The side panel in between the outside of the two car doors looks as if it was next t extreme heat. Is this normal. I am purchasing this used 2002 ES 300 and want to be sure the car wasn't exposed to extreme heat.

 

A picture or three would be helpful.

 

Bubbling? Different color? Burned? More info and pics would definitely help. Could be that the car was painted and they goofed that pillar or something.

 

Those black trim (pillar) pieces look bad after many years. You should be more concerned about under the hood and the drive, since you can just replace those pillar trims.