Dependability, Serene interior, Attractive styling...mechanically sound. Absolutely BEST in it's class!

CD Player should be in-cabin. Dealer service prices needlessly marked up. Recommend service at garages that are qualified to do warranty work. Save BIG $$$. Price of car also inflated. NEGOTIATE!!! 3% over invoice price usually closes deal. Don't go for after-market extras. This car can run for hundreds of thousands of miles.

Lexus is simply the BEST for the price and value. These cars are dependable and affordable, if you do your homework and DEAL with the dealer. I plan on purchasing an LS soon and will continue to park the Lexus nameplate in my garage until the competition (BMW, Mercedes, Acura, etc.) either comes down to earth price-wise or improves maintenance.

THANKS!

good responce, good handling

needs alittle more pick up

I only test drove this car but I really enjoyed driving it.
I am looking to buy a car in the spring and I just started looking. I am going to look at the Volvo & Infinity.
I like the look of the lexus the best.

Very good engine. Dependable for long miles of driving.

Looks like Camry. Height of driver side is too low. Not very quiet as I expected. Not very bright light. Low gas milage. Very small power ;even though, it has V6 engine. Very expensive to repair. Sensitive suspension which is just good for one or two. Same opinion with Chris'statement above. After I read all above statements, I believe young Japanese in recent factory can't make car well.

I think ES400 is better, just for wide room and bright light.
Experienced to drive ES300 luxury,but when I become conscious I am driving Lexus ES300 as same as old people are driving Lexus ES300 on the street.
I knew a good car wouldn't evaluate under the age or name of the brand.
Many, many, many other better cars still run in Japan and still don't come to the United State yet.

Similar Products Used:

Nissan skyline 1980 which had power and no noise in room,but needed more oxgen to breath.

Well considering I just put 4 new tires on the vehicle 215/60/VR15 Michelin Pilot series tires on there, this car handles very well around tight turns. Very smooth when the gears are changing, smooth exceleration, very cold AC. I have had very few problems, considering this car now has 80K miles, I have only had to replace the E.G.R. Valve, tires, front brake linings & rotors. All in all a very well made car. I also don't like the fact if you want to install a custom stereo like I have, its a pain in the rear. No one sells a car kit for ease of installation, I had to hard wire the stereo wires to the harness itself, Pain in the rear.

I don't like the fact that when I first purchased the vehicle I noticed some smoke from the exhaust pipe, I took the car into the dealership and they had to do $1800.00 worth of engine work, all of which was at the dealerships expense. When driving 60mph or faster wind noise is heard on either side of the vehilce, the noise is heard at the top of the windows (yes the windows are rolled up). This car seems to only be getting 17mpg on normal in town driving, that sux.

I would recommend this car to just about anyone looking for a nice, luxurious ride for very little money. I purchased mine USED, that is the only way to buy (my opinion) I mean 14K + tax is not a bad deal for a lexus, do your homework, yes you can actually afford one. My next vehicle I plan on buying is the LEXUS GS300. Stick w/ LEXUS, you can't go wrong!

Similar Products Used:

Comparing this to my old 94 Mitsubishi Eclipse, their is no comparison.

- Nice leather, comfortable seats with just the right amount of "wrap"
- Reasonably quiet, though not as quiet as reputation would have one believe
- 200 HP eng is very nicely powered, I would use more if I had it, but I can't really say I need it.
- Very smooth shifting transmission. Unbelieveably so. Really first rate.
- Love the CD changer in the glove compartment. Still room for other stuff even with it installed.
- Great sound system. Subwoofer makes the whole thing sound great.
- Good gas mileage for as hard as I drive. About 22 all around.
- Headlights ae better than average for other cars of the same model year and earlier.
- 4 wheel disc, antilock brakes are simple world class. I mean they are flawless.
- I got the variable suspension option, and it's a nice toy. I normally run around with the suspension in the "performance" setting, but when I drive my wife or friends around I slow way down and select the "comfort" setting. Then the car glides like a boat. It's a nice change every once in a while.
- Fit and finish. This is really what made me buy this car besides the Lexus name. This car is clearly put together very carefully. I do not have squeaks or rattles to speak of, car now has 60+k miles.
- Engine! Very smooth. Very reliable. I red line it almost every day, yet it starts like the day I bought it, and I swear it runs like new. I change oil/filter every 3k, and use prolong every now and then, but that's it.
- I LOVE the flourescent backlit dash. Very readable. Nice layout on the instruments.
- Nothing cheap to break off inside. By this I mean the A/C deflectors, knobs, etc. that are usually very cheap on American cars. Nothing is too fancy (except the wood accents which I really like), but it all works and lasts well.
No exterior antenna to worry about. Reception isn't quite as good as if you had a normal antenna, but if you live anywhwere near the city it's good enough. Having no antenna makes the car look nicer and is one less thing to break.

First of all, let me say that one has to be picky to find weaknesses. So I will nitpick:
- Only reliability problem I've had was airbag sensor went out. Took dealer several times to fix, but they always gave me mid to high end loaners, and problem was covered under warranty.
- Front tires seem to wear a bit too fast - but at least they wear evenly. I am probably to fault due to lead foot off the line, but I don't squeal tires, just get away from other traffic quickly.
- Non freon A/C system not as cold as freon based ones. I kind of expect this, and it still works well enough in the Texas summer.
- After a hard turn, steering wheel doesn't want to return to center very easily. You have to horse it a bit.
- I got the traction control system, which defaults to being on (you can turn it off if you like). When tires slip even a little, your engine goes to about 1/3 power for several seconds. This has resulted in some VERY dangerous situations when pulling out into fast traffic. First thing I do now is turn it off when I start the car. I wish it would remember the last setting. My advice is DO NOT pay for this option, unless you always drive in snow. It's really dangerous under normal conditions.
- Transmission will pause for quite some time on downshift, trying to be well behaved, I guess. But it means you actually have to stomp the gas 1.5 seconds before you actually wanted to go. I would equate this to feeling like a bad turbo lag (even though I know the issues are unrelated).
- Stereo is too far from driver. I have to lean quite forward to hit all of the buttons. Seems they could have made the stereo console jut out 2" and angle it toward the driver 15-20 degrees and it would have been much nicer.
- Not a huge amount of room in the back seats for a 4 door. Not eoungh headroom.
- It takes two distinct button presses to close the moonroof. I'm sure this is a safety feature, but I hate it.
- I much prefer a hand brake although it would probably interfere with the nice armreset the 97's and later models have. In an emergency, you would have to fumble for the foot operated emergency brake. Plus, you have to depress it fully to release it. Not much good as an emergency brake to get you from A-B, only good to stop you from going over the edge of a cliff on a mountain road.
Headliner should be perforated leather or simulated leather. Cloth sux and is impossible to clean. Same for sun visors.

Buy the '97 or later, you won't regret it. I bought new, but these cars hold up so well that buying a well cared for '97 or later is probably your best value.

Similar Products Used:

I've had several other cars and trucks in 23 years of driving. Never has any of them come close to quality, fit/finish, reliability, you name it. The Es300 may be the base bang for the buck in the entire Lexus product line, but don't buy 96 or previous if you can afford a 97 or later. '97 was the first year of a redesign, and significant improvements were made.

everything....from the interior to the exterior. the interior is very nice and comfortable,roomy, and luxurious. the stereo, is really great. the exterior if almost next to perfection, (if not perfect). i love the back lights, how they redesigned it from the 97-99 models. the best part about the front will probably be the foglights. that is a must for every luxury car. and there isn't any antennas to worry about. it looks much better w/out it, and you dont have to worry about it breaking.

i kinda thought that the lights should have been like the LS400, or the Acura TL, how it is kinda "blue-ish"....that would have been sweet.

everything about this car is wonderful. i think if you are willing to pay $30,000+ on a car. it should be a Lexus ES 300. its worth the price you pay for it......and if you ever take your car into the dealer and they'll need to keep it overnight. they'll even give you a Lexus Loaners Car to use.....now, how good is that?

Similar Products Used:

95 Lexus ES300. the 2001 ES 300 looks soooo much better. and the interior is much roomier and more comfortable.

How can you NOT LOVE the HEATED SEATS!!! I have always firmly stuck to the "if it gets me there safely, I don't care what it is" theory. I'm spoiled now. Plenty of HP (especially with the "power" button engaged). No safety concerns to speak of. I am the mother of three growing kids and not a mini-van kind of person. Plenty of room, trunk is huge. Under the hood...take it to the shop...did an oil change with high-end synthetic and will continue to for the life of the vehicle. Handles well with very little slop (compared to my Cutlass marshmellow effect). I love this car!!!!

Wind noise from the rear windows and sunroof. (Sunroof will be adjusted this week). Beware of not just service costs (getting a new key will not be the same)but the associated insurance premium.

My fiance loves it, my kids love it, my anti-import, US flag waving friend wants one. 5 stars all around. This is the vehicle for the non-minivan driving Mom's who want a roomy vehicle that doesn't suggest Social Security. Monster trunk, (enough room for my golf clubs and groceries)!!! Handles great, acceleration to spare, looks fantastic! CD changer is in trunk so no extra hands adding any music you didn't ever want to hear, and with the 6 disk changer, it makes for music for an extended road trip.
I bought mine used, (definately the way to go) and feel confident that it will perform well for the next 100K miles. The very best thing about this car....cold winter mornings and heated seats....does it get better??

Similar Products Used:

I arrived at the lot with my '96 Cutlass Supreme (103K) sounding like a lifter was coming through. I test drove the Camry and Lexus...and didn't get out of the Lexus (77K @ $13,500). Walked in and left the lot 45 minutes later with my brand new, used Lexus...and won't ever buy another make of car again. Compared to the US-made Luxury cars, this doesn't compare. The US Luxury cars are focused to the soft, smooth, marshmellow ride of the big tanks. This vehicle is large, sporty and doesn't make me think that I'm of retirement age.

Excellent quality combined with good looks and great ergonomics make this one of the best cars on the road today.

I'll make a list but keep in mind that the good outweighs the bad by a longshot. This is list of what Lexus could improve on:
1. Seats are loose and slightly shake on the highway
2. Ask tray pops open when hitting bumps such as railroad crossings (could have been a simple pull out)
3. Steering creaks and needs warranty work (Steering also vibrates on highway)
4. Dealer will only service the car at 4,000 mile intervals (no less)

If your looking for a sports sedan, no way. But if your looking for one of the best quality, most prestigous cars out today, this is your best bet.


PS: go to www.toyota.co.jp, Toyota's japanese website. This car is made there as a Toyota Windom. IT IS NOT A CAMRY!!!!!

Similar Products Used:

It is no sports sedan, but then again, I don't want a sports sedan. The Lexus is EXACTLY what I'm looking for. (Test drove BMW and Mercedes-Benz---no comparison)

great sound system, great ride, handles well, and looks great ridig down the road

Ihatethe cd changer being in the back, wind noise from the sunroof and windows, and the cupholders are never used b/c my radar det. is plugged in and they are placed poorly in the design of the car.

i love this car, and the chicks love it. When I ride init i know i,m in the bestcar made. It drives great , accelerates well and is just a beautiful car. Plus I got the best deal of anyone I know or have seen on this site.

Similar Products Used:

my last car was a 99' maxima se and it seems comparable, but speed and handling were better in my max

The exterior is very nice, I have chrome rims so what can I say? The interior is very roomy and nice. Handles nicely, and NO! It is NOT a Camry.

Awkward CD and cup holder places. So far, that is it for me.

I am impressed with its handling. It isn't a sports car so don't drive it like one. The CD changer in the trunk is weird but they did improve that wiht the later models. I also drove the 1997 ES300 and it's not that different than mine as far as handling, they are really nice to drive, very smooth. The cup holder is in a strange place also but, oh well. It is a beautiful car, fun to drive and I am very suprised that it holds its value as it does. Yes, when I am able I will absolutely without question buy another Lexus ES300. I am completely hooked.

Similar Products Used:

1997 ES300 handeling and comfort very similar. It just feels good.