Future 3rd gen buyer, a couple of questions on what to look for in a purchase...
02-02-18, 02:36 PM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Future 3rd gen buyer, a couple of questions on what to look for in a purchase...
So I've really wanted a 3rd gen ES300 for a while now and I've come to a couple of listings on craigslist and cars.com but after hearing all of this talk of how the 99-01 cars have a faulty transmission (u140e) I've had to narrow my choices to only 97-98 models, which makes it very hard to acquire one that has been kept up with it's maintenance and the interior/exterior of the car. Recently, I've found two cars on cars.com that sounds good but they are both fairly high mileage. One is a 98 black on black with 180,000 on the odometer for $3k. There is no mention of any maintenance done on the car through the description. The other listing is for a 2001 black on black with 231k miles also going for $3k but says that the timing belt, brakes, shocks, water pump, battery, alternator and says that he is selling it for the original owner; he even shows a original bill of purchase to prove it. From the pictures provided, both cars look in good/decent condition on the outside. The 2001 particularly has an immaculate exterior and has a picture of a clean engine bay. Both of look like good cars.The 98 has lower miles, doesn't have the problematic u140e transmission, and has no exterior damage other then some dents that can be seen, but might need the timing belt changed and other work done to it. While the 2001 looks to be well kept, with all major repairs done and in prestine condition but has over 200k miles on it and I'm afraid at this mileage that the transmission will have to be replaced as well. Sorry if I am droning on and on but I would appreciate your opnion on which would be a more definitive purchase. Thanks.
02-03-18, 06:52 PM
#2
Driver School Candidate
Tbh I wouldn’t even consider an 99-01 again. Take your time and find a clean and well taken care of 97/98. Don’t even purchase unless service records are available and don’t believe a single thing the seller has “recently done” unless there are receipts for proof.
I purchased my 2000 over a year ago. Body had some scratches, some clear coat fading on the roof a little, under 150k miles and was fully aware of the trans issues. Was a 1 owner vehicle and had every maintenance record to boot. Almost 20k miles later and trans is slipping. Win some you lose some.
My coworker just bought a 2000 off a buddy of his to drive to work, we both commute. And his has almost 180k miles and it’s still going. The U140e CAN go the distance, just a hit or miss.
I purchased my 2000 over a year ago. Body had some scratches, some clear coat fading on the roof a little, under 150k miles and was fully aware of the trans issues. Was a 1 owner vehicle and had every maintenance record to boot. Almost 20k miles later and trans is slipping. Win some you lose some.
My coworker just bought a 2000 off a buddy of his to drive to work, we both commute. And his has almost 180k miles and it’s still going. The U140e CAN go the distance, just a hit or miss.
02-03-18, 10:54 PM
#4
Driver
Thread Starter
So a little update... the 2001 was already taken yesterday unfortunately. I couldn't get a hold of the person who owns the '98 as his number was out of service. I did however find a '97 es300 without a moonroof or 6 disc CD Changer with 87,000 miles on the odometer. The owner stated that he bought it a year and a half a go from an old lady but he's not sure if she was the first owner or not... He said that he has no service records and all that he has done is change the oil, battery, and brakes. He stated that the car needed shocks for the front and back but that's all that he can think of it needing. His asking price was $3200 I believe (he took his listing on CL down recently but the car is still for sale). Could this car be a good deal or should I avoid?
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02-04-18, 03:10 PM
#8
My 99 transmission failed at 190k. It's at 260k now with no problems yet. The U140e has been known to be less reliable, Google search will bring up a lot of info.
If you like the newer ES look, get an 02+ or get a 97-98, both options are very reliable cars
If you like the newer ES look, get an 02+ or get a 97-98, both options are very reliable cars
02-04-18, 04:37 PM
#9
Driver School Candidate
I can't say anything about the ES models from those years, but I've purchased two ES330's in the last year. I encourage you to consider the 2004-2006 ES. Here's why...
The first was a 2004 with 245,000 and I paid $2,800 for it. After commuting with it for six months we bravely drove it from Mich to Oaklahoma and back, and I continued to commute in the car for over a year. What a great car! I sold it to my daughter and she drove it to her new job in Arizona, so we continue to have faith in these cars! She tells me it has almost 262,000 miles on it now.
Obviously I needed another one to replace it. I found my second ES330 on Craigslist and got it for $3,800. It is fully loaded with every option but the ride control, and had 160,100 miles. I really, really like this car and have discovered that my two favorite times of my work day are when I get in the car in the morning to drive to work, and when i get in the car to drive home. We plan to use it on all our long trips even though we own a Prius. I did have to buy a new battery, and take the center console out to inspect the ML CD changer, which had no power (turned out to be a loose connector). I also replaced some back lights in the heat A/C control panel, which by the way can be removed with no tools!
The first was a 2004 with 245,000 and I paid $2,800 for it. After commuting with it for six months we bravely drove it from Mich to Oaklahoma and back, and I continued to commute in the car for over a year. What a great car! I sold it to my daughter and she drove it to her new job in Arizona, so we continue to have faith in these cars! She tells me it has almost 262,000 miles on it now.
Obviously I needed another one to replace it. I found my second ES330 on Craigslist and got it for $3,800. It is fully loaded with every option but the ride control, and had 160,100 miles. I really, really like this car and have discovered that my two favorite times of my work day are when I get in the car in the morning to drive to work, and when i get in the car to drive home. We plan to use it on all our long trips even though we own a Prius. I did have to buy a new battery, and take the center console out to inspect the ML CD changer, which had no power (turned out to be a loose connector). I also replaced some back lights in the heat A/C control panel, which by the way can be removed with no tools!
02-04-18, 07:20 PM
#10
Driver School Candidate
It seems most that have issues with the trans usually just opt to replace it altogether rather than rebuild the one that failed. So unless you can find someone that has a couple under their belt with rebuilds to tell you, who really knows for sure.
When mine first started acting up I dropped the pan and changed the filter and put in new fluid. I found metal flake everywhere. Along with the magnets inside the pan were caked up with probably clutch material. I also had a very loud whine coming from the fluid pump durning startups. I believe this was due to the felt like material they used for the filter instead of the metal mesh filter used in the 97/98 trans.
Once I changed out the filter and fluid the whine instantly went away. So I guess the filter was choking the life out of the pump. It’s possible the filter design could be the issue, filter gets clogged, fluid pump can’t circulate fluid throughout the trans thus heating it up and eating up gears in the process since there’s no fluid cooling and lubricanting everything.
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