Strong engine, supportive interior, great sound system (blows my custom Alpine away), great road car. Good looking car. I have the loaded model, love the heated seats and 6 disk (in glove box) cd player.

A few rattlings under the front suspension. This could be because its wintertime in Chicago area and my car doesn't like the cold. Need headlamp sprayers since the headlight covers get too dirty then the lights don't project a very bright light. I am constantly wiping my headlights off, just a personal annoyance.

I would most definitely recommend this automobile to friends and family. I feel very secure and important in this vehicle since I get alot of looks in it. I also purchased my vehicle from a local auction and saved well over 6 grand than what the dealers are asking, but thats the advantage of having friends in high places. Service for this car is rather expensive. I took it in for a 45000 mile checkup (oil, tranny check, wipers, etc) and it cost me over $500 dollars. Service personel very friendly and helpful, but they should be for the cost.

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1997 Infiniti I30, 1998 Maxima GLX, 1998 BMW 528i
The '98 ES300 is without a doubt a much finer built car. The I30 was just as fast as my ES300 but the Maxima is just a Maxima. The 528i is in another class but so is the price tag. The 528i isn't as fast off the line as my ES300 and really doesn't seem to be able to keep up with it on long hauls. Thats why the wife drives the 528i.

Quiet, Quiet, Quiet!!! Extremely smooth ride, very comfortable seating and the sound systems is great.

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Have all the extra's plus I tinted the windows and it looks great. Have been getting compliments on a daily basis. It is a bit pricey at $35K but if you are willing to pamper yourself give this car a try!

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Comfortable, good gas mileage, and quiet

Under powered, low quality leather, stereo could use some work, poor handling, trans. problem.

I owned a BMW before this and I thought I was stepping up. I year later, I truly am dissappointed. This is nothing more than a Toyota Camry. I am not impressed at all. Please think twice before buying this car. I've seen a lot more quality in the german models.

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BMW, Mercedes. Doesn't compare to either one of these

1.Superb sound system.
2.Smooth and reliable
3.lovely seats- designwise
4.Lovey interior
5.very good internal space..

At around 50K, i think it's bit shaky.At about 70-75 MPH, it gives me a shaky feeling, but not at 80 MPH and above.And also, my vehicle is nearing 60K miles and the dealer says that i have to spend 2000 bucks on it for the servicing.It includes timing belt change,etc.

Overall, a wonderful car! Ultimate driving pleasure and very smooth and awesome sound system!

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Maxima GLE 2000

reliability, soft quiet ride

No true sports sedan.

I hate it! The car was marketed as a sports sedan to match the 328 and C280--it is not! The car is too underpowered and the engine stinks. It is quiet but lacks spunk and does not know how to rev or accelerate like a true sports sedan. The power band is narrow--the car takes a while to pick up and then poops out quickly when it is accelerating--the BMW 328,on the other hand, jumps with rapid acceleration and seems to accelerate for ever while you step on the gas pedal. The ride is also soft and boat like and not at all firm and solid. The front wheel drive is the dead giveaway--it understeers like crazy and you cannot turn corners at high speeds like its German rivals--one does not get the feeling that the car can turn corners at 40mph and yet stay glued to the ground and true to the course. The transmission also does not resemble a sports sedan. It takes too long to downshift at highway speeds and therefore takes too long to pick up speed when one tries to overtake other cars. The other true sports sedans always seem to have an easier time revving and overtaking than the ES 300. The car is truely just a sedan--it is quiet, reliable, comfortable and luxurious but it is also absolutely boring and unexciting. It drives just like a fancy Camry. By the way, I just traded it in for a Mercedes CLK 320 and the difference is night and day--the CLK costs more but is worth every penny more. I absolutely love it and I ain't ever looking back at another non European "sports" sedan!

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BMW 328, MB C280--these are better but more pricey

# Smooth transmission and exceleration.
# Soft leather seats.
# Excellent 195 Watt sound system with 6 disc changer.
# Ultra-quiet cabin.
# Luxury looks.
# Quality contruction

Can't think of any... Maybe the heated seats - there's only one setting, but Lexus corrected that in the 2000 model.

A lot of people are comparing this car to some sports models. This is NOT a sports car. It is a quiet, comfortable, smooth-riding entry-level luxury car. If you're looking for a car with a stiff suspension sports feel, this is not the car for you.

I love my ES 300. Like my Maxima GLE(Maxima SE for the sports car lovers). I chose this car for the soft ride. One complaint enthusiast have is the soft ride. If it were up to Car & Driver, Motor Trend and Road & Track, all cars would be peeling out from 0-60 in 5 seconds or less or cornering like Nascar racers. 7.6 seconds is fine with me. If you want the stiffer sports ride in this class, buy the IS 300, BMW 3 series, Infiniti I30T or Acura 3.2 TL Type S (all excellent cars - I've test driven most of them). But if you like a smooth luxurious feel, then you'll love the ES 300. When I was shopping for a new car, it came down to a 97 Acura 3.5 RL or the 99 Lexus ES 300. There were several reasons that I chose the Lexus.
1. Better exceleration and smoother transmission.
2. Quieter cabin and ride.
3. Insurance quote was higher for the Acura than the Lexus
4. Better certification (3 year-100K from my time of purchase over Acura's 62.5K from original time of purchase)
5. High quality, no hassle sales staff over Acura's lack-a-daisy, pushy sales staff.
6. Better over all service at the dealer. (Leather couches and several choices of coffee or tea :)
7. Regular gas over the 3.5's required premium fuel.
8. Just a great riding car!!!

At 30+ years old, I should care less about the complements and stares I get from driving this car, but it is fun. I'm used to the stares because my other car is a Mazda Miata. MSN's Carpoint rates the ES300 the best value for overall performance for cars 6 years and older. In fact, most all Lexus' are on the list. The ES 300 is a great car and a good value.

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96 Nissan Maxima GLE - The Lexus is more powerful and a lot quieter
94 Nissan Maxima, 96 Pathfinder, 90 Mazda Miata

Impeccable quality of finish both interior & exterior , great music system, Lexus service is the best in the industry.

Underpowered, poor handling, NOT a sports sedan.

As a sports sedan the ES 300 does not quite cut it, when you consider it has the A4 and 330i for competition. The engine is woefully underpowered, and the transmission seems to have a mind of its own. It takes a second or two before the wheels start responding to increased throttle. The suspension does not have that solid-glued-to-the-ground feel, and the car often nose-dives when you corner sharply.

The redeeeming factor is its interior which is gorgeous. The front dashboard is thoughtfully laid out, and Lexus's stereo is tyhe best that I have heard in a car yet. I hear the 02 ES 300 gets the Mark Levinson, which should be a substantial improvement. On smooth roads the ride is eirely quiet, but take this car over a bumpy road and the tire noise is very audible.

If you're looking for a sports sedan, the IS 300 is a better bet. However if you're looking for a family sedan that will probably last for a decade, then the ES 300 may be the car for you.

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Cannot compare to the Audi A4 or BMW 330i in terms of handling.

Smooth quiet ride. Handles ok. Needs a little more hp.It is enough for me most of the time, but would like a little more available when needed. I went from a 1970 corvette to a ES300 which are not in the same class. It would not be fair to compare the two cars. It was time for a change and it has been a nice change with no regrets.

looks to much like a Camery.

overall I have been pleased.

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nice luxury ammenities

This car is not as good as I originally expected it to be. The reliablity is not very good (transmission and a/c problems) and the nadling is impaired by a heavy front end. Diving and plow when entering corners does not inspire confidence.

Not as good as lexus claims. Reliabilty is not good and the handling is not even close to BMW or Benz. Will be trading in this car soon.

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The workmanship and quality of materials are top notch.
The drive train is very refined.
The electra luminescant dash is very cool.
The doors close with a reassuring thunk. Compare the sound with a GM product and you will understand the Lexus build quality. The controls all have a nice quality feel. Again, compare to Cadillac or Lincoln and you will understand what the Lexus is all about.
With positraction, VSC, and antilock brakes, it gets around in the snow quite well.

Looks way too much like a Camry.
Dealer service is a bit spendy. I rarely get by for less than $100.
Front end seems to plow too much during agressive handling.
Could use a few more ponies compared to the Acura 3.2 TL.

Overall, a very refined, quality feeling car.

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Not as good of a vaule as the Acura 3.2 TL but the ride is a bit smoother with not as much tire noise.