First Lexus Purchase - 2003 ES 300
08-20-12, 10:46 AM
#1
Rookie
Thread Starter
First Lexus Purchase - 2003 ES 300
Hi everyone
Purchased a 2003 ES 300 at a local dealer about a week ago, and it's the first Lexus (or Toyota for that matter) my wife and I have owned. Let me just start out by saying that my taste in vehicles has been ... eclectic. Before this recent purchase, I've had (in this order):
-'94 Oldsmobile Achieva
-'96 Mitsu Galant
-'02 Jeep Liberty
-'03 Mitsu Galant
-'05 Mitsu Galant
-'05 Nissan Pathfinder (have currently)
-'03 Acura TL
I ditched the TL because it had a salvage title and I just had this sinking feeling that it was going to turn into a money pit.
Anyway, after selling the TL and temporarily going down to one car, my wife and I were shopping for a new one. I hadn't really thought about getting a Lexus, honestly. I was thinking Nissan Maxima, Audi A4/A6, Subaru Outback, or a VW Passat. Drove a few; nothing really felt that good. Later in the day we happened upon a "bargain lot" and I spotted the '03 ES 300. Took it for a spin, and loved it. My wife loved it too, which is rare (we don't usually agree on cars).
It's got 111K miles on it, but was obviously babied by the previous owner. It's black on black, and is just a nice looking, comfortable car. Smoothest engine and quietest ride I have ever experienced in a car. Not terribly fast, but I don't typically drive my cars that hard. I've heard nothing but good things about their reliability and longevity, so looking forward to several good years out of this car.
Purchased a 2003 ES 300 at a local dealer about a week ago, and it's the first Lexus (or Toyota for that matter) my wife and I have owned. Let me just start out by saying that my taste in vehicles has been ... eclectic. Before this recent purchase, I've had (in this order):
-'94 Oldsmobile Achieva
-'96 Mitsu Galant
-'02 Jeep Liberty
-'03 Mitsu Galant
-'05 Mitsu Galant
-'05 Nissan Pathfinder (have currently)
-'03 Acura TL
I ditched the TL because it had a salvage title and I just had this sinking feeling that it was going to turn into a money pit.
Anyway, after selling the TL and temporarily going down to one car, my wife and I were shopping for a new one. I hadn't really thought about getting a Lexus, honestly. I was thinking Nissan Maxima, Audi A4/A6, Subaru Outback, or a VW Passat. Drove a few; nothing really felt that good. Later in the day we happened upon a "bargain lot" and I spotted the '03 ES 300. Took it for a spin, and loved it. My wife loved it too, which is rare (we don't usually agree on cars).
It's got 111K miles on it, but was obviously babied by the previous owner. It's black on black, and is just a nice looking, comfortable car. Smoothest engine and quietest ride I have ever experienced in a car. Not terribly fast, but I don't typically drive my cars that hard. I've heard nothing but good things about their reliability and longevity, so looking forward to several good years out of this car.
08-20-12, 11:42 AM
#2
Lexus Test Driver
Welcome to Club Lexus!
I have feeling you'll be trading in your other car's soon for a Lexus too. Trust me, they're addicting. LOL
Congratulations on the purchase! You should register over on lexus.com under the owner's resources, from there you can view any service that was done at the Lexus dealer, or any service that was inputed by the owner.
Has the timing belt already been changed?
Snap a few pictures of the ES, and throw them up here. Let's see how you did. lol
I have feeling you'll be trading in your other car's soon for a Lexus too. Trust me, they're addicting. LOL
Congratulations on the purchase! You should register over on lexus.com under the owner's resources, from there you can view any service that was done at the Lexus dealer, or any service that was inputed by the owner.
Has the timing belt already been changed?
Snap a few pictures of the ES, and throw them up here. Let's see how you did. lol
08-20-12, 12:33 PM
#4
Rookie
Thread Starter
Thanks for the warm welcome everyone. hypervish, the timing belt was done at 93K. I'll definitely take your advice and register on lexus.com. I'll throw up some pics soon, maybe tonight even.
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08-20-12, 07:41 PM
#11
Rookie
Thread Starter
08-20-12, 07:46 PM
#12
^ they're normally gloss black. [plastic insert]
But i'm digging the chrome on yours, its flows with the rest of the chrome & black on the car.
Nice pickup. Best thing to do is, as mentioned above, have all the fluids swapped, and possibly spark plugs [get some NGK iridium's and then forget about them for the next 90-100k]
Anything aftermarket [like air filters, cabin, etc] can be had dirt cheap from rockauto.com. The only 'OE' things i'll ever buy a simple gaskets [& trans. filters, which you don't need on your motor, its just drain & fill..]. Such as a plenum gasket for this motor, which is 8-10$ at the dealer [might as well, since you remove half the intake manifold to get at the rear plugs].
But i'm digging the chrome on yours, its flows with the rest of the chrome & black on the car.
Nice pickup. Best thing to do is, as mentioned above, have all the fluids swapped, and possibly spark plugs [get some NGK iridium's and then forget about them for the next 90-100k]
Anything aftermarket [like air filters, cabin, etc] can be had dirt cheap from rockauto.com. The only 'OE' things i'll ever buy a simple gaskets [& trans. filters, which you don't need on your motor, its just drain & fill..]. Such as a plenum gasket for this motor, which is 8-10$ at the dealer [might as well, since you remove half the intake manifold to get at the rear plugs].
08-20-12, 07:54 PM
#15
Rookie
Thread Starter