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Lexus ES 300/ES 330
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Comments
-- how long the battery(s) in the main and spare key should last?
--how much they cost to replace?
--whether they can be replaced by the owner?
--and do they have to be purchased thru the Lexus dealer vs. Radio Shack or other electronics store?
Thanks for any info on this. Al--
Has anyone had a similar problem? Carpoint says that "An occasional problem on this vehicle is failure of the Air Conditioning (A/C) Compressor Revolution Sensor. The cost to repair the A/C Compressor Revolution Sensor is estimated at $144.76 for parts and $117.00 for labor." What are the symptoms of this disorder? I'm not interested in taking it back to this place without some informational ammunition.
Steve
Anyone can recommend what is a better winter tire? Blizzaks or Arctic Alpin? I am looking or longer tread life and/or less road noise. And of course excellent handling in snow and ice.
They charged me 900.00 for the following:
A/C System
Customer states A/C inoperative 89.97
System completely empty of freon, dealer added to run system and perform leak test. Noted that the A/C condenser is leaking freon and in need of replacement ... 775.00
With receiver/dryer unit ... goes up to 880.00 plus tax
Compressor not noisy at this time but may have problems in system if system continues to run on empty.
I can give you a further breakdown if ya need, but this seems to be a legit. prob. with the '92 through '96 ES300 series. Later on, my struts went out (2200 in costs to repair) and then my antenna (300.00) and then the axle bearings and hubs (400.00).
Ugh. This car had 108K miles on it -- had the tranny replaced ONCE and still presented with some "kick" around 3rd to 4th gear. I've only heard that ES300's run well past 100K miles, but I guess I was wrong -- not to mention the vehicle was baby-driven.
Hope this helps
Pete
Whatever. I took this to my local Lexus dealership -- I trusted them because they gave me a brand new (actually probably refurbished ) tranny under the 6 yr./70K drivetrain warranty. Therefore, since they pretty much hooked me up with 3000.00 of parts and labor under a warrantly, I seemed to think they might have wanted to get me back, so to speak, by overcharged me for this A/C. But the figure they stated for you, 1500.00!!! Holy ... what a bunch of bologna! You should consult another Lexus dealer, or a reputable Lexus service provider -- try Toyota in your area and have them fix it... It's just a camry after all and they have access to many lexus parts since they are the same in the camry!
You are right, I don't know what made me think that they had put the in-dash CD Changer in the ES, maybe because I was thinking of my test ride in the IS?
I had to replace the battery in my wife's 98 GS keyfob last year, so it lasted bout 2 years...don't know if this is normal or not. The Lexus part representative replaced it for me, I just paid for the battery...which I don't think was very much.
When I had my Bimmer, the BMW parts rep replaced my keyfob battery at no charge...BUT, I sure paid him alot of $$$ for Bimmer parts prior to this!
Vern
thanks for responding. lexus doesn't know about
it. I think I will try to get it repaired by
a local auto glass center. I just emailed to
a site that offers info on auto glass repairs.
your info provides a starting point for me. now
I can try to get it done at around $50.
ugmd,
the 98 and 99 prices seem about average. if
they're "loaded" too, maybe you should consider
them also. I would test drive all 3 cars. can't
hurt. your wife should test drive also. if the
99 has all available option and still in mint
condition and low milage, it's probably better
to save $5000. you can also wait for the 2002 ES.
Vatgrown,
that's disappointing about your 95 ES. most ES
owners, including myself, set really high standards on the ES to perform without problems.
mine have been very minor. it basically earned
my respect. Peter is right. go to other dealers.
some Lexus dealers are better than others.
Lexus headquarter sets excellent customer service
guidelines. some dealers don't follow them. I hope
you will get a fair price somewhere.
For example, the Acura 3.2TL comes in 2 distinct models - one with the Navigation system (whose dash design and climate controls are different from the non-NAV model) and one without the Navigation system. Edmunds has two different TMVs for the cars that are sold with the Navigation and for the ones that are sold without one.
TMV for Acura 3.2TL without Navigation: 27,197
TMV for Acura 3.2TL with Navigation: 29,064
TMV for Lexus ES300 : 28,300
Later...AH
I guess this is for a newer ES300 with the immobilizer system & keyless entry included in the key?? IF that is so, that price is about right. And I doubt you will find a lower price.
A second key from the Lexus dealer (only place you can get one) took 3-4 days and cost $300. The second alarm fob was $200. That's $500 worth of stuuf in your pocket or purse. YIKES!
Our dealer told us key for newer ESs (single alarm/key unit) were about $300.
Don't lose your keys!
According to the Infiniti Used Car Sales Manager, they were giving me such a smokin' deal (true) that they wouldn't pay for both the key AND the fob. So, they offered to buy the second key and I bought the alarm fob. Saved me $100. What the heck??? They were mortified when they found out the key was going to cost them $300. LOL! Lexus wouldn't give them a discount.
I guess if you can afford a Lexus, you can afford to pay through the nose if you lose your keys.
The ES300 DOES have an optional in-dash 6-CD changer.
Vatgrown & PeterUbers:
Your experiences with Lexus service hardly sounds like the Lexus service I know. No other marque's service and repair shop has ever replaced every piece of window glass on the car, after telling the Service Manager there was only ONE "swoosh" of wind noise on a cross-country trip. I couldn't imagine another marque's service department replacing all 4 tires, make that five, after telling them there was a thump-bump noise from one of the tires. It hardly seems like were talking about service for the same.
On the other hand, I have never had a problem of a magnitude such as yours'. But if my tire and glass issues were defined by my dealer as "major", I would not want to see their reaction to your A/C problems, as I imagine it may be close to Hari-Kari. My ES300, just like my ES250 before it, is virtually problem fee. I have never considered the service pricing to be excessive, either; definitely less than what I donated to the Germans, especially VW!
If I were you, I would talk to the Service Manager. If you get no satisfaction there, go to the Sales Manager. He knows that it is all about loyalty at Lexus. Barring that, call Lexus HQ, and I guarantee you will get a response.
Finally, I may not understand you totally PeterUbers, but re-filling the system with freon is a rather pricy job. And I am sure you will understand and pardon my skepticism when I say that a car requiring new struts, bearings, and a new transmission, is generally not a car one expects to hear described as "baby driven".
John
I don't care anymore, I'm glad it's gone, and I'm looking forward to driving a new car soon!
Thanks for asking though.
Steve
I've driven '97, '98, and 2000 ES300's...
I've also driven the 2001. There isn't a difference in my opinion -- going from the 200 hp to the 210 hp. Honestly... going from my 188hp 1994 ES, I couldn't tell the quickness difference between the newer models because they seemed to be geared differently. The post-'96 models don't nearly have the same off-the-line grunt that the pre-'96 models had -- just my opinion though. Plus, you should know that i punish those loaners to test the performance -- that's why i'll never buy a used ES300 that was a test-drive vehicle or a loaner -- 'cuz of people like myself!
I plan to purchase a used ES very soon and am in the process of deciding between a 97 and a 99. I can't help wondering whether the extra $5000+ for a 99 is worth it or not. I've test driven a 99 and the ride was very smooth, maybe too smooth when compared to the tighter ride of the German luxury cars. Personally, I quite like the smooth ride of the Lexus. Upon casual inspection both model years appear to be identical, except perhaps for the wheels and the dual controls on the seat heaters.
Will probably make a decision by the weekend.
3 weeks ago I bought a `98 ES300. Good car, almost no problems, but one problem still persist - a light constant noise from all speakers. When you turn ignition key and turn on the radio - you can hear it, it seems like it comes from everywhere, if you stop the engine, I still comes, then you move and press brakes, it changes slightly - so, it seems like we need to install additional power filter somewhere. But where?
So long, so far - I forced my dealer to replace the radio itself - but still have the same problem with new one. I checked one of those replacement' vehicles they have in dealership - the same problem there! Then, I checked one of year 2001 es300 in show room - no noise at all! Silence! So, the question is - what can I do about it? Did anybody solve that problem?
Please, help me, I like to play the classical music CDs and that noise is just killing me...
I bought a 2000 ES300 few months ago. We are experiencing excessive wind noise when passing through crossing winds. Does any other ES300 has this problem, or is it just my ES300?
The Lexus technician said it is normal in ES300 since the door windows have no frame. Is it true?
I used to have an Oldsmobile back in the 80s, it didn't have frames around door windows either, but it didn't make such noise.
don't know about you guys but I wouldn't trade
in my lexus experience for any other luxury car
brand. I may own cars from many manufacturers
but lexus will always be #1 to me. every day,
it's such a pleasure to drive and own it. I
like the quietness and feeling of being surrounded
and pampered with pure luxury. on top of that,
we rarely need to take our cars to the shop
except for regular maintenance. and if you do
need to go in, lexus dealers are usually the
best in the industry. few exceptions of course
like everything else in life.
so with that said, as long as lexus maintains their current philosophy, I think they will always
be the pace setter. I don't care what
problems people may claim to have with lexus cars.
I'm living the lexus experience every day. I know
what it's like and why it's the best.
what about you guys?
good point John!!
anybody test drive the new IS300 yet? I think
I will try to get it as a loaner the next time
I take my car in for service. I wanna know what
the "hype" is all about. My sister took her
LX450 in and they loan her the IS300. she claimed
it was exhilarating and the car was very
energetic, almost like a teenager. I probably
wouldn't like the noise and stiffness though.
utkinpol,
maybe the problem is with the speakers. did lexus
replaced them with new ones?
I never had a noise problem with mine so I couldn't tell you. it's just typical lexus which
is best in class.
one more thing, all lexus cars were produced the
exact same way so if I don't have some of the
major problems with mine like what others have
claimed to have, I don't see why other lexus
cars wouldn't be as reliable as mine, unless
these cars were abused or frequently driven in
bad road situations and not properly maintained.
Just a thought --
Wind noise -- you wanna know what else stinks about the frameless windows that not many people talk about??
Well, when I used to take my '94 to the self-power wash, and if I directly sprayed water at the windows, I'd notice water dripping on the INSIDE of the windows and seaping into the leather wall of the door. As the rubber seals wear, so too does the pressure against that window. Thw wind noise, however, was worst from the left driver side mirror. There was always this high pitched, winy noise at highway speeds -- with or without crosswinds.
pure luxury?
many people who own and drive olds auroras and buicks say the same about their cars. I dunno if I can construe a "near luxury" to be "pure" luxury. But i respect it, and it is a smooth ride -- my '94 purred like a kitten at full throttle till the day we got rid of it.
I've driven it regularly on poorly kept streets,
I've abused it,
And I've avoided routine maintenance...
Hmmm...
one more thing, all lexus cars were produced the
exact same way so if I don't have some of the
major problems with mine like what others have
claimed to have, I don't see why other lexus
cars wouldn't be as reliable as mine, unless
these cars were abused or frequently driven in
bad road situations and not properly maintained.
Well, just like so many people claimed to have defective transmissions in Chrysler minivan and mine is at 103k miles and stills run like new. Just because the same cars are built at the same factory by the same robots does not mean that if one car go 80k miles before alternator goes that the same goes for other cars. There are always a few bad apples in every basket. maybe not the way of saying it but you get the point.
Uh oh, he's about to take out a second mortgage on the LS430!
> But I actually have wind coming in from outside, so I hear whistling as the wind
> comes in when I drive in windy weather. Is this the windnoise you're talking about or is
> it just the wind you hear when your car cut through the wind when it is moving forward?
The noise happens when my ES300 move through cross winds. It is very quiet on normal drivings when there is no cross wind. The dealer refuse to do anything saying it is normal for ES300 for that door window design.
I think that if it is normal, then it is a design flaw of ES300. If it is not normal, they should be able fix it. I just like to know if other ES300 owners have the same experiences.
BTW, originally, around 1 months after we got the car, we went to a car wash and we did have some water leaked in. We took the car back to the dealer and they said they adjusted it. We have not gone through another car wash to see if it was fixed , though.
My 2000 Solara (which I think is as quiet as an ES300, and 10K cheaper) has frameless windows. On calm days it's just fine. A good cross wind and I get the same wind noise. The wind noise is the only real quibble that I have with the Solara. I was going to buy a Mercedes C320 but I am strongly leaning towards the new ES300. With the new ES300 having window frames I think it will be a perfect, comfortable, reliable, wind and rain free car. I just wish we could find out what it will look like.
Someone has the water leakage problem before in a previuos post. it seems that this is a common problem too for the ES300. But this a minor problem that can be fixed.
I don't know how my dealer can brainwash me
since I hardly ever go see them about a problem.
but I know you're kidding. I think my own car
has brainwashed me with it's almost flawless
daily functionalities into thinking that it's
the best.
and please think about and analyze the issue before responding. if you have 2 cars with
the same origin and both are purchased, and one
car is not properly maintained and abused driven
while the other is cared for according to manufacturer's recommendations, which car would
most likely have less problems down the road?
of course there are few exceptions to anything
in life as this goes without saying. but I'm
speaking in terms of #s. If you have problems
with your ES, it doesn't automatically mean that
it was not properly maintained or was abused
driven, but chances are, that's what it means.
so no it's not according to my wisdom, it's
accoring to common sense wisdom using math.
yes I got the point steve..
stuart and fred,
wind noise on the ES is not a major problem. it's
more of an annoyance I think. I've been in many
different types of vehicles and they all have
wind noises. but most also have engine and road
noise whereas the ES's engine seem to be muted.
so I think the engine noise of other cars may
distract drivers from the wind noise. In the ES,
there's no distraction. In mine, I hardly notice
it unless I really try to listen or if it's a
windy day on the highway. with the radio on, all
I hear is the radio.
I don't.
Anyways -- i'm glad you like your vehicle -- maybe you forgot, I loved my '94 until I had to get rid of it. I hope you never have a problem with your vehicle, and I hope you wake up one day and realize that Lexus, like Bentley, like Mercedes, and like Ferrari is not infallible, like your ES300. All ES300's weren't built in Camelot like yours, so forgive me for posting about my problems on this "Lexus ES300" forum ... YUP! It's the ES300 forum!
Have a nice day, and enjoy your car, you're in love with it!
Thank you.
I bought during the last week of January, I think if you wait until the last week of the month you can probably do a little better. Good Luck!