jRingo

Hello all, I test drove a clean 02 ES 300 yesterday (looking for a clean, reliable car around $10k+/-). In my area, it's hard to find clean cars for this price. I could go with something new'ish like a Fit or an Accent, but I would prefer a used Lexus. In fact, I'm driving a 180k 99 ES 300 right now that has been solid as a rock over the last 85k.


It was owned by a grandma who died somewhat suddenly about 1.5 years ago. Her daughter drove the car from 84k-to-its current 94.5k.


The mother had it serviced at the Lexus of Portland dealer since new. I asked for a printout copy of maintenance receipts before my test drive and she had them there in the car. The copy wasn't a full printout with detailed service as some of it was cutoff or abbreviated. But, it was there and had a list of all service from 0-84k miles.


The car was listed as excellent condition. Always garaged (from original owner; was sitting in driveway when I drove it). I asked to see the car do a cold-start up. It was definitely cold, as it had a few cob webs around the rear wheel arches. The car fired right up. The owner has a new Altima and Ford Escape, so they don't really drive this car.


Drove the car through town, along with slightly higher speed back-roads at 45-55mph. I thought I noticed a slight vibration through the steering wheel.



Then I hopped onto the freeway. Not really when accelerating, but when I let off the gas there was a very noticeable shaking of the steering wheel. It was almost shocking to me. I noticed the rear tires were noticeably less worn than the fronts, as if they hadn't been rotated in the last 10k+ miles.


So what's the most likely culprit behind the steering wheel shaking at freeway speeds? More so when dropping the throttle?


One thing of note, when looking through the service records there was a "vibration in steering wheel" noted at 12k miles. Again, the records were cut short from the dealer printout and it was too late to get ahold of the service department.


I really, really like the car and made an offer if the vibration was remedied (thinking rotor or wheel balancing or...something cheap enough).


Anyone have ideas?

ES300NZ

Vibration in the steering wheel is generally one (or all three), or three things.

• The tyre (or tyres) at the front. uneven wear, flat spots, separated belts, bulge in side wall.
• The wheel; lost weight, buckled, dented, a hop (often on the inside)
• The suspension: bent arms, or mounting points, bad wheel bearings, bad/worn bushings,

What I'm saying is; I would not let that put me off, unless. ... unless the car has had a front crash, then I would wonder about the state of the front chassis.

Whenever I buy a car I usually find it needs some work, if you can pay a service to check the car out for you it's almost always worth it. I always give the buyer the report whether it's good or bad so we can openly talk about a price rather than haggling over it like adversaries, but I'm a kiwi so we're like that.

My last car we took it to a mechanic before buying it and he gave us his report with the seller standing there. I'm about as experienced with cars as the mechanic would be, but he's a fresh set of eyes that does it every day.

kevsue3

I just purchased cpo 2017 GS350 for 32000, I know its not an F model however there really is not that much difference between 2016 - 2019 That is why I purchased 2017, everyone thinks its new since 2020 looks the same. look for a 2016-2017 and save money.

HomerJay

What is a non sequitur?
Interesting post to a 5 year old thread.