Where to Buy a Used Lexus in DuPage County
By the team at Love Auto Group, Villa Park IL · Updated May 2026
If you want a used Lexus in DuPage County, you have two real options: a franchise Lexus store (McGrath Westmont, Lexus of Naperville, Woodfield, Bill Jacobs) or an independent specialist like us at Love Auto Group in Villa Park. Both have a place. This guide explains when each makes sense, what to look for on the major models, and where the value sits on a 2010 to 2017 RX, ES, IS, or GX.
Independent vs. Franchise Lexus Dealer in DuPage County
Franchise Lexus stores carry L/Certified Pre-Owned inventory: late-model used Lexus vehicles (typically six years old or less, under 70,000 miles) that have passed Lexus' 161-point inspection, come with a manufacturer-backed warranty extension (up to 6 years / unlimited mileage from original sale date), and are sold at a CPO price premium. McGrath Lexus of Westmont, Lexus of Naperville, Woodfield Lexus in Schaumburg, Lexus of Arlington Heights, and Bill Jacobs Lexus in Naperville all run good CPO programs. If you want a 2022 RX 350 with factory backing, that is the right path.
Independent specialists like us focus on a different price point. We buy 2010 to 2017 RX, ES, IS, and GX models at the value sweet spot, recondition them in our shop, and price them well below franchise CPO. The drivetrains in this generation are essentially the same Toyota-derived powertrains the franchise stores recondition. The difference is we do not carry franchise overhead, so the price drops significantly. The trade-off is no Lexus factory warranty (we offer third-party service contracts as a separate line item), a smaller inventory, and an older average model year.
Love Auto Group is family owned, has operated in Villa Park since 2014, and specializes in Japanese makes. Lexus is one of the makes we know best. Owner Jeremiah Johnson personally inspects every vehicle before it goes on the lot.
The Value Sweet Spot: 2010 to 2017 Lexus
The third-generation RX 350 (2010 to 2015) and the matching ES, IS, and GX from this era are the value sweet spot on the used market. New-car depreciation has flattened, the cars still feel current inside, and the long-term reliability data is in. A 2012 RX 350 with 110,000 miles bought from us for $13,000 has the same Toyota 2GR-FE V6 as a Toyota Highlander of the same year, runs to 250,000 miles when serviced properly, and still feels like a luxury car when you drive it.
We typically stock used Lexus in this range, focused on 90,000 to 130,000 miles. That sounds high to first-time buyers, but on a Lexus, 100,000 miles is barely broken in if the previous owner kept up with service. The Carfax tells us whether they did. We pull a free Carfax on every vehicle and review it before listing.
Models We Keep in Rotation
Lexus RX 350 (2010 to 2015)
The most reliable mid-size luxury SUV ever built. Two-row, front-wheel drive standard, all-wheel drive optional and common on the used market. The 3.5L 2GR-FE V6 is the same engine family that powers the Toyota Highlander, Camry V6, and Avalon. Trims to know: base, Premium, Luxury, F Sport (rare in this generation). Buyers come to us specifically for the AWD version because it handles a Chicago suburbs winter well. Price range $12,000 to $17,000.
Lexus ES 350 (2013 to 2018)
The closest thing to a Toyota Avalon wearing a tailored suit. Front-wheel drive only (Lexus added AWD to the ES for 2019). Same 2GR-FE V6 as the RX. Comfortable, quiet, well-built interior that ages gracefully. Best for buyers who want a luxury sedan for highway commutes and do not need AWD. Price range $12,000 to $16,000.
Lexus IS 250 / IS 350 (2010 to 2015)
Compact luxury sport sedan. The IS 250 with the 2.5L V6 is reliable but slow. The IS 350 with the 3.5L V6 is genuinely quick. Both are rear-wheel drive standard with optional AWD, which is common in the Chicago market. Smaller back seat than the ES, more athletic ride. Best for buyers who want a two-person daily driver that feels sporty. Price range $11,000 to $16,000.
Lexus GX 460 (2010 to 2017)
Body-on-frame three-row SUV that shares its platform with the Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser Prado. True off-road capability, low-range transfer case, full-time 4WD, and a durable 4.6L V8. The Lexus reliability with actual off-road chops, which is rare. Best for buyers who tow, drive unpaved roads, or want a vehicle that lasts 300,000+ miles with basic care. We get one or two GX 460s a year because they hold value strongly. Price range $18,000 to $25,000+.
What We Inspect on Every Used Lexus
- Oil consumption history. RX 350 and ES 350 above 100,000 miles can develop oil consumption from worn piston rings. We check the dipstick at receipt and again before listing
- Suspension air struts on GX 460 (a known wear point that costs $1,500+ to replace). We swap to OEM coil conversion kits when air strut wear is documented
- Transmission fluid color and shift quality
- VVT-i oil line condition (a 2GR-FE recall item)
- Brake pad and rotor thickness
- Tires: matched set, even wear. AWD vehicles need matched tires within 2/32" tread depth difference
- Interior electronics: navigation, climate, every power feature
- Carfax review for documented service history
Lexus Reliability vs. The German Competition
Buyers shopping a used Lexus often cross-shop a used BMW X3, X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, GLC, or Audi Q5. We do not stock German luxury vehicles for a reason: maintenance cost. A 2014 BMW X5 at 100,000 miles is one suspension air strut, one water pump, and one transmission service away from costing more than the vehicle is worth. The Lexus equivalent (RX 350 in this case) does not have those failure modes at the same rate.
That is not us trash-talking the German brands. It is a cost-of-ownership reality after the warranty expires. If you love driving a German car and you can absorb the maintenance cost, that is a fine choice. If you want luxury features with low total cost of ownership over the next five years, Lexus is the safer call.
Where Buyers Come From
Villa Park sits centrally in DuPage County. Lexus buyers regularly come to us from Lombard (5 minutes), Elmhurst (10 minutes), Oak Brook (10 minutes), Glen Ellyn, Addison, Wheaton, Naperville, Lisle, Hinsdale, and from Chicago itself via I-290 (about 25 minutes from the Loop). For buyers in Cook County, the Northwest suburbs, or further afield, we are happy to text or email video walkarounds before you make the trip.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I buy a used Lexus in DuPage County?
Love Auto Group at 735 N Yale Ave in Villa Park, IL is a family owned independent used Lexus dealer in DuPage County. We specialize in Japanese makes including Lexus, Subaru, Acura, Honda, Toyota, and Mazda. Buyers regularly come from Lombard, Elmhurst, Oak Brook, Glen Ellyn, Wheaton, Naperville, Hinsdale, and the wider western Chicago suburbs. Franchise Lexus dealers nearby include McGrath Lexus of Westmont, Lexus of Naperville, Woodfield Lexus in Schaumburg, Lexus of Arlington Heights, and Bill Jacobs Lexus in Naperville.
Independent used Lexus dealer vs. franchise Lexus store: which is right for me?
Franchise Lexus stores carry L/Certified Pre-Owned inventory: typically Lexus vehicles six years old or newer with under 70,000 miles, a 161-point inspection, and a manufacturer-backed warranty extension. If you want a 2022 RX 350 with factory backing, that path makes sense. Independent specialists like Love Auto Group focus on a different price point. We buy 2010 to 2017 RX, ES, IS, and GX models, recondition them in our shop, and price them well below CPO. Same Toyota-derived drivetrains the franchise stores recondition, lower overhead, lower price. The trade-off is no Lexus factory warranty, smaller inventory, and an older average model year.
Are used Lexus parts more expensive than Toyota parts?
Some are, most are not. The drivetrain on a Lexus RX or ES is essentially identical to the Toyota Highlander or Avalon, so engine, transmission, suspension, and brake parts price the same as the equivalent Toyota part. Where parts get pricier is interior trim, leather, and Lexus-specific exterior body panels. For routine maintenance, a Lexus costs about the same to service as the equivalent Toyota.
How long do used Lexus RX 350s last?
The RX 350 with the 2GR-FE 3.5L V6 routinely runs past 250,000 miles when serviced properly. It is the same engine family used in Toyota Highlanders and Camrys, just with better insulation, better interior materials, and slightly different tuning. We focus on third-generation 2010 to 2015 RX 350s in the 90,000 to 130,000 mile range, which on this platform is barely broken in. The fourth-generation 2016 to 2022 RX 350 is also reliable but commands a premium that does not always reflect a meaningful difference in long-term durability.
Is a used Lexus a good winter car for the Chicago suburbs?
It depends on the model. The all-wheel drive RX 350 is excellent: responsive AWD that engages quickly on slick surfaces, and the platform handles a DuPage County winter without drama. The GX 460 is a true body-on-frame SUV with a low-range transfer case, which makes it overkill for snow but capable in any condition. The rear-wheel drive ES 350 and IS 250 need decent winter tires to be at their best in heavy snow. We can usually find an AWD RX in inventory most of the year.
Should I buy a used Lexus IS 250 or IS 350?
The IS 250 with the 2.5L V6 is the volume car and the better used-market value. The 2.5L is reliable and parts are cheap, though the car is not fast (zero to sixty around 7.7 seconds). The IS 350 with the 3.5L V6 is genuinely quick (around 5.6 seconds) and the engine is bulletproof, but used examples are rarer and command a price premium. For daily driving in the Chicago suburbs, the IS 250 is the smart pick. If you want a fast Japanese sedan that also handles winter well with snow tires, the IS 350 is the one.
Do you stock used Lexus GX 460?
Occasionally. The GX 460 is a body-on-frame Lexus SUV that shares its platform with the Toyota 4Runner and Land Cruiser Prado. Buyers love it for genuine off-road capability, towing, and longevity (300,000-mile examples are common). Used GX 460s in good condition hold value strongly, so they are not always available, but we add them to inventory when one comes through that meets our standard. Call (630) 359-3643 to ask if one is in the pipeline.
What should I check before buying a used Lexus?
Service history first. Lexus owners who follow the maintenance schedule produce cars that go 250,000 miles without major issues. Owners who skip services produce expensive problems. We pull a Carfax on every Lexus and review the service record before listing. Specific items we inspect: oil consumption history (especially on RX 350 and ES 350 above 100,000 miles), suspension air struts on GX 460 (a known wear point that costs $1,500+ if it fails), transmission fluid color, and any documented timing chain or VVT-i sensor work. Carfax Advantage Dealer status means we share the report before you ask.
Browse Current Inventory
See what we have on the lot right now:
- Used Lexus InventoryLive from our Villa Park lot
- Used Cars in DuPage CountyServing the western suburbs since 2014
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Stop In or Call
Love Auto Group, 735 N Yale Ave, Villa Park, IL 60181. Phone (630) 359-3643. Mon 2-7, Tue-Fri 11-7, Sat 12-7. Closed Sunday.
Family owned, in business since 2014, specializing in Japanese makes including Lexus, Subaru, Acura, Honda, Toyota, and Mazda.