ESPilot

Hey guys, prior IS300 owner now looking at a 97-01 ES300 to replace my wife's car. I am looking at a few vehicles locally and trying to figure out my "ideal purchase". I'd like your feedback on a couple things.

1. Does anyone have knowledge or experience with one particular paint or interior color being easily sun-damaged? I wonder if the black leather seats might crack more easily than the tan/gray in Phoenix' extreme summer heat.

2. I understand that the 99-01 model has 10 additional horsepower and a different transmission. Are there any other improvements that I should consider for the extra money (aside from age and potentially lower mileage)? For instance, are the side airbags only available on the 99-01's or are they on the 97-98's as well?

Maxx941

iTrader: (1)

My 97es has some paint flake on the passenger mirror, and thats it really, I have heard of another owner with the same color car having the same problem. BTW mines is Oyster Pearl.
I like the 01 Es with the Nice Taillights, and Nicer Front Bumper. Also slightly more wood.
I believe the the new model with the vvti benefits from more low end torque

lexusk8

I don't think it really matters which color combo you choose for the ES. Lexus paint in general is pretty durable compared to most other manufacturers on the market. Most of their paints are clearcoated from the factory, with the exception of black paint (from most 2000 or earlier models). Leather seats will only get sun-dried if the owner doesn't keep them cleaned and conditioned on a regular basis like every 2-3 weeks.

As Max has stated, the '00-'01 ES models have the newer tailights and front bumper, as well as front grille, fog lights, wheels, relocation of rear emblems, and HID as a factory option. Also, not trying to sound biased, but the '01 ES is the last model year before the transition to the current gen ('02-'06) ES, and typically the last model year of any Lexus vehicle tends to be the least problematic out of all the model years.

ESPilot

I'm finding that the 2000+ model years are out of the price range I want to buy in. I want to stay under $9K on the sale price, and since I was having a hard time deciding between all the cars available nearby, I recorded my preferences in order of importance:

1. Price (must be under $9K)
2. Perfect Condition (no whistling, no funky engine or suspension noise, no scratches)
3. Low mileage (preferably under 100K)
4. Interior color (tan)
5. Exterior color (a. gray; b. silver; c. black)
6. Age (preferably a '99)
7. Extras (premium sound, etc)

I'll post to this thread when I buy and we'll see how well I did.

ESPilot

Update for those who followed or contributed to this thread:

I took delivery of a new-to-me ES300 on Friday, and it pretty well fits what I was looking for in every way! It's a '99 so it has the improved powertrain as well as side airbags. It's gray with tan interior and gold badges, in perfect condition (no cracks or lines on the leather). Just over 125K but in very good condition--I went over it with a friend that attended auto mechanics school and has a Masters in engineering, and we found no problems. It's a one owner car, and according to the label on the cover, she changed the timing belt at only 78K miles. It also has niceties like the Nakamichi sound system, homelink, and sunglass holder. The only issues are low tread on the front tires, a few links in the radio display non-functional, and a lazy driver's seatbelt retractor. Overall I'm very pleased! Oh, and the sale price was $8641, out the door for $9600.

Now I'm an "authentic" member of this forum. I look forward to sharing your experiences and seeking advice as well as posting my own solutions and, I hope, making your lives a little easier.

Pheonix

Black on black owns everything.
If you do any maintenece on the leather, it will no crack regardless of the heat, or temp. Tho it will for prolonged use / really fat people.

My '93 is black on black, no tint & has never spent a day in a garage. It stayed outside in Florida as a beach car from '93-'02 and outside in Alabama sun from '02-present. The only minor cracking of the leather is on the driver's side from the previous owners "fat ***" syndrom.

The paint is in great shape, minus normal dings & bumps & scrapes, most of which I have repainted, or buffed out with Diamond cut / DACP on my PC.


Lexol owns. Buy some. Live it, Love it.

r4z0r3ck

i have sage pearl and my side mirror is flakin like crazy as well. but the best colors gotta be the silver plat edition.

lexusk8

I agree. I love the combination of the silver paint and the black pearl emblems, combined with the red/clear tailights. Elegance on the road