is to research common known issues and inspect/repair anything while still under CPO warranty. I like to do my own inspection myself (leaks, weird sounds, vibrations, ect.)

 

[minnesotaart]

My sister drives a white '17 RX. She's 74.

P.S. - Bullet proof - zero issues with it.

 

[georgiapeach]

Anyone concerned about the class action lawsuit filed on Toyota for the transmissions on Highlander and Lexus and vans too, I think. I don't know too much about the problem except lurching and stalling was mentioned.

 

[yrwei52]

Anyone concerned about the class action lawsuit filed on Toyota for the transmissions on Highlander and Lexus and vans too, I think. I don't know too much about the problem except lurching and stalling was mentioned.

A class action lawsuit filed by California couple, who strangely serviced their 2018 Highlander XL at Toyota dealership in Florida for the pattern of hesitation and surging, for 2017 and newer Highlander and Sienna models which have a defective transmission? No, not concerned at all if I’m in the market for a Toyota Highlander or Sienna. The Direct Shift-8AT 8-speed automatic Transmission on newer Highlander is used on many Toyota vehicles including the most popular compact CUV RAV4 and the most popular sedan Camry. The hesitation and surging problem the California couple encountered seems to be an isolated case, as I have too many friends and family who have Toyota’s and Lexus’ with this transmission, and I’ve never heard any of such complaint.

Actually I feel the law firm aimed to the wrong direction for this California couple. Hesitation and surging problem from their 2018 Highlander XL IMO should be more related to engine acceleration related problem, not the transmission problem.

 

[murky]

If you can look at the front of that Lexus everyday, more power to you.