jonas's RX

Guys,

Im hearing a lot of not too favorable word on the
U140E Transmission. Was 2000-2001 the only year
this transmission was used on all the 3rd Gen ES or
Just those 2 years? I heard the planetary gears would
break off over time regardless how you maintain the
transmission. Thoughts?

LeX2K

Pretty sure it was used from 1999-2003 in 2002 it was improved and updated. I've seen them go over 250,000 miles with proper maintenance but yes it is a ticking time bomb compared to the A series.

jonas's RX

Got it. The ES m currently looking at is a 1997

Does that mean the early ES had a different transmission?
maybe it is best to look for 98-99 then?

LeX2K

1997-1998 have the better A541E. Don't rule out the 1994-1996 ES300 assuming you like the body style they are very solid cars but getting quite hard to find in nice shape. The body structure of the 2ES is better than the 3ES despite what Lexus claims.

jonas's RX

Yea I’m all set to buy the 97 ES with 120K
and paying the seller this Friday. I think price
wise I could probably find one for less than 6.9K
but this one is very clean.

I actually do like the 2nd Gen ES but they are
now mostly beat up and very rare to get a Clean
carfax car.

LeX2K

'97 ES doesn't have any major weaknesses as long as it gets regular oil changes. Solid transmission and no VVTi so don't have to worry about the solenoids going out.

jonas's RX

All set to go. The seller was nice enough to take the car in to realign the tires and do another oil change which I
will pay for. I was initially not Into the antique Sage Grey but it is starting to grow on me.
All my 2 other Lexus are Pearl White

I think I’m going to be happy with this ES

FromFL

That's a beautiful color especially with the darker cladding. I wish they continued with the cladding, but on my '04 it's just the skinny rocker strip, paint same as the body color. You can tell they decontented (cheapened) these cars starting with the '02 model year.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

Congratulations on the purchase! That’s a good looking ES!

jonas's RX

Thanks Guys!

The ES has a new battery, 2 year old New tires,
T/B and W/P changed 20K miles ago,
S/P and wires all replaced, AT serviced 10K miles ago,
A new oil change and tire alignment just a few days ago.

The only on my to do lists are, replacing the Dead “ D “ bulb on the dash,
tinting the windows, clear bra the headlights
And I have to get new chrome logos in place of the Gold Logos.

Has anyone removed the Old Logos before? Debating if this is something
I can tackle myself?

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

It sounds like the car is good to go for a long time!

I’ve removed emblems from a few Lexus and my BMW. I’d recommend getting a heat gun to heat the emblem up and then use a razor/finger to pull them off. I’ve also ripped them off of the car on a hot day but only did that at the junkyard.

Hayk

iTrader: (1)

For emblems, a heat gun and a fishing line work best, then follow up with Goo Gone and IPA before applying new ones. I would also recommend you measure twice and add masking tape around the old emblems to get the proper position with new ones.

Naterz

Nice ride! Looks Immaculately clean. You paid $6900 for it?! 😮 what state? Is it cause inflation spike or just rarity?

jonas's RX

I’m in CA but I think these days if you get anything that is remotely decent
body and engine wise, you will not find a clean Japanese car for under
$7,000. Anything at $5,000, you are getting most likely a POS.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

That really seems to be the case right now. Some cars may be clean with high miles under $5,000, but it’s mostly overpriced junk. The ES’ and GS’ I come across right now are mostly junk. It wasn’t this bad before.

I would pay more for a mint condition 97-98 to avoid the U140e too.