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Lexus ES 300/ES 330
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Comments
I bought a 2005 ES330 last Saturday and have 350 miles on the car so far. Averaging 21.8 mpg (combination of city and highway miles). To see the specifics of my purchase see the price paid board (I don't want to get into trouble for posting on the wrong thread).
Good luck to you and happy holidays.
How does Toyota (Lexus) manage to sell , at a premium, the ES
model. Are their big differences under the sheet metal?
What's the skinny?
I would suggest to get a pair of glasses! lol.
I think at this point if it hasn't been done, alot of fluids should definately be changed, especially brake fluid, transmission fluid, coolant. As for belts, you should have them checked before getting them changed.
Your statement "Tranny hassles or not"
is rediculous. If you purchase a car for $35,000 or more and the transmission does not work properly, you got ripped-off. Obviously, the engine and the transmission are the most important components of the vehicle. Your interior comforts are always secondary if you can't get to point B reliably.
Why is the Mark Levinson audio system only available as part of an expensive equipment package and not as a stand-alone option?
Thanks.
As I stated in my previous post my 2005 ES 330 is a superb vehicle and I have no complaints.
Also just a side note the all new Toyota Avalon is getting a new solid state electronically controlled throttle system, perhaps the ES330 drive by wire throttle system is problematic!!! The Avalon Limited edition will be nicer that the ES330 WITH A 270+ hp. engine and less $$$$$$. In my opinion don't buy the ES330 or you will regret it every time you press the accelerator. Good Luck!
I believe the "drive by wire throttle" system has an inherent design flaw as most cars built with such system invariably have hesitation problems during accelaration. For example, in the past 13 years I have owned three Maximas, and my 03 Max (the only one with drive by wire) has a slight acceleration hesitation, but definitely not as bad as that described by some of the posters here.
Although the Nissan dealer acknowledged the hesitation problem, I was told that "that is how drive by wire operates." If that is indeed true, why would a manufacturer put in a throttle system that is defective? Is this system cheaper to make and install? Any thoughts and comments?
As far as the new Avalon system you can check it out at the Toyota website. Many future Avalon customers are greatly concerned that the redesigned model will have the problematic throttle system that is used in the ES, but Toyota goes to great lengths to specifically state "all new solid state". We'll see but I would not hold my breath!!
I think the ES was a good overall car, but would be the best car for its price if Lexus/Toyota could fix this nagging transmission/throttle problem. I have never driven a car before that has so much delay "built in" to the throttle system. Every person that drove my ES commented on it. I did not tell them the problem, I just wanted to find out if I was imagining things or not. Truth be told, test drive the ES if you can live with it then buy it, the hesitation will affect people in different ways. I clearly noticed it, while others may not. Simply put, when I press the accelerator I expect the car to move, not wait 1- 1.5 seconds to decide if it wants to move. The ES is not a high performance car but should be able to handle normal driving conditions.
I had a 1999 Camry V6 XLE that was smoother and quieter than the ES330, just not as luxiourous. Test drive the ES and look for the hesitation, I'll guarantee you will notice it.
Just remember if you end up buying the ES don't think you will get your money back, Lexus won't even admit there is a problem. One day they will fix it and probably not say a word, hopefully someone on one of there boards will keep us posted. If they ever fix this problem I would but the car again, but if not then never again!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the post!
After reading through a few of these posts I realize I must have been mistaken. A 1-1.5 sec hesitation is a serious issue. So is jerking passengers around and making strange noises.
We have an 04 ES330 that does none of that. The only driveability issue occurs when getting back onto the gas after executing a "rolling stop." If you're not smooth getting back on the gas, the car will accelerate somewhat abruptly (not THAT bad though) after a very brief delay (a couple tenths of a second). Otherwise the car downshifts promptly at all speeds and never hesitates in other circumstances.
Could it be that only certain cars are affected? Could it have to do with the system "maladapting" to different drivers?
and the same "defective" transmission thread
is going strong there as well.
Thanks,
MidCow
Thanks.
At the next stop I stepped harder on the accel. The car had a shorter delay then lurched forward strongly and jerkily. The jerky motion can be very annoying if you do it every few minutes in stop and go traffic. The GS300 and IS300 are OTH a lot smoother.
During the delay, the throttle was not revved up, so I tend to believe the problem was the electronic throttle control, not the auto transmission. Strangely, the 05 Camry has the same electronic throttle but I never found the delay, nor I have heard any complaint.
This unpredictable 1-2 sec delay in acceleration from a stop can be dangerous when one try to merge into fast-moving freeway traffic.
Date Posted
07/10/2004 acceleration very poor by seawolf
Style: 4dr Sedan (3.3L 6cyl 5A) Rating 6.6
Review: The new and "improved" computer controlled throttle is dangerous. The vehicle hesitates for one to two seconds whenever the accelerator is pressed; generally, when you need to move out or over, there is no pick up at all. Even the Lexus mechanics told me they would not drive it.
Suggested Improvements: recall it
just wondering who would want to drive it if "the Lexus mechanics told me(owner) they would not drive it."
Camry Problem and solution on post #2809
#2809 of 2810 Re: 2005 SE V6 problems [commish1] by ski Jan 05, 2005 (8:23 pm)
Reply
I have the same exact problem on my 05 V6 LE that I bought in late Sept. Noticed the problem with in a day or two, wish I would've noticed it on the test drive. Lived with it for about 1500 mi, then took it in. Was told same thing as you except to give it a while longer to "learn my driving habits." Well, it must be a slow learner, took it back in yesterday with 3400 mi, started to get the same answer, pressed them, and was introduced to the head technician, who had driven my car, noticed the same thing I was and gave me same electronic throttle/computer explanation - "normal for the 05 V6, within limits." What!? I pulled out a print out from this forum with all of the similiar complaints, and some solutions. Unfortunately, non of the solutions applied to an 05 V6 5SPD Auto which I'm guessing must be different in some way from previous years. Anyway, my frusteration started to show and the head tech broke down and said "ok, look, you're not the only one, I must give this explanation 6 times a day - I've entered this problem in the computer so many times, way over the threshold for Toyota to start working on a solution. I'm sure they're working on it and should have a TIS or TSP (I think) out within a few months. I seen similiar stuff with other first year models/technologies and Toyota will come out with a fix." Don't know what to say, can't stand driving this car, but like it other than the hesitations. I too thought I'd own this car for a long time but spend a lot of time thinking about what I could get to replace it. Will be patient for a time, but it's running out.
Ski
Toyota camry on post #7337
#7337 of 7436 Downshift, baby! by slimwolf77 Dec 06, 2004 (1:14 pm)
Reply
As others have noted in earlier post, the new 5speed auto Camry(4cyl) can leave one wanting in certain situations. It can take a full 1.5-3 seconds for the transmission to automatically drop two gears when you hit the floor. This could lead to a potential [non-permissible content removed] ramming if you attempt a lane change at the wrong moment. The tranny is clearly programmed for economy driving. Not that I have a problem with that but...
The solution to this, of course, is to shift manually down to third. Depending on the speed you are traveling, this can still take some time, but it will be noticeably quicker. This is all assuming you've planned your acceleration burst ahead of time.
So what's my point? I guess it's that the whole slow shift thing isn't big deal on a 20K economy minded sedan. Especially if you're a smart driver. Check six.
I complained to the dealer and was advised to "drive the car harder" which sounded pretty silly to me. According to the dealer it could take up to 3000 miles for the computerized transmission to "learn" your driving patterns.
I did drive the car harder by accelerating somewhat harder from stops, etc. Amazingly after about 1000 miles the hesitation problems vanished and the car drives perfectly well.
As to the recall notice for the passenger side seatbelt buckle switch...I did receive it in the mail today but it doesn't sound like being of great urgency unless you use the front passenger seat to hold a child safety seat.
I read on here somewhere that you can go to a toyota dealer and get a cabin air filter cheaPER. I was wondering since the ES300 is based on the Camry, do I just ask for a cabin air filter for a same year Camry?
============================
It is part # 87139-YZZ03, and you can get it from either a Toyota or Lexus dealer (same part #). Whether you get it at a Toyota or Lexus dealer, it comes in the same, red Toyota box. My local Lexus dealer charges over list price for parts.
How many miles do you have now? Are you confident the problem won't return?
While I have no way of assuring that the problem won't return, it hasn't been an issue in almost 4000 miles of local/highway driving so I see no reason for it to reoccur again. At least I certainly hope it doesn't become an issue.
Other than the initial hesitation issue the car has been totally trouble free.
"Engine Hesitation (All makes/models)" #21, 6 Jan 2005 5:59 pm
Because the Lexus and Toyota lines are essentially one and the same, I thought this new discussion would be of interest to some on this board.
Toyota unveiled the new Avalon at the Detroit Auto Show today and I believe it goes on sale sometime next month. It has a 3.5 litre V6 with 280 horsepower and 260+ pounds of torque.
I was all set to trade my Camry XLE in on a new ES330 (which I LOVE) but now will have to wait and drive the Avalon for comparison ! Does anyone think that Lexus will have to go to the 3.5 engine for 2006 model year (or before) to stay in a competitive power range with Avalon, Acura TL, Infiniti G35 ... etc?
Thanks for your response. I was afraid that was going to be the answer. Oh well, I can judge the speed from the tach or turn on my Garmin 2610 GPS.
Thanks,
MidCow
I'm not sure why Toyota doesn't see it that way with the Avalon.....
The repeated pattern has been a 5-year cycle consisting of powertrain changes in the 3rd year and a minor style refresh in the 4th year.
Thanks.