Stocks

I'm heavily considering buying a 1997-2001 Lexus ES 300 or ES 330. What are the different options to look for on these cars in different years? I prefer the front wheel drive that this model has over the other older Lexus models with rear wheel drive. I also really like look of the body style of the 1997-2001 years.

When I buy a used car I like to go completely through it with full fluid changes and any general maintenance it needs from the start, so I don't have small problems later. Including little things like changing out the old radiator caps for brand new ones and small things like that. Please feel free to give me advice on what things I should know about replacing or fixing on this car that you owners have learned about by owning these cars.

Eventually I want to be a Lexus owner too. Thanks everyone.

JTS06Z06

Some options and changes that I know of off the top of my head are as follows:
-In 00 and 01 they added the available wood steering wheels that came on all 2001's and only the coach and platinum edition 2000's.
-In 00 and 01 optional auto leveling HID headlamps were available.
-Taillights were updated and have a full clear strip instead of amber.
-Slight bump in HP I believe starting in either 99 or 00.

Overall in my experience these cars can be very reliable. I bought a 00 Platinum and I can tell its going to be a very good car for me. I have had to do some minor fixes here and there but nothing that isnt really expected on a 11 model year old car with over 100,000 miles.
If you can find a clean ES of any year that has preferably minimal owners with maintenance records I think you will be very pleased.

James

GoodRevs

Well for starters the 330 didn't exist until 2004 on the 4th Gen ES. If you become interested in that gen lemme know, there were better updates for the 4ES during it's mid model refreshment than on the 3ES. 3rd Gen ES options that I can think off,

- Leather
- Wood Steering Wheel
- Sunroof
- CD player
- Heated Seats
- HID's
- AVS
- Probably a few minor things like cargo net etc.

Overall a very good looking, driving, reliable and classy car.

QuachmanES

iTrader: (4)

Starting in '99, the 1MZ-FE in the ES came with VVT-i, bumping up horsepower by 10 to 210.

Excellent choice on this car, it is very reliable and one of my favorite body styles of Lexus.

Stocks

Thanks James. Options changes for different years is something that is very good to know before buying. I look at buying used Lexus from the original owner like this: The typical person who bought one new was usually the type of person who would never abuse the car and most likely had the car serviced properly. I always like to buy used cars from guy's over 50 years old who took care of them.

Stocks

I did not know when the 330 became available and I sure was wondering what the differences were between the 330 and the 300. Thanks. A 330 actually sounds incredible options wise.

Stocks

Good to know, thanks. I really love the 1997 - 2001 300 ES body style.

Coulter

I'm the same way, I place a big premium on one-owner cars. People tend to take care of things when they've made such a large investment.

Someone who paid $6000 will often times just run a car into the ground and try to get out of as much maintenance as possible, whereas the guy that paid $32,000 for the car will go of of his way to take care of it.

The ES300 I got was a 1999, one owner and garaged, and he had meticulous records. It looked and drove like new, people thought it had been repainted. The only problem it's, it's hard to really negotiate "hardball" when a gem comes along, but it's worth paying more for a "perfect" car than to save a few bucks on a "bargain" car.

yeskay

the best combo is the 2001 coach edition with HID and wood steering wheels.

GoodRevs

Those options I listed were for the 1997-2001 ES300. The options that became available on the 2005-2006 ES330 that I am aware of are:

- Larger engine (330)
- Newer Nav
- Projector HID's
- Steering wheel controls
- Ventilated seats
- Nicer (IMO) rims

Anything else guys?

QuachmanES

iTrader: (4)

I'm not a fan of the 02-06 ES300/330 myself. I don't like the bulbous, round exterior design vs. the sleek and smooth body style of the 97-01 ES. But I will admit the 02-06 ES has an amazing interior.

Stocks

I'm not crazy about the looks of the ES330 body either. Love the features of the ES330 though and the interior is incredible.