gebo

I am looking into buying a used ES. Say between a 1995-2000. I've heard and read so much stuff on Toyota sludge that I've gotten the "paralysis of analysis." Does anyone actually know which years to avoid if I want to minimize the sludge factor? Are there better years in this range? For example, based on my research I decided the '98 LS was the best value for my dollar so I bought one. Now I'm asking for opinions before I purchase an ES.

lexusk8

I'd stay away from the '97 ES since that's the first year of the makeover transition from the '92-'96 era, and the 1st year models tend to have a lot of problems come up to the surface. Here's what I can think off the top of my head that are common problems for the '97 ES:

- Defective seat heater controls
- Oil sludge (in the '97-'01 ES)
- Abnormal turn signals
- Tailight bulb failures
- Rough idle
- Transmission hesitation
- Stereo LCD screen blacked out
- Wind noise (common for all ES from '92-'01)

If you like the styling of the ES from the '97-'01 era, I'd set my eyes on either the 1999, 2000 or 2001 models since those engines are updated with the VVT-i and 10 more added horsepower. The '00-'01 ES have the fresher look with the red-and-white tailights, 16" OEM wheels, newer foglights and grille.

Ismet

Hello I am interested to know why would you go from a 1998 ls400 to an es, isnt the 1998 ls400 an awesome machine?

lexusk8

If I'm not mistaken from the tone of his post, it sounds like he's thinking of purchasing an ES, and still has his LS.

gebo

Correct!

Lexus007

hey??? what about the 1998 model?

Lexusfreak

The 98 is almost identical to the 97......the major changes didn't start till the 99 model year.

LexFather

Toyota sludge is not that much of an issue. Toyota is over cautious and asked for the TSB. The MAIN problem is people not changing their oil, thus causing the sludge.

Check for the previous owner maintenance and go for either a newer ES or a low mileage one. I would go for a 97+ model as the 3rd gen had improvememts.

Lexusfreak

I'd go with the latest model year you can afford & just make sure you obtain ALL service records to ensure that all oil changes (and other vital maintenance) are up to date. I personally liked the idea of getting the 01 ES as it was the last year of that body style so they had since 97 to get 'any bug's' out in that time.

gebo

AS usual, I like your thinking. When I bought the LS and GS I owned my own company. Now I am a Pastor and I don't have a "Lexus" income at present (we're starting a church). '01 is out of my reach at present.

My LS was bought with 30K and the guy had used AMsoil 0-30 from first oil change.
My GS was bought with 10K and had all service done at Lexus dealership.

I'm a maintenance freak, distilled water, change the brake fluid, vaseline on the battery posts, etc.

Lexusfreak

Don't forget the digital tire pressure guage for your air pressure!! The 2000 ES is pretty much identical to the 01 ES......gotta love those newly designed tail lights on the 00 & 01 ES......they look like jewel's.

gebo

I even have a SS case for "MY" digital pressure guage.

Lexusfreak

Lol gebo.

mmarshall

Don't forget....you spend a lot of time INSIDE the car, too.......and you can't beat the interiors of the 2002's and up.