Trying to decide which ES to buy...help!
11-20-07, 04:27 PM
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Trying to decide which ES to buy...help!
I am looking at 2 different ES300's and am not sure which direction to head?
Option 1:
'98 ES 300 with 137,000 on the odo. Test drove it today and it's a little ruff around the edges. Hood, roof and trunk will need a new coat soon and the leather looks a little worn but over all about a 6/10. The only thing that scares me is the threat of sludge. Looked in the engine (through oil cap) and it appeared to have a minor build up? However I can pick up the car for $5,000! Don't know how much a new engine/rebuild would be if the "worst" happens??
Option 2:
'01 ES 300 with 107,000 on the odo and new engine. The car overall is in very good condition 8/10. Just not sure how the car was put together with the new engine? This car would not need much other than me being very **** about a really good detail. I can pick this one up for $9,500.
My dilemma is the '98 can be had for cash and walk away, the '01 would mean a little loan and I'm not sure if I want to do that on a car with a new engine?
The miles don't scare me as I put about 40-50K on in about a year. So this car would last me about 2-3 years. Just looking for some opinions from those who have been through an engine replace/rebuild or anyone with ES experience. Not sure which direction to head.
Any help is much appreciated
Option 1:
'98 ES 300 with 137,000 on the odo. Test drove it today and it's a little ruff around the edges. Hood, roof and trunk will need a new coat soon and the leather looks a little worn but over all about a 6/10. The only thing that scares me is the threat of sludge. Looked in the engine (through oil cap) and it appeared to have a minor build up? However I can pick up the car for $5,000! Don't know how much a new engine/rebuild would be if the "worst" happens??
Option 2:
'01 ES 300 with 107,000 on the odo and new engine. The car overall is in very good condition 8/10. Just not sure how the car was put together with the new engine? This car would not need much other than me being very **** about a really good detail. I can pick this one up for $9,500.
My dilemma is the '98 can be had for cash and walk away, the '01 would mean a little loan and I'm not sure if I want to do that on a car with a new engine?
The miles don't scare me as I put about 40-50K on in about a year. So this car would last me about 2-3 years. Just looking for some opinions from those who have been through an engine replace/rebuild or anyone with ES experience. Not sure which direction to head.
Any help is much appreciated
11-20-07, 04:46 PM
#2
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Id go for option one unless i knew how many miles the new engine had on it and there were receipts that proved it was installed at a good shop. Dont worry too much about sludge there are people on here with 200k+ on it wih no problems at all.
11-25-07, 05:05 PM
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Decisions, Decisions....Well, that 98 is a steal and you can take an extra $1k or so dollars and fix whats wrong with it. Don't be too scared of the sludge problem because by that amount of miles you would already know if there will be trouble. I dunno about the car with the new engine. Was it that mishandled that it needed a new engine? Check into the reasons for the engine. You should get detailed maintenance reports from your Lexus dealer for both vehicles before purchase.
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