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Transmission problems with Lexus ES?

1381 messages,  Last post on Nov 26, 2009 at 12:56 PM

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

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#416 of 1381 vvt-i by sarah Mar 24, 2004 (5:41 pm)
Thanks for your advices. Did any new owner experience the same slow response in the first 15 mi.? I spoke to their service person today and she explained that it was not transmission problem that people are experiencing, that it was the software that needs adjustment.I read about the vvt-i on their website today and it explained in detail its technology, same with ECT-i both seem to be dependent on the computer sensor which is controlling the car for you rather than you. The sales rep did allow me to drive as long as I want but it was late in the eve. so maybe I'll try to do that again tomorrow.The whole experience was just surprising not unsatisfied because if the car is really dependent on these sensors,I can understand,just a matter of knowing about it.
#417 of 1381 sarah by andy71 Mar 24, 2004 (6:25 pm)
Cars from all manufacturers are packing more and more complicated technology in their cars. Most are definitely for the better but unfortunately some are not. This is my first car with an "intelligent", "adaptive" transmission. From my personal experience I can tell you that the transmission did adapt to my driving habit after about a week. But if you don't feel comfortable with the car back out of the deal. You should buy something that satisfies your needs.
#418 of 1381 andy71 by sarah Mar 24, 2004 (6:46 pm)
Do you have the '04 ES330? Did you experience the same slow response when you first drive your car? As I mentioned in my earlier post,it's not that I'm dissatisfied, it's just that I didn't know about the vvt-i technology. Now that I know about it, I seem to trust that it will adapt to my driving like in your case.
#419 of 1381 sarah - In my experience.. by atoews Mar 24, 2004 (7:19 pm)
The "smart" transmission symptom, whatever it is, is minor compared to the transmission hesitation that board members complain about.   I have not felt a sluggish startup, but more like a shudder, and mostly when accelerating after I have pulled back from the gas.   Also, if you are not trying to repeat the problem, it tends to be intermittant.   But I could repeat the shudder on all ES300s I have driven.   I have not driven an ES330, but some board members have reported that the problem was never fixed in the ES330.
#420 of 1381 sarah by toydriver Mar 24, 2004 (7:34 pm)
You are getting some really good advice from experienced ES owners on the past few posts.   Forgive my intrusion, but it sounds like you are convincing yourself that the initial hesitation you felt on the test drive won't bother you as long as you understand the technology.   I am still trying to understand the technology too, but am still annoyed at times by the slow response to pushing on the gas and feeling the shudder when it downshifts - as atoews refers to.   If I were you, I'd take a more basic approach to it. Test it again (without the sales person in the car). Stomp on the gas, slow quickly, speed up again - then drive it slow and easy, noticing every sound and vibration. Drive it for as many miles as they will allow, before you purchase. New car owners should be 100% satisfied with the car when they leave the lot - (the car won't get any better than when it's brand new and shiney).
#421 of 1381 toydriver by sarah Mar 24, 2004 (8:17 pm)
I've read almost all the post on this site tonite,now,I'm really convinced that I had experienced the slow response that most people described. As I mentioned in my first post after test drive,As soon as I started the car and pressed on the pedal far enough,the car was just moving and not running. I crawled out of the dealer's parking lot feeling strange and drove 50ft to next door's parking lot still crawling, checked if the brake was accidentally left on but didn't find any sign of it. Came out of the parking lot and drove back to the dealer's parling lot,the car was running better by then.After the sales person and their engineer explained the vvt-i technology,i decided to give it a try again. This time, I didn't feel the same response. That's exactly what I've read from this board. I was hoping that the car's computer would adapt to my driving habit as some has reported but now, I have this funny feeling that I'd just experienced the typical symptoms on my first try. It's sad, I'm so close to getting the car,now,I'm having second thought. I drive on a busy highway to work everyday, and the traffic is often stop and go, I'm really concerned about the response issue and possibly more of others. I'm really disappointed and frustrated now. Thanks to all. I'll let you know of my decision tomorrow.
#422 of 1381 sarah by andy71 Mar 25, 2004 (5:44 am)
If what you described is true, don't buy this car. My car didn't exhibit this slow almost no response you are talking about, but the transmission did feel a bit lethargic especially when it came to downshifting from overdrive for quick passing or merging maneuvers. Thankfully that symptom is now gone as it has "adapted" to my driving habits.   P.s. My car is a 2004 Camry SE V6 with the same 5 speed ECT-i automatic.
#423 of 1381 FYI sarah by wrd Apr 12, 2004 (4:49 pm)
My 2002 ES300 still shifts and drives bad and it has 30,000 miles on it. Last sunday (Easter),in heavy traffic on the Mass Pike, my wife, my 5 year old grandaughter and I came within fractions of an inch of being crushed by a 18 wheeler. I stomped itto get out of the way and NOTHING happened except for a lot of engine noise. The car went nowhere. By the time it picked a gear and started to move , the trucks bumper and grille were the only things I could see in my rearview mirror. He managed to stop( with smoking tires). Another coat of paint on my car and there would have been contact.  Wiht the exception of the shifting and throttle response, it is a great car that I wish I had never bought. I also own a LS400, my second,and I do not know of a nicer production automobile, but, I will never trust Lexus enough to buy another one of any model. Their response to the driveability problems of the 300 have been underwhelming.
#424 of 1381 Question on '92 ES300, same AT as currently used? by srocks4 Apr 12, 2004 (10:19 pm)
Hi Everyone,   I will be looking into a used es300, most of my driving will be on the freeway. From what I've read, there is a lot of issues with AT, does anyone if the '92 used the same?   94k, leather, suppose to be clean with no major mechanic issues; Their asking for 5k.   Thanks.
#425 of 1381 by maxhonda99 Apr 13, 2004 (6:03 am)
srocks4,   The 92 ES300 had a totally different transmission from today's ES300. In fact the 92-93 ES300 had one transmission, the 94-96 ES300 had another transmission.

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