Hey everyone! Recently moved to FL so I’m about to hopefully, 95% sure, be purchasing my first vehicle at the lovely age of 33 (NYC born and raised so no need for a car lol) next week. My first vehicle will most likely be either a 2000 ES 300 (120k miles) or a 2004 ES 330 (156k miles); depending on which car I feel better in and of course, if the owners still have both cars next week. Is there anything I should be worried about? What does routine maintenance look like and cost? What can I do by myself that doesn’t require going to an authorized mechanic/dealer? Got my license mid last year so I have a really comfortable grip of the road driving my fiancé’s 2018 Camry v6 as a daily driver, a U-Haul truck to make the move from NYC to FL and renting a few cars just to keep getting better at driving. Any advice is great. Looking to be apart of this family. Thanks!

 

Hello,

Welcome!
I own a 2000 Lexus ES300, and it is a gorgeous car, it is really easy to work on, and it is pliable for some changes or additions. You will have a lot of fun with this car..

A few things to consider:

1. The mileage is pretty good for the age.
2. Ask when was the last timing belt replacement, it should be replaced every 60,000-90,000 miles.
3. Pay close attention to rust, especially in the rear wheel arches, that is a weak spot in all Camry/ES models.
4. Check all the fluids in the car, 1MZ-FE engine in this car is prone for oil sludge, pay attention to the oil change interval and the overall condition of oil and what is under the oil fill cover.
5. Since the 2000 ES300 is a hardtop, check the door hinges, especially on the driver's side, and try to close windows as far as they will go, if after that the door will not close, it would mean that the mechanism is a bit loose (I have that on my car).
6. Valve cover gasket and the steering pump are prone to leak. That's an easy fix though.
7. Although I never encountered this, a lot of people say that the transmission on the 1999-2001 ES300 is a bit weak, so pay attention to that.
8. Go for a test drive, check for any weird noises, vibrations, etc. Also, check the acceleration and shifting, they should be relatively smooth. If you would feel a sudden jerk on the shift from high RPM, it means that the motor and/or transmission mounts are bad. The suspension could be tested using a long pry bar, there should not be any excessive movements.

That is pretty much what I can think off. In general, it is a pretty reliable car, you just need to realize that you are buying a used car and plan accordingly.

Hope this helps and best of luck!

 

Thanks! I greatly appreciate this advice.

 

Everything Arsenii says is 100% correct.

But I digress, the 4th gen ‘04 is a better car and 156K isn’t a problem for the 330 engine. Check the maintenance records, drive it, check fluids, etc.. Use fully synthetic oil, 91+ gas, do a little easy maintenance... PCV valve, air filter, oil/filter changes, change your trans fluid, MAF servicing, clean throttle body, easy stuff.

Welcome to ClubLexus and get back with us.

 

Also, there are a few tips on actually buying the car:

1. Look for anything that you don't like, and make a decision - is it something that you can live with, and if it is not, could it be mended in some way? You need to make sure that it is exactly what you want, so you won't regret about it in a long run.
2. Always look for any imperfections in the car, I mean something that is not as it should be, like rust, scratches, bends, worn interior, etc. and make the same decision as in the first step. And always take notes of any imperfections that you see, because that is what will determine your final price.
3. Speaking of price, the last hint is to never ever just buy a used car, I know that in some countries it is even assaulting to just pay the listed amount and leave, you always want to talk to the owner, ask him some reasonable questions, and most importantly - always ask for a better bargain. You need to know at least some estimates on common repairs and use them to to knock your final price down, and trust me, that conversation will cost every bit of your time, since you will get to know the owner of the car, the car's history, how it was treated and many other things that are definitely worth knowing, so don't miss your chance!

P.S. you should also post some photos here once you will get your great deal!

Hope this helps and best of luck!