Purchasing a 2000 Lexus ES300
 

Hello Club Lexus community,
I am looking at purchasing at 2000 ES300 with 129k miles on it. It can be seen here:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/wch/cto/4589622757.html

My main question is what kind of reliability can I expect from this car. I know each car is unique obviously, but what are the types of things that are know to go out/be replaced at this mileage? Is 3800 a good price (obviously I will try and talk the seller down)? And lastly, what is your experience with the car? I love the way it looks and all that, but will I LOVE the car?

Yes you will love it. How reliable it is will depend partly on how well it was maintained. It can go 300k plus easily with proper maintenance.

3800 is a good price I would say. Things to inquire on would be oil change interval, type of oil used, timing belt replacement, valve cover gaskets, oil pan gasket, spark plugs, and check for any clunky or loud suspension noises as these things can add up very quickly for repairs. Other than that, the car looks in good shape and it'll run perfectly if it was taken care of previously. Since I've gotten mine, I've put 10k on mine (not very much) and I'm at 158k right now. I have had no major issues except for some old worn suspension parts that needed to be replaced. I can guarantee you any other owner on this forum would say there weren't disappointed with their purchase. These cars were well built and last a long time if taken care of.

Unless the trans is seriously messed up or some other major issue, and issues are rare in these cars, I would buy that ASAP as that is a great price on an 00-01. Should be good for 300k to a million miles depending on how well maintained. Hell the alternators in these cars last 400k. What other car has that quality of parts?

Like any used car, you just can't call it.

I overly maintain my car, and yet I had to change a trans. one year ago... Why? "just because".

With that said, look for any leaks, like the rear main seal. And of course oil changes and consistency in services - not like this car needs much to begin with.

Looks like a really nice car. I've had my 1997 for 14 years now and it's the best car I've ever owned. Has always been reliable!! Like everyone else has recommended just get maintenance records.