z16

hay guys my dream was to buy a es300 or es330 buy after reading some threads about the problems with the transmission I'm afraid to buy now do you think I'm over reacting to the threads that say they are not very good ..

Pheonix

Read the few threads VS how many Camry's, ES's, Highlanders, Rav4's, Windoms, and RX300/330's have been sold between 01 & 05. Pre 02 has no problem. Post 02, if it has a problem, get it flashed.


Try reading the stickied thread.Fixed April 05, no further compaints. Hope that helps.

steviej

iTrader: (1)

I have had an 02 ES from the start of all the tranny stuff. I was able to adapt to the early tranny stuff but was aware that the quirks were there. I had the second version of the ECU reflash (April 05 version) and haven't looked back. This has truely been the most problem free car I have ever owned. 78,000 miles later, it is without a doubt the smoothest riding car, too. That smoothness does depend on what brand and model tire you choose. That can be said with experience from my ES.

steviej

z16

thanks for your input guys maybe I'll change my mind be a happy lexus owner..

lexusk8

z16, just be aware that some of the '92-'01 ES could have symptoms of a failing transmission, depending on the mileage and maintenance condition of the tranny. For instance, I had the transmission replaced in my '01 ES at 98,600 miles after encountering very bad shifting behavior and not being able to put the car in reverse, resulting in a shift D solenoid malfunction. Luckily the dealership who serviced my car was able to find a remanufactured tranny out of another '01 ES w/ 45K miles at that time, and replace my old one with that one. So now I've been driving with a 'like-new' transmission for the past 26K miles, and have encountered no problems at all. Always make sure the tranny fluid has been serviced at the proper intervals (i.e. drain and refill every 30K miles).

Pheonix

You can always also drop you valvebody, send it to IPT with a $500 check.
And have what will probably be the longest lived transmission in that family if you change the fluid :P
You'll also drop abot a half second in the 1/4 mile. <cough> hope your butt likes a firm shift & chirping tires!<cough>. It is still wierd to me that nobody that had any real complaints years & years ago ever did a VB job LoL! That woulda fixed it yeeeears ago - it's just kind of the hard way to do it. hahahahahahaha

Lexmex

You read my mind Pheonix. I want to do some work with IPT with my tranny and other assorted goodies, but don´t know when I can get my RX from Mexico to Jersey any time soon (did think about buying some of their kits).

Pheonix

You can do the kits If you have a back-up car, or buy some cores. You can send those to them for a torque convertor & VB mod.
Being N/A for awhile again after having such a ferrocious low end, I feel like I'm dieing. I want a 3000-4000rpm torque convertor too lol!