What can the GRM Collective tell me about the ES300?

Niece who is 17 and loves cars, hates hers, calls it boring and slow

SyntheticBlinkerFluid wrote: Is there anything else to know about the '92-2000 models?

TRD made a fix for the boring:

I laugh at ES300's since whomever is driving it bought a Camry with some fake wood on the dash, but paid $10k more than a Camry. Also, like a Camry these things look like the exhaust system is trying to fall off. Seriously irks me. Look at one from behind. Concur with whomever said to get an IS300 instead.

integraguy wrote: S_B_F.... I stand corrected, sort of. I went and looked at the specs on Edmunds for a 1997 Camry V6, and you are right...it does say regular fuel. (I didn't check the Lexus because it's basically the same car.) HOWEVER, like many car manufacturers, Toyota changed the V6 in 2001, 2002, or 2003 and if you check the Edmunds.com specs for those years of the Camry V6 you will see that it switched to premium fuel required. This is sort of like how Mazda upgraded the Miata engine someways in 2001-2002 so it needs premium, like the Toyota. I apologize for the mistake, as I didn't read slowly enough to realize that you would be "repeating" the Edmunds experience and possibly buying a pre 2002 ES. BTW, here are a few "tidbits" courtesy of Consumers Guide car buying guide: "Acceleration is more than adequate, and the engine is silent at idle and nearly silent under power. In fact, this car's single greatest asset may be quietness." "The steering is firmer than before, but there is too little road feel. Similarly, the suspension furnishes adequate handling and more isolation from bumps than a BMW 3-Series or a Mercedes-Benz C-Class, but the ES300 isn't as nimble." please notice the use of ADEQUATE...and this from Consumer's Guide? Quotes were in relation to the "new and improved" 1997 model ES300.

Thanks for taking the time to look that stuff up. That's what I like about this place.

For everyone who has posted, the reason I ask about this is because I have automotive ADD. I like the looks of the 2nd Gen ES300, but expected it to be as dull as the Camry.

I came to the realization that I don't DD my car, because I have the company van.

I have realized that I could have a vehicle with not that great of mileage and that could use premium fuel. I fill my my Jeep up maybe twice a month at the most. It sits most the time because we drive the Durango. I want a car so we have something that doesn't have truck suspension and gets much better mileage than the Durango. When it becomes feasible to have 3 cars, I will get something with a manual then. For now, I need another slushbox around as a second vehicle.

I'm going to keep an eye out for LS and GS models.

T.J. wrote: I laugh at ES300's since whomever is driving it bought a Camry with some fake wood on the dash, but paid $10k more than a Camry. [..] Concur with whomever said to get an IS300 instead.

Uhh, not any more. If you pay $10k for an ES300 nowadays then you tried really hard to pay too much! And the difference is more than wood on the dash, but not a whole lot more.

The IS300 is a good bit more expensive.

To the OP: My wife still loves her GS300 and it's been stone cold reliable and got her 27mpg on the last tank of gas. It's the best $2500 car I've bought yet. The difference between regular and premium is $.20/gallon, MAYBE $2.50 per tank - how much gas do you burn? For us that's a difference of about $30 - $50 a year. Not worth even mentioning.

I seriously doubt that a ES300 actually needs premium gas.

I put mid-grade in our Highlander, which has the VVT-i 1MZFE, like the ES300. It calls for 90 minimum octane. My wife is the primary driver, and I can't get her to quit putting in regular. It runs fine on anything, but requires the higher octane for maximum power. I suppose if a knock sensor was malfunctioning, it could be a problem.

Our Highlander has 200k miles. I replaced a wheel bearing and the AC system. Did both myself.

In reply to T.J.:

Just the guys driving the new ES models. The older ones seem to fall in a weird place on CL. Similar Camrys often go for more than their ES counterparts because most folks look at Lexus and think the parts are too expensive. Then the Lexus guys look at an ES and say it's not a "real" Lexus.

I drove my old 97 ES300 for over 150k miles, and it was the most reliable car I've owned so far. It's a boring car, but kinda fun to drive in a, "I can't believe I just made an appliance do THAT." way.

In reply to Racer1ab:

Yes, I meant new to new comparison. Interesting that they cross over when looking in the lower price ranges. I think your analysis is a good one with people being scared away of a luxury brand, but attracted to the reliability of Toyota.

Hmmmmm, I find it odd no one has mentioned the V6 gasket problems......

Not as severe as the V6 in the trucks of the early 90s, the V6 in the ES300/Camry also can suffer from gasket failure. Toyota had a recall for the trucks... they managed to avoid one for the cars........

My family has owned a 1992 ES300 5 spd since new. My dad bought it in mid 1992, pretty cheap because it was a 5 spd. When new, I liked how it drove, it was subtle, yet controlled. The rear suspension is NOT excatly from a Camry, it uses slightly different geometry and therefore shocks and alignment settings are different. My brother still owns the car today. The only other annoying problem was the dash cluster failed.

oldeskewltoy wrote: Hmmmmm, I find it odd no one has mentioned the V6 gasket problems...... Not as severe as the V6 in the trucks of the early 90s, the V6 in the ES300/Camry also can suffer from gasket failure. Toyota had a recall for the trucks... they managed to avoid one for the cars........ My family has owned a 1992 ES300 5 spd since new. My dad bought it in mid 1992, pretty cheap because it was a 5 spd. When new, I liked how it drove, it was subtle, yet controlled. The rear suspension is NOT excatly from a Camry, it uses slightly different geometry and therefore shocks and alignment settings are different. My brother still owns the car today. The only other annoying problem was the dash cluster failed.

You're just talking about the earlier VZ motor, right? The MZ wasn't used in trucks.

JohnyHachi6 wrote: something something...Avalon ...something something

I was also going to suggest looking at an Avalon.

Our Realtor had a burgundy one with tan leather that we rode around in for a few days. I quite liked the interior. And it looks better and is a bit larger than a Camry or ES300.

92CelicaHalfTrac wrote: You're just talking about the earlier VZ motor, right? The MZ wasn't used in trucks.

yes