2008 Lexus RX 400h
Clean title
154k miles
VIN: JTJHW31U682040830
Selling my (beloved!) first car. My bf and I bought a new car in anticipation of the tariffs. The first owners had the car for 13 years in Michigan. I bought it 2021 and have had him since. I’m hoping he’ll go to a good home :)
Basically, car is great for commuting and adventuring around the Bay Area. It fits a mountain bike, surfboards, car camping gear, etc. In the past 3 months I’ve driven him further afield (e.g., to Monterey, Point Reyes, Lake Tahoe, Yosemite, & even Bakersfield).
All pics here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1c8tRe3EF1KpA-v3irTuxOSiJCn9-eunL?usp=drive_link
The good:
- very comfy, with soft and well-maintained leather seats
- has AWD and good ground clearance
- spacious storage (85 cubic feet with seats folded down) & has crossbars, too
- V6 engine: this stately old man has
pep
- even with the size, it still gets 25 MPG because it’s hybrid
- same drivetrain as Toyota Highlander Hybrid, so generally very reliable
- comes with the misc. bells and whistles of an ancient Lexus: backup camera, moonroof, heated seats, power lift gate, rain-sensing wipers, seat setting savers for 2 people, power-adjusted seats with lumbar support
- all cabin amenities work: AC, heater, power windows, speakers
- up-to-date on most maintenance (see more info below)
- ready to drive as-is!
Although he drives well, the car is 17 years old! He has some issues. The bad:
- the check hybrid system light is on: we got this diagnosed 1.5 months ago and can share the paperwork. Lexus dealership diagnosed this as either the hybrid oil pump or ECU. They explained that over time, the shifting in the car may get less smooth. Safe to drive as-is. Have not noticed any changes to driving.
- although the a brakes work fine, they shudder/vibrate once they get hot, like on long downhills
- parking brake doesn’t work. Never been a problem for me, but I won’t park on a steep hill in SF.
- underside rust. The first 13 yrs of this car were in Michigan, so the rust is real. It makes major maintenance more difficult.
- the electronics on the radio display will flicker once in a while (loose wire connection). Rarely the buttons need a good whap to get going
- TPMS sensor in one of the tires has died, so TPMS check system light is always on (manually check tire pressures every so often)
- minor scratches and dings on the outside, plus front fender is busted. I hold it together with black duct tape and i don’t notice it :)
- minor interior damage (1 leather rip, some dirt; see pics)
- 2 manual keys but no fob
Maintenance history:
- I’ve done all the major routine maintenance needed for his model and age: coolant service/flush (111k and 140k), spark plugs (121k), rear brakes and calipers (126k), timing belt (140k)
- I also replaced the radiator and water pump at 140k
- Tires are worn but are still above treadwear indicator. Replaced a few years ago.
- I replaced the 12V battery last year. I notice some parasitic drain on the 12v and have needed to replace it every 1.5 years
- Needs oil change now
Note: I’m happy to send the CarFax if you test drive the car and are considering buying
Misc:
- happy to add on my snow chains, bike rack, and reusable K&N filter cleaners if desired
- will leave pop socket, FM transmitter (so you can play Bluetooth from your phone), and leather conditioner for free
