Keep or sell ES300, 2002
#1
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Keep or sell ES300, 2002
ES300, 2002 with 170K needs minimum of $2,500 work including control arm and cooling system service, power steering service, replace hose. Then will need tires.
#2
Pit Crew
iTrader: (4)
Do you have the breakdown of the $2500 quote, assuming its from a Lexus dealer? This will help a lot for other CL's to give you some advice as well.
Do you love the car? Did you want to keep it longer? I just had to make this decision on my 98 ES 246k; it had a blown head gasket they quoted $2400 to fix (plus it was like opening Pandora's box) which was worth more than the car. I ended up selling the car and bought a 2008ES.
If your handy with tools you can do the suspension, coolant flush, power steering service yourself to save cash.
Suspension
Coolant Flush https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...ns-needed.html
Power Steering Flush
Do you love the car? Did you want to keep it longer? I just had to make this decision on my 98 ES 246k; it had a blown head gasket they quoted $2400 to fix (plus it was like opening Pandora's box) which was worth more than the car. I ended up selling the car and bought a 2008ES.
If your handy with tools you can do the suspension, coolant flush, power steering service yourself to save cash.
Suspension
Power Steering Flush
Last edited by whooodat; 01-24-18 at 01:44 PM. Reason: fixed link
#4
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Whooodat,
Unfortunately, at our age, my husband and I are not able to engage in DIY. The dealer quote was much higher, so this is from an automotive shop. Thanks for your info, I believe we will sell.
Too bad Armyofone who replied and has the same model doesn't live next door. lol
thanks to both of you.
decision
Unfortunately, at our age, my husband and I are not able to engage in DIY. The dealer quote was much higher, so this is from an automotive shop. Thanks for your info, I believe we will sell.
Too bad Armyofone who replied and has the same model doesn't live next door. lol
thanks to both of you.
decision
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decision (01-26-18)
#6
Driver School Candidate
You could easily get a lot more than 170k out of that car. I would say do the work. If it needs all that work it will be hard to sell. You would lose the dollar amount of the work on the lower price you would have to sell it for anyways.
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decision (01-29-18)
#7
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (2)
As much as I love my car, and I would fix it’s only because I can do work myself or find work for cheap. Given your situation, selling might be the best option. If the car had a higher resale I’d say otherwise, but if you reall love the car you can find one with half the miles that’s in good shape for twice what repairs would cost you, or use as an opportunity to move into something newer. Hope whatever you get next treats you well
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decision (01-29-18)
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#8
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
JerimiahCo, 100852 my husband and I have been 'discussing' this point. You are correct, much as I don't like it.
#9
Dysfunctional Veteran
Here is the rub. If you like the car and it has otherwise been good to you, i say keep it. The devil you know... try to find an indie shop that can do the work cheap, or a family member, friend from church, whatever. If I lived close I would just do it for you but I am in NE TX. I understand not being physically able to do the job, as I really can only do a bit at a time myself, but dont think for a second that you couldnt do this if not for the physical setbacks. Its really just a few bolts holding it all together. Nothing more.
#10
Dysfunctional Veteran
Old struts
Reassembly with new parts
Waiting on parts for the rear.
In reality, if I wasnt waiting on parts, and didnt have a bad back, i could probably do all of this in under 5 hours.
Reassembly with new parts
Waiting on parts for the rear.
In reality, if I wasnt waiting on parts, and didnt have a bad back, i could probably do all of this in under 5 hours.
#11
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Dear Army of one,
What a generous offer, almost worth moving to Texas. lol Thanks!
I am waiting for a more detailed quote and will share what I have learned from all of you. And keep you posted.
What a generous offer, almost worth moving to Texas. lol Thanks!
I am waiting for a more detailed quote and will share what I have learned from all of you. And keep you posted.
#12
Hey Decision,
Both places I have lived - Rochester NY and Boca Raton FL have had independent shops that specialize in Toyota/Lexus. The one here is preferable to the dealer, as its a handful of gentlemen that are Toyota lexus enthusiasts and love what they do, for substantially less of a labor rate. They are typically faster, too. Point is, look into that where you live. Maybe you'll find someone.
On a side note, cars are terrible investments, that is, they depreciate and cost money, the opposite of appreciate and pay dividends. If you get a newer car, you'll have problems with that one too.... I am not saying 100% don't, but if you love your ES, find someone to do the work.
Both places I have lived - Rochester NY and Boca Raton FL have had independent shops that specialize in Toyota/Lexus. The one here is preferable to the dealer, as its a handful of gentlemen that are Toyota lexus enthusiasts and love what they do, for substantially less of a labor rate. They are typically faster, too. Point is, look into that where you live. Maybe you'll find someone.
On a side note, cars are terrible investments, that is, they depreciate and cost money, the opposite of appreciate and pay dividends. If you get a newer car, you'll have problems with that one too.... I am not saying 100% don't, but if you love your ES, find someone to do the work.
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decision (01-31-18)
#13
Also, physical setbacks... perhaps power tools can help? Army of One is right, its not complicated. I am 30 and in good shape... I have thanked God often lately for that, because in the last 12 months I've done easily $7500 in Lexus/Honda dealer repairs on our cars for peanuts compared to that... there is no way we'd be on the road if I couldn't have done it all... we are a one income family of 4 trying to get bye. just last night was both front axels on our Odyssey. Even at 30 years old, my whole body is sore and I am exhausted. Doing it outside, on the ground in 25f weather is a bit harder on me than it would've been ten years ago
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decision (01-31-18)
#14
Dysfunctional Veteran
In my opinion (I wouldn't call myself an expert but I buy and sell more cars than the average guy), it is almost always better to fix what you have than to start with something different if the car has otherwise been reliable.
Some cars are just problem children and need to be gotten rid of, but in most cases, cars of this age don't make it to this age if they are. When buying an older used car, I always shoot for 1-2 owners, no more. If the car has changed hands more than that, chances are people have gotten sick of fixing it over and over. The good news is parts are cheap and plentiful for our cars. Don't spend money on Lexus parts unless it is sensor/computer/emissions related. If its just suspension, you can't justify the cost on something this old, unless its an LS or like an IS-F or something.
Some cars are just problem children and need to be gotten rid of, but in most cases, cars of this age don't make it to this age if they are. When buying an older used car, I always shoot for 1-2 owners, no more. If the car has changed hands more than that, chances are people have gotten sick of fixing it over and over. The good news is parts are cheap and plentiful for our cars. Don't spend money on Lexus parts unless it is sensor/computer/emissions related. If its just suspension, you can't justify the cost on something this old, unless its an LS or like an IS-F or something.
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decision (01-31-18)
#15
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Army of One, and others who replied,
Detailed quote from independent garage, over the next 3 years, $7,500 worth of maintenance and it will be 'like new'.
vs. sell after minimum repairs and look for a 2013 Toyota Avalon.
We ran the numbers and they come out the same after 5 years, barring something unforeseen.
FYI... We will be 80 this year. But not ready to be 'old'. :-)
I appreciate all the advice and welcome any more while we continue to ponder this.
Detailed quote from independent garage, over the next 3 years, $7,500 worth of maintenance and it will be 'like new'.
vs. sell after minimum repairs and look for a 2013 Toyota Avalon.
We ran the numbers and they come out the same after 5 years, barring something unforeseen.
FYI... We will be 80 this year. But not ready to be 'old'. :-)
I appreciate all the advice and welcome any more while we continue to ponder this.