i got a 2000 es300, tranny unfortunately died. i need to know which tranny would be interchangeable with this car, because teh 2000 tranny is not the same as the 97 or 98s, because when i dropped my tranny pan, the filters are diffrent and everything, takes a diffrent type of fluid also. so i just want to be sure thank you

 

Not sure what exact tranny it is. Phoenix would probably know. Hopefully he will chime in. My tranny died on my 2000 ES as well. I had it rebuilt. If you're in the MD/DC/VA area I know of a great person to take it too.

-Smitty

 

You might be able to acquire a used transmission off of a 2000-2001 ES300 in a junkyard or salvage yard. Or you could try one from a 2000-2001 Toyota Camry, Avalon or Solara since the engine and transmission are pretty much the same. That's pretty much the extent of what you can do for replacing your old tranny. My tranny failed on me when I had my '01 ES, but thanks to the extended warranty I had at that time, I was able to get a remanufactured one from the dealer for a discounted price.

 

Here is a list of trannys for Toyota/Lexus,

This appears to be the U140E,

http://transtec.com/selector_guide/Lexus.htm
http://transtec.com/selector_guide/Toyota.htm

 

Now somewhat off topic is it a better tranny? Can it be retro fitted on a 97? Or is is just specific to the vvti motor?

 

OK, I can understand tranny failures on Chrysler crap but why so many tranny failures on newish Lexus ?! I got a 2001 and now you made me worry. Specter

 

Well for what I understand from the Tranny guy who did mine the our gen ESs dont really have too many tranny problems. Mine broke because of premature planetary gear failure and that was basically caused by some kind of shady work I had done but its all good.

-Smitty