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Lexus ES 300/ES 330
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Comments
I've never had a car that's done this (besides the HIDs). Is this normal for the current model ES?
I have 01 ES and experience (or experienced) the same buzzing noise as you described. But when I just tried it, there was none. This puzzled me because I thought the buzz
was always present with key on and engine off.
I'm now suspicious the buzz noise is present only
when the car is cool. (It's been driven about 2 hours ago under hot weather and still hot under the hood.) I have a feeling that the buzz will come back once it is cool, maybe in the morning.
~alpha
My 01 makes the same buzzing, however the key need not be in the on position. Simply placing the key in the ignition will generate it. Also, it doesn't matter if the engine is cold or hot, the buzzing is there. Though it is never loud and the only time I am able to hear it is in the quiet of my garage. Kreativ, like yours I also get a different buzzing when I turn on the HIDs. This buzz is slightly louder, but again I can only hear it when my surroundings are really quiet, like in the garage.
I'm guessing it's normal.
I checked it again with garage door closed and I could hear the buzz when I get under the hood but not from inside the car. Well, it used to be much louder, clearly audible even from the inside. It used to bother me somewhat, but now I cannot hear it... I still believe the temperature can play a role (when cold, buzz becomes more prominent.) Then again, overall noise level within ES increases during the winter season.
One interesting observation while checking the Japanese Toyota/Lexus site. Their RX (Harrier) has controls on both sides of the steering wheel. In the US there are only controls on the left side (the right side is blank). Does anybody know why the Japanese version has the extra buttons?
1. 2002 3.0 cpo loaner/leftover for 29k.
2. 2003 3.0 new leftover for 33k.
3. 2004 3.3 new for 35k.
4. 2004 3.3 new with NAV for 37k.
i'm paying lump sum cash so 8k diff is significant as opposed to spreaading payments out or leasing. i'm leaing toward option 1. should i expect/demand a better deal? purchase date willbe q1 2004.
i want silver exterior. shoould i get black or greyy interior? wa looks better? whhich iis more durable?
i also aam considering the new 04 GS330 or SC430.
".........the New ES300's are weak and kinda cold, might see $27/$28 at the auction with 10k miles.. but take the old body style, an 01 with 20kish miles and it will do $22/$23ish .. the car business is a funny, it's kinda like water ~ it seeks it's own level - in a hurry .!"
IMHO Lexus dropped the ball with the new ES300. While it's still a fine car, it's not as good as the old one. It's a little too heavy for the engine. They are trying so hard to make an ULEV they've got tranmission problems. Toyota has decided all their cars are going to have a high belt-line and a mono-chrome paint job which make them look over-weight. They are over-styled. Shame on Toyota for loosing their direction....great cars with conservative design. Think I'll keep my '01 for a while.
Nobody I know, including myself, has transmission problems. There are a few people on this board that have mentioned a hesitation, but that does not warrant calling it a problem. Acura, with its failed transmissions...now that's a problem.
And as for the styling (always subjective), I love it. I wouldn't change a thing. The two-tone look of past Lexus and Mercedes models is definitely out of style.
You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but the buying public is grabbing up these cars much more than they did the old one (depite being launched during a terrible receession). I guess the old saying is true...to each his own. Enjoy your 2001!
Probably you will say you want to keep (prefer) your 01... Majority people...(I think) will do the same.... b/c they will think... the dearler is drunk.... :-)
Previous model ES.. yeap.. was beatiful.. but it (already) had showed... sign of age...
Park your car next to the new ES... or test drive the new one... then you will see...
I have a 2K2 ES300 w/the power rear sunshade. I only drive the car on the weekend and the shade is kept in the 'up' position most of the time. I noticed when driving that the shade will 'bounce' slightly while underway. This has only started to occur as it would remain stationary with the little wheels on the backside pressing against the glass.
Have any ES300 owners w/the power rear sunshade noticed any movement in their shades or does it remain fixed/stationary in the 'up position while in motion.
This has been the only issue in just over a year of ownership. The car is still flawless in appearance and operation and the Mark Levinson Audio system is truly outstanding!
M.J. McCloskey
2K2 ES300 Alabaster Metallic
everything but AVS
"Owners of the redesigned ES 300 have complained long and loud about the transmission. During our testing, we found when driving normally the five-speed automatic shifted imperceptibly. But when exercising the car or driving aggressively, the slushbox responded with harsh upshifts and soggy, delayed downshifts, behaving as though it were utterly confused about what the driver wanted it to do."
That is a mouthful and a bit extreme in my opinion; but it's a subject that comes up in almost every review I read. Had an '02 for 48hrs while they diagnoised and fixed a cold start problem in my '01 (can you beat that?). Found it more luxo and roomy inside, and even more quiet than the old version. Also notice the slowish downshift. Certainly wouldn't call it a "slushbox" and didn't find the transmission confused........just slow to kick into a lower gear. The whole package feels less like a mighty quiet and awfully smooth sport sedan and more like a sporty alternative to a big American luxomobile. Not necessarily a bad thing......
As for styling, styling trends change often. Tastes are subjective. Success of a style, and of a model overall, are found in the sales numbers. The new ES has surpassed annual sales of all previous ES.
The switch to a 5 speed transmission in general is a definite plus for the ES. Lexus just needs to work towards making the transmission acceptable to all owners. The snippet in Edmunds' reviews was what I believe to be based on discussion in this board concerning the transmission, which means it was based on the strong opinions of a few dissatisfied owners. While dissatisfied owners are more likely than satisfied owners to find an online community to express their opinion, I'm sure there are many who are dissatisfied and don't come here to voice their opinion. So how representative the ES community here is to the experiences of all ES owners is something I wouldn't be able to determine.
But regardless of what the actual ratio of satisfied/dissatisfied owners are, it only helps that those who are dissatisfied with the tranny speak up and give it attention. Otherwise, Lexus isn't going to do a darn thing about it. After all, it's more about the pursuit of perfect sales than the pursuit of perfection. And it takes bad press (like that in the Edmunds article) rather than just individual owner complaints to put them into action.
As for the tranny issue being a "subject that comes up in almost every review I read," I've ready many reviews and have only seen it in 2 (Edmunds being one of them). dardson1 - what are these other reviews you've read?
Additionally, the 04ES should be receiving the 3.3L 225hp @5600 RPM/ 240lb. ft. @3600 RPM engine used in the 04 RX/ 04 Sienna/ 04 Solara V6/ 04 Camry SE V6... and I have not heard any complaints about this engine/transmission set up.
just my 02
-alpha
When I was in the market for a new car, I read the posts on this web-page. I decided to "take the chance" and buy one of these "death trap" ES 300s and have been very happy with my decision.
(No problem to date). It seems the vast majority of ES owners have experience similar to mine.
Minor stuff?......maybe. Non-issue for the way most Lexus owners drive?.....probably. Better than the old version?.....not yet. A disappointment for a vehicle that has been known as absolutely "bullet-proof"?.....I think so.
I love Lexus. Never had a better car or dealer experience. Never had a car more than 2 years and I'm considering keeping my '01 beyond the 3yr lease. That is an endorsement. My white over toupe leather '01 drives like the day I got it. Amazing! Just want Lexus to address the issue to I can feel good about a new one.
dardson1 - thanks for the review leads.
This would be hard to quantify because what exactly is a "problem" transmission? One that hesitates? One that fails? One that isn't what somebody is used to? How was this 8% measured?
(Though I make a point of not running red lights)
The only time I even notice the transmission doing it's thing is rarely I will feel the down-shift when slowing through 40ish. With rapid accel, I usually feel nothing except strong response. Although it's not a sport sedan, it will easily reach 90 without a flinch. I did notice the car responds better (more accel) with premium gas. My neighbor with an '02 ES claims he knows nothing about any transmission issues. Another friend with an '02 ES loves his car - NO problems. I have driven two ES loaners (while my wife's RX was getting service) without any obvious problems. The Lexus service mgr. says he HAS heard of a few owners having issues but doesn't know of a fix for them yet. He suggests using Premium gas to get optimum performance.
I'm not doubting your transmission problem but my experience has been different. It seems obvious to me that for the ES300 to win the JD Power award for initial quality, most owners probably have had an experience similar to mine.
As was said, I'm not doubting somebody else's issue but I haven't experienced any problem.
told me that the reason thay Lexus cars
have such a smooth ride is due to their tires, not the car's suspension. In other words, he said I would have to chage my tires frequently to maintain factotry standards.
Is he correct?? Are Lexus factory tires unusually "soft" and require changing like at 25,000 miles?? If so, what if I switch to a "stronger" tire? How much "harder" will the ride be? Appreciate any suggestions. Thanks, aweiss@graphiccenter.net
1. It is not accurate to say that because this has been discussed for 18 months on edmunds there is a problem. One, this board does not accurately represent ES 300 owners in a way that you can make a generalization like that. Two, I am sure this board garners a greater share of complaints since that's what most people do on edmunds.
2. I don't believe the ES has terrible resale value. My dealer says the value of used 2002s is very high because many people want the car but don't want to spend the money on a 2003. Also, check out kbb.com. A 2002 ES 300 holds its value just as well as a 2002 Acura TL-S at 70%. Compare this to an Infiniti I35 at 61%.
I wish you well in your car dilemma. But I would not discourage anybody from buying this car (the high sales numbers for July certainly don't reflect any public concern). Best of luck to you.
I noticed the non-responsive transmission on my test drive and surely didn't want to risk spending $35K on a car with such a huge problem.
I also agree that there wouldn't be 18 months of constant bitching about it if there weren't really a problem to begin with.
Thank you both for your input.
On replacement I will look at Yoko's and
Goodrich's as strong candidates.
Is it possible to get consistently good advise from a Lexus service advisor, or do you have to take what they say, pass it through a filter like this one and make a decision??
Anyway, I appreciate your taking the time to reply. weiss4
$97.99 each. i had dunlops and yokohamas but these are my favorite. both the dunlops and the yokohamas went bald too quick.
There have been thousands of the '02-'03 ES sold so far. If this transmission "problem" is as common as has been claimed by some here, statistically speaking there should be many more complaints from true owners.
Thankfully, MY '03 continues to "purr" along, and change gears "without a whine".
The only car in this class I don't like in looks is the Lincoln LS. The LS is "boring and dated" looking, but the ES300 is beyond boring and into the "unattractive and unacceptable" category.
The BMW 3 series, the new 2004 Acura TL, G35 sedan, Cadillac CTS, Audi A4/A6 and the MBZ C/E Class all have more attractive exterior styling than the current ES300.
On the "Maintenance and Repair" board, the topic "Transmission Traumas" typically stands at the top of the list of topics. Since top positioning on the list indicates recent posts to the topic, one might conclude that there are many complaints against transmissions for all vehicles.
I suspect that car owners want larger vehicles that are powerful, with high fuel efficiency, and with low emissions. A tough bill for a transmission designer to fill.
We may be forced to live with flaky transmissions while the designers find a way meet the mutually exclusive requirements demanded by owners.
I don't think an 8 year old would be as sensitive to status as would be an adult owner, and I don't think a Camry would have been singled out for comment.
So much for an ES300 looking like a Camry or having staid, unattractive lines. If there weren't something special about the ES300, I like to think that it would be unlikely its appearance would elicit positive comments from an 8 year old.
Now of course it is feasible that an eight year old might be a car buff and impressed by status of the Lexus name. But this kid said "I like your car". He did not say "I like your Lexus".
As for styling, whether you like it or not, I wouldn't consider it "beyond boring." Boring to me is a style you don't think twice about...it just doesn't interest you enough to illicit much response, positive or negative. This certainly doesn't apply to the new ES: you get comments from both ends of the spectrum. And from its excellent sales figures compared to its competitors and previous ES generations, I'm sure Lexus considers it a successful style. Those who don't like it I can almost always guess correctly what style they do like.
Make sure you pull firmly (but don't yank) toward you first, and then push them down.