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Lexus ES 300/ES 330

5443 messages,  Last post on Aug 14, 2010 at 9:21 AM

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What is this discussion about? Lexus ES 300, Lexus ES 330, Sedan

Messages Page 165 of 545

#1639 of 5443 2002 ES 300 Owner review. by caves

Oct 19, 2001 (12:14 am)

We have had our 2002 ES 300 for two weeks now. Love the interior, learning to love the exterior, it looks a lot better with the GS 300 chrome wheels we had installed. The tires only have a treadwear rating of 200. Wish Lexus would have used better tires.
 
Based off the comparsion review in Motor Trend the Mark Levinson Stereo isn't equal to the installation in the LS430. I guess you lose quality in a "cheaper" car. The ML system sounds real clean.
 
Agree on the wood should have been on window switchplates. No place to put your cell phone. Hate the foot parking brake. They should allow owner to key a password for the Navigation System, since you place personal information of friends and family.
 
Looks great in black. My wife wants a spoiler. I guess I have to start looking.
 
Good luck guys,

#1640 of 5443 caves by fredvh

Oct 19, 2001 (7:45 am)

What kind of tires are they? Did you consider the new Camry before purchasing the ES300?

#1641 of 5443 Caves' comments by rnbesquire

Oct 20, 2001 (1:29 am)

Howdy:
 
I've also been driving my new black ES for two weeks.
 
Caves writes:
>>We have had our 2002 ES 300 for two weeks now. Love the interior, learning to love the exterior, it looks a lot better with the GS 300 chrome wheels we had installed. The tires only have a treadwear rating of 200. Wish Lexus would have used better tires.>>
 
I too love the interior. Seats are very comfortable, and environment is quiet. Even with 5 adults on board, it is very comfortable. Definitely love the exterior. I'm still getting a lot of looks from drivers of much more expensive machinery.
Tires seem to grip very well; their durability remains to be seen. Wish I'd known about the GS chromies; I'd have gotten them. Chromies look great on a black car. The stock alloys are growing on me.
 
I'll be interested to see what kind of a spoiler/wing they devise for it. Maybe it will increase my operating ceiling. But you know, I'm on a cloud anyway when I'm driving it!
 
>>No place to put your cell phone. Hate the foot parking brake.>>
 
I agree there is no convenient place to put your phone, but there is an aux. plug in the lower compartment of the front armrest, to keep it charged. I'm stowing the phone in one of the cupholder slots. I'm not used to a footbrake either, but I'll get used to it with no problem.
 
The car seems to hesitate as it decides on a gear when you are going slow and transition to acceleration. The shifts are butter-smooth in the usual mode, but I find myself finessing the go-pedal slightly when I've slowed down to maybe 10-20 mph, and then accelerate. Power comes on very smoothly.
 
I'm totally in love with the HID headlights; they are a MUST. The "auto" mode turns them on and off when needed, and leaves them on for a minute after you exit the vehicle.
 
Driving this car is like flying an F-117 stealth fighter. Maybe it's just because it's black with tinted windows... I'm pushing the handling envelope slowly but surely, and it's taken every maneuver with aplomb.
 
I'm going to put a coat of Zymol wax on it this weekend, to give it the wet look. Then my baby will be wet and wild!
 
Cordially,
RNBESQUIRE

#1642 of 5443 GS300 chromes by davidh44

Oct 20, 2001 (2:23 am)

caves,
How much does it cost to have GS300 chrome wheels put onto the ES?

#1643 of 5443 Factory Orders 2002 ES 300 ? by rebelsk

Oct 20, 2001 (8:21 am)

I ordered my 2002 through my dealer through the factory and have been told it will take 90 days to receive and that the dealer will hear about a month before when the car is arriving. Has anyone who ordered the car this same way heard anything yet? I am getting the car with the Mark Levinson Stereo System but am not getting the Navigation System. I am getting most of the other options including AVS.

#1644 of 5443 test drive review by steven36

Oct 20, 2001 (9:51 am)

Like everyone else, I like the inside amenities, even better than on my 98 E320 which I'm in the process of replacing. The ride doesn't feel as "solid" nor does the suspension have the same road feel. The engine also feels a bit anemic but adequate for around town driving. With more "cajones" and a tighter suspension I'd pay an additional $5k.

#1645 of 5443 Zymol - Another Alternative by trublu00

Oct 20, 2001 (11:40 am)

Instead of Zymol, you may want to opt for Zaino. I have found this to be the best and easiest shine on the market. Go to the Zaino forum on Edmunds. There is a very recent test of five "waxes", zymol over-the-counter and zymol direct (which are different) were two of the waxes. Zaino beat hands down with six months of findings on the wear and shine. The results were based on many person's input. I have done nothing less than Zaino on my '00 ES300 and it looks better than new. My opinion, for what it is worth.

#1646 of 5443 Digital Pictures.... by mind18

Oct 20, 2001 (12:49 pm)

Anyone have digital photos to share of their new ES 300? Espically if you have it in black...

#1647 of 5443 Why buy an ES300 over New Camry by dsemmen

Oct 20, 2001 (2:50 pm)

I have been considering the new ES300, which I really like. But, I just drove a new 02 Camry and it is one nice car. And, can be topped out with every option including NAV (same one in ES300) for about $6000 less. The only thing you are not getting for that money, which would be in the ES300 is the wood trim and the Lexus name plate. Plus, the Camry has two inches more leg room in the back. And, they both share the same body and parts. I really like the ES300, but is it $6000 better then a similar equipped camry! I just read the Edmunds review of the Camry and they even made reference to these facts as well, stating "why would someone forego a Camry for an ES300 for thousands more"

#1648 of 5443 Camry Vs ES300 by s852

Oct 20, 2001 (5:00 pm)

"Most people" will have a hard time time finding $6000 worth of visible improvement between a loaded 2002 Camry XLEV6 and an ES300.
They will see improvement in the Lexus, but it may or may not be worth the price difference to them.
When you sell the Lexus, you will get "some" of the extra money you spent back in resale, so it really won't cost the entire difference the MSRP shows (unless you can get the Camry near invoice and have to pay near full MSRP sticker for the Lexus).
 
Some of the benefits are subjective like the prestige of driving a Lexus vs a Toyota and that is worth whatever you feel like it is worth.
The styling is "different." Some will prefer the wild and daring ES300 styling and some will prefer the more conservative Camry styling. The interior is higher quality in the ES300 and there are some options available only on the Lexus. If you don't happen to want any of the exclusive ES300 options that are not available on the Camry, then getting the Lexus is harder to justify.
You can expect better and more expensive service for Lexus dealers, but there won't be as many dealers to choose from so it might be inconvenient to drive to the Lexus dealer for a routine oil changes or warranty repairs.

Messages Page 165 of 545

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