I am currently in the process of beginning to look for a new car, and the two I am seriously considering are the 2000-01 Lexus ES and 2000-01 Infiniti I30t. The I30t comes standard with a sport suspension and HID lights, so I would want the HIDs and adjustable suspension on an ES.

How likely am I to be able to find a black or graphite ES with grey or black interior and every option (Nakamichi, HID, adjustable suspension, wood/leather wheel)? Also, does the adjustable suspension really make the ES a sport sedan like the I30t or is just an expensive to fix gimmick?

 

eww. i dont mind most infinity's/nissans but really dont like that model. Best of luck with the search for the Es.

 

Another question I have is the Lexus loan car policy on extended warranties...since I will have to drive this car from Boston to Newport News, VA at least twice a year I will definately be buying a warranty to 100k on whatever I get. With the Infiniti extended warranty I get a program called Unite, which if I understand correctly means if my car breaks down somewhere in the middle of my trip Infiniti will tow my car to the nearest dealer, get me a loaner ASAP, and let me take it to my final destination, then bring my car back to me. Also, does Lexus give Lexuses (lexi?) for loaners? I've seen Mercedes dealers giving crappy Ford econoboxes...

 

i own a lex(obviously)
and my boss has 2. He has always gotten that kind of service and he doesnt have any special plan. They just know that if they want his business that need to take care of him.

 

Dude, stay clear of the Infiniti......I owned a 2001 Maxima SE 20th A.E. (exact same car except no infiniti badge) the two are nowhere near each other in terms of quality & class. Granted the Infiniti is a bit sportier, but be patient & wait until you find the AVS suspension & HID's in an ES. Here is a couple pics of my 01...... There's a reason why I gave up my Max for the Lex!

http://us.lexusownersclub.com/forums...howtopic=20981

 

The Infiniti I30 is way above the Maxima in terms of quality, and I like the way it drives and have some loyalty to the Infiniti brand due to my excellent experience with my G20t (there may not be a better handling FWD car out there). That being said I've always been impressed with the ES and I like the idea of a quiet sport sedan. Car and Driver said that the AVS suspension on the '02 ES makes it drive like a BMW 5-series, is the same true of the '01? Also my biggest challenge is going to be convincing my parents to let me purchase a Lexus...I'm a college student and this would be a replacement for the G20t I will have had for four years by the time I buy a new car. I'll be paying for the car myself (saved from summer jobs), but my parents still have a say in my buying decision and they are adamately against a Lexus. They think it's a showoff car. I had to fight for the G20 and they seem okay with an I30t. Any advice on convincing them the ES is okay to buy?

 

Matt, you're in the right mindset of pursuing a Lexus, especially the ES300 sedan. You've done the research, and heard about the brand name's reputation and accolades through the years. Although your parents don't seem to buy into the name, you may be able to convince them about the major difference between owning a Lexus and owning an Infiniti in terms of quality. Not that there's any reason to knock on Infiniti, but compared to Lexus, it's clear to recognize that Lexus wins over Infiniti in marketing, customer appeal, and various other categories. Also, don't forget to share with your parents the minimal amount of car problems a Lexus owner receives

To answer your other questions, it is very possible to find a black '00-'01 ES with black or grey interior, but it most likely will NOT be possible to find one with every option included like HID's and adjustable suspension. The reason is that these are more or less considered to be rare factory options from those ES model years. Starting with the 2002 ES with the new/current re-design, you'd see a lot of them on the roads with the HID options.

Yes, Lexus dealerships do give out Lexus loaners, but you may have to call up and make an appointment to have your car serviced (i.e. for 15K, 30K, 60K, etc.) in order to obtain a loaner. If it's just for an oil change, for example, you may not be given a loaner since it is not a major service that takes over 8 man hours to complete.

Hope all this info helps out, and good luck finding your ES

 

Thanks for the info. I could probably live without HID and adjustable suspension, though I'd obviously have to drive the car first...the last ES I drove was a '97 with a blown rear suspension that didn't belong to me. Convincing my parents is going to be the big issue. They've gradually warmed to my G20, but every time I bring up the subject of an I30 or ES, they say "it's a good car...if you're 55 years old". They don't think someone my age should have a "luxury car" and they think I'm just trying to show off. I counter that it might be showing off if they bought me the car, but I'm paying for this car myself through working summers. I could be out partying and stuff every night during summer break but instead sometimes I'm at work past 10PM during the summer (I work in sales for a Honda dealer). It's not that they like the I30-they really don't like it at all and think what I should be driving is basic transportation like a Civic or (eww) Ford Taurus. So I can't make comparisons against the I30...I'd be happy with either one of them. I just want a reliable sport sedan that's good in New England winters. ES or I30t will do nicely in that regard.

 

The quality of the I30/Maxima are not what the ES/Camry are.
The Nissan/Infinity makes it up in spades performance wise with the VQ30DE able to make 240bhp with light bolt ons, and 280hp with cams & P&P. They also have an LSD & 5-speeds avalible.
The Toyota/Lexus spanks that *** in build quality, resale, & being a plush car. More style, better ride...
Handling wise, the Maxima platform will best a Camry platform on the stock suspensions. Both cars benifit from the same suspension upgrades, and if you think the ES is too soft, that's why there are a dozen aftermarket suspension companies that cater to the Camry.

You can negate everything down to a single personal choice:



Do you want a lesser car that is all engine, or do you want a better car that will always be 1 second slower at a 1/4 mile drag strip for the same money in upgrades, but be worth twice as much whenever you sell it?

 

You might want to let them know the I30 and ES are the $30,000-39,000 Maximas / Camrys. The entry luxury market.

Saying they're for old people is ignorant to the fact that they're nothing more than minor modifications to a Maxima/Camry built in Japan with the JDM parts bin.

 

I drove both & sorry but I have to disagree with you.....I found other than slightly different lights (and that clock on the dash), & thicker plush carpet....the I30T drove exactly the same way as the Max SE & was no way near the extra $$$$ they wanted for the I30 (equipment like AVS suspension or something similar isn't even offered on it for example & the rear suspension isn't even a fully 'independent' set up......it's a multi link 'beam' or semi-independent) & even had the same 227 HP V6 as opposed to the 222 . ......to each their own I guess. As I notice a big difference between a Camry & ES 300 in order to justify getting the Lex.


Never drove a 02+ generation ES with the AVS suspension system so I can't comment on that, but I notice a difference with my AVS compared to a non AVS ES & I like the second most 'sporty' setting personally. But by no means is the ES a sport sedan.

Everybody has different opinions on what certain 'brands' of cars are for.......I respect your parents view of the Lexus brand, but at the same time respectfully disagree. Drive a 00 or 01 Camry XLE V6 vs. the same years ES 300 with them in the car & then they just might get it.

In addition to that, I would try & build a case on an 'economics' or a 'financial' front. Find out the cost's of the vehicles your considering, including how much to insure (one of the most important here), maintain etc. If it's affordable, build your case on that accordingly & let them know the solid reputation the Lexus brand has in overall reliability.......they want their son to be safe on the road not break down right? How's that? Good Luck!

 

Honestly it's all about the Lexus badge to them. They wouldn't have a problem if I came home with a loaded Honda Accord V6 EX-Leather or Camry XLE V6. They just think that having a Lexus emblem (or to a slightly lesser extent an Infiniti badge) on the trunk of my car means I'm showing off. I'm hoping to find one in graphite or black with the black pearl emblems so they blend in with the paint on first glance so I can maybe make an argument based on that it doesn't show up.

In looking at prices I'm also finding that a 2001 ES is about equivalent in price to a 2001 I30 or 2002 I35. The I35 has 255hp which is very tempting vs. 210 in the ES...that being said it also needs premium fuel. ES runs fine on 87 right?

And in terms of the ES being a sport sedan I'm not looking for BMW M5 handling, just something that has agile handling.

 

I noticed you didn't further comment on my comparo between the I30 & Maxima with it's suspension etc (a supposed 'luxury' car with only a semi-independent rear suspension? ).

Anyways, The I35's 255 hp looks good, but you will suffer serious tourque steer & to be honest the 210hp in the ES is more than enough (remember I went from a 227 hp Max, down to the 210 ES & have never complained about it.....it's simply more than enough power). Lexus does 'recommend' 91 octane however, but will run fine on regular with reduced performance.....I personally use Sunoco Ultra 94 always. I think the Camry XLE V6 will run without any problems on regular because it's rated at less HP & torque.

Even without the 'Lexus' badges, the front end & tail light treatment won't be mistaken for anything else but a Lexus. But I can't speak for your parents here & I still respectfully disagree that a Lexus is for showing off only.......I feel like I am quite successful driving one & yes I get stares when I drive it but it still dosen't look outlandish in any way & blends in well with other traffic.

Perhaps the smart thing to do then is to get a 2000 - 2001 Camry XLE V6 (built on a less modified platform of the same car) with less HP & Torque but a very sound choice nontheless.

Did you get insurance quotes yet for the different vehicles your considering? That might be the ammo you need to plead your case. If it's too much for the Lexus or Infiniti, you might have to settle for the Toyota or Nissan.......but down the road as you get older & with a clear driving record you will be able to get your Lexus some day. Just my 2 cents. Good Luck!

 

I'm not going to argue the point about the suspension on the I30...I think it's stupid that Nissan didn't have IRS in the I30 wheras my 1995 G20t (a lower model) has IRS.

And yeah the Lexus ES is distinctive even without the badges but it's not as obvious that it's a Lexus the way a BMW 3-series is clearly a BMW even if you took off the badges. As far as going to a Camry XLE V6, it's a decent option but I've been underwhelmed with the handling capabilities of them...I'd probably go for the I30 over a Camry.

 

Well if you can conveince your parents to go with an I30 over a Camry, you should be able to go for the ES 300 over the I30.