Hey Gang,

My Mother-In-Law is looking for a 98 ES300 and the seller is asking 12,999.
Question:
1. Is the 98 model same as the 2003? 3rd gen
2. What are some of the common problems with 98 ES300?

I test drove the car and everything is working properly.

 

how many miles are on it?
The 97-01 is the same ES, the 2003 is the new body.

 

98 is the least old body style. Also I had a 98 and have had zero problems in 2 years. Bought it with 42K miles now have over 70K miles.

 

Its 62,000 miles. The seller told me the 2003 is the same body except the lights and few other things. I knew something is wrong.

 

12,900 is a lil bit much for a 98, should be more in the range of 10k

 

Yes, something is very wrong since the seller you talked to is in la-la land Just curious, are you also looking into the '03 ES?

 

I don't think $12,900 is at all too high. It depends on where you are in the country. For example, in Minnesota I could not find an ES (97-99) for less than $12,000 (this is for the last several months). Maybe they are cheaper in other parts of the country, but here, $12,900 for a 98 Lex with only 69,000 miles on it would be a STEAL!

However, I would be careful dealing with someone who thinks the 2003 ES is a minor revision. The 03 and 98 look COMPLETELY different. I don't understand how he could say that only a couple things were different... sounds like a scam.

 

for a 98 in cali 12,900 doesnt sound too bad, but like chadmg7 said, it all depends on the area. as for common problems, some people have problems with the seat heaters from what I have read. I have 102k on my 98 and no problems yet :knocks on wood:.

 

Have 44k on my 98 and so far just the basic maintenace stuff: batteries bulbs, tires. As to the body style, I like this generation the most

Does the seller have a complete record of the maintenance? Also, not to say that this car has an issue, but make surethat upon startup that it doesn't smoke up or that theres lots of crud on either the dipstick or on the underside of the oil filler cap.

 

I dont know much about ES300, but i do know something about engine. As you guys might know I am a site admin for Lexus V8 Performance Forum. Anyway, no white smoke from start and the engine is clean. Overall i would rate this car between good to excellent. The seller is pretty firm about the price too.

 

Generally I don't like to complete transactions with those kinds of people (not that I have anything against them). If you can find someone who is flexible on the pricing, that's who you should talk to. You're better off shopping around for more ES's around your area; there has to be plenty of them that are at better prices, despite the excellent condition of the car.

 

Yeah my mom got hers up her in Illinois (high @zz prices everywhere) for about 15K. Navy w/tan interior 44,000 one owner miles owned by senior citezens. We got it from a Ford dealer...trade in on the new Expo. Even had the extended warantee good til 150K miles. THe original proce was something like 18,000.00 or something like that. Haggle man haggle. My ES was bought back in Jan. It was the 3 rd one I had looked at at three different dealers all the same color. None wanted to go lower than 11K. I got it from Woodfield Lexus for 9995.00 76K miles one owner Pearl White/Tan interior mint condition