Behold The Lexus RX300 - The Car The Mercedes M-Class Should Have Been 

I love how James NEVER forgets a bad dealer experience, even if he was nine at the time....

I owned one of these - it was exceptionally reliable, and for the time a superb car.

I own a 2002 RX300 with 213,000 miles. My greatest fear is someone runs into me and totals it. It's immaculate and runs like new and could never be replaced at today's ridiculous prices. I love this car!

I bought an rx400h two years ago for 5 grand, it literally hasn't put a foot wrong since, and transported my wife (who has zero mechanical sympathy) and daughter around in luxurious comfort ever since. Fantastic motor

It’s VERY rare you see a first generation of any car still driving my around normally. The Engineering of these cars are incredible.

These 90's car reviews are the bread and butter of this channel, nice to see more coming along.

I own a 2000 rx300 & Love it. It actually has enormous back seat leg room because the back seat is adjustable. There is a lever in front by your feet that allows the seat to move forward or back.

The audio system would probably be Nakamichi underneath which explains why it's so good. The lower end models used Pioneer and they were still pretty decent, but by the time you stepped up to the nav system you'd be getting the premium audio. The Nakamichi units are well worth getting a pro to replace the capacitors on, as by this age if they haven't been done, they will be starting to leak and will be affecting the audio quality. Now days I think they are all provided Mark Levinson.

We bought one of these in our family back in 1999. I learned to drive on this car, and drove it throughout my college years. We still have it, close to 250k miles on the odometer.

My 2004 RX330 AWD has 37,900 miles on it. Love these vehicles.

Nice car, still very popular here in Nigeria despite the proliferation of newer RX models

These SUVs just go forever. There are an amazing number of houses in my neighborhood that have his-and-hers RX 300/330/350 models in the driveway. If the used car market hadn't been so crazy when we were car shopping late last year, we probably would have bought one coming off a three-year lease. We ended up with a Toyota Venza instead (aka the Harrier in other markets), and I must say that getting twice the gas mileage of the RX is nice, plus I'd expect the Venza to be as reliable as most Toyota products.

I still drive my 2000 RX300 with a Bose stereo system and a 6 CD changer. The moonroof is perfect for the Hawaii weather. My wife still drives her 2003 Honda Odyssey. Today, both cars have over 300,000 miles. We are pleased with our purchases, and both vehicles have outstanding performance records 🤩

I bought an '00 RX 300 with low miles from an old lady in Jan. '21 for 3k, just before used car prices went nuts. Probably worth 5-6k now. Great vehicle, no problems so far.

When I lived in the USA in 2000, I bought a 1999 ML320 with 28,000 miles. I drove it between Texas and Florida, New Orleans and Dallas, all across the Southern US. It sometimes towed a small boat and never missed a beat, needing only routine servicing. It was sold when we left the USA in 2004 with 120,000 miles on the clock having done 92,000 trouble free miles during our 4 years of ownership and depreciating only $10k in 4 years which considering the miles was outstanding in my opinion. So for us, the ML320 was a really good car.

This is one of the best cars ever made.. They run forever

My Mother bought a 2002 RX300 in 2002 for around 30K. She drove it until 2016. I started driving it daily in 2018 and besides oil changes, 2 bulbs, wiper blades, and a $1020 battery and engine computer pcm/ecu replacement I've had no issues. I've put 41K on it and the tires are still carrying good tread. Best thing it still only has 86K miles on it today. It is an incredibly well built vehicle. Mine was built in Canada.

Well done on the Subs you deserve more. The 1MZFE engine ultra reliable, provided serviced. The 4 speed, Toyota did not go to a 5 speed with that weight and 1MZFE until 2005 Alphard. This was just about reliability. Should give you 300,000 miles, at least

I bought a 2001 RX 300 all wheel drive from the original owner in mint condition with just 79,000 miles as a go to work vehicle so I could let my new full size chevy truck could sit in the garage looking new. And to my surprise after owning the Lexus for a year now I love it! The quality is superb all the features are working engine is smooth and quite. This is a solid suv and it just needs a upgraded stereo although it sounds great it doesn’t have Bluetooth or none of the modern features a stereo should have. I have the original window sticker with it and it had a price of just over $41,000.

I own one with wooden trim. I replaced the central console for the next gen which fits perfectly. Best daily I had, comfy, reliable and perfect for the weather I face (snow and hot summer)and indeed the stereo is awesome. I'm purchasing a LS soon for me, but this one stays in the family for my partner.

As an American I simply do not understand this British reluctance to buy a Lexus. I can only conclude it is something in the British character that insists if you're going to have something nice you must balance it off with pain and suffering. German vehicles are perfect for that. that ML was called the Alabama trashcan for a reason

We bought ours brand new in the US for $37K. We still have it and my kids have learned to drive in it. Now has 200K miles

I have had a 1999 ml 320 for 4 year and its my daily that l use for work. I have maintained it myself and it's never let me down in 40th miles. It is thirty but it runs on LPG. I love it and will drive as long as l can. As long as people like you nock them they will stay a bargain for the rest of us in the know.

You have the rear seats extended on the RX300 out that's why there is less leg space, below there's a bar where you can pull and push the seats back. You'll have to readjust the angle of the back seats every time you do this.

The cruise control stalk you showed is still exactly the same in my 2016 Lexus. :-).

My mom has had her 2003 RX-300 for over 10 years now, and it’s been extremely reliable. Now at 191,000 miles, and the driveshaft is the only thing that’s broken on it. Never had a single light go on the dash. Considering how hard it’s been driven, it’s really amazing how well it’s held up. Really speaks for how good Toyota is. Hardly any rust either despite being in the rust belt of the US for the past 20 years.

Its probably worth mentioning that the ML was an experiment in many ways for Mercedes. Previous 4x4s such as the G Wagen were almost certainly contracted out to Steyr in Austria as was the European version of the Chrysler voyager but the ML was made in an all new factory in Alabama. I was an automotive industry analyst at the time and lucky enough to be flown to Alabama by private jet with some colleagues to visit the new factory and drive the soon to be released car both on and off road. Alabama in the late 90s was mainly known for the gulf between rich and poor and a legacy of grown men marauding around the state in white sheets and pointy hoods. Quality manufacturing wasn't in the local lexicon at that time. The difficulty getting skilled and diligent labour prompted a BMW executive from their facility in South Carolina to comment when comparing the experiences BMW and Mercedes were having setting up shop in non unionised southern states "I suppose at least our workforce turns up wearing shoes" It was also a time when US made cars were pretty dire and Mercedes was recovering from problems of its own.

In 2002, the starting price was around £25,000 but that changes depending on model and options.

Still have one - 2004 with 170,000 miles. Most reliable car I ever owned.

Great review Jay, showcases Lexus quality v Mercedes penny pinching accountants at this time. Dubious styling, but a good all rounder!

I love the cruise control stalk, got the same one in my 2002 IS200. Imho better than having to press buttons on the steering wheel or worse yet, toggle cruise control on/off from a separate button on the dash.

What's not to like about Lexus? When you invest in an expensive car, you don't expect faults or eye-watering bills after the warranty ends!

I've been a longtime Japanese car enthusiast and have owned quite a few early 90s Nissans and the like. Last year I picked up a neglected 2000 ML55 from a coworker who purchased it from a small dodgy dealership some years prior. I planned to fix some items and flip it. I got it for a *really* good price. It had its share of issues that needed worked out for a twenty year old car, including a busted instrument cluster so mileage was unknown. Turns out with some internet sleuthing and one Carfax later- the ol' ML has over 320k miles on it (515k km)! It's grown on me, like a wart, for the past year as I've nursed and reconditioned it back to its former glory- and the thing just doesn't miss a beat! The legendary AMG-built M113 V8 roars to life without any hesitation along with the original drivetrain (including the transfer case with low range). It's got gobs of power and hustles down the highway nicely and in relative comfort for a body-on-frame SUV. I've ended up lifting it slightly and fitting some knobby all-terrain 275/65R18 to exploit the surprisingly competent off road prowess the ol' petrol-sucking SUV offers. (Did I mention I'm American?). Just a year ago I couldn't have told you anything about a Benz and now I can't get enough of the accountant-era red-headed stepchildren. My friends told me it was an 'Alabama trashcan', and annual running costs would bankrupt me. Well, despite some early production-run build quality issues it has done nothing but impress this JDM lover... Also, the RX is a fantastic little runabout and you see tons of them here in the states, kinda boring though :)

If it wasnt for it being quite thirsty, i would love it as a daily. ( I already own an m2c)

I have a 1st generation ML 350 2004, and it's been an incredible car. Bit thirsty and likes a camshaft sensor.....but apart from that, a joy to own.

I’m getting a 2000 rx300 this weekend with 185k miles on it. This information help me a lot. Thanks!

These are widely driven throughout Africa (albeit sometimes under the Toyota Harrier badge). I am assuming because of their exceptional reliability.

Had 5 RX models pass through the family over the years, the worst problem we came across was a stone getting caught between the brake caliper and the disc. 3 of the 5 RX's were traded in with over 200k on the clock, one with 150k and latest one coming up to 90k. My dad started me down the Lexus route and I can't fault any of the cars we own, GS F, LS400 and NX300h. Looking to add an IS200 sportcross as the dog-mobile too!

Same scenario with my friend in 1999 when trying to choose between the Ml320 and the RX300 in America. He asked me as a technician which one I would buy. I told him the Lexus was the better of the 2. Now in 2022 he still owns the Lexus. He did upgrade the Lexus for a Macan GTS last year but decided to keep the Lexus as his dog hauler. Lexus weak spots are oil sludge issues if synthetic oil is not used and the automatic transmissions can fail prematurely.

We have a 1999 with 376,000+ miles and still going strong except it does use oil at highway speeds. Purchased it in 2005 with ~80,000 miles. It's an excellent car.

I've driven a 1st gen ML 270. Ugly, slow , prone to rust, but surprisingly quiet and comfortable. Even though it was made in the dark age of Mercedes Benz, the interior was above the Japanese or hilarious American equivalent of a smaller luxury SUV.

Lexus brand has looked liked a good alternative to Mercs/Beemers, ever since i heard of them, generally you get that same features in engine and drivetrain, albeit with "lower quality" interiors on older models(before 2015ish) and on the other hand you get the higher reliability at a lower cost(depreciation value if bought used)

I had a '99. I've seen the guy I sold it to - he still has it, and liked it so much he bought a later version to go with it. I later had a Porsche Macan (base), which was the same sort of car, or "car".

My parents have owned one for the last 15 years (I grew up with it) and it's still going strong at ~205K miles. The comfort, build quality, and reliability are excellent. My only complaint is that fuel economy isn't great (~21 US mpg) and it could really use an extra cog (gets really annoying in the hills/mountains).

Another good video, James, thankyou. I have a Lexus LS430 from this era, and the interior has a similar mix of the very nice and cheap Toyota parts. On 235k now and still going strong though.

The rear seats go much further back. You recorded this with them in their front most position.

I picked up a minty 2008 RX350 last year and I'm absolutely in love it. It looks and drives like new and has the superb Mark Levinson stereo in it. They are great aging luxury cars , Toyota reliability and lots of comfort and features .

This was a wild success in North America with the suburban upper middle class. My grandmother still drives her 2002 two-tone beige on beige to this day. Later versions remained the best-selling luxury car in the US (and I think Canada) until recently. Interestingly enough, the RX was roughly identical to the JDM Toyota Harrier until the 4th generation RX. After that, the RX went a bit bigger and slightly more upmarket than it was prior.

Have one as my first car, kinda riced it out but its an excellent starter vehicle. Still going 200k strong!

Modern Lexus could learn a thing or two from the cars they produced from this period.

I bought one for my wife when we lived in the States. It was a pretty good car for what it was. It did have a gearbox failure while out of warranty but Lexus covered it anyway after a carefully worded overture to Lexus of America

I love how James has no qualms calling out bad dealerships. The RX 300 was a revolution at the time, great looking, lots of features, very quiet, this particular one he is in crazy immaculate condition. Look at the front end shot, there is like no chips at all on that front end or bumper, beautiful. It has to have been repainted, even though Lexus has excellent fit and finish… I mean my 2022 BMW with 5000 miles has more small pitting on the bumper than that 22-year-old Lexus LMAO And I’m curious about the stereo now, I think in the United States they were available with the Nakamachi? Or perhaps the Mark Levinson? Perhaps neither I’ll have to research👌🙏 Thanks James

I purchased one of these a few years back with only 60k miles on it. It has been a dream and I am going to drive it till it dies

I picked up an 01’ ml55 in November here in the states. Cheap too, 3200 US and came with an extra set of wheels and tires! I’ve since put 2800 miles on it bringing the total to 186k miles and other than the battery dying over the weekend once, turned out to be a user error, it hasn’t left me stranded. I used it to tow a generator to the job site and put a front bumper for another car easily in the rear storage space with the seats folded down. For a truck the thing is amazing, very capable and quick, decent storage and towing ability. For a Mercedes well it’s definitely a mixed bag. The amg interior is certainly much better than what I’ve seen in the 320s and 430s. I would liken the materials and fit to that of a w220 S rather than a full fat designo package amg interior. I haven’t had any problems with the rear hatch as many do but one of the rear doors does have the popping lock problem that many of the early cars have. In all it is a great utility vehicle but far too thirsty for a daily driver that does a few hundred miles a day.

Nice car. Was thinking about buying one sadly not too many nice examples around me. Nice review. Keep up the good work.

It’s nice to hear another cinematographers perspective on cars.

Got my Gen 3 09 Lexus RX 2 years ago. Amazing car for the money. Had zero problems and zero things broken. The Alpine stereo is amazing. It has bluetooth as standard, in 2009. 160000 miles (270000km) and it is near as perfect as a new one.

We bought two 2001s new here in the US, dad was general counsel for a Fortune 500 company and mom was stay at home. Want to say both were just under 40k US when new loaded out (xenon’s, nav, wood steering wheel and shifter)

A friend still has one he bought new...it has 360k miles on it.

I thought it had an awfully bouncy ride compared to the ML , so I bought the ml and have been thrilled since.

I have one of these with nearly 300,000 American Freedumb Eagle units on the odometer (miles, not kilometers), and it barely needed anything outside, for finally, an 02 sensor went out but, for the hundreds of thousands of miles all its ever needed was oil, wheels, and brakes. So weird to see one of these in wrong-side drive but flipping the video it looks proper.

After twenty years, this car is holding up remarkably well. The interior isn't in tatters and it seems like a really smooth drive. Not bad when you have GM products or Mercedes products that can't last ten years without needing a new transmission or expensive repairs

Having had two vehicles with auto 4 speeds, never again. They just seem to drag between gears with big steps in the ratios, the extra gear of a 5 speed just makes a nicer drive.

I saw a 2003 modle with with over 300k and it still is going and the interior is solid as heck I almost got it.

You're welcome, James. Watching your videos ain't much, and it's definitely not honest work, but I am proud to be doing my bit

These are extremely popular out here in the states, a good first gen rx300 is $7,500-9k right now.

My 1999 came with the sticker, new was 37250.00. still have it, 265000 miles. nice video.

I have this truck and Bmw e36 M3 for weekends. These 2 vehicles are considered Bullet proof engine's and go up in value every year

I have owned 2 of these; best build quality.

Mercedes got it all wrong using some cheap steel that rusts back around 2000, MLs are known as rust buckets. They allowed the accountants to take over the engineers.

I agree with you completely pal. I have a 09 rx awd and a LC500 Best cars Hand down

This presenter’s story shows Mercedes isn’t just a slight inconvenience but leads to horror stories they remember to this day. Having a reliable Lexus gives you fond memories, which is priceless. Sure enough, I know an RX 300 owner with happy memories. It’s been in the family for 20 years, hasn’t broken and still the daily vehicle. What’s remarkable is the paint hasn’t peeled or faded much despite the humidity, hot sun, and monsoon seasons. They don’t have a garage.

I own a 2001 RX300 with 250,000 miles for 8000 pounds. nice car. 4wd. 3L, 220 hp. i hope nothing will happen in next 5 years.

I went looking for a low km, old RX recently and even the low km ones had a terrible cracked dashboard just above the glove box. Most were in Brisbane and Sydney. Any rural ones that were looked after and under cover had like 300,000 + km.

I have the exact same car, RX300SE in platinum ice, bought in 2002, with the 17” upgrade alloys, was £34k. Bloody lovely car. Just clocked 100k 😁

Sorry man for your bad experience. Personally have lived with my ml270 manual 6 speed for the last 10 years,have only replaced turbo transducers once. It has very good economy. I maintain it very well . Lexus has tested reliability though. Thanks for good video

Both rear seats can be slid backwards. There's horizontal lever under the seats.

That kind of Lexus cost about £3,700.00 in Central America. And still performs well.

Here in the US in the pacific North West, I am still driving a 1999 rx300 with 220 thousand miles on it, a great 4x4 with our special NW super shitty snow no rust

Base price for RX300 was $32,005 at the time.

A Tennessean that can attest to the CRAFTSMANSHIP of this Great SUV !! 22 YEARS AND STILL RUNS PERFECT!TRULY ONE OF A KIND!

Just got a 2001 with 130k miles, it’s a gem

Why is the steering wheel on the wrong side?

Thanks for sharing the Merc experience, I couldn't stop laughing :)

This video is the reason I only choose true Japanese cars. I doubt the Mercedes his mother bought are still on the road whereas this Lexus still lives on. 2022 and German manufacturers still cannot touch the Japanese brands for reliability.

A-Class : don’t tell me, gearbox? Our auto was shocking and needed a rebuild. That said, it was flexible and spacious.

Bought A 2002 Rx300 New was around $40K USD .

My grandma bought a 99 Lexus rx300 fwd for 32k to 36k in the states she got a sunroof and nakamichi sound system

About to watch the video, but I absolutely prefer the 2002-2005 Mercedes ML (specifically the ML500) because it’s body on frame and very truck like in how it drives.

Im legit looking at buying one of these for a daily. Funny timing

Just bought a beautiful Black exterior/Beige interior 2001 RX300 w/all the bells, whistles & extras 140K miles, Excellent condition = $6K. OMG I LOVE IT!

As far as im concerned these exist to provide engines for mr2s

I own a 2007 lexus GX470 and a 2002 RX300. The RX300 is a car of compromises, Is it fast no but fast enough, HP per Liter of displacement sub 80 (but the strain on the drive train is low), Does it handle well no but its better than a full size suv and only slightly worse than a vw golf from similar vintage. Its like on every choice they made the most practical decision and just bumped it on the good side of that choice. I really hate to say it, but I would totally get a new/newer one when this one craps out. AND the 2002 RX300 is better than my moms 2017 gmc Acadia by a large margin and only gets 3 mpg less and is 15 years older.

This RX300 was marketed as the "silver sport" in the US with euro spec stiffer suspension and color matching body panels

The rear seats slide back further btw (and recline)

This exact one has a price of £31,681 when new 👍

My parents had one of these back in the day good memories.

One of the original luxury SUVs and the best at the time.

Mercedes for the most part haven't been very good cars for a very long time.

That RX 300 is built like a tank and the ride quality is above expectations. Dependable! I own a 2004 RX 330 with 300k mileage and it’s still running strong