FrankReynoldsCPA

I've just never been a fan at all of the Toyota/Lexus interior design language of the 90's and 2000's.

SW17LS

Yeah, it was not pretty lol, but its a great car.

This was an issue in the 3ES, but the engine was improved when it went to the 4ES, you don't see sludging problems with these. Case in point that one probably hadn't had the oil changed in 3-4 YEARS, and its fine.

This is very true.

SW17LS

Those were the best interior years lol. Quality of these interiors is on another level from the newer ones. My 03 ES has not one squeak or rattle on the interior. The sub is blown I noticed, so I turned the bass all the way down and it sounds fine lol, my mom only listens to NPR.

FrankReynoldsCPA

I'm not really speaking to the quality, I just don't find the design appealing at all. Always felt like it belonged to somebody 40 years older than me.

SW17LS

Well, that’s who it was designed for lol

The target buyer is 65.

AJT123

Lol I bought my LS430 a few days after I turned 30.

Re: ES330 sure it may need some TLC, but even without it would still run forever pretty much I would wager.

Freshen everything up, the suspension, etc. that's a hell of a good used car to give to a child, for example.

The interior looks perfectly nice. The interiors were so nice on those, the door leather stitching armrests for example... My LS430 doesn't have that even, you have to get the leather upgrade for nice stitching.

SW17LS

I bought that car new when I was 22!

Toys4RJill

look at some of the competitors at the time. And you wonder why Ford and GM aren’t worth the premium. Even today!!

SW17LS

Oh at the time it was an incredibly nice interior. That’s why I chose it. It felt several steps above anything else for the money.

Toys4RJill

That Gen also had adaptive variable suspension. I would have to look up if it was a hydraulic system

Really was astonishing that Cadillac had no FWD competitor for it

SW17LS

It was just adjustable dampers, not hydraulic or air suspension. Mine doesnt have it and it was really rare.

Toys4RJill

You better know your stuff lol. Yeah, that would incredibly rare

@SW17LS Any mechanical engine repairs?

FrankReynoldsCPA

These pictures are even blurry to simulate looking at them through 65 year old eyes.

patgilm

I agree 100%, it was by far the ugliest ES of all the generations IMO even though it was built well.

SW17LS

No, it’s had a couple alternators, a starter, I replaced the dogbone engine mount (mount on the front of a transverse engine. Timing belt was done at 90k miles but that was a long time ago (2007 maybe?), I was driving 20-25k miles a year back then working really hard showing houses all the time. I replaced the lower control arms in the suspension and I replaced a CV axle a couple years ago, really that’s it outside of brakes and tires and all. Doesn’t have to be emissions tested anymore because my mom is over 70.

It does have a minor rear main seal leak.

My 2010 ES350 was a much better looking car, but not nearly as nice or well made a car, although it was a solid car too. The leather alone though was a huge difference.