1997 ES300 @200k miles
08-19-18 | 10:43 AM
#1
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Driver School Candidate
Joined: Aug 2018
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From: PA
1997 ES300 @200k miles
There is a guy in my area selling a 97 es300 with 200k miles he bought it 4 years ago at 170k. I asked him about service and he said new pipe new resonator and new alternator all less then 5000 miles. He has never had a water pump or timing belt job done. Also, how good are the HGs on these cars? Is that something I’m going to have to worry about?
The car looks maintained and from what I understand swapping in a new water pump timing belt and some fans isn’t to difficult and I could probably do it on my own. But, I’ve never owned a toyota or lexus and no one in my family has. I know they’re “reliable” but I do not know anything about this engine or year. Is there anything I should look at in specific? and overall is it a buy or not?
edit: he’s asking 1500
The car looks maintained and from what I understand swapping in a new water pump timing belt and some fans isn’t to difficult and I could probably do it on my own. But, I’ve never owned a toyota or lexus and no one in my family has. I know they’re “reliable” but I do not know anything about this engine or year. Is there anything I should look at in specific? and overall is it a buy or not?
edit: he’s asking 1500
08-21-18 | 07:42 AM
#2
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Joined: May 2011
Posts: 70
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From: PA
Take it for a test drive and see how it drives. Check the oil, tranny and coolant levels/colors/smells. Take an OBD II scanner and make sure it has no codes, no pending codes and the I/M is set (indicating he didn't erase the codes recently). Check out the brakes/tires and see if they are all good and won't need replacement soon. While you are underneath checking the brakes, wiggle the sway bar links, front and rear, all tires, to make sure they are nice and tight. If you have Carfax or know someone that does, ask that he sends you the VIN# so you can run a report to see if the maintenance was done on it regularly before he had it and to make sure no major accidents were reported on it.
Other than than, can't ask for much for $1500.
My 2000 ES300 with 168k is getting to the point now where more stuff is going on it, making it almost not worth keeping. I have had a string of bad luck with it recently.
Other than than, can't ask for much for $1500.
My 2000 ES300 with 168k is getting to the point now where more stuff is going on it, making it almost not worth keeping. I have had a string of bad luck with it recently.
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