Chucka

What kind of gas millage are owners of new 2002 ES300 getting? I am considering upgrading from my 1992 LS400 that is giving me 21.5 to 22 mpg with 90% highway driving (215,000 miles).

Chucka

CPerez100

Fuel economy: 21/29 mpg city/highway3

CPerez100

Fuel economy: 21/29 mpg city/highway3

CPerez100

MORE INFO:





Body type: Five-passenger luxury sedan

Construction: Welded-steel unitized body

Overall length: 191.1 in

Overall width: 71.3 in

Overall height: 57.3 in

Wheelbase: 107.1 in

Aerodynamic drag coefficient: 0.28

Ground Clearance: 6.1 in

Curb weight: 3,439 lb

Fuel-tank capacity: 18.5 gal

Trunk capacity: 14.5 cu ft

Headroom (front/rear): 37.6/36.9 in (with moonroof)

Legroom (front/rear): 42.2/35.6 in

Shoulder room (front/rear): 56.8/55.8 in




Performance


3.0-liter, 24-valve, 60° V6 engine, certified Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (U-LEV)1
210 hp @ 5800 rpm, torque 220 lb-ft @ 4400 rpm
Continuously Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i)
0-60 in 8.1 seconds2
1/4-mile acceleration: 16.1 seconds2
Five-speed, automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i)
Front-wheel drive with available Traction Control (TRAC)
Fuel economy: 21/29 mpg city/highway3
Engine-speed-sensing, progressive power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering. 3.1 turns, lock to lock
215/60VR16 steel-belted radial tires with 16 x 6.5-in alloy wheels
Top track speed 140 mph2

Luxury


Power tilt-and-slide moonroof with one-touch open/close feature and pinch protection
Rear deck lid with remote-activated trunk release
Heated outside mirrors
Interior walnut trim
Multi-information display with drive computer
UV- and infrared-ray-reducing green-tinted glass
Steering-wheel-mounted cruise control
Customized Body Electronics System (C-BEST) to personalize electronic functions
Tilt steering column
Compass
Power windows with driver's and front passenger's auto open/close feature with pinch protection and night illumination
Electrochromic (auto-dimming) inside and outside mirrors
Multifunction, in-key remote entry system with rolling-code technology
Multi-adjustable power front seats with driver's-side power lumbar support
Two-position memory system for driver's seat and outside mirrors
Optitron instrumentation
Automatic dual-zone climate control with air filter
Power door locks with driver's two-turn unlock feature
Three-way programmable transmitter to activate garage door and driveway gate
Remote electric trunk-lid and fuel-filler door releases
Illuminated entry system
Optional Lexus AM/FM/cassette seven-speaker 86-watt4 Premium Sound System with Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL) and in-dash, single-feed, six-disc CD auto-changer
In-glass antenna with FM-diversity system
Outside temperature gauge
Retained accessory power for windows and moonroof
Retractable coat hooks
Front and back dual cupholders
Carpeted floor mats

Safety


Driver's and front passenger's airbag Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)5
Front seat-mounted side-impact airbags (SRS)5
Front and rear side-curtain airbags (SRS)5
Impact-absorbing crumple zones and side-impact door beams
Collapsible steering column
Collapsible brake and driver's-footrest pedals
Three-point seatbelts for all seating positions, fronts with automatic pre-tensioners
Child Restraint Seat (CRS) tether anchor brackets for all rear seating positions
Anti-lock Braking System (ABS)
Four-wheel disc brakes with ventilated front discs
Theft-deterrent system
Emergency interior trunk-release handle that glows in the dark
Water-repellent front door glass
Rear-window defogger with auto-off timer
Height-adjustable headrests for all seating positions
Daytime running lights
Integrated foglamps
Automatic on/off headlamps
First aid and tool kits

Erfan

How is your LS running as far as performance wise? Does it have any mechanical problems and such? I am thinking of buying one and would like to find a great deal on a older LS.

kreativ

Chucka,

I went from a '91 LS400 (same as '92) to an '02 ES 300, and I'm quite happy with the new car. That is excellent gas mileage you're getting with your LS, thanks to the 90% highway driving. I remember our cars avoiding the gas guzzler tax back when we got it, since it had one of the most efficient V8 engines at the time.
Here's what you'll be giving up when you move from your LS to an ES:
1. telescopic steering wheel - the ES steering wheel only goes up and down and is not motorized...I have not found this to be a problem
2. rear wheel drive - ES is front wheel drive
3. 260hp V8 engine - You'll get a 210hp V6 in exchange. It is more technologically advanced (VVT-i, etc.), but not as smooth and of course not as powerful as your LS' V8.
4. Size - The new ES is a tad smaller. I found the LS430 to be much too big (both the LS and ES have increased in size over time).
5. Dash display - I like our 3D-like LS display better, but it's a personal preference
6. Reset button for the mileage calculator on the dash display feels cheap in the new ES...not like the reset button on the LS.

Here's what you'll gain by moving from your LS to an ES:
1. 5-speed transmission - the LS has 4
2. Higher grade leather - the same used in the LS430
3. much better headlights - whether you choose the standard or the HID lights, they will be many times better than the lousy (and dim) 9004 headlight assembly in our LS. And the headlights have Daytime running lamps and auto function.
4. More interior wood trim, if that's your preference
5. Deeper cup holders.
6. More technology inside - auto-dimming electrochromic mirrors, trip computer (instant MPG, avg MPG, avg MPH, etc.), integrated digital compass, temperature gauge, all windows and moonroof auto-up/down.
7. More safety technology - 6 airbags, including full side curtain airbags. Whiplash-reducing front seats. Electronic Brakeforce distribution, VSC w/TRAC and Brake Assist (option)
8. Bigger wheels - 16" vs. 15"
9. Better brakes - thanks to bigger wheels. Also, front disc brakes are ventilated.
10. Center pass-thru to trunk.
11. full-size spare tire with alloy wheel.
12. Better standard suspension
13. FM antenna integrated into rear window, instead of an antenna mast in the LS.

Either list can go on and on. The first-generation LS is a fine car...it's smooth, quiet, luxurious, and reliable. But it's lacking of the newer technologies and features that have come out since then. I don't intend to sell my LS though.

kreativ

erfan,
Lexus #1 long-term reliability ranking is based on the first generation LS400 and ES300. So you'd be getting a car that has been tops in reliability.

Performance wise, it's a rear-wheel drive with a 260hp ultra-smooth V8 engine and ECT 4-speed transmission. That's what I miss after going to the ES.

When looking for a used LS, make sure the owner has all service records, preferably from the Lexus service center (shows that either the owner cared enough to pay the rip-off prices at Lexus, or didn't know any better ).
And check the condition of the leather.

As for what year to get, out of the first-generation '90-'94 LS, '93 seems to be a good one. '92 to '93 had the longest list of mid-generation upgrades (e.g. better headlights, and auto lights). Check reliability ratings on the web for each year though. I've checked reliability ratings at JD&Power online before, but don't recall the exact web address now.

Erfan

Will do, Thanks for the info and the lenghty write up, it really helps me

Guyver510

Although I haven't driven a whole lot of miles yet to provide a fair comparison, I'm getting at least the same mileage as you. I drive about 70/30 freeways, but there's a lot of stop and go traffic. The fifth gear makes a huge difference.

On the whole, I'm pretty happy w/ my 2002 ES300.