Thoughts on 2005 ES
07-08-16, 01:02 AM
#1
Driver
Thread Starter
Thoughts on 2005 ES
I'm primarily interested in an LS 430, but I keep coming across these ES models that seem like great deals.
This one is a 2005 ES 330, original owner, all maintenance through Lexus, with 90k on clock. Willing to do 90k timing belt service as part of the sale. It's an elderly couple who are no longer able to drive. Asking is 9k OBO.
I read nothing but great reviews about this model with exception of the transmission. I read a lot of complaints online about this jerky/hesitating trannie at low speeds. This makes me very leery of even test driving it.
What should I look for when I drive it tomorrow?
Edit: Just found the big transmission thread....
This one is a 2005 ES 330, original owner, all maintenance through Lexus, with 90k on clock. Willing to do 90k timing belt service as part of the sale. It's an elderly couple who are no longer able to drive. Asking is 9k OBO.
I read nothing but great reviews about this model with exception of the transmission. I read a lot of complaints online about this jerky/hesitating trannie at low speeds. This makes me very leery of even test driving it.
What should I look for when I drive it tomorrow?
Edit: Just found the big transmission thread....
Last edited by LVPUNK; 07-08-16 at 02:26 AM.
07-08-16, 08:45 PM
#2
Lexus Champion
That was the reason I sold mine...great car otherwise.
Here are my opinions on it:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...-my-lexus.html
Here are my opinions on it:
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...-my-lexus.html
07-08-16, 09:13 PM
#3
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I just bought one of these. So for the concerns about the tranny, I have been told that it's a common characteristic for these older luxury cars; it doesn't really jolt like a sports car would. I find it really gets up to speed, but not throw you back in your seat. For 9k, you'd be paying at the higher end of the spectrum for the value of the car. I really wouldn't pay that price for the car, you can probably knock him down to high 7k to low 8k. Also, has the car seen the winter do you know?
07-09-16, 12:51 AM
#4
Transmission isn't as bad as people make it out to be, love driving my 2004 and honestly it's been a great car in every aspect from reliability to comfort. That being said, it doesn't compare to the LS430 which is about 10x better in ever department besides gas mileage, but you'll also be paying more than 9k and in service bills
07-09-16, 11:24 AM
#5
Transmission isn't as bad as people make it out to be, love driving my 2004 and honestly it's been a great car in every aspect from reliability to comfort. That being said, it doesn't compare to the LS430 which is about 10x better in ever department besides gas mileage, but you'll also be paying more than 9k and in service bills
POS in the city. Constantly looking for gears, or flaring for no reason. No power when you stomp on it and launches where you don't want it to - I FIND. If I knew better, I would've steered my old man away from an 04 RX to an 07+ at the time.
Not to say it's unreliable or anything, but it annoys the hell out of me
Look at 09+ ES if you must. Same price as CLEAN 05/06 LS430
07-09-16, 05:15 PM
#6
I disagree, unless you hit the freeway/highway for a good part of your commute daily, it's not worth it.
POS in the city. Constantly looking for gears, or flaring for no reason. No power when you stomp on it and launches where you don't want it to - I FIND. If I knew better, I would've steered my old man away from an 04 RX to an 07+ at the time.
Not to say it's unreliable or anything, but it annoys the hell out of me
Look at 09+ ES if you must. Same price as CLEAN 05/06 LS430
POS in the city. Constantly looking for gears, or flaring for no reason. No power when you stomp on it and launches where you don't want it to - I FIND. If I knew better, I would've steered my old man away from an 04 RX to an 07+ at the time.
Not to say it's unreliable or anything, but it annoys the hell out of me
Look at 09+ ES if you must. Same price as CLEAN 05/06 LS430
07-09-16, 10:59 PM
#7
Driver
Thread Starter
Thanks for all the input.
It drove out nice. I did a lot of rolling stops and never felt any odd shifting.
However the overall condition of the car was more average than "excellent" as advertised. Mechanically it appeared to be fine, and she claimed to have all paperwork. But there were way too many scratches, scuff marks etc to make it worth my consideration. The interior was also in fair condition, not excellent.
It did sell to somebody else later that night though, which I thought was pretty funny. She texted me to let me know.
I need to be patient and just stick to the LS 430 me thinks. I'm going to SoCal in two weeks and maybe I can find a nice one there. Lots of junk here in Vegas. In LA there seems to be a ton of them, lower miles, and often priced 2-4k lower than here.
It drove out nice. I did a lot of rolling stops and never felt any odd shifting.
However the overall condition of the car was more average than "excellent" as advertised. Mechanically it appeared to be fine, and she claimed to have all paperwork. But there were way too many scratches, scuff marks etc to make it worth my consideration. The interior was also in fair condition, not excellent.
It did sell to somebody else later that night though, which I thought was pretty funny. She texted me to let me know.
I need to be patient and just stick to the LS 430 me thinks. I'm going to SoCal in two weeks and maybe I can find a nice one there. Lots of junk here in Vegas. In LA there seems to be a ton of them, lower miles, and often priced 2-4k lower than here.
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07-12-16, 08:41 AM
#10
Lexus Test Driver
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Thanks for all the input.
It drove out nice. I did a lot of rolling stops and never felt any odd shifting.
However the overall condition of the car was more average than "excellent" as advertised. Mechanically it appeared to be fine, and she claimed to have all paperwork. But there were way too many scratches, scuff marks etc to make it worth my consideration. The interior was also in fair condition, not excellent.
It did sell to somebody else later that night though, which I thought was pretty funny. She texted me to let me know.
I need to be patient and just stick to the LS 430 me thinks. I'm going to SoCal in two weeks and maybe I can find a nice one there. Lots of junk here in Vegas. In LA there seems to be a ton of them, lower miles, and often priced 2-4k lower than here.
It drove out nice. I did a lot of rolling stops and never felt any odd shifting.
However the overall condition of the car was more average than "excellent" as advertised. Mechanically it appeared to be fine, and she claimed to have all paperwork. But there were way too many scratches, scuff marks etc to make it worth my consideration. The interior was also in fair condition, not excellent.
It did sell to somebody else later that night though, which I thought was pretty funny. She texted me to let me know.
I need to be patient and just stick to the LS 430 me thinks. I'm going to SoCal in two weeks and maybe I can find a nice one there. Lots of junk here in Vegas. In LA there seems to be a ton of them, lower miles, and often priced 2-4k lower than here.
07-13-16, 07:52 PM
#11
Lexus Champion
I disagree, unless you hit the freeway/highway for a good part of your commute daily, it's not worth it.
POS in the city. Constantly looking for gears, or flaring for no reason. No power when you stomp on it and launches where you don't want it to - I FIND. If I knew better, I would've steered my old man away from an 04 RX to an 07+ at the time.
Not to say it's unreliable or anything, but it annoys the hell out of me
POS in the city. Constantly looking for gears, or flaring for no reason. No power when you stomp on it and launches where you don't want it to - I FIND. If I knew better, I would've steered my old man away from an 04 RX to an 07+ at the time.
Not to say it's unreliable or anything, but it annoys the hell out of me
And yes it does depend on your commute. I recently changed commutes back to stop and go and that made me hate the ES330's tranny even more, to the point where it was making a tough commute even more stressful. It is an excellent highway car once you're up to speed however.
07-13-16, 09:10 PM
#12
I disagree, unless you hit the freeway/highway for a good part of your commute daily, it's not worth it.
POS in the city. Constantly looking for gears, or flaring for no reason. No power when you stomp on it and launches where you don't want it to - I FIND. If I knew better, I would've steered my old man away from an 04 RX to an 07+ at the time.
Not to say it's unreliable or anything, but it annoys the hell out of me
Look at 09+ ES if you must. Same price as CLEAN 05/06 LS430
POS in the city. Constantly looking for gears, or flaring for no reason. No power when you stomp on it and launches where you don't want it to - I FIND. If I knew better, I would've steered my old man away from an 04 RX to an 07+ at the time.
Not to say it's unreliable or anything, but it annoys the hell out of me
Look at 09+ ES if you must. Same price as CLEAN 05/06 LS430
I thought 04-09 RX used the same 5 speed tranny. So how come there is no tranny lag on 07+ RX?
Do you know how lexus fixed it? I am thinking of a used RX but worried about this tranny lag and the power steering rack, which seem be the common problems. Not to mention the vvti hose failures.
07-14-16, 07:47 PM
#13
Lexus Champion
I know the 07+ has the newer 2GR engine, so its possible they reprogrammed the transmission with the engine update. Need to do some more digging on the RX forum and a couple more test drives.
So far every single RX for sale I've seen has had a leak coming from the inner tie rod boot. Seems like its something you can't avoid. My dad's Sienna has the same problem, its messy, but according to the level in the reservoir, it isn't loosing too much fluid, so for now he'll just top it off until the leak gets worse.
07-14-16, 07:52 PM
#14
speedkar9,
You mean power steering rack leak when u said inner tie rod boot? May I ask why you say 07-08 only and not 09? I just saw my Lexus dealer put up an 09 for sale (61K) but asking 19K. Will check it out
You mean power steering rack leak when u said inner tie rod boot? May I ask why you say 07-08 only and not 09? I just saw my Lexus dealer put up an 09 for sale (61K) but asking 19K. Will check it out