I would agree that if you can, the ES330 is the way to go. Both are nice, but the new features make the ES330 worth it.

 

I also would prefer an 05-06. Makes the car feel more current.

Only thing I don't like about the 05-06 vs the 02-04 is the lighter silver color for the plastics around the radio/vents/door handles. I like the darker metallic charcoal color of the older car.

BUT, IMHO when buying a car this old condition and maintenance are the most important thing. If this car really is in great shape and has been babied, its probably a good buy even if its not quite what you wanted in terms of year and color combo.

 

I can change the grill headlights wheels and taillights(if i wanted to), but to find a one owner car with a full service history from the dealer in mint condition with 52k miles swayed my decision. As SW13GS said, condition is the most important thing when buying a used car. It is also fully loaded which is nice, the navi has a recent disk as well, i think 2 years old. There are a few 05-06's in he area but are often gold, which i really cant do, have much higher mileage, a few have been in fender benders which have been repaired quite poorly, and don't have navi or mark levinson. I am going to the dealer to pay for the car tomorrow. The only option i feel like i might miss is the ventilated seats, but i said the same when i got my gs300 and it hasn't been a major issue. I'm paying 10.2k, not including tax, and have a $530 discount from the total price after tax and registration (the 530 are "points" rewarded back to you after servicing the car at the dealership). Another good thing is the car had full front brakes (pads, rotors, calipers) changed 7k ago, and the dealer is giving a 1 year warranty on the car which is nice So ill pay a little under 11k all said and done. The car will come fully detailed and the fact that its coming from a lexus dealer is nice. I've ordered some bosch icon wipers, new air filter, and new cabin filter along with a GROM adapter, which i highly recommend.

 

What is a GROM adapter?

 

This thread will give you an idea of what it does and how to install it! https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es3...intensive.html

 

^Exactly, i have one in the GS and it is great. I didn't get the microphone for this one, don't know why, but glad someone has a DIY i was ust going to wing it. GROM people said the navi/ML wont matter.

 

Sounds like a good buy to me!

 

Car is paid for, the dealer found the left front caliper was sticking, so they greased the pins on both front rotors and everything was fine. I'll grab pictures tomorrow. Just a question for some of you, the car came with snow tires on it, i have a set of IS250 x-package wheels with 245/40/18 size tires, these were to wide for my 2001 es300, will these fit the es330?

 

I have no direct experience, but my guess is those wheels will be too wide for the ES330 too...

Congrats!

 

Congrats on the purchase, be sure to post up pics.

I'd say the first mod is to tint the windows.

 

^ I just paid a $300 ticket for the gs' tint so I'm debating whether or not or the es. It's not the money it's just the hassle of going to the courthouse to pay the fine and everything. With exams and me leaving the country next in 2 weeks I'm just all over the place haha

 

Sorry it was dark when i picked up the car so these are the only pictures I have (with an iphone my apologies). Its incredible how well it drives for its age, and the condition really is great. I may need to get the tires balanced, but thats it.I also decided to get the back 3 windows tinted 35% and i might do the front two i will see

 

Nice! Look's great!

They sure do drive nice! My ES with 193k miles on it drives and rides ridiculously smooth. Hard to believe with the amount of miles it has traveled.

 

Its incredible how well lexus in general drive, even the old ones.

 

My friends 2000 rx has nearly 350k miles and its amazing how little she has had to do other than regular maintenance items and it still drives as strong as the day she got it (around 100k).

Great looking car. I agree with going and getting the windows tinted.