Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
Lexus ES 300/ES 330
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Most cars need the timing belt changed somewhere between 90,000 and 120,000 miles.
I changed the timing belt on my 96 ES at 85K miles. It could probably make it much longer but why take the chance.
When the timing belt snaps, you stop...
Go to a good mechanic and save big $$$ over Lexus techs.
http://www.mag-x.com/scoop/previs0104/index.html
My friend who owns a Lexus dealer has said the new ES will definitely be larger than the current car.
By the way, the meeting for owners of lexus Elite dealers just wrapped up in Phoenix yesterday (it was Sunday-Thursday). I'll try and find out from my friend (who's dealer is an Elite) if any info on the new ES was revealed.
www.carsfast.net/Lexus/ES.html
Al--
http://www.eautoquotz.com/Lexus/ES-300.htm
Al--
Someone had posted a while back that the 2002 ES would have a 5 speed auto, like the IS300. This is becoming a standard feature in the luxury class. I'm looking forward to the post-dealer meeting info!
This may give you a vague idea of what the new ES300 might look like inside.
The new Camry interior will be much more plain that that.
How about the handling? Some says not very good; would also like to hear from the owners.
Thanks.
I have been monitoring this forum for some time and have the opportunity to trade my 2000 Solara SLE for a 2000 ES300 w/8K miles for 29,900. It has the usual options (Moonroof, 6-disk changer, heated seats) and possibly some other options I don't know about. It was sold new by the dealer. I don't know the color or if it has 16" wheels vice the standard 15". BTW, does the ES300 come with splash guards or are they available as an option? My SLE has them and they do protect the lower portion of the body from debri and blemishes wonderfully.
My Solara is loaded and has been a wonderful car. Would I really be getting that much more by trading to a Lexus? I feel that Lexus is an ultra-refined Toyota (this is good), and since my Solara is closer in content/luxury to the ES300 than the Camry XLE, then I might not be getting that much more car.
I know the new 2002 ES300 is due out in about 4 months, and I may be jumping in on a 'old' 2000 instead of seeing what the new ones will look like and cost.
Thanks for any input or advice.
Michael J. McCloskey
I currently have 108K miles on my 96 ES and have to say it has been the most reliable car I've ever owned.
No problems...I take it to my own mechanic for service (save big $$$ over Lexus shop), change oil every 5000 miles, changed timing belt at 85K, complete service at 85K...couldn't ask for more from the car.
A couple of years back, I looked at the 2000 ESs and decided that my car was in just as good as shape (actually better since it's broken in real nice now) and skipped the trade.
If you can find a 95 or 96 ES that's in showroom condition like mine, go for it. I still get compliments on my 5 year old ES (many people think it's new)
BTW...handling is exceptional. I rotate my tires every 5K miles and make sure the alignment is set correctly. I couldn't be more pleased with this car.
Recommendations: www.zainobros.com for polish, use a certified mechanic (non-Lexus) for service, repairs, www.exoticwooddash.com for very smart interior wood-trim.
Good luck finding one as nice as mine.
Rolloman, Houston
You can get a 2001 with the usual options for about the same price from carorder.com in some parts of the country.
Has anyone bought it for this price in NJ/NY area?
Does anyone know of a dealer ship that offers this price in NJ/NY area?
Thanks
Has anyone bought it for this price in the Chicano area?
Does anyone know of a dealer ship that offers this price in the Chicano area?
This is good information since I'm talking with Arlington. Could you tell me the MSRP and/or invoice price on your platinium edition. This will give me a refernce point for negotiations.
There is a little information and some rumors about the 2002 model in previous posts.
I now have 66,000 miles, and no problems whatsoever. I've had the services done at the dealer up until now, but I just found a very good mechanic who will be taking care of it from now on.
The ride is nice, but don't expect BMW handling. This car is built to be a highway cruiser, and I think it excels at that. Handling is fine, but don't get too agressive on the twisty back roads.
The interior seems to hold up well, apart from some discoloration of the wood trim on the doors.
I have a co-worker who has a '92 ES 300 with 130,000 miles. He just had it serviced, and it needed approx $1200 worth of stuff - suspension bushings, shocks/struts etc. However, the dealer said the car is in great shape and should easily do another 100,000 miles. You have to expect to put some money into any car once you get over the 100k mark, but with the ES 300, it seems to be worth it.
I plan to hang on to mine until it dies or starts costing more than it's worth to maintain.
If you are going to have it fixed, you may want to consider doing the timing belt at the same time. Even Lexus dealers should cut you a break on the labor charges if you have both done at once. They have to open up the engine either way.
What is the top end speed on this hwy cruiser? I want to wait until she's broken in before I max out.
Also for those who travel alot, whats a good detector? I heard an ad for something called the Phantom. Its a detector and a scrambler for $299. Anyone ever used these?
Looking forward to hearing from current ES 300 owners.
si88
Do NOT believe any of those ads for so-called radar jammers. They are junk. It takes a lot to really jam radar - probably enough to microwave the cop and his car to crispy critters.
I'm sure there are radar detector forums in here, but I like the Valentine One (only available from Valentine, see http://www.valentine1.com/).
There are others that are better in some respects, but if you live in an area with a lot of armed tax-collectors (oops, I mean, cops) the V1 is great at telling you how many signals it's receiving and the direction of the signal.
Saved my butt on numerous occasions.
Your top end is about 137-140MPH.
Do you really want to try it?
The sensitivity of the new Escort 8500 is MUCH better than the Valentine. Mine picked up a local sheriff using Ka radar more than five blocks away and around a corner. Check out this link:
http://www.radartest.com/
Catherine Heins is looking for people to interview who have switched from American to Japanese cars in the past few years-- especially folks who wouldn't have given a Toyota or Honda the time of day in the 1970s.
She's a business reporter at the Yomiuri Shimbun, which is the biggest daily paper in Japan with a circulation of 14 million. They are writing a feature story about Japanese automakers' continuing success in expanding production in the U.S. and snatching market share from the Big Three even on their former home turf of light trucks.
If you fit this description and are willing to be interviewed, please call her directly at 212-582-5827 or e-mail her at catheins@yahoo.com. As always, you can contact me at jfallon@edmunds.com if you have any questions.
Thanks,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com