Car buying advise wanted: Lexus ES300

Pete Zaria · Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:24 pm

I know this is a spudgun fourm, but I'm hoping some people here have experience with Lexus products and can give me some info.

I'm looking at buying a 1999 Lexus ES300 with 55k miles. Premium package included (leather interior, premium sound, 6 cd changer, side air bags). Bluebook value on this car is just under $14k, and the seller (a friend of a friend) will give it to me for $12,000 in cash.

Does anyone here have a late 1990's Lexus? Can you give me any information about the maintenance of it? Is it reliable? Do they loose performance over the years?

Do you think this is a good daily driver car for the money?

Thanks a ton for any information.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

SpudStuff · Tue Jul 25, 2006 2:29 pm

My grandpa has a ~20 year old lexus. From what i have heard they are good cars and last a long time if you take good care of them. Before you buy make your froend take it into the dealer to get an inspection to makesure nothing is wrong with it.

good luck buying

boilingleadbath · Tue Jul 25, 2006 8:14 pm

You might want to look for a more car-centered forum.

WOW!! · Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:10 pm

First thing is to check for rust, in the wheel weel, around the rocker panels, floors and trunk. Then you want to check to see if ALL lights work and wipers work. Then take the oil cap off and look at the oil. If it is a golden brown it is good. Ask if the matenice has been on time. If you can pop a spark plug out and check it if it has corrision on it forget it.

Next look at the air cleaner, if it has a lot of crap in ittell the owner to replace the filter. Look for spray paint on/in the doors, truck, hood, and wheel wells. Next take it for a spin, put it in N and see how it idle's, it should be to high or low, then go thought all the gears and check them. Finally check the seats, carpet, cd player etc.

Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:19 pm

lol wow! Every thought of writing "What to look for when purchasing a used car"? Went over pretty much everything in two paragraphs.

WOW!! · Tue Jul 25, 2006 9:34 pm

There is a lot more, but since he isent buy a truck I didnt need to write it all out.

Pete Zaria · Wed Jul 26, 2006 1:24 am

Thanks a ton, WOW.

I already checked all the electronics, transmission, suspension, and checked the whole body for rust. For a '99 car with 55k miles, it's in beautiful condition. No paint scratches, leather interior is mint, engine compartment is surprisingly clean. He has all the service records; it's been serviced every 3-5k miles. New tires and battery, also. The ECU fried a year ago, and was replaced by the local Lexus dealer.

The brakes have a lot of stopping power, but they're a bit "grabby". Is this an indication that it might need new brakepads?

If anyone has a 90's Lexus and would like to tell me about their maintenance experience with it, I'd be greatly appreciative. Thanks a bunch, everybody.

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

WOW!! · Wed Jul 26, 2006 10:57 pm

What do you mean by grabby? They stop to fast? O and check the rotors for deep scratcs and overweraing on them. Do you know how to check compression on a engine?

Pete Zaria · Wed Jul 26, 2006 11:12 pm

Grabby as in, it doesn't take much pressure on the brake petal for the pads to start gripping the rotors. They kind of "grab" the wheels. If you pushed too hard, it feels like it'd lock up (but it wouldn't, because of the ABS). Rotors look good.

I have no idea how to check compression. Fill me in?

Thanks a bunch, Wow. Are you a mechanic, or just a car nut?

Peace,
Pete Zaria.

WOW!! · Thu Jul 27, 2006 5:23 am

Little bit of both, to check the compression you have to get a compresson gauge and take the plugs off the plugs and put it in and see how much is in there. The only thing is I dont know how much you want in your type of car. So it is not "really" nesserce. And about the brakes, my guess is that well umm....I dont really know, your best bet is check each pad to see how it looks.

Car buying advise wanted: Lexus ES300

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