Is it worth it.

The Lexus is great, we work on a lot that have high mileage and have been relitive no problems at all. At 140000 you would want to see service records for a timing belt change (hopefully including water pump change, seals and tensioner bearings fo the timing belt. You want to see frequent oil changes and hopefully reciept for a transmission flush. The valves on this car are also "shim adjusted" so they require periodic adjustment that becomes costly.

I have a 2001 Lexus RX300. When I pull away from a stop the car makes a noise like the traction on the brake is sticking. What could it be?

absolutely. then again, im not a big american car fan. i have a 1999 rx300 w/135K miles on it. i absolutely love it. it's been a great car!