cda793

Hi all,

To explain briefly, I'm on a shoestring budget and set on a search for a vehicle that was all of the following: not a crapwagon, highly reliable, under $10,000, and under 100,000 miles. With those four perimeters in mind, I've narrowed down to the 2nd generation ES300 (97-01) or the 2nd generation GS-300 (98-05). Really what I'd like to know is whether one is far more easier to maintain than the other or they about the same? I know the ES is based on the Camry but to what extent the ES shares parts with the Camry is totally unknown to me. But in short, any guidance as to the mechanical differences and ease of maintenance between these two vehicles would be very appreciated.

speedkar9

My brother has the GS.
I have a Toyota Solara, which is mechanically similar to the Camry and ES.

Overall both are very reliable vehicles. The RWD GS takes premium fuel and has slightly more power than the FWD ES/Camry.
The 97-98 ES300 has an identical engine and transmission to the Camry/Solara, but the 99-01 ES300 have an updated engine with VVT-i and a newer (albeit less reliable) transmission. Suspension components are identical if you don't opt for the AVS struts.
Having many parts available from the popular Camry will make the ES cheaper to maintain, repair and run long term.

The GS on the other hand shares its engine with only the IS300. Those engines are rock solid, and replacing the timing belt and valve cover gasket is much easier than the Camry/ES since the engine is longitudinal. Other components (such as the transmission pan) are buried way under the vehicle which make fluid exchanges a bit more difficult. It also has a more complex double wishbone suspension as opposed to the MacPherson struts used on the Camry / ES. While this makes for better handling, it has a tenancy to wear out ball joints much faster.

$10,000 is a lot of money to put down on 12-18 year old vehicles. I'm not sure about your state, but $10K can get you into an 07-08 ES350 here.

mmatheny

"$10K can get you into an 07-08 ES350 " - I'd like to see that!! Not here in Texas.

speedkar9

Yea well fortunately for us in Canada, cars are much cheaper. Our dollar is also lower than the USD, which makes it even cheaper once you convert:

http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/cars/lexus...edSearch&srt=4

RXGS

iTrader: (2)

Get the ES, my 2002 GS300 was a ****ing pain in the *** in terms of suspension. It's the only car I've owned I don't miss. I owned the car from 62k to 140k and I babied the thing