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Lexus ES 300/ES 330
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Comments
Enjoy God's country. Austin is where I went to school.
I could use one from last years model too. I just wanted to compare the 5-speed auto vs. the 4-speed.
i have 82k on mine......with original timing belt.
thanks much.
My 02 ES300 has 2200 RPM at 70. The gas consumption is around 23 MPG to 25 MPG for 50% city/50% highway driving. On the freeway, it can reach 27 to 28 MPG at 70 MPH.
So far I have put 1500 miles on it over 3 weeks, the new 5 speed transmission is NOT as smooth and responsive as my 00 RL 4 speed, but it is getting better. I will post it when it reaches 5K miles.
One thing I really like about the 02 ES300 over the 00 RL is the quietness inside the car. Last night I was listening to a large scale orchestra on my way home on the freeway, the only thing I can hear is the MUSIC, each of the music instruments were so well laid out inside the car , I didn't hear any wind noise at all, the road noise is minimum, and I can say the ML upgrade is better than the BOSE in my 00 RL.
My GPS sign will not appear on the NAV screen until it receives the GPS signal, and it will stay on the screen as long as the GPS signal is clear.
So far I haven't had any problem to receive the GPS signal anywhere in the Bay Area.
that is why i want to know what the book says about timing belt replacement
Talked with Don and got the deal made. I plan on flying in next Friday and picking it up. Looks like a good deal. Thanks for your posting. Don seems real straigtht forward. That's refreshing.
Please respond by March 9 to lordusky@aol.com
Any questions? Contact Edmunds.com PR at jfallon@edmunds.com
Thanks!
kirstie_h
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~alpha
Do the dealers have a plentiful supply on hand now? Do you feel the prices that one gets on the internet are the best they will do?
My NAV is installed at the left side of the rear shelf in the truck. It is covered by a plastic cover with Lexus NAV letters. The antenna can be built inside the NAV box if that is how they designed it.
I won't suggest you to open it yourself because that can void your warranty for the NAV system in case you break it by accident.
Mine was sitting in the middle of the trunk when I got it.
And when you lift up the trunk mat, is there supposed to be anything in the rectangular compartment to the very right of where all the tools are?
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
jfallon@edmunds.com
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
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1. Structural integrity is much improved for 2002. Remember, the ES 300 rode on the same platform for 10 years (1992-2001). The new car is on an all-new platform. It's more solid, partly because they got rid of the frameless doors. Drive a 2002 and you'll see what I mean -- the car feels more solid than in past years.
2. The "substantial" look is greater with the 2002. Park the 2002 next to a 2001. The car is now bigger and heftier, with more presence.
3. I personally love the styling of the 2002. The car has a very expensive look to it, especially the chrome door handles. I still like the 2001, but it has dated cosmetic elements, such as the two-tone lower body and lower window line.
4. I always felt a bit cramped in the ES, but not with my 2002. There is plenty of room, without the feeling of being in a huge boat.
5. The 2002 blows away the old models in terms of safety. The body structure is more rigid if you get in a crash. Brake assist and vehicle skid control are available and there are now eight airbags, including side curtains front and rear.
6. The 2002 interior is a big upgrade. The softer leather, lots more wood trim (up high where your eye sees it), gated shifter, etc. create a much more pleasureable environment.
7. There are many features on the 2002 not even offered last year. For example (some optional), rain-sensing windshield wipers, dual-zone climate control, compass, power rear window shade, etc.
I could go on and on, but suffice it to say this car is 9/10 of an LS 430 (one of my favorite cars). I had very high expectations for this car, and every time I drive it I know this was the car for me.
I did a test drive for the old ES300 about one and half years ago, I didn't like it at all because the following reasons,
1. The interior is too muck alike the Camry.
2. The cabin space is too small comparing to Acura TL and Infiniti I30.
3. The truck space is also too small.
4. The handling is not as good as the Acura's.
5. You have to pay for a premium (several thousand) for the luxury features which I don't think it is worth the extra.
I ended up leasing a 00 RL instead which probably costs close to the ES300 with similar options.
The 02 ES300 is a total different story. The exterior is not too much longer or wider than the old one, but it is much higher than the old one, which will give you more interior space, and the wheel distance is also longer for the 02 ES. It is also more aerodynamic (Cd. 0.28) which means less wind noise and quieter cabin, and fuel efficiency.
The body feels more solid than the old one, you feel less body rolling while cornering. The 02 ES also has more advanced air bag system which includes the front & rear side curtain air bags.
The carried over 3.0L V-6 engine has been refined to be certified as ULEV and fitted with a new 5-speed automatic transmission.
The interior material quality is up to the level of the new LS430 (the leather, the wood, the plastic, and ML stereo, etc.).
The 02 ES300 is not a perfect car either, but it is a huge step up from the 01 model, the preference of the exterior design is very objective thing for each person. For me, it is very creative and modern, and I don't think the design will be out of date in several years. Thinking about the headlight design of Mercedes-Benz E class, I didn't like it when I saw it the first time, but I start like the design when I see the pictures of their next generation of E class, very unique.
I think the hardest thing for 02 ES is finding a really good deal since it is really hot and also at the early stage of production.
Hope you can find the car you like and enjoy it.
One of the A4 owner stated that he replaced his cracked windshield under warranty, I am wondering whether any of your Lexus owners knows whether I can replace the windshield under warranty if I want to, or it is just not covered. Thanks.
was told the configurations for the car that I
wanted must be ordered. I have read on this forum
if you want the ML audio, then you will get the
NAV. What I didn't realize is the AVS is also available only on special order..?? The dealer told me the car is available in only two "standard" configurations;
1. Premium Package
VSC
Heated seats
High intensity headlights
Wood wheel & shifter
Trunk mat
Wheel locks
MSRP - $36,355.00
2. Navigation/Levinson Package
Wood wheel & Shifter
Heated seats
High intensity headlights
VSC
Trunk mat
Wheel locks
Power Rear Sunshade
MSRP - $39,315.00
I think I would like to have the AVS. For anyone that has this feature, is it worth making the special order to get it?
Thanks in advance...
Jim
I have a question regarding the driving time (E/T) mode of the multi-infomational display. The owner's manual says that the driving time will be counted from 0:00 when the engine is started. On our car, it is not automatically resetting when the engine is started, but is counting from where it left off during the last drive. It can be reset when pushing the reset button, so that's not my concern.
Am wondering if this is a glitch in the computer design, or just a problem with our car. Would appreciate feedback as to what others have noticed.
Thanks...
Appreciate your feedback.
Do 2 screws hold on the bracket, and 2 more hold on the license plate to the bracket? Or is it two screws for both bracket and license plate?
It'd be cool if they had color-matched brackets for the ES like they do with the LS.
In California, plates are mailed to the car owner. As for installing a license plate, a screwdriver and 20 seconds is all it takes.
I turn the bracket upside down and install it below the bumper using a couple of toggle bolts through the lower grille. The bracket is just a little taller than the lower grille, so it's the perfect place for it.
Since the plate is now held at the two lower holes, I use the clear Lexan cover to stiffen it and at the same time protect it from flying debris. The finished installation looks very clean and the bracket can be removed without leaving any holes.
Hope you guys find this info useful.
How stable is that setup? Would a heavyweight chrome frame along with the Lexan cover be too much?
We're also looking for people who recently switched one way or the other and what they like/dislike about what they're driving now.
If you are interested in participating, please provide your city/state of residence and your daytime phone number to jfallon@edmunds.com no later than March 20, 2002.
Thanks as always,
Jeannine Fallon
PR Director
Edmunds.com
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Share your vehicle reviews
If you are installing heavy chrome frame, and if they are not very stable, you can always screw a couple of smaller sized screws on both sides of the license plate in the area that will be covered by the frame. The license plate bracket is wider than the plate.
BTW, I sent you an email a couple of days ago, but came back undeliverable, will try again today.
The dealer was willing to give me $11,000 for my 1995 ES 300 as a trade. Carmax gave me $13,000. They made the experience very easy. I drove my car there along with the estimate they had given me (it's good for seven days or 300 miles). I gave the person my title, and in 20 minutes I had my $13,000 check. My brother was nice enough to drive me home.
To trade at the dealer would have saved me about $750 in taxes, so I netted out gaining $1250 by going to Carmax.
Since I had picked up my 2002 ES 300 earlier that day, I actually owned both a 1995 and a 2002 for a few hours. I didn't want to get rid of my old one until I had the new one in hand (if something dreadful had happened to the new car at the dealer I would have been stuck with no car).
Good luck.
Also comparing ES300 to BMW 325 xi. I like the quiet ride of the es300 but like the steptronic auto-tran and looks of bmw. BMW is 33460 (base + premium pkg).
I am ready to buy but can't decide on which one. Wife wants Lexus but I want BMW - although I am afraid that after a few months I will begin to hate the loud engine of the BMW.
I'm 29 with wife and child (1 year old). Which car is a better fit for this profile?
Any help is appreciated. Thanks.
I personally prefer the Lexus over the BMW for these reasons:
1. Reliability is better with the Lexus.
2. Size; the BMW is too small for my liking (and may be a safety issue with a baby).
3. Interior is much nicer and more upscale in the Lexus.
4. Dealer service much better with Lexus (my girlfriend's father has a 2001 740iL and the dealer is awful although I realize this varies).
5. Lexus is a brand new design; the BMW is in its fourth year.
If it means anything, I'm 34 and bought my 1995 ES 300 when I was 27. Two of my friends also have ESs. The BMW is nice, don't get me wrong. I thought briefly about getting a 330i before buying my 2002. But the ES is just so much more car for the money in my opinion.