CMJ357

My wife is looking at buying either an '02 ES or RX. I have scoured the boards to find out what I need to watch for. The RX forum has plenty of advise: transmission fluid color, aluminum vs. steel planetary, 90,000 mile maintenance, O2 sensors, etc. However, I am not seeing near as many issues with the ES. Do both vehicles have the same transmission? Anything I need to watch for?
We don't actually have one picked out yet. Looking for an '02 with >90,000 miles.

CMJ357

bump.

I really need some guidance here. She is about to pop with our first baby and I don't want to choose the wrong car. Anyone with advice please help.

Shake1

We have an 03 RX and IS so can't really comment on the ES. But I would say as always when buying a used car, run a carfax + autocheck to check the car history. Then take it over to a mechanic to look it over. Look for any misaligned body panels and the paint along door jambs to see if it has ever been repainted. Motor wise, I would probably try to get something that already has the 90,000 tune up done or is well under it.

Good luck, I know the RX is reliable since it is one the last years of that body style. The 02 was the first year for the ES body style but still as most toyotas, I'm sure either is reliable.

I would personally go with an ES because it feels more updated. The 02 RX body style has been around since 99. Both are big enough for kids though.

Rollin'ES3

Both are great cars....

I can comment on the 00-01s ES and say there great cars.

I have a 04 RX330 which is different than the 02.

Honestly, both are great cars, like every car they may have minor issues but nothing big....Purchase whichever suits your needs. Id opt for the RX w/ kids, and ES w/o kids. Just my opinion, the RX will make life easier with a kid and a stroller and all that good stuff.

03 ES

i have an 03 ES i purchased used and its been great so far
ample room, ample power, very safe, well equipped and comfortable
just be sure to find one thats low milage and well maintained..
watch the jerky and lagging transmission ****s in the 02-03 ES

as for the gen 1 RX, theyre a pain to work on and usually the ones ive seen are seveerly mistreated...if treated well they seem to hold up well

LexGrl702

CMJ,

Because you have kids, I suggest going with the RX. Although the trunk space is not the greatest either in the RX for that type of SUV. As far as going with an '02, depending on yoru budget, I'd say go a little newer and try to get the '04 or '05. The 02 models on both cars have a lot of minor kinks that can be annoying. Especially the transmission on the 02 ES but I think the RX has the same transmission.