Hello, this is my first post here.

So I've had Toyotas for decades. I always thought that Lexus was out of my league price-wise and feature-wise (I need a basic daily driver). However, I'm also looking for more longevity in my cars, especially components. I've been buying beater cars and end up putting lots of money in them, only to have them die (transmission in one, unsolvable no-start in the other that was also burning oil). After having this happen twice, I came to my senses about bought a 2006 Corolla LE in decent shape and paid more up-front for the better condition. A YouTuber named Your Car Angel turned me on to Lexus, particularly the ES series, due to his belief that it was the most reliable Toyota/Lexus brand. He showcased an ES 300 with 596k miles, original oxygen sensor and catalytic converter.

My goals are having reliability and economical commuter/errand car, specifically having a car that will last as long as possible, be something that I can work on (intermediate skill set), contain parts that aren't outrageously priced with aftermarket availability, and get good mileage.

More specfiically, I'd like a 4 cylinder (best mpg), FWD or RWD, use 87 octane gas*, timing chain (unless timing belts are easy to change on RWDs), 4 or 6 speed transmission with a dipstick, that is fairly comfortable that someone with intermediate mechanical skills can work on. I don't want electronic assist suspension.

I"m confused with all the permutations of the Lexus models. What models and years do you recommend and not recommend?

What tips and traps can you point out about those models?

For example, do the Lexus engines have the issues that Camrys did, eg piston oil control rings and bad head bolt threads leading to head gasket failure (happened to my next door neighbor last month)?

Thanks!

* I can't figure out which Lexus models use which octane gas, so I'd appreciate any links or tips to keep things easy.

 

Welcome to CL and this is a great time to shop for a used car as the prices are dropping fast due to lack of buyers because of Corona Virus.
Most all Lexus & Toyota models listed below are FWD except the IS250 which is RWD or AWD.

The engines in the models below are a generation newer than what you describe and do not have those problems.

All Toyota/Lexus models have timing chains. All of the cars listed below will run on regular gas. Even if Lexus says use Premium, you can run regular as that is what I have done and you cannot notice the difference. The engine knock sensors computers adjust timing for the different gas and reduce power a few horsepower.

None of their transmissions have dipsticks. The 6 speed and 8 speed automatics are in the gas engine models. They have a complicated temperature sensitive method to adjust the fluid, but many folks me included, just do a cold ATF drain and fill which changes about 1.7 to 2 quarts at a time. Do 3 drain and fills over 3 weekends and you transmission will shift like new again.

The hybrids use a power converter sort of like a CVT transmission and changing the fluid on those is easy as it is the same as a manual transmission. Fill it up until fluid comes out the fill hole. They hold about 4 quarts total.

The Lexus ES series, all years uses a V6 engine. The ES300 hybrid I think has a 4 cylinder as do the Lexus CT200h and Lexus HS250h, read more about them below.
However, all Lexus and Toyota models use the same engines and transmissions. You will get more for your money and the same level of reliability if you buy a Toyota instead.
FYI the Lexus ES350/ES300h are the same as the Toyota Camry and Later on the Avalon. You may want to look at Camry Hybrids as they get great mileage.

The Lexus model to consider is the Hybrid CT200h which has been in production since 2011 so there are many around used. I used to own one and it is a great little 4 door hatchback with the Prius 4 cylinder engine and hybrid drivetrain and gets mileage in the 40s per gallon. You should shop for one of these. There are a lot of used ones around. There are a couple of trim levels, go for the ones with Navigation as they also have better stereo systems and other goodies. Think of it as a luxury Prius. Very reliable. The CT200h also is available in sporty F-Sport trim which as a lowered stiffer suspension and other stuff to handle better, but it is the same engine. Here is a link to that forum on Club Lexus https://www.clublexus.com/forums/ct-...1-present-233/

The Lexus IS250 has a 4 cylinder engine but does not get great mileage and is very small inside.

The other car to consider is the Hybrid Lexus HS250h which was only imported from 2010-2012. I have the HS250h and if you can find a nice lower mileage used one, they are a deal. They are 4 door sedans and you sit a little higher than most cars. Very reliable. They have the Camry 4 cylinder motor and hybrid drivetrain. Mileage is in the mid 30s per gallon. https://www.clublexus.com/forums/hs-...2010-2012-216/

 

Thanks.

When did Lexus switch from 5W oil to 0W? Is it true that 0W causes oil burning?

I read that all VVT-i engines are interferene; if true, when did Lexus engines start having VVT-i engines?

About ATF changing, is there a drain plug at the bottom of the ATF pan? How do you refill the ATF if there's no dipstick?

Thanks!

 

They switched to 0w20 on most models around 2010. The ES350 was an exception, although the RX350 in the same model years with the same engine just about specified 0w20, probably for mileage.
All 0w20 is full synthetic, it does not cause oil burning. Lack of maintenance causes oil burning. Also it depends on what mileage the need to add oil is required. Some think 1000 miles a quart is oil burning, others 2000 miles while some think 500, so it depends. My HS250h with the earlier generation Camry engine does use more oil than I like, but still it is over a 1000 per quart. I just check it every few gas fillups.

If a car has a timing chain like all Toyota & Lexus models, which will never break for the life of the car then whether or not the engine is interference or not does not matter.
The timing chain will not break. Only timing belts break and make this a possible maintenance issue, extra cost. Just change your oil as specified by the owners manual, usually every 5,000 - 10,000 miles.
You do not need to be concerned about this non-issue.

I do not know the design history of when they started using VVT-1 engines. Why does it matter. Toyota makes the most reliable motor vehicles on the planet.

Yes there are drain plugs on the bottom of the 6 & 8 speed transmissions and on the Hybrid power conversion units. All of them also have a fill plug although its location varies. All take Toyota WS (World Standard) Automatic Transmission Fluid, although I have successfully substituted MAG ONE Full synthetic low viscosity multi vehicle automatic transmission fluid in my RX350, HS250h and Toyota Sienna. It works better than the WS as it really is full synthetic and WS may be partly synthetic at best. You can buy Mag One on Amazon for about $35 for 6 quarts, which is far cheaper than WS.

There are many posts on these forums on how to change your transmission fluid and other common maintenance items. Do some searching and read the sticky threads at the head of each model forum.

 

Putting this transmission fluid change info in a separate post.
Look at this thread in the RX350 forum as it has the same 6 speed automatic as the ES350, Camry, Highlander, Sienna etc thu about 2015
https://www.clublexus.com/forums/rx-...d-threads.html

Also this youtube video, of which there are many
For the hybrid power unit look at this https://www.clublexus.com/forums/hyb...-and-rear.html
It is similar on all the hybrid models. Here it is on a Prius, same as the CT200h and HS250h

 

Giants1, I guess you're an SF Giants fan, so am I! I live in San Jose. Clutchless provided you with a lot of great information. I would reinforce what he said about buying the newest Toyota/Lexus you can afford and don't worry about the timing belt, octane, trans-maintenance and so forth. If you do your homework and get one with a good maintenance history, you can learn the newer maintenance procedures and just deal with them. Us Toyota/Lexus owners are often frustrated as the technology and procedures change and often become more difficult, but this is true with all makes/models. The good news is that you came to the right place for advice as there are a lot of knowledgeable and helpful people on this site. Good luck with whatever direction you choose to go!

 

Some generations of the Camry and Corolla have issues with head gaskets being more prone to blowing in 4 cylinder engines due to inadequate head bolt thread reinforcement (Camry 2002-2006 2AZ-FE) or thinness between cylinders (Corolla 2009-2013 Generation 10 2ZR-FE). My neighbor's 2003 Camry blew a head gasket and I saw a craigslist ad for a 2009 Corolla with a blonw head gasket; both denied the engines overheated.

Are there any ES engines with similar design defects or are all of them well-designed?

 

The ES 6 cylinders are all good, but, like any engine, there will be occasional issues. Generally, stay away from the first year or two after a model change. Manufacturer's are always working the bugs out during the first and second years. For instance, the early 5th gen ES's had some transmission issues and a VVT oil line that tended to leak.

 

Nice video, thanks.