Used 98 Es300 Questions? to be first time lexus owner
06-17-06, 01:58 PM
#1
Lead Lap
Thread Starter
Used 98 Es300 Questions? to be first time lexus owner
I am buying a used 1998 Lexus ES300 77000 Miles with the AVS (Adaptive
Variable Suspension). I am wondering if the AVS system is reliable?
Does it have a lot of problems? Because it would probably be expensive
to fix if it has a problem.
Also do 98 Lexus ES300 like the one mentioned above need the two front control arms replaced with that kind of mileage? Should I be suspicious of an accident? Or abuse? I am not too good with cars. Carfax gave a good pass no accidents, etc, but I read that it failed a safety inspection then was auctioned right after. The selling dealer says it was a faulty control arm. Should I be suspicious? The car drives, sound, etc like my friends 97 ES300.
My next question... Also on the dash when you turn it on you see a red
car with squiggly tire tracks in the dash picture gram. The dealer told
me VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) was not offered on the 98 ES300. But
my 2005 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD has the same picture gram when you start
it up and the dealer told me that is the VSC self check. So does that
mean mine 1998 Lexus actually does have VSC system? Or could they
dealer have gotten the model's year wrong?
Thanks in advance for responding to my many questions
Variable Suspension). I am wondering if the AVS system is reliable?
Does it have a lot of problems? Because it would probably be expensive
to fix if it has a problem.
Also do 98 Lexus ES300 like the one mentioned above need the two front control arms replaced with that kind of mileage? Should I be suspicious of an accident? Or abuse? I am not too good with cars. Carfax gave a good pass no accidents, etc, but I read that it failed a safety inspection then was auctioned right after. The selling dealer says it was a faulty control arm. Should I be suspicious? The car drives, sound, etc like my friends 97 ES300.
My next question... Also on the dash when you turn it on you see a red
car with squiggly tire tracks in the dash picture gram. The dealer told
me VSC (Vehicle Stability Control) was not offered on the 98 ES300. But
my 2005 Toyota Sienna XLE AWD has the same picture gram when you start
it up and the dealer told me that is the VSC self check. So does that
mean mine 1998 Lexus actually does have VSC system? Or could they
dealer have gotten the model's year wrong?
Thanks in advance for responding to my many questions
06-17-06, 03:15 PM
#2
Well... In the years I've been on here, and every other major ES/Windom/Camry platform site. I've yet to read of an AVS failure. Like any strut, the struts will go bad (10 years & it's time for struts, springs & mounts).
06-18-06, 07:05 AM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
integra, the faulty control arm sounds to me like a wear-and-tear issue. Nothing overly serious you'll have to worry about other than replacing it ASAP. You can vouch to have the work done by the seller as part of the deal and negotiate the price of the car to be lowered appropriately.
The red icon on your gauge cluster is a slip indicator, which helps provide additional control to the anti-lock brake system, traction control, engine control, etc. in slippery/wet conditions. This is part of the VSC (vehicle skid control) system, which also should be part of your '98 ES. The dealer misinformed you on that part
The red icon on your gauge cluster is a slip indicator, which helps provide additional control to the anti-lock brake system, traction control, engine control, etc. in slippery/wet conditions. This is part of the VSC (vehicle skid control) system, which also should be part of your '98 ES. The dealer misinformed you on that part
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