1992 Lexus ES 300 3.0L V6 without VVT
Summary:
Good, but with a few reliability issues because it is the first edition of the ES300
Faults:
Some oil leaks and burns, giving off smoke. This problem has been 80% fixed recently with oil additives that soften up the seals. We will probably take it in for a mechanic to fix the remainder.
Driver's seat belt is slightly frayed.
Driver's seat leather is slightly worn.
Speedometer needle no longer glows.
Radiator needed replacement (but that's most likely related to a bad frontal accident back in 1993).
Steering wheel is slightly faded on one side (due to the sun's rays shining in from the driver's window).
General Comments:
This car's engine is in exceptionally good shape. All it needs right now are two things: a replacement of a few oil seals, and valve clearance adjustment. Without the slight tapping noise caused by the increased valve clearances, the engine will sound almost brand new.
However, even with these normal maintenance issues, I clocked 8.20 seconds to 60 mph in a test today. This is, I believe, 0.5 seconds better than the original specs. No aftermarket products have been used except a radiator replacement (cheaper than OEM).
The suspension is still in pretty good shape, except that it feels slightly less solid than it did years ago.
The interior, aside from the few aforementioned issues, still looks exceptionally new.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 28th July, 2005
26th Jul 2002, 14:18
I have a Lexus ES300 1992 with 198,000 miles. I love my car and have had it since 1994. I have had some issues such as having to replace my transmission at 97,000 miles, my rack-in-pinion (sp?) steering, at 127,000. My radio has died twice (I actually initially bought the car for the sound system with the 6 CD changer). I have had quite a few oil leaks and my gauges are not all illuminating anymore. But overall it has been a joy, the body has lasted great, and I want to drive it for another 40,000 miles.