Old vs new -- 20 years
02-01-21, 01:29 PM
#46
ID go a different direction altogether and buy an Avalon in your price range. Better ride than the camry and more robust than an ES ITs a plain jane vanilla car, plain bob for those to whom it matters, In your price range if you can find a Lexus IS350 or even GS youll have a winner. As reliable as a corolla and as fun to drive. Easier to work on that an ES or Avalon as they don't have the transverse engine so maintenance is often less expensive as its easy to access the engine and its parts. Many in our family have been inexactly the same boat as you and have replaced their older cars with newer older Avalons, GS's and IS's and to date all have been extremely happy. I only mention this as it opens up your options of finding a good used car, as you want to find one that has really been well taken care of mechanically if you want it to last another 300,000 miles without issue. Some of the nicest used cars with perfect bodies and clean interiors are some of the most mechanically unsound cars on the road, and vica versa. Whatever car you buy ensure a mechanic really looks it over and runs live data on it to ensure you are getting a good sound car. GLW your search.
02-01-21, 06:57 PM
#47
Pole Position
I'm not really sure where to put this, but here's the situation. I have a '99 Camry with almost 300,000 miles and I would like an upgrade. Leaks tons of oil and there are some other problems. I want something extremely quiet, very smooth where you don't feel bumps, and a car with great build quality. Plenty of space would be great as well.
Naturally that would fit the LS models to a T. I don't want overboard tech in my car. No screens. That leaves the LS 400 and 430's. I don't have any 400's of any year to look at in my area. I would only want the 98-00 models since they have the extra gear and quite a bit more power and VSC. The nearest one is over 1,500 miles away from me. I'm taking people's words for it that they fit everything I would want in a car.
What is maintenance like in them as well as the 430's? Some say they have to replace control arms, starters, suspension parts, etc in their LS's whereas others don't. I want my car to last 500,000 miles but I don't like the idea of replacing parts and spending thousands.
I was also fond of the ES 330's. Drove one and it was very nice. Noticeably nicer than the 05 Camry I had for 10 years, so I would almost feel at home with a 330. Plus those are infinitely more common in my area to pick up a clean one.
If you were in my situation, what would you do? I was thinking of flying to somewhere in this country to pick up a 98-00 LS but I think the big thing keeping me is unknown maintenance/repairs. My Camry of 10 years didn't need anything done, just oil changes and a couple sets of brakes. Could have used a 2nd change of tires, because that's why I don't have the car anymore. Wrecked in the snow and it turned out the tires were bald.
Naturally that would fit the LS models to a T. I don't want overboard tech in my car. No screens. That leaves the LS 400 and 430's. I don't have any 400's of any year to look at in my area. I would only want the 98-00 models since they have the extra gear and quite a bit more power and VSC. The nearest one is over 1,500 miles away from me. I'm taking people's words for it that they fit everything I would want in a car.
What is maintenance like in them as well as the 430's? Some say they have to replace control arms, starters, suspension parts, etc in their LS's whereas others don't. I want my car to last 500,000 miles but I don't like the idea of replacing parts and spending thousands.
I was also fond of the ES 330's. Drove one and it was very nice. Noticeably nicer than the 05 Camry I had for 10 years, so I would almost feel at home with a 330. Plus those are infinitely more common in my area to pick up a clean one.
If you were in my situation, what would you do? I was thinking of flying to somewhere in this country to pick up a 98-00 LS but I think the big thing keeping me is unknown maintenance/repairs. My Camry of 10 years didn't need anything done, just oil changes and a couple sets of brakes. Could have used a 2nd change of tires, because that's why I don't have the car anymore. Wrecked in the snow and it turned out the tires were bald.
02-02-21, 05:27 AM
#48
Pole Position
Based on skimming through this thread, my recommendation would be to find a car that's $6k OTD and keep $1,500 in the bank for repairs. You're asking a lot for a 20+ year old car to go to 500k miles and not expect some maintenance. Lexus will be more expensive than Toyota for repairs - both in parts and labor. Personally, I'd get a 98-00 LS400 but sounds like you're leaning towards the ES.
02-03-21, 11:39 AM
#49
ES from 2006 (I also find it super ugly, but man, is comfy and rides almost like a Benz) . Or like someone said, an Avalon! Great car for the money. Camrys are great cars but way overpriced! Same thing happens with the Highlander- I was considering one, but for much less money I got a Lexus RX that is much better looking and refined (still not as refined as I like).
02-04-21, 10:13 PM
#50
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Just did what you are contemplating....
I'm not really sure where to put this, but here's the situation. I have a '99 Camry with almost 300,000 miles and I would like an upgrade. Leaks tons of oil and there are some other problems. I want something extremely quiet, very smooth where you don't feel bumps, and a car with great build quality. Plenty of space would be great as well.
Naturally that would fit the LS models to a T. I don't want overboard tech in my car. No screens. That leaves the LS 400 and 430's. I don't have any 400's of any year to look at in my area. I would only want the 98-00 models since they have the extra gear and quite a bit more power and VSC. The nearest one is over 1,500 miles away from me. I'm taking people's words for it that they fit everything I would want in a car.
What is maintenance like in them as well as the 430's? Some say they have to replace control arms, starters, suspension parts, etc in their LS's whereas others don't. I want my car to last 500,000 miles but I don't like the idea of replacing parts and spending thousands.
I was also fond of the ES 330's. Drove one and it was very nice. Noticeably nicer than the 05 Camry I had for 10 years, so I would almost feel at home with a 330. Plus those are infinitely more common in my area to pick up a clean one.
If you were in my situation, what would you do? I was thinking of flying to somewhere in this country to pick up a 98-00 LS but I think the big thing keeping me is unknown maintenance/repairs. My Camry of 10 years didn't need anything done, just oil changes and a couple sets of brakes. Could have used a 2nd change of tires, because that's why I don't have the car anymore. Wrecked in the snow and it turned out the tires were bald.
Naturally that would fit the LS models to a T. I don't want overboard tech in my car. No screens. That leaves the LS 400 and 430's. I don't have any 400's of any year to look at in my area. I would only want the 98-00 models since they have the extra gear and quite a bit more power and VSC. The nearest one is over 1,500 miles away from me. I'm taking people's words for it that they fit everything I would want in a car.
What is maintenance like in them as well as the 430's? Some say they have to replace control arms, starters, suspension parts, etc in their LS's whereas others don't. I want my car to last 500,000 miles but I don't like the idea of replacing parts and spending thousands.
I was also fond of the ES 330's. Drove one and it was very nice. Noticeably nicer than the 05 Camry I had for 10 years, so I would almost feel at home with a 330. Plus those are infinitely more common in my area to pick up a clean one.
If you were in my situation, what would you do? I was thinking of flying to somewhere in this country to pick up a 98-00 LS but I think the big thing keeping me is unknown maintenance/repairs. My Camry of 10 years didn't need anything done, just oil changes and a couple sets of brakes. Could have used a 2nd change of tires, because that's why I don't have the car anymore. Wrecked in the snow and it turned out the tires were bald.
I had purchased a '93 Camry with about 3000 miles (yes, that is correct - 3000) in 2000. This past summer, I decided it was time to invest in a new car. My '93 had over 340K miles and, yes, it leaked oil, which is the reason I really needed to upgrade. Anyway, I found a 2016 ES300h for a good price with slightly more than 30K miles. What a difference. The model was highly rated, in all areas, so I went for it. Good luck with your search!
02-05-21, 08:52 AM
#51
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
Welcome to the club...
I had purchased a '93 Camry with about 3000 miles (yes, that is correct - 3000) in 2000. This past summer, I decided it was time to invest in a new car. My '93 had over 340K miles and, yes, it leaked oil, which is the reason I really needed to upgrade. Anyway, I found a 2016 ES300h for a good price with slightly more than 30K miles. What a difference. The model was highly rated, in all areas, so I went for it. Good luck with your search!
I had purchased a '93 Camry with about 3000 miles (yes, that is correct - 3000) in 2000. This past summer, I decided it was time to invest in a new car. My '93 had over 340K miles and, yes, it leaked oil, which is the reason I really needed to upgrade. Anyway, I found a 2016 ES300h for a good price with slightly more than 30K miles. What a difference. The model was highly rated, in all areas, so I went for it. Good luck with your search!
sure you saved a lot of money but continuing to drive an antique (25+ yr old) car, but...
congrats on the ES300h... yes, must be night and day over the '93 camry.
02-05-21, 09:21 AM
#52
Lexus Champion
The 93 generation camry was the finest quality camry ever made. They will never make them like that again.
02-05-21, 09:28 AM
#53
Lexus Fanatic
02-05-21, 09:31 AM
#54
Lexus Champion
02-06-21, 11:52 AM
#55
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
02-06-21, 12:00 PM
#56
Lexus Fanatic
Tesla is irrelevant in my comparison since both cars burn PETROL.
02-06-21, 12:59 PM
#57
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
02-06-21, 01:20 PM
#58
Lexus Test Driver
My dad had a 93 Camry. There is nothing about that car that is better than a current gen. Lol. It rattled like any other car after 5 years. We also had a 96 Maxima which was a far better vehicle.
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