cdasilva

I have a 1997 with 163K. The looks are stunning, as I beleive. I am looking torwards to have the following below done by summer:

Struts Assembly
Timing Belt
3rd Brake Light Working again
Removed/ Get Rid of the after market (Camry Spolier Black)
Hood Struts
Paint the scratch on RHR Door
Paint Hood (small Scratch)
New Floor Mats
Detail Interior
Replace 8" Subwoofer
Flush Transmission
Oild Change
Remove Sunroof Spolier

What I wonderwas, what do you guys think is more inportant to get done faster and make a priority list?
I am thinking of getting some cleaning and Mats done ASAP.
Check the ride so far

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

Looks pretty good. And that's a decent list.

For any kinds of parts I'd suggest buying from Rockauto.cOm.

I'd avoid the flush - jut do a drain and fill. Along with new filter and gasket. There can be adverse affects of the flush. I'm a believer in jut drain and fill. No reason to pay more and risk more.

You can find mats on eBay, lightly used (look new) or aftermarket.

Regarding the timing belt, I'd do that first. Again Rockauto, got a kit for an rx330 and it cost 300$ shipped for everything I possibly needed... Vs, over 500$ thru eBay and three times as much at te dealer.

cdasilva

I got the floor mats from the Dealer. Big suprise to me my wife had purchased it with a great deal. I guess she got a fair price $119.00 after MD taxes. Not bad a 6% tax usually i would have to pay $140-150.00.
I am attually just happy, I got it. It makes me feel clean in it. Even thow its just the floor mats it makes me feel better in it.
I am looking forward to have a bit of cleaning still done and maybe timing belt this weekend then. I will post it if I got it done. By the way i will check the website out just to see if I can get a good price other wise i am going to run to autozone and just grab one from them. I looked at it today and it doesn't look very good to me. Its seemes like it was never changed even thow the previews owner apperantly replaced it( I only beleive her cuz its my sister and she told me after I have already bought the car)

01LEXPL

iTrader: (10)

^ replace what? You are talking about the timing belt - and not the alternator belt, right?

Timing - runs the water pump, cams, etc. Not DIY friendly, and takes approx. 5-6 hours. Costs hundreds

Alternator runs the accessories, and you can DIY Costs <15$

cdasilva

This whole time I am saying it wrong its the Alternator belt. It seems definatly DIY job. I have done a few times on a EXplorer-Maxima- now I need to get done on the Es300.

wickedtoyz

1. Remove the sunroof spoiler (touch up paint that may have been scratched)
2. oil change
3. drain/fill tranny
4. detail interior
5. replace struts/mounts/springs
6. leave the spoiler
7. hood struts always a must
8. everything else

Lmcqueen

I clocked 340k miles on my ES before selling it for my GS this past week... already miss it.

Timing belt/water pump is due, if never done before. My sway bar links were shot, salt here in Chicago didn't do it any favors... Struts (be careful not to damage the ABS sensors) and the tranny fluild would be the first on my list.

MyEs300Yea

First thing i did when we got our 300.
Change oil and Filter, Spark Plugs, Air Filter, i just did this again 5,000 miles later but no spark plugs this time.
1) Rotors and brake pads all 4.
2) Detailed the inside.
3) Did my own complete Tranny flush and replaced filter as well.
4) Did my own Projector Retrofit with 6000K HID.
5) Sway bar bushins, links and strut mounts.
6) Change Engine Torque Strut Mount.

Next in the agenda.
1) Repaint my old set of 17" RS Limited wheels and get new tires.
2) Repaint whole car different color......maybe not sure yet.
3) Replace hood struts, its barely holding up now
4) Fix my AC/HT panel, lights come on when i hit it then go off again
5) Sell it and get a YUGO LOL

cdasilva

A whole lot has being done since the posting, yeahhhh!

Struts Assembly done very good handling
Timing Belt lot less noise from the engine
3rd Brake Light Working again still not done
Removed/ Get Rid of the after market (Camry Spolier Black) done the wholes are still there but I feel better about the looks
Hood Struts not done but it doesn't bother much since the struts made the car more firm
Paint the scratch on RHR Door not done yet
Paint Hood (small Scratch) not done yet
New Floor Mats feels fresh in the car now
Detail Interior not fully done
Replace 8" Subwoofer not needed found out it had a small wire hagging from it and the rattle is from the third brake light missing will be fixed soon
Flush Transmission need done still
Oild Change done twice already even thow I had less then 6k on them I keep it fresh in the engine
Sunroof visor went to hell piece by piece. I hatex it yeahhh its gone.

cdasilva

More Has being Done:


Struts Complete Assembly (Done)
Cer[entine Belt (Done)
Timing Belt ( Done)
3rd Brake Light Working still not done
Removed/ Get Rid of the after market Spolier Black (Done)
Hood Struts (Done)
Paint the scratch on RHR Door (Touch Painted Looks Better 70%)
Paint Hood (small Scratch) not done yet
New Floor Mats feels fresh in the car now
Detail Interior not fully done
Replace 8" Subwoofer will be upgraded and Amp may be installed
Flush Transmission need done still
Oild Change is Frekently done!!!
Sunroof visor (Done)
Rear Suspenssion Noise ( Rear Control Arms Done***)
If yo uare having suspension noises get under the car and look for it, mechanics will most likely change parts without looking much....... its the truth they dont have much time to waste...

YJC88

Interested with your camry spoiler.
Pls pm me if you want to sell them.

a1zamora

YJC88 - How did the rest of your efforts go? I have a '97 ES300 and am interested in doing much the same in order to keep the Old Girl.

cdasilva

I still have the spoiler, what are you looking forward to spend on it. Let's see where you ate and how shipping is going to cost and we could talk some business. By the way I am in Washington dc. You may email me at dasilvaipc@gmail.com.

cdasilva

I have not done much yet, I have being very intertained with the rear suspenssion noise and a lot more with work. I don't drive much daily just about 14 miles from and to work. I should be getting my transmission fluid and filter properly replaced with in the next few weeks. But the car has very good engine. I have never see such quality on cars. I would not trade it not even for a 2013. It has all the features I need. Specially after I placed a new radio with I pod and aux conect. I just have everything I would ever use in a car. By the way I do have a civic 2011 my wife drives. But I still prefer my 97. The 200hps makes the difference.

cdasilva

Transmission drained properly. I ran a bit over 11qts of tram fluid through the system and the shifts are great and the amount of fluid is leveled as required. The trasmission feel like in 1997. I can't wait to drive to the beach. It's time for another oil change at this time I am going fully cleaned I bought a extra 1.3 of oil just to assure everything in really cleans and K&N filter. Top my oil change now I bet ya can't.