Daddy-O

I had service on my RX today and asked for an IS loaner (They only have one),
so when I was told that, I asked for an ES, 2002 or later.

Millenium Silver 2003 ES 300, Premium Package
Light Charcoal Leather Trim with California Burled Walnut

What a nice ride. I had only a few issues, compared to my RX. Please understand,
I am biased..and these are mostly little things. They're just my impressions in no
particular order of importance

Pros
• Mileage. Wow! I averaged 27.3mpg in mixed driving
• Legroom. More than the RX, (for now)
• Quiet. Better than the RX, but it should be, eh?
• 5 speed Tranny. It took 50 miles to get used to it, but very smooth and responsive
• Arm rests. Just where I like them.
• Stereo. When the mix was correct, it would pump!

Cons
• Headlights. Are they on?
• Headroom. I'm 6' tall and my curly hair was brushing against the roof
• Stereo. Hard to find the right settings. Not enough bass and a little too much treble most of the time.
• Window sill is too high to rest my arm on.
• Reset button on steering wheel. Push it and nothing happens, until you let it go. In the RX, you push it and 2 seconds later it resets. Then you let it go. Just my taste here.

Overall, I enjoyed it. My brother has 2 of them, so I have experience in the ES.
It was one of my top five finalists when I bought the RX.

steviej

iTrader: (1)

I agree with your pros and cons.
Maybe the headlights were not HID, maybe just regular halogens.

My 02 has the HID option, and they are wicked bright.

I can't compare to the RX, never driven one. Now the LX, I like the ride way up there, you get to look down in the cars you pass.
Same stereo in both so those buttons were the same.

steviej

AsianGirl007

iTrader: (1)

I have owned both cars and while I sincerely miss my '99 RX300, which I'm sure everyone knows by now from my many posts about..well....how much I miss my old RX! I do agree with pretty much all of your points on the pro's and con's. The gas milege is awesome on the ES and one of the things I didn't like was the tiny gas tank on the RX. And while I do enjoy the wood steering wheel, dual climate controls, and the nav/levinson.......I reeeally miss being up high in the LUV. AND I did rest my arm on the window sill, which is hard to do on the sedan. It is nice being in a sedan and having the performance of it, but I am seriously already considering the new hybrid RX in about 2 years when my current lease runs out. Who knows? I may come back to the trusty RX300.....

XenonES3

I once had 02 ES loaner with halogens...they were MUCH BRIGHTER than both the halogens our 01 sienna and 95 ES. If I recall correctly, the beams were aimed higher, and produced a wider pattern of light.

HIDS..like steviej said...are absolutely unbelievable on the ES! Equal to if not brighter than our M5 and 745li.