Will be coming back to an LS after my 2002 ES300 fiasco
03-25-12, 04:45 PM
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Will be coming back to an LS after my 2002 ES300 fiasco
Hello everyone
I had myself a 1991 LS400 if anyone here recalls it. I had it painted and did a lot of restoration to it. Then in January, ice took it away from me and totaled it.
I took that money and then some to buy myself a 2002 ES300 with 174K on it. My LS400 had 164 when I bought it.
After 2000 miles and a month of ownership, I am going to sell the es and come back to buy a 1998+ LS400. I have some good and some bad to say about the ES. It all boils down to the fact the 1991 LS I had with built with better quality than my 2002 ES300. even after 20 years.
My LS had much better sound deadening. Much tighter gaps. Much better stock sound system and much quieter and smoother engine and transmission. A suspension that would cradle you from the worst potholes and handle the car gracefully. My ES is a joke in these departments.
My es300 has a hesitant engine. Drive by wire that ****ing sucks. A transmission that cannot be coaxed to shift as well as my LS by anyone. A nice jerk driving in city traffic and not great top end. My ES has way too much road noise in the cabin!!! My es has a **** sound system stock. Premium?? yeah RIGHT. My brakes on my LS400 were much more solid with less nose dive than my ES. My es only excels in MPG, cornering, being newer materials.
Oh and the best part, my brother's 2002 camry with a 4sp transmission and V6 is smoother and shifts better than my lexus.
I will be selling the es, it is literally in perfect condition and going back to an LS. I want my quality back. The ES is on par with a 2005 Honda Accord EX-L. and even then the Accord is quieter with better stock sound and a transmission that works 100% of the time smoothly.
I will be happy to answer any questions you all may have between an 1st gen LS and a 02-06 ES.
I had myself a 1991 LS400 if anyone here recalls it. I had it painted and did a lot of restoration to it. Then in January, ice took it away from me and totaled it.
I took that money and then some to buy myself a 2002 ES300 with 174K on it. My LS400 had 164 when I bought it.
After 2000 miles and a month of ownership, I am going to sell the es and come back to buy a 1998+ LS400. I have some good and some bad to say about the ES. It all boils down to the fact the 1991 LS I had with built with better quality than my 2002 ES300. even after 20 years.
My LS had much better sound deadening. Much tighter gaps. Much better stock sound system and much quieter and smoother engine and transmission. A suspension that would cradle you from the worst potholes and handle the car gracefully. My ES is a joke in these departments.
My es300 has a hesitant engine. Drive by wire that ****ing sucks. A transmission that cannot be coaxed to shift as well as my LS by anyone. A nice jerk driving in city traffic and not great top end. My ES has way too much road noise in the cabin!!! My es has a **** sound system stock. Premium?? yeah RIGHT. My brakes on my LS400 were much more solid with less nose dive than my ES. My es only excels in MPG, cornering, being newer materials.
Oh and the best part, my brother's 2002 camry with a 4sp transmission and V6 is smoother and shifts better than my lexus.
I will be selling the es, it is literally in perfect condition and going back to an LS. I want my quality back. The ES is on par with a 2005 Honda Accord EX-L. and even then the Accord is quieter with better stock sound and a transmission that works 100% of the time smoothly.
I will be happy to answer any questions you all may have between an 1st gen LS and a 02-06 ES.
Last edited by Patsum; 03-25-12 at 04:49 PM.
03-25-12, 05:18 PM
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Check engine light on. Owner said there was a missing sensor on a rear brake. that does not even check out.... The seats were worn badly and it needed quite a bit new paint and some front body work. Little to no history. 5+ owners. Steering wheel leather completely worn and destroyed.
That was enough to say no.
I will up my budget and find one under 150K with good seats, good paint, no accidents, no bodywork needed, no CEL, decent tires, History of basic things with kept up mant. for 6.5-8K I am sure in this market. a 1998 won't be that hard to find with those reqs.
That was enough to say no.
I will up my budget and find one under 150K with good seats, good paint, no accidents, no bodywork needed, no CEL, decent tires, History of basic things with kept up mant. for 6.5-8K I am sure in this market. a 1998 won't be that hard to find with those reqs.
03-25-12, 05:23 PM
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Wasn't very long was it? haha I am blown away by the quality of my 1991 ls now that I have driven so many newer cars. 1998 7 series BMW, 2005 Accord ex-l, 2009 Camry, 1997 avalon, 2003 avalon XLS, 3 series bmw 2002, 1997 accord, 1997 acura TL, 2003 acura tl, 2003 Honda pilot, 2000 Lexus RX-300, 2001 GS400, 1996 SC-400
I test drove them all before I bought my 91 LS and 02 ES. The LS wins hands down for quality and what I want out of a car.
I test drove them all before I bought my 91 LS and 02 ES. The LS wins hands down for quality and what I want out of a car.
03-25-12, 07:34 PM
#7
Wasn't very long was it? haha I am blown away by the quality of my 1991 ls now that I have driven so many newer cars. 1998 7 series BMW, 2005 Accord ex-l, 2009 Camry, 1997 avalon, 2003 avalon XLS, 3 series bmw 2002, 1997 accord, 1997 acura TL, 2003 acura tl, 2003 Honda pilot, 2000 Lexus RX-300, 2001 GS400, 1996 SC-400
I test drove them all before I bought my 91 LS and 02 ES. The LS wins hands down for quality and what I want out of a car.
I test drove them all before I bought my 91 LS and 02 ES. The LS wins hands down for quality and what I want out of a car.
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03-25-12, 08:14 PM
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03-25-12, 11:36 PM
#11
Hi, LS is definitely a different world, but since you mentioned:
"My es300 has a hesitant engine. Drive by wire that ****ing sucks."
you have to know that the 1998-2000 LS is also drive by wire ! and has a bit of hesitations, test drive it and check.
good luck
"My es300 has a hesitant engine. Drive by wire that ****ing sucks."
you have to know that the 1998-2000 LS is also drive by wire ! and has a bit of hesitations, test drive it and check.
good luck
Last edited by mar1; 03-25-12 at 11:42 PM.
03-26-12, 06:22 AM
#12
I think you can safely add 1997 to that. Our 1997 1MZ-FE Camry is not the most stylish car in the world, but it is exceptional in terms of reliability, build quality, and drive-ability....which led me to buy the 1997 LS400. So far so good with it too (knocking on wood).
03-26-12, 06:35 AM
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I will absolutely go out and test drive a few 98's if they have drive by wire as well....
I don't think DBW is the culprit. it's the **** poor lexus 5sp tranny in my ES that is to blame and is the 1# reason I hate the car
I don't think DBW is the culprit. it's the **** poor lexus 5sp tranny in my ES that is to blame and is the 1# reason I hate the car
