Bought my first car: '95 ES300 w/145,000mi - Here's what I've done!
02-16-12, 04:23 PM
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Bought my first car: '95 ES300 w/145,000mi - Here's what I've done!
Hey guys!
Well, as every new guy says, I've been lurking for quite some time now. CL is pretty much the FIRST site I check every morning. I am definitely addicted.
My story goes as follows: My name is Parker, I am 18 and last summer I became a licensed driver and bought my first car. Her name is Vivvi (yes I named her). My Grandfather happens to be a GM at Lexus of Serremonte here in the bay area, I had told him I was looking for a car soon and he called me up a week later and said "Hey! I've got a beautiful 1995 ES300 with 145,000mi here for you that someone just traded in!" After this phone call we figured out the details and I decided I wanted the car.
The dealership bought the used car from a man who traded it in that day for $1,000. My Grandfather got first dibs on it and bought it from the dealership for $1,000, after which he replaced the cracked windshield, radiator (also cracked/leaking), replaced intake air filter, put in a new front grill (didn't have one), had his mechanics do inspection and registered the vehicle. He even filled up the tank with Premium. When all was said and done, he only charged me what he paid for the car + mechanics inspection + registration. Which came out to $1,445.75 after all the papers were signed. Needless to say, 1) my Grandfather rocks and 2) resell value of the car in three years will still be more than what I paid.
Here she is the day I drove her home!!
The history of the car goes as follows:
- Timing belt had been done recently
- Transmission rebuilt at 90k
- Had three owners (all of which were apparently very gentle to/and maintained the vehicle)
- Never in an 'accident' (besides (as I am guessing) backing up into a pole which left dings on the trunk and messed up the taillight a bit, pics below)
- The front bumper is (as seen in the picture above) a little bent downward in the middle (a common issue with the '92-95 models)
- The Leather is in great shape still, besides a rip in the sewing on the drivers seat (pics below)
- It was missing the front left fog light assembly
The car drives super smooth, and I have not had a single problem with it yet. Besides local commutes, she's driven quite a few long distance trips including: San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Modesto and L.A. When there is a choice between which car my friends choose to ride in, it's always "PARKER'S LEXUS."
Since I've bought the car I have done quite a few things to it, which leads me to the next part of this post...
First, the list of what's been done:
- Strut bar (because I can xD)
- Replaced hood support struts (now the hood practically goes up by itself!)
- Cleaned up the engine and everything under the hood
- Clarion CZ501 Bluetooth Stereo (wired the mic up to the visor)
- Ran Aux cable through center console to passenger side floor
- Ran new speaker wiring
- All new Kenwood speakers (3-way 6.5" front, 5-way 6x9 rear)
- Put in a wide view blue tinted rear view mirror
- Added mini fish-eye side mirrors
- Replaced rear left taillight assembly
- Purchased a front left fog light assembly on eBay
- Replaced low beam bulbs with 6000K "Nitro Blue" Putco bulbs
- Replaced fog light bulbs with 3000K "Jet Yellow" Putco bulbs
- Removed and sold trunk CD Changer
- Removed Antenna motor assembly (broken anyway)
- Remove orange reflector headlights/taillights (also clean up foggy projectors in headlights)
- Fix gas tank cover so it closes flush with the body
What I plan to do:
Exterior:
- Replace ALL of the suspension. I'm talking, struts, sway bars, end links, bushing, everything. (looking at KWB GR-2 struts)
- New rotors
- 17" wheels (I'm not completely sure I will do this, I'm looking at GS350 or IS300 rims...)
- Clean up the cracks on passenger rear view mirror frame
- Body work on Trunk
- HID Low Beams? (http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W)
- Buff/polish headlights, fogs and tails
- Fix bumper warp (or buy a new bumper and have it painted, but that is costly...)
Interior:
- Mod 6x9 speaker boxes in the rear (lots of the sound is bouncing in the trunk!)
- Lay out sound deadening insulation under carpet, in doors, under rear seats, over wheel wells and in the trunk
- Get a dedicated amp for the speakers
- Sealed Sub + Amp (Not sure if I want a 10" or 12", I also don't want it taking up huge amounts of space in my trunk)
- Wood grain vinyl covering on center console, door controls, door handles and on parts of the dash (still messing with this idea)
- Detailing on drivers seat leather
- Clean and condition the leather seating!
...................................................
PICTURES
Strut bar
Strong Arm Hood Support Struts (#4217L, #4217R, for '92-95 ES300 and '92-97 Camry)
WOOT WOOT!
All clean too
Next order of business was the speakers/stereo
Gutted out the insides of the car for rewiring and speaker installation
New speakers in!
Gutted out the stereo/climate control
New Stereo!
Works beautifully, and let me tell you... it was NOT easy wiring it. *facepalm*
Wired a mic through the dash and up the side to the drivers visor
The stereo only has a front Aux port, but I wanted a clean look. So I wired it through the center console
Added cheap carpets because I honestly hate beige/tan coloured carpet. (also note the seem rip in the drivers seat, I want to get that fixed)
Well, as every new guy says, I've been lurking for quite some time now. CL is pretty much the FIRST site I check every morning. I am definitely addicted.
My story goes as follows: My name is Parker, I am 18 and last summer I became a licensed driver and bought my first car. Her name is Vivvi (yes I named her). My Grandfather happens to be a GM at Lexus of Serremonte here in the bay area, I had told him I was looking for a car soon and he called me up a week later and said "Hey! I've got a beautiful 1995 ES300 with 145,000mi here for you that someone just traded in!" After this phone call we figured out the details and I decided I wanted the car.
The dealership bought the used car from a man who traded it in that day for $1,000. My Grandfather got first dibs on it and bought it from the dealership for $1,000, after which he replaced the cracked windshield, radiator (also cracked/leaking), replaced intake air filter, put in a new front grill (didn't have one), had his mechanics do inspection and registered the vehicle. He even filled up the tank with Premium. When all was said and done, he only charged me what he paid for the car + mechanics inspection + registration. Which came out to $1,445.75 after all the papers were signed. Needless to say, 1) my Grandfather rocks and 2) resell value of the car in three years will still be more than what I paid.
Here she is the day I drove her home!!
The history of the car goes as follows:
- Timing belt had been done recently
- Transmission rebuilt at 90k
- Had three owners (all of which were apparently very gentle to/and maintained the vehicle)
- Never in an 'accident' (besides (as I am guessing) backing up into a pole which left dings on the trunk and messed up the taillight a bit, pics below)
- The front bumper is (as seen in the picture above) a little bent downward in the middle (a common issue with the '92-95 models)
- The Leather is in great shape still, besides a rip in the sewing on the drivers seat (pics below)
- It was missing the front left fog light assembly
The car drives super smooth, and I have not had a single problem with it yet. Besides local commutes, she's driven quite a few long distance trips including: San Francisco, Santa Cruz, Modesto and L.A. When there is a choice between which car my friends choose to ride in, it's always "PARKER'S LEXUS."
Since I've bought the car I have done quite a few things to it, which leads me to the next part of this post...
First, the list of what's been done:
- Strut bar (because I can xD)
- Replaced hood support struts (now the hood practically goes up by itself!)
- Cleaned up the engine and everything under the hood
- Clarion CZ501 Bluetooth Stereo (wired the mic up to the visor)
- Ran Aux cable through center console to passenger side floor
- Ran new speaker wiring
- All new Kenwood speakers (3-way 6.5" front, 5-way 6x9 rear)
- Put in a wide view blue tinted rear view mirror
- Added mini fish-eye side mirrors
- Replaced rear left taillight assembly
- Purchased a front left fog light assembly on eBay
- Replaced low beam bulbs with 6000K "Nitro Blue" Putco bulbs
- Replaced fog light bulbs with 3000K "Jet Yellow" Putco bulbs
- Removed and sold trunk CD Changer
- Removed Antenna motor assembly (broken anyway)
- Remove orange reflector headlights/taillights (also clean up foggy projectors in headlights)
- Fix gas tank cover so it closes flush with the body
What I plan to do:
Exterior:
- Replace ALL of the suspension. I'm talking, struts, sway bars, end links, bushing, everything. (looking at KWB GR-2 struts)
- New rotors
- 17" wheels (I'm not completely sure I will do this, I'm looking at GS350 or IS300 rims...)
- Clean up the cracks on passenger rear view mirror frame
- Body work on Trunk
- HID Low Beams? (http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W)
- Buff/polish headlights, fogs and tails
- Fix bumper warp (or buy a new bumper and have it painted, but that is costly...)
Interior:
- Mod 6x9 speaker boxes in the rear (lots of the sound is bouncing in the trunk!)
- Lay out sound deadening insulation under carpet, in doors, under rear seats, over wheel wells and in the trunk
- Get a dedicated amp for the speakers
- Sealed Sub + Amp (Not sure if I want a 10" or 12", I also don't want it taking up huge amounts of space in my trunk)
- Wood grain vinyl covering on center console, door controls, door handles and on parts of the dash (still messing with this idea)
- Detailing on drivers seat leather
- Clean and condition the leather seating!
...................................................
PICTURES
Strut bar
Strong Arm Hood Support Struts (#4217L, #4217R, for '92-95 ES300 and '92-97 Camry)
WOOT WOOT!
All clean too
Next order of business was the speakers/stereo
Gutted out the insides of the car for rewiring and speaker installation
New speakers in!
Gutted out the stereo/climate control
New Stereo!
Works beautifully, and let me tell you... it was NOT easy wiring it. *facepalm*
Wired a mic through the dash and up the side to the drivers visor
The stereo only has a front Aux port, but I wanted a clean look. So I wired it through the center console
Added cheap carpets because I honestly hate beige/tan coloured carpet. (also note the seem rip in the drivers seat, I want to get that fixed)
Last edited by smee; 03-11-12 at 10:51 AM.
02-16-12, 04:23 PM
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Next came the head lights
Before (didn't get a night time before though...)
After:
These pictures don't do them justice! They look beautiful at night.
More to come!!
Before (didn't get a night time before though...)
After:
These pictures don't do them justice! They look beautiful at night.
More to come!!
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02-18-12, 12:11 PM
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Thank you!! CL is awesome.
Yup yup! For a while I didn't do anything to it, but since I loved taking things apart I was like "Screw it I'm getting new audio" and then I just started putting more into it. The stock speakers/stereo was pretty boss as it was.
It seriously does! My Dad was like "Why would you do that? It's a $30 bar you're putting in your car. It won't change anything." I beg to differ. xD
I would LOVE to do that. If I had the knowledge+time+money... and I think the fact that my car is an autotragic (next car will be a 5spd for SURE) and the engine is at 146k. :P
I've been following your own supercharge thread, it looks rad bro. Would love to test drive it!!
Also, are you running HIDs or Halogen bulbs?
Thanks bro!!
I have the same strut bar on my car. Car runs tighter with it on.
I would LOVE to do that. If I had the knowledge+time+money... and I think the fact that my car is an autotragic (next car will be a 5spd for SURE) and the engine is at 146k. :P
I've been following your own supercharge thread, it looks rad bro. Would love to test drive it!!
Also, are you running HIDs or Halogen bulbs?
Thanks bro!!
02-19-12, 12:37 AM
#11
I love threads like these, you got a great car. I also admire your choice of carpets. Now that I think of it, it's so sad that I can't decide whether I want to get gray or beige all weather mats - that just sounds like it's straight from that Mediocrity ad by Subaru.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPXVhpA2loI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPXVhpA2loI
02-23-12, 10:26 AM
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The other day I spent a good 4 hours cleaning the entire interior, dash, doors, anything plastic, carpet... Now to do the Leather seats (kinda want new seats or covers though...)
I love threads like these, you got a great car. I also admire your choice of carpets. Now that I think of it, it's so sad that I can't decide whether I want to get gray or beige all weather mats - that just sounds like it's straight from that Mediocrity ad by Subaru.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPXVhpA2loI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPXVhpA2loI
AHAHAHA. That commercial is golden. xDDD
Thank you! It's a great past time to just go out and work on the car and fix/modify little things here and there.
Honestly, I don't know what was used, and I actually didn't clean it. A mechanic friend did a bunch of work for me and surprised me with a clean engine bay.
I will ask for the name of the stuff he used! It's some sort of cleaning oil. (two months later, my engine still looks shiny)
So for reference, Low Beams = 9006, High Beams = 9005 and Fogs = H3 type bulbs.
I am using stock Highs
Putco Nitro Blue (#239006NB) Lows
and Putco Jet Yellow (#230003JY) Fog bulbs.
But I am looking at HIDs for the low beams, maybe these: http://www.ddmtuning.com/Products/DD...ast-35W-or-55W
Last edited by smee; 02-23-12 at 10:30 AM.