knipknup

I just bought a '97 es300 with 71K miles for $6500. I am happy with it, but it is seeping oil - a little more than the mechanic reported during the pre-purchase inspection.

Pheonix, thanks for your very helpful post, along with the one here: https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=171515

lexusk8

For the oil leakage problem, you might want to have your mechanic check the condition of the rear main seal. If that is deteriorating, that could be the source of where you're losing oil. I see this problem on some of the high mileage '97-'01 ES.

3000

You bought it at an OK price. (Pretty good, not too expensive) But beware... the ES is known to have a lot of head (engine) problems.

MattB

The one thing I noticed on that car is that the "Lexus" and "ES300" badges aren't correctly placed...could be an indication of an accident.

ArmyofOne

Nope, its normal, especially for a southern car. the paint heats up in the sumer, sometimes to over 170 degrees...too hot to touch. the only thing holding those on ins double sided sticky tape, over time, due to the heat, it melts and the letters slowly begin to fall. nothing you can do. EVERY ES in the dallas area that i saw had thsi problem. very common. in the southern states.

badgis

From the pictures online the car looks great. SUPER CLEAN!!! I think you paid just about the right price. Good luck and happy driving.


Scott

texrexlex

Yeah, i think you got a great deal. It looks great.

Hey, i have a question about this year and model:

When should the timing belt be replaced on the '97 es 300? And if it breaks before one has the chance to change it, will it damage the engine, or will it just result in a tow to the garage for a timing belt replacement?

dallison

now you all might think i paid more than i should have with mine. i paid 13k with 70,000 miles for a '99
now i traded my 00 rl in and got 15,500. a lot more than i was getting most places. i didnt pay tax and i have a credit union loan witha low interest rate.

i think for the situation i made out well.

i got a car that is better on gas and i know it has smoother acceleration and brakes compared to my rl.
the maintanance costs are going to be lower also for the es300. and my insurance went down 250 per year.


i really like the es300 compared to the rl, but i loved the look of the rl also

triplecore

I paid $9, 995 for a 98 Lexus ES300. Its white in pretty decent condition it has the Nakichi or whatever its called stereo and adaptive suspension, leather moonroof. The car I gues is serviced well, I dont know much about cars. Dark Black tinted windows. Also the ashtray will not close.

Do you think I paid to much?

AHanson7

I might as well get some opinions, too. Last month I purchased my 1996 ES with 154,000 miles. Black, black leather, heated seats, new Bridgestone Potenzas (also came with a set of Blizzaks), and every other option except chrome wheels. The paint is nearly perfect, and the leather is immaculate. The previous owner had all of the records filed in order by date (I found receipts for wiper blades!). I paid $1900.

Too much for a high mileage car, or a rare find?

EerFoolWVU

to give you an idea for comparison, I paid $8500 for a 98 ES300 with 110,000 miles on it

in perfect condition with new belts and tires, as well as some other things and i bought the car from a dealer with a 3,000 mile warranty

you might've been able to get it slightly cheaper but i'd say this price was just right

smokesgtp

Yeah thats a fair price. I paid 9800$ for my 97' with a legit 58k at the time(almost a year ago), everything is absolutely spotless too as it was from maryland. I think I got a hell of a deal considering it has been lexus serviced since new with all the stamps and receipts in the owners manual. Hell, it even has a lexus battery in it lol. I had to ***** about everything though he originally wanted 11,500.

92ES5sp

Timing belts on all ES 300s is due at 90K.
The 97 1mz-fe engine im pretty sure is non-interference, but if it has VVT-i I wouldnt push it. I think VVT-i 1mz's are interference but i dont know what year they started putting them in the ES 300. ('99 maybe?...) Phoenix would know.

92ES5sp

NO WAY!!!! Thats bull ****. If you dont overheat them they will never blow up.

NICES300

I think thats a good price for 01! good luck!