Guys

Is the lines on the 3rd generation ES dated or do you prefer
over the 4th or 5th generation ES?

After all these years, maybe I’m just an old dude but I actually
think the 3rd generation ES has the most timeless lines?

Looking to get a ES and the 3rd generation is what strike me
as the one to get. I know all about the engine and drivetrain
as I currently have a low mileage 2001 RX300( 76K)

Is the 3rd generation as reliable as the other generations assuming
you change the oil and take care of the transmission? Or should i
look for a 4th or 6 generation?

 

Hello,

I maybe a bit biased, but a 3rd generation is my favorite. 2nd-gen shares a lot of similar cues, but it does somehow start to show its age, while the 3rd-gen doesn't look all that dated even today, especially a facelift model. 4th-gen was also pretty good looking until a facelift happened in 2005, and for me, it only went downhill from that point on, with 5th-gen becoming more .... simplified..? It doesn't seem like as much care goes into small details as it used to, which is a shame..

As far as durability, 3rd-gen is a pretty tough car, with proper maintenance, it can go beyond 300,000 miles with hardly any issues, which quite a few people already demonstrated over the years. With that, I would consider a 4th-gen facelift to be the most robust of them all, since it introduced some tweaks to the same well seasoned platform, which smoothed every last wrinkle that older models may have had, yet without adding new ones, which is a rarity nowadays..



Hope this helps and best of luck!

 

I agreed. I don’t even have 1 yet but
the 3rd generation is really growing on me

 

Honestly I prefer the 3rd gen to my 4th Gen... it's just the 4th's are easier to find. The interior's seem a bit more modern, which is nice, but the classic lines of the 3rd is just classic Toyota quality. Maybe I'll find one some day.

 

I let my 2001 ES with 205k miles go after over 10yrs of ownership when I found my 2016 GS as the new DD. Whenever I see another 3ES still on the road I think back to my old 2001 and miss it, it was a great car with great lines.

 

I think the second and third generation ES300 were the best looking ES’. I had a 1999 and 2001 ES for a while and really enjoyed them. They always catch my eye in traffic and they still look good today, especially in black.

The fourth generation ES is a good looking car, with a bigger interior. The only thing I dislike is the side profile of those cars but they were really nice and simple. The fifth gen was the ugliest ES of them all and looks like a bloated Camry. Sixth gen was boring but still a wonderful car. I love the current ES and would love own one.