My new 2001 ES300
05-07-12, 05:54 PM
#1
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My new 2001 ES300
Hey all just wanted to say hi. I picked up a 2001 ES300, 85k miles. Pretty good condition, nothing broken. Does need tires and I can tell it was hit in the rear corner, it looks to be repaired well but the right rear wheel is slightly tweaked. Seems like the strut is bent, the arms are all straight. I'm going to confirm that this week and get some new struts if that is the case.
I sold my 2009 WRX and bought this to take some time off from getting obsessed with my cars, and also so we can get a car for my wife with cash since we are moving out to the suburbs. The WRX had a lot done: custom valved Bilstein suspension, bars, bushings everywhere, brakes, stereo, sound deadening, various JDM parts and on it was always some project I was working on. It handled sweet
I bought a house so I want to take some time for the new projects that will come with that. It will be hard for me to resist my nature. I became somewhat of an expert on swapping parts around for the 3G WRX, I figured out how to wire the JDM folding mirrors in the USDM car, and how to use cool Legacy keys with an Impreza.
The ES300 gets no performance mods. I did already source a set of JDM Windom mirrors I am going to pick up to give a try. I learned a lot with the Subarus about how the vendors put mirrors together. I got some other little tweaks in mind too but I'll leave it there, not in hurry to do any of these things as the new house comes first. Until then I am enjoying the Lexus ride!
I sold my 2009 WRX and bought this to take some time off from getting obsessed with my cars, and also so we can get a car for my wife with cash since we are moving out to the suburbs. The WRX had a lot done: custom valved Bilstein suspension, bars, bushings everywhere, brakes, stereo, sound deadening, various JDM parts and on it was always some project I was working on. It handled sweet
I bought a house so I want to take some time for the new projects that will come with that. It will be hard for me to resist my nature. I became somewhat of an expert on swapping parts around for the 3G WRX, I figured out how to wire the JDM folding mirrors in the USDM car, and how to use cool Legacy keys with an Impreza.
The ES300 gets no performance mods. I did already source a set of JDM Windom mirrors I am going to pick up to give a try. I learned a lot with the Subarus about how the vendors put mirrors together. I got some other little tweaks in mind too but I'll leave it there, not in hurry to do any of these things as the new house comes first. Until then I am enjoying the Lexus ride!
05-07-12, 07:25 PM
#5
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Maybe in a year or two I'll sell the wife on a Miata for the weekends or maybe when the new BRZ gets old enough. If my calculations are correct the ES300 should still be running great.
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05-09-12, 05:51 AM
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No problem sharing. I paid 9k. I bought from a dealer, who matched my Carmax offer for my WRX so I saved the sales tax. I am sure I paid more than I could have if I searched around and bought private so the convenience was good for me.
Service records on the Lexus site looked good, it was bought new locally, serviced at the local Lexus dealer the whole time. It looks like what happened, from reading the history, is the owner brought it in for squeaky belts, the dealer said they should do the 90k timing belt service, probably told him how much it would cost, and he traded on a new(er) Lexus instead.
Of course that means I am going to have to do the full on timing belt service soon...
Service records on the Lexus site looked good, it was bought new locally, serviced at the local Lexus dealer the whole time. It looks like what happened, from reading the history, is the owner brought it in for squeaky belts, the dealer said they should do the 90k timing belt service, probably told him how much it would cost, and he traded on a new(er) Lexus instead.
Of course that means I am going to have to do the full on timing belt service soon...
05-09-12, 06:59 AM
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Service records on the Lexus site looked good, it was bought new locally, serviced at the local Lexus dealer the whole time. It looks like what happened, from reading the history, is the owner brought it in for squeaky belts, the dealer said they should do the 90k timing belt service, probably told him how much it would cost, and he traded on a new(er) Lexus instead...
EDIT: This one right: https://secure.drivers.lexus.com/lexusdrivers/home
I was hoping for more details...
Last edited by JSM; 05-09-12 at 07:17 AM.
05-10-12, 10:50 AM
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05-10-12, 11:52 AM
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True I knew what I was getting into. The 260 stock HP in a WRX was waaaay beyond the 210 in this ES300...but it gets the job done and being a V6 it is smooth and nice torque and really I don't need any more than that in my daily. I specifically like this generation. I also considered the Acura TL Type-S they are a similar price for 02-03, 260hp VTEC with a 5 spd auto. But they also generally eat a trans every 50k miles so I went with the more pedestrian Lexus for less trouble.
Just about the fill up the tank second time tonight so I can check mileage, I have done a mix of driving. WRX was about 20 in the same driving, here's hoping the Lexus can beat that! Mileage is not a big deal, I looked at a new Camry Hybrid, 40MPG or better and faster than an ES300, but 32k with all the stuff I'd want, I can buy a lot of gas for that money! Maybe in a few years I'll get one of those the wife and I would like to hedge our bets with future oil prices.
Just about the fill up the tank second time tonight so I can check mileage, I have done a mix of driving. WRX was about 20 in the same driving, here's hoping the Lexus can beat that! Mileage is not a big deal, I looked at a new Camry Hybrid, 40MPG or better and faster than an ES300, but 32k with all the stuff I'd want, I can buy a lot of gas for that money! Maybe in a few years I'll get one of those the wife and I would like to hedge our bets with future oil prices.