APquestion

Am in a position to get a 2003 ES 300, 60k miles, impeccably maintained (major tune-ups; dealer oil change every 5k miles; etc.). I have two questions, which I’ve seen addressed here re. a late ‘90s model but am wondering if are still valid on an ’03:

- How many miles can I expect from this car? Are they still regularly hitting 150-200k without big problems?

- Within that mileage range/a 5-year timeframe, what are the major maintenance issues/milestones and associated costs I can expect? I saw mention of water pump/pulleys/belts at 90-100k, for $1000 (in 2003 prices). Still accurate? What else?

In short, can this be a fairly reliable and non-troublesome car for 5-6 years? Or can I get the mileage but only by pouring tons of upkeep into it? Thanks.

X72

If you cannot afford the possibility of having to pay for the repairs and maintenance, then I would suggest to you that you are not buying within your budgetary constraints. If your primary goal is a high probability of 5-6 trouble free years of operation, then I would recommend a new 2006 Toyota Corolla.

If you don't do a lot of the work yourself or have a trusted mechanic who can check the car out for you and work on it for you, then stay away from a car with 60,000 miles that because it is a Lexus still commands a pretty high price.

This may not be what you want to hear. You are compensated for the risk of having of having to possibly pay for big repairs (a low risk, but not a zero risk) by a lower purchase price. Then again, I am probably more conservative than you are.

Good luck

P_M_G

I bought a 94 ES300 with 94k miles on it last March.

I put new tires on it immediately and i've replaced the water pump and timing belt since they were about due. Aside from the oil changes and free tire rotations, that's all I've done and I have 105k on it now.

It runs pretty damn nicely for a 12+ year old car.

The big advantage - it's a effectively the same as the Camry. I called Lex dealer for the water pump/timing belt - $1300....local Toyata had a special and I paid half that.

I'm probably due for a tuneup, but I've had no major issues. I think a lot depends on the kind of use the car was getting - 60k miles on an ES are probably a lot easier miles than the same on a Bimmer 325....