XenonES3

I saw a 97-99 ES with tints and 00-01 tails....further evidence that a swap to newer tails on 97-99 is viable.

I saw the car on Saturday afternoon, at the intersection of Waukegan and Glenview Rd, in Glenview (very close to Bredemann Lexus). The car was graphite and had dark tint on the rear windows, and light up front....IF THIS IS YOUR CAR AND YOU USE CL PLEASE STEP UP!!!!!

meZoom!

wait, how did u know it was a 97-99?

XenonES3

Good question. The car had 97-99 rims and 97-99 headlights. I can't imagine anyone dumb enough to go through the trouble of making his or her car look older than it is, so that is sufficient evidence for me to believe it is a 97-99.

meZoom!

fair enough. i was thinking maybe it still had coach ed. badges or something. good sighting.

Nabeel

Holdup, I thought the base 15 inch rims and headlights were unchanged from '97-'02? To the best of my little knowledge, the visual changes between the '99 and '00 consisted of a revised grille and bumper, optional 16 inch wheels, and of course the tail lights. Please tell me I'm wrong, because it would be pretty cool if you just discovered a new 'upgrade' for the '97-'99 drivers.

XenonES3

You're wrong

The headlights were redesigned in 2000 to be compatible with HID.

16 inch standard on all 2000-2001 ES300's. Lexus would have gotten a slap on the face if they made 15's standard, when the benchmark in its class is 17 inch.

LEXBERG

The Interiors are also different on the 97-98 ES and the 99-00

Nabeel

Didn't know about the headlights. What are the external differences between the two headlights? The reflector pattern? They *look* identical to me from the outside.

I am POSITIVE- let me repeat- POSITIVE- that 15 inch wheels- the same '97-'99 design- were standard on the '00-'01. I have a '00 ES300 brochure somewhere at home stating this, and I've seen in person numerous '00-'01 cars with the 15 inchers.

So I'm halfway right

Nabeel

Sort of.....I think the '00-'01 just has a little extra wood trim around the radio/HVAC controls and that's it.

squarehat

Yes, the same 15" from the 97-99 cars came was definitely standard on the 00, probably the 01 as well. The 16" split 3-spoke was an upgrade, and Platinum Series cars had the 16" wheels that look like a diamond cut version of the OZ Opera.


As for the headlights, non-HID 00-01 have the same reflector design as the 97-99, where the reflector bowls for the low beams and highs/DRLS blend together. HID equipped cars have two distinctly separate reflector bowls, which appear identical to the 98-00 LS400 w/HID, and 01-present IS300.


Interior differences: 00-01 added wood trim to stereo and climate controls, wood/leather steering wheel made available as an option. 00-01 have a electrochromic (auto-dimming) rear view mirror. Not sure when the HomeLink buttons on the sunvisor first appeared.

From the Lexus CPO website: http://www.lexus.com/cpo/model_library/es_00.html
CHANGES MADE TO THE 2000 ES 300

Standard Features:

Chiseled front bumper
Chrome added to grille bars
Redesigned fog lamps and rear taillamps
"ES 300" badge relocated to taillamp area
Auto-dimming, electrochromic inside mirror and driver's outside mirror
Trunk pass-through lock added
Additional interior wood trim
Rear headrests more recessed in seatbacks
Redesigned front seatback pockets
Multifunction, in-key remote entry system with rolling-code technology
Standard audio system features Automatic Sound Levelizer (ASL)
Stainless-steel scuff plates added
Child Restraint Seat (CRS) top tether anchor brackets
New "Arista" fabric available in Sage or Black
Optional Features:

New exterior colors: Mineral Green Opalescent, Millennium Silver and Graphite Gray Pearl
Interior air filter available with Leather/Memory Package
Dual-setting heated seats
Brake Assist1 added to VSC2 system
New 16-inch alloy wheels with 205/60VR16 all-season tires
High-Intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps with dynamic auto leveling

squarehat

Halogen Reflectors

squarehat

High Intensity Discharge

Note the distinctly separate reflector bowls.
Not the best pic due to glare, but the first one I found on the web with xenon.

Nabeel

Thanks for the comprehensive overview of changes squarehat. I definately learned some things I didn't know before.

XenonES3

Yeah, great overview.

Hold up, 15 inch may be standard, but that's a joke. 100% of 00-01 ES's I have seen had 3 spoke 16's.

It's one of those things, Lexus made a trunk mat an $80 option once!!!!!!!!!! But, since it is a must-have option and a way for both the dealer and Lexus to make a few extra bucks, almost all cars shipped to dealers came with trunk mats regardless.

I think the 16 inch rims had the same situation. LEATHER SEATS AND A SUNROOF ARE ALSO OPTIONS!!!! .....how many Lexus vehicles have you seen with out either??????

Nabeel

At my local Lexus dealer, about half the '00-'01 cars I've seen came with the standard 15 inch wheels. I agree, 16 inch should be standard, but apparently many of the ES buyers wanted a smooth ride over the additional performance and looks of the 16 inchers.

I've seen a few gen-1 ES300s with cloth seats and no sunroof, and even a couple of gen-2 cars. I kinda like the way the cloth feels. It grips you much better than the leather and does not show as much wear. But ya, leather might as well have been standard since 99 percent of the cars came equipped that way.

Hmmm.....my car does not have a trunk mat, but it has pretty much every other option available. Go figure.