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difference gen1 and gen3 ES300

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Old 07-11-04, 12:00 PM
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mikhailw
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Default difference gen1 and gen3 ES300

The ES300 1997-2000 have wheelbase 3 inch longer then previous 1992-1996 models. Body looks identical for all those years(except trunk lid). Does anybody know what has changed to add 3 extra inches?
Old 07-11-04, 12:36 PM
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SecPole14
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First of all, there is no such thing as "Generations" of the ES300. There are "Generations" of the ES. "Generations" are defined by chassis/body style, not engine.

1st Gen. ES: ES250, 1990-1991
2nd Gen. ES: ES300, 1992-1996
3rd Gen. ES: ES300, 1997-2001
4th Gen. ES: ES300/330, 2002-????

The ES series has always been based on the respective V6 Camry chassis/engine of the particular period.

The ES250 came at the tail end of the 1987-1991 Camry. The Camry/ES was then totally redesigned for the '92 model year and stayed around until an extensive chassis/body style update was put in place for the '97 model year. Many people think the '97-'01 Camry/ES was a total redesign, but it was not. Finally, the Camry/ES was completely redesigned for the '02 (the first totally new Camry/ES in nearly a decade) model year and is the current model.

But the 'short' answer to your question is this: There was an extensive chassis/body update in the move from the '92-'96 ES to the '97-'01 ES. These Generations share very little resemblence, and absolutely no body panels. It would be difficult to get them mixed up.

The 1st Gen. and 2nd Gen. ES were geared more toward being sporty FWD cars, with manual transmissions being avaliable, etc. Lexus defined them as "sports sedans." By the time the 3rd Gen ES came around, it was destined to be luxury only, no sport. A manual transmission was no longer avaliable, although the '97-'01 Camry curiously had a manual transmission avaliable with the V6.

A longer wheelbase was added in the update for '97 to make the ride better and more luxurious.

Hope that cleared things up.
Old 07-11-04, 10:12 PM
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MRLEXUS
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well it helped me

Last edited by MRLEXUS; 07-11-04 at 11:20 PM.
Old 07-11-04, 10:33 PM
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juan01
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Great explanation.
Old 07-12-04, 12:36 AM
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Talking kool

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Old 07-12-04, 12:38 AM
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flipside909
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Originally posted by wantAnewLex
First of all, there is no such thing as "Generations" of the ES300. There are "Generations" of the ES. "Generations" are defined by chassis/body style, not engine.

A longer wheelbase was added in the update for '97 to make the ride better and more luxurious.

Hope that cleared things up.
Whew, that saved me some time!

For more clarification on the Gen2 ES3 manual version, only available for 92-93 with the 3VZ-FE. All 1MZ-FE 94 and newer were strictly automatic all the way up to the current 3MZ-FE.
Old 07-12-04, 02:02 AM
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For more clarification on the Gen2 ES3 manual version, only available for 92-93 with the 3VZ-FE
They sure do
Old 07-12-04, 02:22 AM
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juan01
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hey flip, would it be okay to use a 3VZFE aftermarket exhaust on a 1MZFE?
Old 07-12-04, 01:26 PM
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mikhailw
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Does 3rd generation ES300(1997-2001) have the same chassi/frame as 1992-1996? While body panels are different, the frame could be the same. Don't ask me why, but I need to swap the entire front dash(with all electronics, cluster, radio, airbags, ecu) from 1999 to 1993. I will probably have to swap door panels to make sure front dash fits in.
Old 07-12-04, 02:59 PM
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SecPole14
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Originally posted by mikhailw
Does 3rd generation ES300(1997-2001) have the same chassi/frame as 1992-1996? While body panels are different, the frame could be the same. Don't ask me why, but I need to swap the entire front dash(with all electronics, cluster, radio, airbags, ecu) from 1999 to 1993. I will probably have to swap door panels to make sure front dash fits in.
Again, the Gen. 3 ES is based on the Gen. 2 ES, but the changes were relatively significant. Loosely speaking, it is the same chassis, but the geometry is different. I seriously doubt that you could swap any of the components you are talking about. Even if you could, I think it would be more trouble and expense than its worth.

Put a Gen. 2 next to a Gen. 3 and you will see the differences.
Old 07-12-04, 07:15 PM
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flipside909
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Originally posted by juan01
hey flip, would it be okay to use a 3VZFE aftermarket exhaust on a 1MZFE?
As long as the length and flanges meet up...why not. Who makes an aftermarket exhaust for the 3VZ? I've never seen or heard of any to my knowledge?
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