2005 ES 330 Purchase
03-09-18, 08:41 PM
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2005 ES 330 Purchase
Hi everyone! First post.
Found a 2005 ES330 with 25,700 miles. She wants $11,200 for it. Going to check it out tomorrow. I figure I can't go
wrong. Vehicle history report is clean. Any thoughts I would appreciate
Found a 2005 ES330 with 25,700 miles. She wants $11,200 for it. Going to check it out tomorrow. I figure I can't go
wrong. Vehicle history report is clean. Any thoughts I would appreciate
03-10-18, 06:52 AM
#2
Did you run that price thruough edmunds or similar?
It sounds rather crazy and I would really think twice about that. A similar car with 100k and half that price would make a lot more sense for multiple reasons.
It sounds rather crazy and I would really think twice about that. A similar car with 100k and half that price would make a lot more sense for multiple reasons.
03-10-18, 09:20 AM
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Yes I did. Kelly blue book values the car with that mileage, private party, between $9,057 - $11,573 with $10.330 the expected purchase price. ooks
like she did her homework. My wife is the one who I am trying to convince it's a good buy. I showed her all the positive reviews but she is dwelling on the
one negative with the car and that is the supposedly transmission problem.
That is why I posted my question to the fine people in this forum.
like she did her homework. My wife is the one who I am trying to convince it's a good buy. I showed her all the positive reviews but she is dwelling on the
one negative with the car and that is the supposedly transmission problem.
That is why I posted my question to the fine people in this forum.
03-10-18, 10:49 AM
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I missed your second sentence in your post that it sounds crazy and thinking twice and a car with more mileage makes more sense.
I would love to pay half the price but with the low mileage this car offers I think I would benefit half the wear and tear.
Thanks for your comment. I will keep that in mind while I check the car out.
I would love to pay half the price but with the low mileage this car offers I think I would benefit half the wear and tear.
Thanks for your comment. I will keep that in mind while I check the car out.
03-10-18, 04:50 PM
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Well I checked the car out. It was a nice car not an $11k car she thinks it is. Scratches, no navigation, it hasn't been waxed since new.
The test drive was everything I expected after reading the reviews for the car. Quiet, nice ride etc. The transmission everyone complains
about was not evident. It shifted fine.
Thanks for everyone who responded.
The test drive was everything I expected after reading the reviews for the car. Quiet, nice ride etc. The transmission everyone complains
about was not evident. It shifted fine.
Thanks for everyone who responded.
03-11-18, 11:45 AM
#7
I missed your second sentence in your post that it sounds crazy and thinking twice and a car with more mileage makes more sense.
I would love to pay half the price but with the low mileage this car offers I think I would benefit half the wear and tear.
Thanks for your comment. I will keep that in mind while I check the car out.
I would love to pay half the price but with the low mileage this car offers I think I would benefit half the wear and tear.
Thanks for your comment. I will keep that in mind while I check the car out.
Also, you should find no problem with the transmission. The programming was reworked by this MY.
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03-12-18, 05:07 AM
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Thank you for elaborating. Makes sense. I did a lot of reading about this car and I do believe they mention this years model as
having the transmission problem. You should post your knowledge of this to a lot of concerned people ou there about your
knowledge. My wife didn't even want to look at the car after reading several complaints about it.
Like I said it was a fine car and ran perfect especially the shifting through every gear. Exterior had to many scratches including
the wheels and was not perfectly clean to ask top dollar ($11,500) although she did come down to $10,000. I passed on it
for the reason I don't think I would be happy sitting low to the ground in any sedan car. Used to a truck for 20+ years.
having the transmission problem. You should post your knowledge of this to a lot of concerned people ou there about your
knowledge. My wife didn't even want to look at the car after reading several complaints about it.
Like I said it was a fine car and ran perfect especially the shifting through every gear. Exterior had to many scratches including
the wheels and was not perfectly clean to ask top dollar ($11,500) although she did come down to $10,000. I passed on it
for the reason I don't think I would be happy sitting low to the ground in any sedan car. Used to a truck for 20+ years.
03-12-18, 10:29 PM
#9
Thank you for elaborating. Makes sense. I did a lot of reading about this car and I do believe they mention this years model as
having the transmission problem. You should post your knowledge of this to a lot of concerned people ou there about your
knowledge. My wife didn't even want to look at the car after reading several complaints about it.
Like I said it was a fine car and ran perfect especially the shifting through every gear. Exterior had to many scratches including
the wheels and was not perfectly clean to ask top dollar ($11,500) although she did come down to $10,000. I passed on it
for the reason I don't think I would be happy sitting low to the ground in any sedan car. Used to a truck for 20+ years.
having the transmission problem. You should post your knowledge of this to a lot of concerned people ou there about your
knowledge. My wife didn't even want to look at the car after reading several complaints about it.
Like I said it was a fine car and ran perfect especially the shifting through every gear. Exterior had to many scratches including
the wheels and was not perfectly clean to ask top dollar ($11,500) although she did come down to $10,000. I passed on it
for the reason I don't think I would be happy sitting low to the ground in any sedan car. Used to a truck for 20+ years.
As to sitting low, you'd be surprised. I drive an SUV daily and this car is her driver. I love driving it as a change as it is so much more relaxing to me and the visibility shift is not that big a deal after you drive it a little. I understand where you are coming from on that point, but it's something you get used to quickly, though feels very different at first.
03-14-18, 09:30 AM
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Thanks for all responses. I now have my sights on a 2003 LS430 with 108k miles on it for $7787. I had already
looked at this car but the wife was not interested in it because of it's age. I know I will sit low in it but man what
a beautiful car. I saw the car fax report and I don't remember if the timing chain had been done or not. If it has
I will show it to the wife on Friday. If not I guess I will keep looking.
The reason for car looking I have a 2002 F150 with 156k miles on it. I put 200 miles on it a week and the miles are piling
up. I want a reliable car for the next six years to put the miles on instead of my truck . It is getting a little tired climbing
the hills and gas mileage has always been a concern.
looked at this car but the wife was not interested in it because of it's age. I know I will sit low in it but man what
a beautiful car. I saw the car fax report and I don't remember if the timing chain had been done or not. If it has
I will show it to the wife on Friday. If not I guess I will keep looking.
The reason for car looking I have a 2002 F150 with 156k miles on it. I put 200 miles on it a week and the miles are piling
up. I want a reliable car for the next six years to put the miles on instead of my truck . It is getting a little tired climbing
the hills and gas mileage has always been a concern.
03-14-18, 10:30 AM
#11
Just my $0.02. A 100,000 miles car of that age IS low mile, and a better buy. If you loved the car, offer a price that works for you. Worst she can say is "no" but I agree that a 120,000 with its timing belt done and $4500 is what I'd grab. Mine was as such, 104,000 needed brakes, sway bar bushings, and exhaust I paid $3200 in november '17.
An LS430 is a remarkable vehicle, but is NOT as inexpensive to own as a Camry, like the ES. Many of its parts (the vast majority) are specific to that model in this country, and are way more expensive. It is, however, one of the most reliable cars (and most impressive, IMHO) ever made....
An LS430 is a remarkable vehicle, but is NOT as inexpensive to own as a Camry, like the ES. Many of its parts (the vast majority) are specific to that model in this country, and are way more expensive. It is, however, one of the most reliable cars (and most impressive, IMHO) ever made....
03-14-18, 01:11 PM
#12
03-17-18, 01:17 PM
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There is no mechanical/reliability reason to fear the U151e 5 speed. It's a really reliable unit and you rarely hear of a mechanical issue with them. The gripe is some awkward (delayed) shifting in stop/go traffic coupled with laggy throttle response from the DBW system - all of that is wholly due to programming, not a reliability issue. Some never notice it (I have had it happen once in the last 5 years, perhaps?). It was reprogrammed c. 2004 MY at some point as I understand it.
As to sitting low, you'd be surprised. I drive an SUV daily and this car is her driver. I love driving it as a change as it is so much more relaxing to me and the visibility shift is not that big a deal after you drive it a little. I understand where you are coming from on that point, but it's something you get used to quickly, though feels very different at first.
As to sitting low, you'd be surprised. I drive an SUV daily and this car is her driver. I love driving it as a change as it is so much more relaxing to me and the visibility shift is not that big a deal after you drive it a little. I understand where you are coming from on that point, but it's something you get used to quickly, though feels very different at first.
What do you mean "reprogrammed c.2004 MY" ??? I would love to have my 32,000 mile 2005 reprogrammed but don't know how to go about it? Than ks
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