kphu

iTrader: (8)

I agree with fiddy_yen. There is always premium to be paid on rare finds. The question is more of a personal nature i.e. what is it worth to you? Is the extra $1500 worth the hassle of looking for something else and possibly not finding it? Think about the requirements you have of a white ES250, how many of those are out there in the shape your willing to consider?

You can wheel and deal with him more by saying if you drop the price then I'll come down there to pick it up. Put cash in their face and their head starts to move up and down.

kphu

iTrader: (8)

I just check cars.com and there are 3 white ones for sale.

The best one is a 91 with about 92K on the odom. From the pictures it looks like its in pretty good shape. Asking price is $2,950 and located at:
Nova Auto Sale
866-735-6350
17c East 1st Street S.E. Leesburg VA

Here's a link. 91 ES250 White

powerwave

sheesh. not bad as far as mileage and body but the price!

things to consider when you're looking for these:
the engine will likely leak oil like a pig.
LISTEN FOR NOISE FROM THE ENGINE BLOCK ABOVE ALL
steering/suspension may need a little love.
make sure the headlight mounts haven't broken, making the headlights point downward.
a/c
does the sunroof actually work

now if those things are all good- it might just be worth it (depending on service records, interior condition, etc) just because of how rare they are in that condition. but i am willing to bet it needs something done to it, even as pretty as it is.

the white gets some nasty contaminants-
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...2&postcount=16

and the end-stage rod bearing engine sound... it starts out quiet and becomes THIS

jazbajunoo

here is 1 in Houston, tx
http://houston.craigslist.org/cto/888680831.html

Slooooooow

iTrader: (1)

Seems kinda pricey, but hmmmm....got me thinkin'.

bawlexus91

Well I've finally settled on a vehicle. I very much appreciate all the help and advice in regards to tracking down my ideal ES 250 - and as luck would have it, I stumbled upon EXACTLY what i wanted, which was a white/grey trim, tan leather interior, 5 speed manual transmission ES 250!! I don't know why, but I was REALLY hoping to get my hands on a manual that was in good shape, and it appears I've found one. 126K miles on the odometer, paying $2500.

I'll be sticking around the forums though, keeping you all up to date on the car. But thanks again, very much, for all the advice!

Brandon

PS - Ill post pics as soon as I have 'em

kphu

iTrader: (8)

Congrats on the find. Glad you found exactly what you want. Definitely keep us posted on its transformation!

Slooooooow

iTrader: (1)

I hate you.










Not really...just jealous. Congrats!

How cherry is she?

Choas

Congrats!!! I think mine is going to be going out to pasture soon ebay doesn't look very promising for her or even her parts

bawlexus91

I picked up the ES 250 today, and it looks GREAT. I'm still working on getting some pictures up. However, I noticed something that perplexed me whiled driving it up the highway.

I remember from my old ES 250 that I owned from '99-'02, that the RPM's tended to rev up to about 3000 while driving at 70 mph. However, on the ES 250 I just purchased, they rev up to about 3400-3500 while driving 70mph. The only thing I can think of to explain it is that my first ES 250 was an automatic, while the ES 250 I just bought is a 5 speed manual.

Any ideas on what could be causing the high revving at 70mph? Is this a typical variation to expect amongst cars?

ArmyofOne

FIrst, the 250 was available with a manual.

I used to have one, which i had to rebuild pretty much from the ground up...

you can read about it here

If you have any questions about that car...PM me, Im sure most will agree that i have more comprehensive knowledge on this car than almost anyone on the forum with the exception of Powerhouse and Chaos.

These cars are rare and beautiful. Mine happened to have Cloth interior...one of the rarest options on the ES250.







I spent $2,000 on the car, got $1800 back (and got to keep the car) when my lawyer threatened to sue the seller, then spent about $6,000 restoring it.
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...250%2CTotalled
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...250%2CTotalled

Then it was totalled in april of 2005, right before i joined the military.



Also, I thought i would link you here:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...250%2CTotalled

I can walk you through all of those fixes.

bawlexus91

ArmyofOne:

I'm PM'ing you now.

Slooooooow

iTrader: (1)

Man that's a great lookin' 250, ArmyOfOne! I finally found one local that's got a clean Carfax and doesn't look horrible.I still have to drive over and check it out in person, so we'll see. Your pics and Bawlexus91's purchase luck give me hope.

It almost gets to the point where you feel like you're going to have to buy 6 of them, just to have enough parts to get ONE good one put together.

ArmyofOne

I bought mine for $200 (was 2000 but i got a lemon and there were some safety issues, so when my lawyer approached the seller, he settled out of court for $1800 refund)

I put more love than money into it. I would still have that car to this day had i not totalled it.

speaking of which, will one of you guys PLEASE take this power steering pump and high pressure feed off my hands? they are brand new. Paid $440, will sell and ship for $200.

I have had it sitting in my garage since 2004 and have moved it 3x...lol

bawlexus91

Here are a few pics of my recent purchase (since I couldn't get the pics to load for some reason, here are the links:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37874014@N00/3047758811/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37874014@N00/3048594730/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37874014@N00/3047755775/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37874014@N00/3048591746/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/37874014@N00/3048597838/

It's my project car, so I'm gonna try and get itas close to perfect as I can, and then I'll pick and choose what I want done to the car. Thankfully, the exterior is in excellent condition. Initially, I'm looking to:
a. completely restore the leather interior (the cars biggest problem, but luckily, one of the easiest to fix)
b. remove the custom stereo and replace with the factory Lexus stereo (What can I say, I want an "original." Any idea how expensive this could be?)
c. There is an obnoxiously loud rattling/knocking from the back of the car when I'm on bumpy roads. My old ES 250 had this problem too. I just need to get it diagnosed, and fix it

Thanks again to everyone for there help and advice during my ES 250 hunt.

Brandon