jem1660

Hello CL~

It's a pleasure to see such dedicated fans that love their Lexus'. Currently, in the next few weeks I am about to buy an '04-'06 ES300/330, and am wondering a few questions. I have done countless hours of research to make up my decision, and when I came across the Auto Consumer Report mag I had to check out their information. I noticed in '05, it got a bad rating for 'Minor Transmission'. I have also read on this sub-forum that some people have minor transmission jerks or sluggish hesitation, etc. Is this what they're talking about, or are there other issues too?

Do you all have any advice on what years are preferred (i.e. 04 and 06, instead of 05)? Any other tips or suggestions on when I'm finding my right ES (test drive a lot? Thoroughly check how they drive?, CarFax?, and where is best to look--dealers better than private?

I love this car, and can't wait to be a proud owner.

Choas

WELCOME TO CL MATE!!!! Don't have much advice beyond getting a carfax and private will possibly get you a better deal but you better look it over with a fine tooth comb if you go that route.

DixonPai

iTrader: (3)

Welcome to CL, hope you find this forum usefull

jem1660

Agreed, that's why I'm hesitant on private dealer. Another guy on a different thread made a good point about looking: take it to a lexus dealer and get a PPI done for $100-150~ just to be sure, especially when spending a pretty decent amount...

I'd almost rather go '04 or '06 to escape what I've heard about minor transmission issues (from consumer report) with the 2005. However, it seems like a ton of people have had the sluggish, hesitant, jerk problems regardless of the year.

jem1660

--Scratch that, it looks like it 03-05 is all the same problems. Can anyone confirm that the 2006 does not have these same issues?

gulffishin

I don't think that all the 03-05's have the transmission problems. I have an 03 with 101k miles, and haven't had any transmission problems, but others have...