JohnyUtah

I found a nice 1997 ES 300 with only 35K miles. Car is exactly what I'm looking for low mileage at a great price. Has basically been well taken care of and barely driven.

My only concern is the oil sludge issue. There's no warranty with this car. From what I understand Lexus will only cover 8 years from date of purchase on the sludge issue. So if I buy this car and 10K miles later it develops the sludge issue I'm SOL correct ?

worldforgo

Yes, but the sludge issue is not that bad. If the car has only 35k miles, that is only about 10 oil changes. If you are really concerned, pull the valve cover. Otherwise, buy the car and change the oil every 3000k miles and enjoy your new car.

JohnyUtah

Yes it's at a Lexus dealer now. If the records indicate oil changed every 3K should be good to go and change it every 3K from there correct?

AndyG

Wow, only 35k miles, that would be a nice find. Does the car look and drive well? I wouldn't stress about the potential oil sludge issue myself, especially if the price was right.

JohnyUtah

Yeah it's one of those Lexus cars that the elderly people had here in florida outside and inside like new. 9 K for it. My 2005 Nissan Altima is paid for trying to sell it to pay cash for the ES. As long as no sludge issue should go to 200K no problem.

worldforgo

I think your good to go. As long as the oil is change frequently, the sludge is a non issue

AndyG

Again, nice find, take care of it and it should last near forever. ;D

brucelee1

iTrader: (2)

Change the PCV valve and do a fresh oil with synthetic.

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

9k?? lol

Offer them 5 just because it's low mileage. 2001's with 120k fetch around 4-5k in these times.

JohnyUtah

Not sure where you are buying your cars but the average price for an 87 es 300 is 7K. They will come off that price of 9K. So I'm basically paying 1 K more for a car that is like new inside and out and has 80 K less miles.

JohnyUtah

Somebody didn't have a problem dropping 9K. Car in Gonzo was there all of 2 days.

AndyG

Are you saying you missed out on the deal and the car is now sold?

WAES300

Bummer!!! Shoulda got it, not to rub it in...

IMO the sludge 'issue' is overblown. It might have been a design issue which caused the motor to sludge up, but things tend to happen if you don't maintain your car...

According to records my car had oil changes every 5-6K miles, and it still runs like new at 208K. No oil loss, I haven't peered inside the motor but I can only assume its clean, with it running so good and all.

JohnyUtah

Yep couldn't make it down there till Wednesday to do the deal. I guess I shouldn't of posted about it here.

AndyG

Awe Johny that is a bummer, man. It's ok and we can look at it in a positive light hoping the right one is still out there for you and for whatever reasons, that wasn't it. Keep looking and you'll find another one. Even if it's got 100k miles, they run forever.