2002 Lexus ES 300...18 years, 178k miles later
2024 ж. 15 Мам.
32 753 Рет қаралды
2002 Lexus ES 300 review which I reviewed during the 2020 pandemic when it had 178k miles on it. I give a tour of the exterior and interior of the vehicle, tale you for a POV drive, then wrap it up with my thoughts on the vehicle.
Instagram @carsquadtv
I also picked up an ‘03 with 145k on it for $3k in 2019. I’m now @ 185k miles and I know it’ll easily make it to 300k. If I could find another one with the same miles or less I’d buy it in a heartbeat. It’s gotta be the best built ES generation. Scotty Kilmer certainly told the truth about the dependability of this car! Nice video.
Thanks for the feedback and for watching. Your ES definitely has plenty of life left in it! And yeah Scotty got that one very low mileage for a great deal I believe from one of his customers.
I bought one of these YESTERDAY and let me tell you something, this is by far on of the most comfortable cars I've driven, like ever. Though it does lack some modernity, there's nothing a phone mount and a double DIN android stereo can't fix.
Congrats on the buy! Agreed. You'll pay a lot more for the advanced tech and modern features which most of the functional things you can add aftermarket if you really want, or find a way to get by like you mention with a phone mount. But yeah everyone who has ridden in it has commented on how smooth of a ride the car is. Almost as if its hovering over the ground and kind of just gliding.
I just got the same car yesterday I love it got my phone mount the same day my car has 246'000 miles on it runs good paid 💰1500 for it it's gold
I got a 02 same color as the video with 117k miles
Same bro got mine a week ago
What do you get MPG?
Bought my '03 a year ago with 149K. Put 50K on it in a year doing gigwork. Never seen a car maintain it's tightness with such high mileage and age.
Yeah these early 2000s Lexus products were extremely well made and very high quality.
Gigwork with a luxury car?
@@kingdoge69 To me, it's another cheap dependable vehicle; I take care of it, and it takes care of me. I'm actually in the process of buying another cheap Toyota for gigwork, and keeping the Lexus as a personal vehicle.
@@jamesb8305 I was more referring to the gas mileage and since it uses premium lol I was guessing you do DoorDash or something like that but I guess not
@@kingdoge69 No reason to use 91 octane fuel in these, they share the same 1MZ variant as the Avalon and later Camrys. The only issue with running 87 in these is that the knock sensors are overly sensitive and thus can pull timing on a hot day or when the engine is being stressed.
Just saw this video, my mother bought a ‘04 ES 330 a couple of years ago with 193,000 miles on it but the car was well taken car of from the previous owner so she purchased it for like $3,000. The paint and interior is almost flawless for being an 18 year old car. It does go to show the quality of materials that were used on this generation of Lexus. She did have to have the motor mounts replaced and a new flex pipe installed due to an exhaust leak when she first got it, but other than basic maintenance (new brakes, belts, new rad hoses, fluid changes, new tires,) the car runs very smooth and quiet even when compared to a lot of newer cars that I have driven. It’s very smooth and well built, there’s no squeaks and rattles either. I live down in San Diego and the majority of our streets are in terrible condition but yet the Lexus takes most of the rough stuff in stride. Only the roughest of the roughest patches of roadway will you feel vibrations and road noises enter the cabin. I don’t even think a Rolls Royce could handle some our jacked up roads to be honest as they look like bombs have been dropped from the sky into the asphalt. I will say that I’ve also driven a 09 Lexus ES 350 and to be honest I was shocked on how cheap and plasticky the interior felt compared to the 04. It’s a nigh and day difference to be honest. The quality of the 04 surpasses the 09 ES. It’s like Lexus completely cheapened the interior and made the car less comfortable IMO, hard plastics replaced the soft padded vinyl from the previous gen. The seats are larger and better in the 09, but the quality is nowhere near the 2002-2006 generation. Sure the 09 has more power and is more responsive to drive but it doesn’t feel special and is made with crappier materials. They recovered with the latest generation ES in the quality department, but I feel like newer vehicles in general and it doesn’t matter who makes them have this sense of cheapness about them with thinner foam in the seat padding and or hard plastics used in areas in the car where it shouldn’t be. Older Lexuses definitely feel better built especially the 06 on down ES 300 and 330’s vs the later models.
Yeah here in the bay area the roads are pretty bad, and the ride is pretty smooth even with that. Someone else had commented that they have an ES from this gen, as well as a newer one they just bought to replace it, but they are going to sell the new one now as after driving it, much like you mention, they said the quality and ride isn't on par with this generation from 02-06
Apparently in Japan only the top ranked Toyota techs get to graduate to the Lexus factory. The quality shows in the car.
Makes sense as to why they are so well built.
These cars are beautiful. The interiors are something you need to experience, so comfortable. The are built like tanks but with a silent and smooth ride. I just bought an 04 es330 with 180,000 miles and it looks and drives like new. No rattles, clunks or anything. I was never a Lexus guy but it’s hard not to be after this car.
Agreed with everything you said. Thanks for sharing!
I own the 03 model. If you dont mind the outside design, this is the car to buy. 3 features the owners of this model will never argue: 1, comfortable 2, quiet 3, smooth.
Proud Lexus owner here! and I can say that nothing beats the quality build and long term performance of my 05 ES330!!! Amazing daily
Agreed. These early 2000s Lexus vehicle were built tremendously.
I currently own a '03 ES300, I bought it about 5 or 6 yrs. ago for $4800, it had about 162k mikes, currently it has slightly over 235k miles, driven it to Arizona twice, San Diego twice, Victorville 3 times, Lancaster 6 times and it has performed well. Now I have had to replace a few sensors. When I bought it, I installed performance spark plugs & a performance air filter for quicker response, I highly suggest that for more passing performance. Mine is silver also on the outside & silver seats as well, comes with the movable pedals, seat warmers & all the other typical luxuary features. The sunroof rattles a little at high speeds but besides that it rides smoothly & quietly, sounds smooth & all the features still work. I keep the engine clean(I use Armor All) & the interior clean, plus, the clear coat is still in tact. Overall it's been a good car. I'm considering upgrading to the Lexus LS460, really luv the interior & features on that car but I still can't decide. It's a good size car also, not to big or to small.
Love the LS460. Those are very nice. I remember sitting in the rear massaging seats at the SF auto show back when they first debuted.
The Canadian TV show Canada’s Worst Driver actually used an ES - a fourth-gen XV30 like this one - for the water tank challenge in Season 14 back in 2018. It looked like it might have been a 2001-2003 pre-facelift model under all that foam.
I have had one of these for 8 years. Best used car out there.
Such a great deal, and great reliability and comfort.
Excellent review, I have the same exactly daily without the wears on the wood overall 100% recommended
Excellent daily. Love it at the end of a long day. Such a relaxing ride.Thanks for your feedback!
Great cars. Still driving my RX330 AWD.
I have a 2005 Camry which has the same chassis as the ES 300 during this era. Over 18 years old with over 350,000 kms and it's solid. The switch gear, leather and knobs are still solid. Amazing car. Toronto Canada
Such great build quality back then!
Great review man would be even better if you added more camera angels and close ups.
I bought a 2003 es 300 with 36k miles on the od for $5k. Legit had no problems with the car and I genuinely believe that car is going to outlive me lol
Wow that is a heck of a deal! Good find.
Picked one up last month for 1.7k 134k miles on it, she still got allot of running to do Little rust here and there, easy jobs needed. Other than that feels like a nice little tank
Had this exact car from 7 years old until 19 years old. Magic!! The smoothest quietest car you'll ever drive. Until the day I sold it I would always turn off the radio when on a black tar road to enjoy the quietness. The mechanic who serviced it for the 12 years I owned it was an ex employee of Lexus. He bought it from me without hesitation. Reason I sold? I bought a new ES300h. Magic once again. I grew up with a family who had Mercedes. Wonderful cars....? Until about 4 years. Then get your cheque book out. Problems PLUS. I miss my beautiful ES300 2002 model. It was way way beyond it's time. Mind you...The new one is fabulous....But the 2002?? Luxury and reliabllity PLUS.
Yepp these old ones were built to last. It truly is still the smoothest riding vehicle I have been in.
I have a 2003 Lexus ES 300 with 204,000 miles. It was running great for many years with no problems, then unexpectedly the oil pump stopped working properly and the engine burned out, now it needs a new engine. I should have taken it to a mechanic as soon as the check engine light went on, but I was in a rural area with no repair places nearby, so I drove more miles to get to a mechanic, but it was too late, then the engine burned out. One of the mechanics said that the 2002 and 2003 ES models had a defect with the oil pumps, so it is something to be aware of if you own one of these models.
Thanks for sharing and sorry to hear that happened to you. Definitely worth noting.
I think what you are speaking of is the “engine” sludge issue that is documented in many places online. If I remember correctly some of the earlier models of that generation were very sensitive to on time oil changes and could easily build up engine sludge that would keep the oil from circulating correctly. I have an ‘03 with 185,000 miles and every 4-5k miles I take it to my mechanic an when he shows the dip stick the oil is like a nice medium shade honey color. Mine does have the leaking valve cover seal on the back end of the engine like most every one else’s from what it sounds like. But I think this engine is a nice solid, long lasting machine.
I had a 2002 with 252,000 kilos.A camshaft must've snapped [at low speed].I assume it was through oil starvation.The check engine light used to come on but the mechanic said it was a faulty sensor and replaced it,but I think it wasn't faulty at all in hindsight.Tempted to get another one but this issue puts me off.
05 Es 330 owner here, 211k miles later still awesome ride no issues
It is very impressive how new they feel with that kind of mileage.
@@carsquad_ yes I’m still getting 25mpg cruising @85-90 no big deal
smooth as butter after almost 180k. can’t wait 2 get a ‘16 or later GS 350.
I would love to drive and review a GS. (GSF would be a dream haha)
I have the same car , love it.
I have had a 2002 ES 300 for 10 years. I bought it with 40K and put 100K on it. I’ve done, starter, alternator, alternator belt, drive belts, timing belt, and some emissions valves along with routine maintenance. Best car I’ve ever owned.
Man I got mine yesterday with 152,000 miles and it was in better condition and this is two years after this video and I got it for 4200
The build quality is quite impressive on these!
Just picked up a 2002 ES300 with 83K miles. It has few small scratches, but very clean and runs like a brand new car. I replaced the water pump, time belt, all liquids and flushed the trans. It should last for many more years to come. One gripe that I have is no place to place the phone in center console.
That’s a solid car that has a lot of life left. I saw one on Craigslist here in the Bay Area last week with only 21k miles! It was original owner. Needless to say it was sold within about two days.
Open the ashtray and stick it in there…that’s what I do
Last cassette deck in any car was in the Lexus SC430 in 2010.
Trying to get my hands on an SC430 to review. I think those are misunderstood cars!
This particular model was never released in the UK. I bought GS300 my 7th Lexus since 2003 few weeks ago for £1,400 on 07 plate…ES300 replaced GS300 in 2018 in the UK. Lexus is the king of comfort and reliability that’s why you buy a Lexus…Period.
Looks pretty nice. Could you fix the clear coat, it kinda looks nasty. I got a 2013 350, looks new!
Have one with 305k and still in love with it
You still have if yes what’s the mileage now ?
Auto perfect! I have Lexus es300 2002 y. LPG in POLAND 🇵🇱💪
Awesome! Thanks for watching!
Good review
Appreciate it, thanks!
I have a 07 es350, it has been a nightmare to own. It currently has 245k miles and it's been having transmission issues for the past 15k miles. It has been religiously maintained by Lexus and toyota its entire life. I have changed the fluid multiple times to no avail. I've also been dealing with a really bad shaking problem when the car reach 65mph and higher ( I replaced the CV axles, multiple wheel alignments AND wheel balances, Replaced the brake pads, rotors, all hardware, ect, I replaced tires twice thinking it was the tires but nope still shakes. I have had the entire suspension checked more times than I would like to talk about in the past year and no one has found any problem. The frame was checked by collision shop and no damage found. I am extremely overwhelmed at this point and I am thinking about trashing it sooner than later. The exterior and interior is still in very great shape though lol.
Thats a bummer. A few other commenters have mentioned that they got newer ones as well and they were more problematic. Seems like this older gen were better quality builds. As for the shaking problem, has anyone checked for a blown cylinder?
@@carsquad_ The engine has zero issues. It’s a shaking issue that’s in the steering. It drives very well under 60mph but anything over will definitely make an extremely uncomfortable ride. When it reaches about 90-95 the shaking disappears so I don’t know what the problem is. Definitely not an engine issue though.
@@carsquad_ update: So today I finally found the culprit to my problem and I’m kinda embarrassed to tell anyone but hey 😂….I went to pep boys for a tire balance thinking that would help and the lady looks at me like “Sir your tires are completely worn and dry rotted”. I had new tires installed and man does it drives brand new again. I made the mistake of putting used tires on it in the past trying to save money and ended up being inconvenienced and out of more money n the long run lol.
@@chrishawncoleman4885 Oh boy haha. Sometimes it is the little things. Glad you got it figured out!
Am I the owner of the lowest miles daily es300? 117k miles. Love my car
Scott Kilmer approves this!
Haha I'm sure he does. Thanks for watching!
I love mine, but my transmission is going out at only 120k miles :( really sucks, I loved this thing, transmission was serviced so often, no clue why it happened
I traded a high milage '89 civic (my daily driver for 26 years. It was totaled twice and I fixed had it fixed) and $2900 for a '99 ES300 with 120k miles in 2015. It needed a battery and struts. (I actually probably could have gotten by without the struts for a while longer, but they squeaked). I used it as a daily driver for 4 years and sold it with 155k miles on it to a young lady in need of a very dependable vehicle for $2900 two and a half years ago. I still see it around town and figure she has already gotten her money's worth.
I had a 2002 lexus es300 now its my girls car still runs great even being 20 years old it has crazy low miles like 143,000 miles i told her run it til the wheels fall off lol we've done minor maintenance with it or course bur nothing major muffler sensors ac things like that
Yepp with good maintenance it should have a good amount of life left.
@@carsquad_ definitely it still runs great
I own a 2002 bought it with 128k and now sits at 180k. Had to do front and rear suspension and has had oil leak issues. Needs a whole new ac system and needed a starter
I have an es300, 2000 in Riverside county I don't use. Low Miles. Asking 5k obo. Clean title 2nd owner. Good condition. 100k +/- a few miles. I bought it then moved. It's at my dad's place. No funny stuff.
Comparing the 02 to 06 camry although this is the top luxury of the camry. The camry have both rear heat and cold vents too for foot and face es only face and the camry have 40 60 split rear es none. A stock out camry compared to the es i think that the camry to me have more storage space although es is the luxury of it
would you recommend a 2002 es 300 200k miles for 4000 needs the seats repaired or seat covers
I’ve seen a couple here between 150-just under 200k miles with decent interiors that don’t need work for about that price. I think you can find a better deal personally.
Is the maintenance affordable? I have my eyes on one 166,000 miles for 6,000 is that a good deal? Thanks first time buyer
I think you can probably find one for a little less with that kind of mileage. Maintenance isn't too bad especially the fact that not much breaks. However being an older vehicle with higher mileage you have to factor that in. I'd say find one that hasn't changed too many hands, and has been serviced accordingly and you should have something that'll be good to go.
have you changed the timing belt yet ?
Yes it was done prior to my ownership
Pretty good quality for 20-year-old Lexus can’t say the same about a 20!year old Buick
2002 Buick LeSabre is a fine vehicle.
Just bought one for 5,500 90k miles
Not bad. Congrats
I just bought one for $122 dollars. That’s not a typo
Wow! Where did you pick that up? Clean title? How many miles?
Is buying a salvaged 2003 Lexus a good idea? Car does look clean
I personally tend to stay away from salvaged vehicles myself. But sometimes they receive salvage titles for smaller things like hail damage. A friend bought a car she thought looked fine, but it had frame damage. Do your due diligence on checking it out, and do what feels right for you!
This was a great car, back then these cars were MADE IN JAPAN, now the lower end Lexuse's are made in Kentucky. Plus the build quality was stronger back then. Also GENUINE LEATHER was standard on all Lexuse's, now they use this Newluxe garbage
These old ones were built with high quality parts and to last!
Im searching for an ES
I have seen some low mileage examples of these recently (under 80k miles) here for under 9 grand. Those will have a ton of life left.Good luck with your search!
@@carsquad_ any issues finding oem parts?
@@geddon436 I didn't have any issues finding oem parts, but I also never had any issues other than general maintenance so never really needed to find anything unusual.
0-60 is 7.2
Mine has 140,000, oh i got it for 1300.
Sorry to say the worst car I’ve ever owned mechanically.. I’ve replaced everything in this car.. On the flip side very comfortable and solid..
How many miles on it?
*BS*
@@mikeanthony777 bs? I should know after spending thousands of dollars on it..
very boring
Correction that's not wood grain trim that's actual wood