Best ES300 Model Year? (1992-2001)
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Best ES300 Model Year? (1992-2001)
I have recently being doing lots of research on this model and have decided that I would get one for myself. But my main question is which model year is the best? What should I look for when searching and how much should I expect to pay. Thanks!
#2
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1992-1993 if you can find one in a 5-speed. 1996 for overall quality 2000-2001 for the overall package. 1997+ potentially have sludge problems, '92-93 have head gasket issues. '99-01 have weaker transmissions so a maintenance history is more important.
1990-1991 if you want to go old school.
1990-1991 if you want to go old school.
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sahibson (04-22-18)
#4
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The U140E is a weaker transmission (oil fouling) versus the previous A541E. Meaning regular maintenance is important I replace the fluid in mine every 20,000 miles. Overkill according to some but doing that means my transmission will likely never fail.
#5
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Another problem I have heard with the U140E is that one of the planetary gear sets has insufficent thrust bearing support. The bearing set shatters and then wrecks the transmission. This is the fear that kept me away from that year range; these are certainly the most attractive years of the ES300/330 and in the peak quality years as mentioned. This problem is an engineering flaw that Toyota/Aisin has made elsewhere. 2002+ Sequioas fail for exactly the same reason. Why it is not as common in LCs or Tundra, I do not know (or maybe it is and I just don’t know).
I think 20k ATF changes are prudent in almost any transmission. If not a whole fluid swap, at least the pan contents.
The 2002+ ES300/330 are nice cars. Pleasant interior (The look/design is even superior to the contemporary LS 430 IMO), but just a very blah exterior. These are still genuine Lexus Japan made and better than newer models in quality. The 5 speed transmission in them is also a nice feature and virtually bulletproof, or at least about as much as an AT can be.
I think 20k ATF changes are prudent in almost any transmission. If not a whole fluid swap, at least the pan contents.
The 2002+ ES300/330 are nice cars. Pleasant interior (The look/design is even superior to the contemporary LS 430 IMO), but just a very blah exterior. These are still genuine Lexus Japan made and better than newer models in quality. The 5 speed transmission in them is also a nice feature and virtually bulletproof, or at least about as much as an AT can be.
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Another problem I have heard with the U140E is that one of the planetary gear sets has insufficent thrust bearing support. The bearing set shatters and then wrecks the transmission. This is the fear that kept me away from that year range; these are certainly the most attractive years of the ES300/330 and in the peak quality years as mentioned. This problem is an engineering flaw that Toyota/Aisin has made elsewhere. 2002+ Sequioas fail for exactly the same reason. Why it is not as common in LCs or Tundra, I do not know (or maybe it is and I just don’t know).
I think 20k ATF changes are prudent in almost any transmission. If not a whole fluid swap, at least the pan contents.
The 2002+ ES300/330 are nice cars. Pleasant interior (The look/design is even superior to the contemporary LS 430 IMO), but just a very blah exterior. These are still genuine Lexus Japan made and better than newer models in quality. The 5 speed transmission in them is also a nice feature and virtually bulletproof, or at least about as much as an AT can be.
I think 20k ATF changes are prudent in almost any transmission. If not a whole fluid swap, at least the pan contents.
The 2002+ ES300/330 are nice cars. Pleasant interior (The look/design is even superior to the contemporary LS 430 IMO), but just a very blah exterior. These are still genuine Lexus Japan made and better than newer models in quality. The 5 speed transmission in them is also a nice feature and virtually bulletproof, or at least about as much as an AT can be.
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#8
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It is also odd to me that, regarding the A340, it is most identified with the Sequioa and doesn’t seem as common in the equally equipped Tundra and LC. I could see how the 4Runner could slide under the threshold of failure, but not the other two. Or maybe it does happen there and I just don’t know it. I used to drive a 98LC (fantastic truck) quite a bit and tow a lot with it, it was bullet proof to high mileage and before the years of the problem, but the exact drivetrain.
#9
The older 2nd gen ES is ideal if you want a manual transmission. The 3rd gen ES is considered by many including myself to be the best looking ES produced. The 2000/01 is a light, nimble car with sufficient power that is very quiet and does an excellent job isolating the driver from the road while providing reliable transportation for hundreds of thousands of miles (mine has 172k and I plan to keep it for as long as possible.) The 4ES is technologically a much better car - projector HIDs (05/06), 5spd, rear air vents, navigation, bluetooth, air conditioned seats etc. It also has far more rear headspace and interior room than the 3ES. However the 3ES can be brought up to modern specs in many regards with a fresh headunit and backup cam.
If reliability and class are your main objectives get the 3ES. If you want modernity for a reasonable price get the 4ES, which is also a very good looking car.
If reliability and class are your main objectives get the 3ES. If you want modernity for a reasonable price get the 4ES, which is also a very good looking car.
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