hey how's it goin guys...
anyways im about to buy this es300 and i want to get some opinions...
it's a 1992, clean title, 5spd, 170k miles and im buying it today for $3200, he said the car has been well mantained, im driving 3 hours today to go look at the car, my friend also told me that it's rare to find a 5spd?... is it a good deal? here is a pic of the car, sorry it's crappy but its all he had



i'm new to the lexus scene, i've always owned a honda =), i've had like 16 of them and now i want to try something a little different..

 

Welcome to CL

Yeah, a 5spd is pretty rare - only a few of them on CL that I am aware of.
If the car is in good shape and has been well maintained (ask to see the service records!) then the price sounds pretty reasonable.
If you do buy it, be sure to post some better pics.....we LOVE pics!!!!

 

Welcome to CL!

Yes, 5-speed manuals are rare for any kind of Lexus, including the ES. However, make sure that at that kind of mileage, it truly has been "well-maintained" (which owner says it hasnt?!). Is the steering okay? Is the alignment straight? Are the brakes good or do they pull to one side?

Find an empty road or parking lot and try these out. Accelerate with your hands off the wheel and see if it pulls to one side. Then brake fairly hard and see if it pulls to one side. See if the suspension is worn and ask if the previous owner's replaced the shocks/struts, because they don't last this long. Check to see if the AC works well and the electronics are okay. It doesn't have to be perfect, but you should at least be aware and informed about any problems.

 

5 speed owner here! GET SOME!

If its well maintained 170K isnt that much for any Lexus. Its almost guaranteed with that kind of mileage that its leaking oil. Whether its valve covers, oil pan, rear main etc etc.... Find out if it was overheated at all and check compression, valve train noises p/s pump and rack for leaks, timing belt/water pump bla bla bla. If you get it, change all the fluids first. On a manual it wont hurt to change the tranny fluid with high mileage unlike in an auto. It probably has the original fluid IN it.

Take it to a shop and have it inspected.
And yes less than 2% of the 92-93 ES300s sold in the US had the M/T option
Starting in 94 they are all automatics

 

Rub it in some more you bastards . I looked forever to find a 5 speed es. Oh well I'll just stroke my hp gain to make me feel better

 

Lucky! I want a 5 spd.. wanna trade? $3200 sounds like a good deal to me. I just spent $1350 for my 92, $730 for the replacement engine, ~$150 in parts so far, and two days doing the swap. Hopefully I'll get her up and running tomorrow. I wish I could've gotten a Y-pipe from Pheonix.. that'll make me feel better about not having a manual

 

Its not as quiet as an automatic. You can hear the gear whine pretty much all the time, but man its a sweet sound

 

I know I know one of these days i'm gonna put a custom manual tranny in and have the first 97 es 5 speed LOL.

 

well thnx for all the info guys, i got the car, runs great, don't want to take pics yet because it's STOCK...
i want to get some 18's or 19's and get the ksport gt lowering springs..
and quick question about the lowering springs, it says in the suspension thread that camry springs will work right? just want to make sure before i order them from ebay

 

Maybe you didn't read the fine print when you signed up to CL, but it states clearly that at least 5 pics must be posted within 10 days of buying a new Lexus.....so get on it....the clock is ticking.

Has it already been mentioned that we LOVE our pics here?

 

Pics or ban!

 

A lot of us here are stock post some pics. I at least did one pic for my avatar.

 

Yes they will work. Same car/platform.

Welcome to the family.

 

k here we go guys ... enjoi
civic is mine as well, trying to sell it right now...

 

Thats my cars older sister!
Looks pretty clean! Nice ride
Yours has pin striping though (jealous)
Hey just curious what is the build date? Mine is 7/92 Number 742