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Lexus ES 300/ES 330
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Comments
welcome to the lexus experience.
I know exactly what you mean about driving the
ES; owning it is even better. you know you
haven't spent a fortune on it but it pampers you
like you have spent a fortune to feel this way.
I look forward to driving it home from work every
day and look for excuses to take it on long trips
because it's a world class cruiser on the highway--very relaxing.
many people have made the switch from American
to Japanese cars. but I think American cars are
getting better. however they all should get
lessons from lexus on customer service. even
toyota customer service is not as good as lexus.
go figure???
I'll check into it thanks. Phantom does offer a 30 day money back guarantee. Also a good friend of mine is a cop. I'll see if he'd be willing to test one day.
ripinrocket,
That sounds pretty fast. I don't know if I'll ever get up to that but was just curious. Gas mileage must not be very good at 140. Whats been the avg mi per gal at normal city and hwy speeds?
ved3,
Yes the Lexus experience is everything I've always heard. Excellent. Too bad other dealerships don't follow their lead. After all it is all about customer service. I mean people can just buy on-line and never visit a dealership in this day and age. And frankly why would you the way most of them treat you. To me next to getting a good deal on a car, customer service is the next most important thing.
Mileage is around 75,000--and the guy said the AC has already been worked on.
I don't think regular unleaded would damage your
ES. its performance is much better I think with
premium unleaded. I've always used premium but
with the prices ridiculously high these days, I've
started to use regular or unleaded-plus I think
until prices go down.
lm0511,
As long as it's a lexus, there's a good chance
that the car you're considering is still in good
condition. however, I would have it inspected by
an independent mechanic, somebody you think is
honest. used cars should always be closely checked
si88,
I wouldn't go over 100 unless you're at a long
straight highway by yourself and not on a twisty
road. the fastest I've ever gone is close to 90.
the ES of course is just as quiet at 90 as at
50. most other cars' engine roar when you max the
accelerator. I think the miles/gal is most
efficient at around 65. beyond that you lose a lot
of gas.
It is terrific....standard Lexus stereo is tip-top...not a hint of a rattle, anywhere....quality feel top to bottom....and plenty fun to drive. I love it!
jump too.
I think lexus continued success will gradually
force other luxury car makers to adopt the
lexus "#1 policy is to make and keep our customers happy" business model. the result of
course is that we consumers will benefit from
their constant drive to improve customer services.
imagine taking any car in for service and can
expect it washed, wax, and ready for you next
day. you get a free loaner if needed or a free
shuttle service to/from dealer center. it could
make the local car wash-o-matic obselete. you
don't have to do much to care for your car. of
course the catch is to always take your car in
to the dealer for regular maintenance.
now stop dreaming!!
But just for kicks I may try a tank or two of plus or premium to see if I notice any slight performance or gas mileage difference. Any advice from anyone on whether it would be better to try that kind of an experiment with in-town vs. highway driving?
Al--
But the Brevis looks so much like a scaled down LS 430. This is the first time I can recall Toyota making two cars look so similar. It makes me second-guess myself and think maybe this is the new ES. I still doubt it, but you never know.
The interior is beautiful as well.
By the way, the direct link to the site is:
http://www.toyota.co.jp
ved3: While you can use regular gas in an ES, it is not recommended to use premium and then switch. The engine has a "memory" and once it gets used to the premium may not be as smooth and efficient with the regular. By the way, the difference between premium and regular is only about 20¢, not a whole lot.
Check out the Progress (2nd new veicle listed in the center column) on the web site that Lenscap gave us. Could the Japanese "Progress" be our new beloved 2002 ES300? I sure hope so.
Sorry, NOT what I would buy. When we FINALLY see what the new ES looks like, I may have to run down to get a 2001 before they're all gone. So far, nothing I have seen as "potentials" does anything for me.
The ES300 is called the windom is Japan, and it will continue to be called the Windom. So, until you see picks of the upcoming Windom, you will not see what the 2002 ES300 will look like.
http://auto.ascii24.com/auto24/e/2001/0604/e08npr_kt0604_02.html
engine memory. didn't know that. is it a computer
memory or just the metal pipes adapting?
guess I'm stuck to using premium forever then.
I've tried to use regular but keep pressing for
premium due to force of habit. the average
difference is about 20 cents.
Al,
I do notice a little improvement in acceleration
and fuel efficiency. highway is best to test this.
the brevis is elegant. nice interior but ripinrocket is probably right. until we see some
new windom pics, it's probably not the 2002 es.
I just wish they would make an English version
for us American snoops.
s_three,
you may find a fully functional stereo cd unit
in a salvage lexus. I think it's Astra Motors.
not sure. go to www.yahoo.com and type search
for salvage lexus or Astra ...these people sell
damaged lexus, other cars at low prices.
armstrjm,
try carsdirect.com or other guys here may know.
wschee,
I couldn't get anything out of the link you
provided.
thanks everybody for sharing your info
about the brevis, if brevis is just a concept
name, then they can officially call it windom
later. but why would they change the windom name
since they've kept same names for other lexus
model japanese counterparts? although the brevis
looks like the LS, GS, and a Buick all rolled
into one. still don't know.........
Also, does anyone know the best way to remove fine scratches from the interior wood trim?
http://www.hwysafety.org/vehicle_ratings/ce/html/96028.htm
The results are quite good but I wonder if the performance of the '97 Camry can be extended the 2001 ES300.
My two biggest concerns are the integrity of the footwell on the driver's side during a frontal offset collision and the performance of the headrest during a rear end collison. NHTSA has done a side impact test of the ES300, but I can't find any frontal impact testing.
Does anyone know of another site that has tested the ES300?
1)I would appreciate it if anyone can tell me the benefit(I) of the Coach Edition. I know what it has, but am curious what's so special. A sub-question would be: What if you spill on a seat--will it be hard to clean because of the perforations?
2) I drive almost 30 miles each way everyday to work. I think I should get an extended warranty. Does Lexus itself offer one, or is it a private company that offers the warranties? What should I pay?
3) P.. Is there anything else they'll try to inflate the price with (besides mats, net and wheel lock?) I don't want any surprises!
Thanks in advance for any help! I've been really enjoying reading everyone's comments.
You needed Japanese language pack to see the page, which I did not know until you mentioned the problem. The following is the article
you can see from the link I posted.
Toyota launches another small Lexus
[June 4, 2001]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Toyota has just unveiled its all-new Brevis, a medium-sized, front-engine rear-drive sedan. Targeted at people who live an active lifestyle, the Brevis does not follow the accepted luxury car traits of stateliness, tradition.
Toyota in stead refer to the Brevis as a "premium sedan"positioned below Toyota's luxury lineup including the Celsior and Crown. Measuring in at 4550mm x 1720mm x 1460mm, and just shorter than the Crown, the Brevis's merits lie in its size and price.
While Toyota's current small luxury sedan, the Progres, appeals to couples in their 50's and 60's, the Brevis will be aimed at those in the 30's and 40's.
The lineup consists of the Ai250 (front-drive 2.5 litre straight-six 5-speed auto), the Ai250Four (4WD, 2.5 litre, straight-six, 4-speed auto) and the Ai300 (rear-drive, 3.0 litre, straight-six, 5-speed auto).
Prices range from 3.37 million through to 3.77 million yen. Toyota has a monthly sales target of 2500 units, none of which are targeted for the overseas market, for the moment at least.
Story = Key Takaghi
Translation = Peter Lyon
So, the current ES300 design is about 10 years old and the 2002 should finally be totally new and should be pretty dramatically improved.
That said, buying a nicely-loaded new 2001 for about $30K or some very low, manufacturer-subsidized lease payment is still tempting.
I hope that the 2001s are still available for a few weeks after the 2002s hit the dealers, so I can drive them both back to back and decide if the new design will be worth the price premium.
I not worrying about it since I am still not sure if an ES300 is what I'm going to get. I probably will not decide until I see and drive a 2002 and see the new pricing.
A Lexus 4-Runner does not meet the needs of any Lexus target. You may want such a vehicle but it seems few others would.
All Lexuses are not based on other Toyotas. The LS, GS, SC and IS are their own platforms. They are all rear wheel drive and there are no RWD Toyotas (except the MR2 I think). The LX is of course based on the Land Cruiser and the RX a distant offshoot of the Camry (while the ES is based solely on the Camry).
Thanks.
Larry
Thanks,
Rolloman
Anyway, does the back seat fold down on the ES300???
Anyone???
Larry
Larry
could that pic be of the new Camry? we can't
validate it. Until I see the official pic from
Lexus, I'm keeping an open mind. Although it
does appear that Lexus will not provide the
2002 ES with a more powerful engine. Very
disappointing. But I am looking forward to
seeing its all new more luxurious interior
because it's reasonable to assume that it will
be similar to the new LS430 in terms of providing
some technological marvels of sophistication
with amenities.
tclemons,
most of us lexus owners are spoiled not only
with our cars but also with the dealers
services. although I'm confused. Your wife's
car is a 98 yet it has less than 30K miles on
it? and even though lexus' priority is to
keep their customers happy, they're not
pushovers. It's still a business. It's just
that they conduct their business better than
anybody else in the industry. Consumers are
getting smarter and more economical. Lexus
knows this so they use it to their advantage.
So I think they will continue gradually to
increase their market share. Other companies
not willing to adapt to the changes will fade
away. Consumers rule will apply!
that's just my thought.
take care everybody.