draco

I have now finally managed to get rid of my lemon of a Volvo and have been able to trade it in for a 1996 (Australia) / 1997 (USA) Lexus ES300. I have named her Winnie (think Lexus being Lexy combining with Windom). She is a beaut. Unlike you guys over in the US, these cars came in 2 options being the LXS and S. The S doesn't have the electric seats (go figure) but everything else is electrical. It has done 203000 km's, but still oh so smooth and solid just like that new feel. This car will be my car for a while until I can save up to move up to the next step being a GS300.

As far as mods are concerned, I may have to keep it normal for a while as I do have to save up for the next one. I'm sure that the bug won't stay away for too long, already thinking of doing a swap for a new stereo (this one's good but I want a 7" inch double-DIN.

Here are some pictures of my new car.

Lexucan

Congratulations! Looks very clean, must have been very well maintained by her previous owner. So, I guess the "S" trim came with cloth seats and no moonroof? Don't worry, even with 200K+ km's on her, she still has plenty of life left. Mine has gone 430K+ km's and is still going strong.

BDSL

Jesus!!! Glad to know. I am at 310k km and still going to strong.

MJHSC400

Steering wheel is on the wrong side man I'd take it back!

That things clean though, but hubcaps??? You gotta get some IS350/250 wheels on that thing fast!

Lazy

iTrader: (2)

I will trade you that would be sick yo have a RHD one of those in cali haha.. looks clean.

draco

Thanks for the comments guys. Nah can't do a swap now, I just got it

Choas

Looks nice. Pretty rare to come by with that options package

draco

Thanks Chaos. Yeah pretty rare to come without an options package

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

Are most lexus es300's like that in Australia? or just yours, because i no there are very very few amounts of es 300's sold without leather,

draco

JMD93 I am not too sure how many come like mine. The Australian releases seem to be just the 2 specs + what ever options were available on purchase of the original car. The specs we seem to have are:

S Spack

* Cloth and manually adjustable seats
* No moon-roof
* No AVS suspension
* No Traction Control

S Spack

* Cloth and manually adjustable seats
* No moon-roof
* No AVS suspension
* No Traction Control

S Spack

* Cloth and manually adjustable seats
* No moon-roof
* No AVS suspension
* No Traction Control

LXS Spack

* Leather and electric adjustable seats
* Moon-roof (option)
* AVS suspension (option)
* Traction Control (option?)

So far that is the info I have found with these cars here in Australia. There probably is somemore, but haven't found any information on that as yet. I'm still trying to see whether I can find something to put in my car that would fit the rails (without modification) so I can have electrics - thought about something like a Camry Grande or Toyota / Lexus Soarer SC that might fit. Leather I can just get the covers from ebay.

draco

Another difference I have noticed between the Australia & USA release version of the ES300 for 3rd Gen, is that in Oz we have an indicator on the front fenders whereas the US cars don't. The difference is again in the headlight with the US cars having a amber reflector on the outside of the light whereas th Oz ones are clear all the way.