capnjim

Hi all...so I am new to the Forum and am looking at getting my first Lexus.
I have been a Camry guy for a few years. I want something just a bit smoother and quieter so I figure a Lexus is perfect.
The one that is calling to me is a 2000 ES300 Millenium edition. They only made a few hundred and it was 60k (Cdn) new.
The seller has original bill of sale and certificate of authentation.
Here's a link to the ad.

http://www.autotrader.ca/a/Lexus/ES/..._/?orup=5_15_7


Its a one owner car, and is super clean, but it has 160k km's and will need a timing belt change.
But it was meticulously maintained.

I also looked at a 2004 ES330 with only 120k km. Very nice, but there was something about the 2000 that just felt better. The engine response was ridiculously smooth. whereas the 2003 felt just like my 1999 Solara.
It just didn't feel as nice as the 2000 even though it has less mileage, and also had the shocks changed.
is it possible for a special edition, that its higher quality even though its the same model??
I am also going to look at a 2003 ES300 with only 80,000km, but it has the basic stereo, no heated seats, or remote starter.
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-cars-trucks/v...ationFlag=true

The 2000 has everything.
If I get a Lexus, I kind of want it to be fully loaded. heated seats and remote starter are a plus. Also, the Nakamichi stereo was amazing on the 2000. I love the analog vol/bass/mid/treble/bal/fad/ controls.
Am I nuts for considering 6k for a 17 yr old car with 160,000km?
I'm in Montreal canada and there are not many for sale so my choices are limited.
Thanks!!

nsghtbrwry

I don't think that's too much, but then again I'm in the Bay Area and a clean, one-owner Coach Edition (same as your Millenium Edition) is worth around $7-8k USD.

I just bought a similar one-owner 2001 Coach Edition with 151k miles. Got it for $1500 because it has a busted fluid pump and possibly torque converter. Other than that, it is perfect...fully optioned except for the electronic suspension (which I don't want the hassle of anyway).

I've said this before but the thing to watch out for on the 1999+ ES is the U140E transmission, which is nowhere near as bulletproof as the older A541E transmission (my car being a case in point). Check and change the transmission fluid if you buy it, and switch to a high-quality full synthetic like Valvoline MaxLife. It'll be better than the Toyota T-IV, and stay away from the crappy Toyota WS. If you want extra protection, I would install an auxiliary cooler and an inline magnetic filter as well (stay tuned...doing a write-up for this on ToyotaNation).

Timing belt no prob, engine is non-interference (yes, even the VVT-i motors) so if it snaps, just do a TB job.

capnjim

Thanks for the reply! So would the 2003 have the same transmission? Also, the guy with the 2000 has a new belt, and water pump he will give me as he knows it due.
But..back to my main question....can a limited edition, be built better? Maybe engines with tighter tolerances....etc....or will they be the same other than the fancy trim.
Its supposed to have upgraded paint. So will the Millennium black be different from a basic Lexus black??
For some reason, the engine in the 2000 felt crazy smooth.

nsghtbrwry

Hm, I don't know but I can share my experiences.

My '01 Coach is dead quiet inside, more so than my '99 ES. I don't know if that is because of more sound deadening due to Coach, or due to it being a facelifted ('00, '01) 3ES, but it's noticeably quieter. Almost as quiet as my old '01 DeVille, which was amazing inside.

The engine will be the same. I suspect it felt smoother because they took care of it better; on my '01, the power steering is silent and very strong (turns light as a feather).

capnjim

I just feel like it might be a bit nuts to pay the same for a car with 160,000km as opposed to 80,000km just because its a special edition....maybe I am being brainwashed.
I can live without heated seats and remote starter and killer stereo,.

nsghtbrwry

Yeah the special edition doesn't add much. Only think I like is the nicer wheels and factory auto-leveling HIDs (which are kind of broken LOL).

The powertrain will be the same. Honestly the engine is pretty bulletproof and will go on for a long time as long as you can stave off the sludge that these are notorious for (put good amounts of highway miles on it).

LeX2K

Millennium edition has different leather (also rear headrests are better) as well as birds eye maple trim.

PFB

Hi, I'm also in Montreal. 8 years ago I bought my 2001 es300 with 135,000km. I bought it from a used car dealer for $7 000cdn. It also has factory HID lights, but the factory pioneer radio which is excellent. It's silver with black leather interior , heated seats, etc.

I now have 200,000km, and the car has been amazing. Absolutely no rust.

So based on that, I think they're asking way to much.

speedkar9

The 2004-2006 ES had the 3.3L engine.
The 3.3L 3MZ engine is not as refined as the 3.0L 1MZ engine. Its coarser, louder, rougher but also more powerful.

I used to have a 2005 ES330, and still have my Solara. Despite my Solara being 6 years older with more kilometers, the engine is much more smoother, quieter and refined than the 3.3L.

If you do look at the 4th gen ES, make sure you test drive it in stop and go traffic and see if you can stand how the transmission and drive by wire behaves.