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Lexus ES 300/ES 330
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I paid $1.799 / gal.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
I think the idea would be more that it would make the ES more competitive in acceleration with its competitors, rather than that it would be dramatically faster than previous model years. If you drove a 2003 and 2004 back to back, you'd notice the increase, but it probably wouldn't be a major difference. The key is to make sure that the 2004 model doesn't feel too noticeably slower than 2004 325is, Acura TLs, and Audi A4s.
I thought: if silver is a popular color
=> Dealer should have a lot of silver on stock
=> supply and demand are balance
=> price for silver should be the same (or may be even cheaper) as other colors
Does dealer explain really make sense ????
I'm planning to get Silver with black leather...
What color combine do you think is the best ?
By the way, my ES is also silver w/black interior. I especially love the black interior - I thinks it looks so much better than ivory or gray.
that is what they said
=> (indirectly) asking more for silver color
lenscap: What year you have ? how is your ES ?... any problem with transmission ? ... thanks..
And no, I have not had any of the transmission issues that some people seem to have.
texas83 went through the entire gamut of trying to get retribution through the Texas Lemon Law. He really raised hell with all the legal force at his disposal. I believe he was offered a similar deal to your own. Oh, yes, I recall that Lexus offered him a trade on another new Lexus ES300 for the amount of his loan remaining.
I responded by saying that I did not know what good that would do, since a new Lexus ES300 would likely have the same problem.
If I were you, I would be curious to correspond with him. The posts still exist on this site, although I do not know exactly in what time frame they occurred. I believe his posts occurred around March 5, on pages 179-180, around msg 3560.
A couple of posters said that their dealers told them that a fix was due in July, but we have heard similar stories before.
Someone recommended that texas83 wait for the '04 ES330.
As a caution - don't wait too long if you want a Camry. I understand that Camry may be going to a 5 speed transmission.
Good luck.
~alpha
When I called customer service last week, they told me the same thing - a fix is due in July. Don't hold your breath. This is BS because if that was the official company line, then all dealerships will tell us the same thing. So far my dealership says Lexus told them they can't fix it because "that's how it's supposed to drive." Huh?! Do they mean to say that a 35K lux car is supposed to drive worse than a 15K corolla?!
The rep also told me that this is a known issue in 02 models but not in 03, which I think is another load of BS since they share the same transmission software.
I've always believed that the issue is beyond a software fix and that Lexus just can't afford to recall all the defective cars so they just offer rebates to appease the owner.
What will be the features
thanks
Looking for a little help if possible. From where I live on LI I am about the same distance from 3 Lexus dealers. They are in Glen Cove,Smithtown, and Massapequa. Was looking for any pros or cons on which one I should buy from or not buy from as the case may be. Thanks in advance for your help it is appreciated.
Don't be bashful about playing 1 dealership against the others during the negotiation phase. When our Rallye salesman insisted that he couldn't drop the price any further, we stood up, thanked him for his time & said that we were late for a lunch date with old friends in Massapequa. 15 minutes later, we had a deal.
..Thanks again
try to lower your anxiety level and relax and enjoy your car. you own the best-built, smoothest, most-reliable vehicle brand ever built.
TSB #BR2007 - Replace front rotors, pads, shims
Work hours: 0.7
Parts:
08887-80609 Disk brake caliper
04002-17133 Repair kit, pad and disc
Description: Warped rotors/needs update/performed brake update per TSB
The reason for this problem as the service guys says, is the material of the brake rotors was not matched well with the rest of the braking components on the car, causing overheating and warping.
Another great job by Hendrick Lexus - btw, owned by the same guy who owns the NASCAR team with Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Terry Labonte, and Joe Nemechek. I'm driving a perfect car again! This has been only the second problem I've had in a Toyota product in 11 years of ownership. Quite the different experience from the ten problems with my previously-owned-for-five-months car, a '02 Jaguar X-Type. And the local Lexus dealership here is worlds better than the Jag dealership.
The loaner car they gave me (12K miles) had the same problem with the brake vibration, only worse. They said they would fix it when they got the time. Also on the loaner were the Toyo Proxes tires - and they exhibited the very loud road noise that has also been mentioned here. The service dept. guy said that was also a known problem, and that the ES 300 will no longer be coming with the Toyo tires very soon. He also said that they take care of the problem if an owner complains, and that it should be taken care of as soon as it's noticed as it only gets worse. My car has the Toyo tires, but I do not have that problem. The service guy says that's because the loaner is probably driven harder than I drive my car.
Some would argue against your claim of "best-built." For example, consumer reports has a number of 2002 cars in the same class ahead of the 2002 ES300 in terms of reliability including the Acura TL and Infiniti I35.
Plus, I think that my question is not based on anxiety, just fact finding. For example, the Honda Odyssey has a transmisson that in some cases is known to fail prematurly (and is a five speed).
Thank you
jerry
Overall, the Honda/Acura and Toyota/Lexus cars are still near the top, if not the top, in terms of quality and reliability. Comparing them on quality is like splitting hairs.
Just take a look at all the problems with cars like the Jaguar X-Type, Audi/VW and BMW 7 Series and you'll see they don't compare to Lexus.
A call to Lexus of Pembroke Pines (FL) has me with an appointment on Monday to change the tires. No problem, no discussion.
The car otherwise has been a pleasure to own and drive and I would definitely recommend the dealer.
What is the best way to fix this ?
My Lexus on the other hand in addition to the transmission problems, has had the rotors replaced at 12k miles and the steering wheel recalled. It also appeears to have a design flaw with respect to the sunroof; when I travel on the highway, the wind noise is unbearable. It now has 15k miles.
It doesn't surprise me at all that the Acura TL is ahead of the ES300. But I agree that they are pretty close in reliability according to cr. Though, when I purchased the Lexus, I expected it to be number one. And definitely did not expect it to below the Infiniti(Nissan.)
I expect a lot from a car when the "Pursuit is Perfection." That is why I paid the higher price. I did not expect it to stumble and shudder.
Ususally when the car (02 es300) starts, sometimes the smell last hours. Especially when you turn the heat on in a cold morning.
It does not happen everyday. I read these lexus forum, it seems this problem happen with several lexus model.
I went to 15k miles service, which cost me $255, and I asked the service manager. He told me the manufacture is aware of this problem, but has no solution. He suggest me use the best gasoline, which I already do (I use Shell 93 all the time).
Not happy about this.
But my next car mostlikely will still be a lexus.
What services were performed at the 15K service that added up to $255.00?
I read the Camry site and many owners are very frustated with this design because it shouldn't happen on Toyota/Lexus cars. I've also noticed that Corollas(95-02) also have this design flaw, but it seems Toyota has fixed this problem on the new Corolla(03).
Because the ES300 shares the same platform with the Camry and some owners said their tailpipes scraped the driveways and the speedbumps and it seems the tailpipes are driving them crazy, so does anyone experience that the tailpipe of the ES300 scrapes the ground, speed bump or steep driveway?
I am planning to get a new car and ES300 is on top of my list and I am really concerned about this flaw because it shouldn't happen on a $30+ grand car.
If it's the same as for my 98 ES300, you just slide the interior plastic housing forward and access then is easy.
Now, does anyone know how you gain access to the front directional signal lamp?
I honestly don't know what you're referring to, and know for a fact that there is no design flaw with regard to this. Therefore nothing needs to be fixed. Cars such as Corvettes and Porsches have pipes much closer to he ground.
If you plan on getting an ES 300 I would not let this stop your purchase.
Agree... the exhaust pipe is hanging little low (but not as low as the Camry)...
I looked from the back of my car... The lowest point is at the position underneath the back seat... I think it has at about (at least) 6 inches...
I think 6 inches.. is more than enough for any ordinary driveway or speedbums right ?
Even enough for you to climb over the sidewalk curb.. :-)
Why don't you go to a Lexus dealer... and take a real look at ES300
I was wondering if maintenance costs on the Lexus are significantly higher than on the Toyotas. (A) is that true? (B) Does the warranty stay intact, if you service your Lexus at a Toyota dealership that may have lower service costs.
Although the Lexus is $7000 or more than a fully loaded Camry, I like the interior and exterior on the ES300 so much more than on the Camry, that I am still considering the extra dollars. That's not a complaint about the Camry, just my view.
If anyone can shed some insight on Lexus service costs, please do.
Here in North Co. San Diego, the Lexus Dealer charges roughly double for a 30K service or a front end brake job (my most recent services that I did comparision shopping on) on an ES300 than the Toyota dealer down the street does for a Camery. However, unlike some Toyota dealers, this one will not service my Lexus.
The independent mechanic I use charges the prices more or less in line with the Toyota dealer to work on my Lexus. ..... but my mechanic doesn't have loaners and doesn't wash the car.
Does Lexus recognize service done by independents or Toyota dealers if you have warranty problems. Let's say all of your oil changes were done at Bob's garage and the engine goes bad. Does Lexus still warrant the engine under those circumstances?
Thanks again.
It also depends on how long you keep your car-if you trade at, say 50 kmiles, maybe there is almost no major maintenance that you would have to do, so it would be a moot point.
On a previous ES I had there was a problem (The dealer ended up buying the car back as after 7 times for the same repair I told them I did not want the car) and where I had service was never a question.
The Avalon is larger inside; if you frequently need to transport more than two adults and is a nice car as well.
I just purchased a 2003 ES model and really like the vehicle-much nicer than the 2000 I was driving.
Hope this helps.
I just test drove a 2003 fully loaded ES 300 and fell in love immediately. But, I heard from a BMW dealership that scheduled maintenance on the ES 300 is quite expensive. Can anyone give me approx figures?
But if you only keep a car as long as the factory waranty before trading it in, this might not matter to you.
13.4 gallons for 299 miles = (just) 22.31 mpg
80% highway at 60-70 mph
20% local at 25-40 mph
car idling at minimum
conservative driving style (no unnecessary brake or accelerate)
I hope... mpg will getting better.. after break-in period.
How is your mpg ?