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Lexus ES 300/ES 330
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Comments
2001: 19/26
2002: 20/29
By the way, Lexus was offering $1,500 "Dealer Cash" and $500 Customer Cash for previous owners BUT that ended 7/31. Anybody know if Lexus has extended offer?
dardson1, what are you averaging? How and where did you add Nav. system? What did the "Platinum" edition have on it?
Chip
I installed the alpine DVD system from cartoys for around 3K and it is really amazing.
I too have a 2000 Platinum II (w/Nakamichi as well as everything else) and it is truly a wonderful machine. Am interested in a couple of more details about your Nav. You say that you installed the system from CarToys--does that mean that YOU installed it or that they installed it for you for about $3000? Also, how and where does it mount, and what does it sit in front of (ie., does it interfere with any of the controls behind it, does it look sorta funny sitting there even though it does a great job, etc.) Finally, does in work about the same as a factory-installed one works on an LS400 or 430 (ie, voice information, colored screen, one DVD disk covers all or most of the country, accurate and precise turn-by-turn directions and results, etc.)?
We have a CarToys place near us in the Seattle area that I will drop by if you say it's a solid item and looks pretty good even though it's not built into the dash.
Al--
went for the 00 or 01 ES. The new ES is good
looking as stated by some car mags. but I
think it lost some of the elegance and classyness
that the previous one had. It really looked
more expensive than it actually was. The two-tone
paint was also an ES trademark that set itself
apart. and car looks very exciting, not boring at all. Don't know about you guys but I think
Lexus is taking a big risk by going revolutionary
instead of taking the safe route of evolutionary
design with this new ES like pretty much all
other luxury car makers do. Perhaps lexus will
take another look at the previous gen and provide
better link as they improve the new ES.
However, its interior is where they display their
design brilliance. It really took some cues
from the LS430.
question: Shus226 comment raised an interesting
concern for me. Has anyone ever
had their ES tranny replaced or
rebuild? don't have a problem but I
don't think this was ever brought up
before in this forum. When would be
good time to replace it? I stated this
before but in cold weather, the car
shifting into 2nd is sluggish.
normally it is "almost unreal" smooth
so sluggishness is uncharacteristic.
anyway, if I didn't have a previous gen ES, I would miss it. but since I do own one, I don't
have to.
fredvh: Filled "her" up yesterday. 22.5 mpg combined with A/C on.
Got my Car and Driver in the mail yesterday. They do a "Preview" of the new ES. Lexus and C&D say the IS 300 will target the sport market while the ES 300 is "assigned...full time to the luxury beat". They talk about how it is longer, taller and wider. How wonderful the interior is and about all the new and previous safety equipment. BUT what they don't talk about is the new style. Not one word. (things that make you go hmm...) The title of the article is "Luxury seekers face a quandary. There are still no satin sheets." Patrick Bedard, author of the article, held his cards pretty close to his vest. I'm not sure if he likes it or not.
A word on price. The article says "At $31,000, plus or minus a few bones, depending on your restraint with the options, splendor seekers will find a lot of Lexus for less."
Chip
I will say that the pictures of the interior look fantastic. I like my 2001 but the interior of the 2002 looks to be an upgrade, especially with the same leather now found in the LS. Having more interior room I'm sure will be a plus for the new model too. Bedard specifically stated that the 2002 would have more room than the current GS (much like the new Altima is supposedly bigger than the Maxima, I guess).
tmttaxatty, which ES did you get? How do you like it? Check gas mileage yet?
Chip
While snooping around Chrysler 300M Town Hall Board, I discovered a web site that studies the construction of many oil filters on the market. If you are concerned about what oil filter you use, check out this site, very informative non biased study.
http://members.nbci.com/minimopar/oilfilterstudy.html
By the way the Chrysler 300M Town Hall Board is a very "tight" board. Good group of owners that share information and ideas about their cars. They seem to "love" their "M". I do not own a "M" and have no interest in it, but the people who by them seem to be a pretty good group.
I have not made any gas mileage checks yet. I've only owned it 3 weeks and I've only got 520 miles on it, almost entirely city commuting (I've been swamped at work since literally the day after I bought it). So far, what little I've gotten to drive it, it's been fantastic (then again I'm not hard to please after having driven almost exclusively Taurus' the past 5 years).
How much did you pay for your stand ES300 with LP package. The dealer wants me to cough up $31,000 is this OK!
Thanks in advance for your response.
Good luck in your negotiations!
There has been great debate on the looks of the new ES, but I have to agree that viewing the car in person makes a world of difference. I may be in the minority here, but I found the previous generation of ES's to be a bit bland. I'm not saying the car was unattractive, but just too vanilla for me. Upon seeing the new ES in person, I found the styling more to my liking. I wouldn't say it has the love it or hate it styling of the GS, but at least the new ES evokes a reaction out of people.
The interior of the ES is absolutely fantastic. It doesn't take long to see that Lexus did a great job improving the interior over the previous ES. Just see for yourself, I'll bet you'll be impressed. For me, the Nav and ML system are must have options, but hey, I love toys :-)
Driving wise, the new ES was what I expected. It had decent pickup, a nice ride, and preferred straightaways to any hard cornering. I know that there are those individuals who will continue to cry that Lexus screwed up by not increasing the HP on the new ES. I too was surprised, but I doubt Lexus will have any problems selling every new ES they build. I doubt the typical ES buyer will be overly concerned w/ HP numbers and 0-60 times. Will they care that the new Altima will have 240 HP, or that the Acura TL-S makes 260 HP? IMHO, the majority will not. They would rather have a car that is safe, reliable, and luxurious. I highly doubt the any new Nissan will be able to touch the interior of the new ES. Although the current TL interior is nice, the new Lexus is in a different league.
If I were to buy a car in this segment, I would be hard pressed to choose between the TL and the new ES. Being that I prefer a sportier car (thats why I bought a GS), I would probably lean toward getting a TL-S. But then again, there is a part of me that appreciates the overall luxury of the new ES (at the cost of losing a lot drag races!) Overall, I found the new ES to be a terrific car. I think Lexus did a great job with this redesign. I doubt any potenital new owners will be disappointed.
i think this is the forum for es300 owners to discuss, question, provide useful information and advise on anything related to the es300 so that other could benefit from it. don't worry... so long it's not a bashing, we should be ok.
You can send me an email at puja8@hotmail.com if you need further info
My nav was installed by the car toys folks (can not do it myself --it is inclined and position right where you have the cigarette lighter (much before the gears)--that way I have an excellent view, no sunlight draining, etc
The Nav is very comprehensive and is the same Alpine system used in Lexus--it was recommended by Lexus dealership only. i even negotiated a 5 yr warranty for the nav within the 3K which included labor--you get back 200 bucks if you do not use the warranty--so it was a sweet deal-the 7 inch is awesome--the 3D graphics are amazing--route countdown and rerouting is awesome
Currently nothing entices me to leap towards the 2002 ES300-I get compliments on my nav (you see no wires--you can't make out it is installed after market)
Only if the engine leaps to at least a 3.3L, will I consider--otherwise a downgrade from 7.7 seconds to 8.1 seconds (0-60) and paying $7+K for the downgrade will be lousy--if anyone like swood--lexus can always add genuine wood trim for 1100 bucks
Would like to see powe tilt/telescope from lexus
The current nav in the new car seems flimsy--Motor Trend refers to it as ready to break (The way I understood the cons)
Anyways hope I answered your ques
He just says the price is 33,300 for silver one with Value package and (HID, Heated seats, Wood Steering wheel, MAT, 16' alloy wheel).
There is no further talk about the deal.
He says you gonna lose it next day unless you put $500 deposit on an ES300. How about the price?
(I think 31 or 32K is reasonable.)
Thanks in advance.
Why don't you try calling one or all three of the Lexus dealers in the Seattle area (Tacoma, Seatle, Bellevue) and ask if they have the car you want. Let them each know that you're calling around to the others also, and that you're shopping in the Pacific Northwest for the best deal on an ES300. You might first want to get quotes from a couple of the on-line services and have those figures available. If you do, ask for the Internet reps when calling the dealers.
If you did have good luck dealing in the Puget Sound area, I'm sure it'd be worth a trip up from whereever you are in Oregon. Don''t forget, you can always have your car serviced at, and get warranty work done at, any Lexus dealer anywhere, and you can get just about equivalent routine servicing at about 1/3-1/2 the price at any Toyota dealership.
Al--
Hope this helps and best of luck
WOW!...major improvement. Enough for me to consider trading my 96 ES for an 02 Camry.
New Camry exterior style doesn't seem as over the top as the new ES. I have to admit that the ES interior is awesome from the pix I've seen.
The sales between the two should be interesting.
I don't think you would like trading in your ES for a new Camry. First of all, the new interior is very blah. Second, don't expect much in the way of service from a Toyota dealer. No loaners, no car wash, no Saturday breakfasts, an average-poor service department, etc. Lexus service can definitely spoil you!
I have the same car as you but mine is a 1995. Can't wait to buy the 2002 in a few months!
Chip
~alpha
And your Lexus dealer won't be getting in any more 2001 ES300's. 2002's should start arriving in a couple of weeks.
fredvh,
They have to stop building 2001's so that they can start building 2002's. And because of the product change, there is usually a couple of weeks of downtime at the factory so that they can retool the factory to produce a totally new vehicle.
I really dig that interior. They finally added Nav and other options from LS. It's awesome.
The exterior looked a little better in the brochure. I guess it will grow on me. It's going to have to be worth the additional $$$ for me to trade in my 96. It has 113K and still drives and looks showroom. It might be hard to justify financially. I'm sure Lexus will keep working on me.
Let us know when you get your 02. I would value your input.
I'm waiting for the dealer to provide prices and equipment on the first batch of 2002 cars. He said they may all come in a certain way, and if I want it equipped different I may have to wait several months.
My 1995 ES only has 36,000. Like yours it is in perfect shape. Not a rattle or squeak or anything. Still drives beautifully.
How can sign up for one of those driving events? Do you have to be in the industry?
Thanks.
I've noticed by looking at your previous postings, you are looking closely at an Accord. I have a 1989 Accord Coupe Lxi. Great Car! 204,000 miles, original owner. However, I've been reading the boards concerning Honda and quality. Although Honda still builds a good/great car, seems like they don't build them like they used too. I looked at Accord and Camry before I bought my 2001 ES 300. I test drove both. The interior did not impress me on the Accord and Camry exterior did nothing for me. (Just my opinion)
There, however, does seem to be something to the Lexus "pursuit of perfection". The car has been perfect. The dealer top notch. Lexus, discounted close to invoice, costs 5k to 6k more than an Accord, but you get much more.
Good luck.
Chip
Although Honda's don't seem to be as good as they used to, I believe they are still the best car for the dollar.
When you get your new car, post back on this board or Accord board. I'll be interested in what you decided on and what your experience was buying the car.
Chip
I will report back after the drive. It should be fun!
Another wonding thing is that Odometer for the car is currently 184. Isn't it too much? or OK?
I have a 1998 ES300. I am interested in upgrading the rear view and side mirrors from the normal mirror to auto dimming mirrors.
When I asked the parts department at the dealership, they told me it was not possible due to certain wiring not present in the 1998 ES300.
Does anyone know differently or own an 1998 model with auto dimming mirrors.
Thanks,
RV
They have some unusual options over there, like a spoiler on the trunk and wood trim that covers the entire center console.
Good Luck Fred.
Chip