Thoughts about a 1997 Lexus ES300?

"Doublej" <akadoublej DeleteThis @hotmail.com> wrote in message news:<bimbt3$muo$1@bob.news.rcn.net>...
 > I have the opportunity to buy a 1997 Lexus ES300 with 30,000 miles on it.
 >
 > Would anyone care to comment about how this car holds up over the long term?
 >
 > Is there anything I need to be especially careful about having checked by a
 > mechanic?
 >
 > Does it have any known problems?
 >
 > Is the cost of repair and maintenance reasonable or am I better off sticking
 > with a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord?
 >
 > Does it have a fold down rear seat?
 >
 > Thanks in advance for any insight you can prvide.
 >
 > JJ

An extremely reliable car. I had a 1997. Son had a 2000 and now has
the 2003.

I checked consumer reports online (only available to subscribers) and
it is one of their recommended used cars. Almost every item they rate
it on is Much better than average or better than average.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts about a 1997 Lexus ES300? 

 > Would anyone care to comment about how this car holds up over the long
term?
 >
 > Is there anything I need to be especially careful about having checked by
a
 > mechanic?
 >
 > Does it have any known problems?
 >
 > Is the cost of repair and maintenance reasonable or am I better off
sticking
 > with a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord?
 >
 > Does it have a fold down rear seat?
 >
 > Thanks in advance for any insight you can prvide.
 >


It;s an extremely solid, reliable car. I have a '98. After 5 years and 87,00
miles, I don't have a complaint. You won't regret getting one.

It does not have a fold-down rear seat.

Cost of maintenance would be slightly higher than Camry, but, other than oil
changes, I've really had no maintenance problems to deal with. Toyota dealer
could service the car if you'd like.

As for known problems:

There was an oil-gelling "issue", whereby the oil might gel if oil changes
were not performed per the maintenance schedule. Check the oil, ask for
maintenance records, and see if car "smokes" upon startup or when gas is hit
hard. Was not really a problem with the car, just that some owners weren't
changing their oil and filter.

Some 1998 models (and maybe 97s) had a problem w/front struts failing early.
Evidenced by a 'thump' when turning and going up onto a driveway apron, such
as into a service station. Mine were replaced after about 35-40k under
warranty.

That's all I have.............I still love the car and it-s rock-solid,
w/not even a rattle after 5 years.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts about a 1997 Lexus ES300? 

The answer is a combination of both. It was a car driven on Sundays only for
a while and currently is being driven around town. It's a friend's Dad's car
so I know it has been reasonably well cared for.



"New Owner" <wdg@[206.180.145.133]> wrote in message
news:pqetkv8vfal45q6ih15rmp2b8en3a46j90@4ax.com...
 > The '97 ES300 is the mechanical equivalent of the '97 Toyota Camry with an
 > ever-so-slightly higher trim line. 30k miles seems awfully low for a 6
 > going on 7-year old car. Almost too low, suggesting that the car has
 > either sat most of its life (good) or has only been used for very short
 > trips (bad). Still there's no reason to expect more or less trouble than
 > usual. The 97 ES300 and LS400 are both extremely reliable cars. PROPERLY
 > MAINTAINED there's no reason not to expect 150-200k miles out of them.
 >
 > If you have it "checked out" you might consider having the Lexus
 > dealership do it. They likely have the service history of the car on their
 > computer. Unless they find something wrong, this should be a very reliable
 > car with a long service life.
 >
 > Fold-down rear seat? No.
 >
 > In article <bimbt3$muo$1@bob.news.rcn.net> "Doublej"
 > <akadoublej RemoveThis @hotmail.com> writes:
 >
  > >I have the opportunity to buy a 1997 Lexus ES300 with 30,000 miles on it.
  > >
  > >Would anyone care to comment about how this car holds up over the long
term?
  > >
  > >Is there anything I need to be especially careful about having checked by
a
  > >mechanic?
  > >
  > >Does it have any known problems?
  > >
  > >Is the cost of repair and maintenance reasonable or am I better off
sticking
  > >with a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord?
  > >
  > >Does it have a fold down rear seat?
  > >
  > >Thanks in advance for any insight you can prvide.
  > >
  > >JJ
  > >
 ><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: Thoughts about a 1997 Lexus ES300?