1993 Lexus ES 300 V6 from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

Love this car as much as I loved my Hilux - highly recommended

Faults:

2 days after purchase, the water pump failed.

2 days after purchase, the head gasket blew.

2 days after purchase, the automatic transmission failed.

Upon repairs, found that the fan control was faulty (therefore not telling me correct temperature on dashboard).

General Comments:

Purchased this car based on the reviews being nearly 100% positive.

Needed to purchase new wheels and found that second hand wheels suitable for this car are few and far between. Ended up purchasing brand new.

Very disappointed about the failure of the car within the first few days, after having 2 checks and a roadworthy on the car. However I love the car very much, and was more than happy to spend the money on repairs and have not had issues since.

Air con, speaker system, interior is all really wonderful.

Steering is wonderful, seats are comfortable, best value for money I've had, in the end.

I plan to keep it until I am rich enough for a brand new Lexus!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 15th December, 2009

1993 Lexus ES 300 3.1 from North America

Summary:

Love it!

Faults:

Cracked radiator.

Cam seals.

Rear window motor.

Driver's side door won't open from outside.

General Comments:

This was my first Lexus--I paid $3000 for it in 2005. It has the smoothest transmission of any car I have owned. I have never been stranded in it (when the radiator went I was less than half a mile from my house). I thought I would be able to get 200K miles out of it when I got it, but now I'm thinking it will make it to 225K. Very little rust for its age. Brakes are great.

I would definitely purchase another one, despite the problems I have had--I expect them in a 15-year-old car! Definitely have gotten my money's worth, even if it went today.

WAY BETTER than my Mercury Sable!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st March, 2008

1993 Lexus ES 300 3.0 from North America

Summary:

If every car was built like this there would be no need for junkyards!

Faults:

Instrument cluster needles flicker.

Air conditioning system just puked requiring overhaul.

Finally it needs a clutch!

The usual brakes (the first time @115K miles), shocks & timing belt replacement.

Power window cable retainers break occasionally.

General Comments:

This ES300 Lexus is the rarest they made: Manual shift, cloth seats (that are wearing VERY well) and NO moon roof (which my height demands) - the wife & I love it!

5 speed & stiffer rebuilt shocks make for a performance ride at 20+ MPG around town & 30+ MPG highway!

Toyota/Lexus paint is the best! 15 years old and still looks new!

We survived a sideswipe by a swerving U-haul trailer on an icy road with minimal body damage - good side intrusion protection and handling.

The wife took it off-road in a snowstorm and forged on through - ABS & FWD worked great.

The power window cables break occasionally & can be repaired, but Lexus doesn't sell the parts individually!

The flickering instrument needles are easy to replace, but you can't buy them new!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 18th July, 2007

1993 Lexus ES 300 V 6 fuel injected from North America

Summary:

Good low end Luxury type car

Faults:

Dash board indicator lights went out twice.extremly costly

Radiator tanks cracked causing over heating at 90k.Installed a 3core from a Camry, lots better

Engine mounts broke and replaced at 70k.

Alternator/regulator burnt out at 71k.

Antenna malfunction at 89k.

Transmission shift problems at 100k.

General Comments:

For 6'2" people tight to sit into, once in leg room OK, head room short.

With 4 people in the cabin, and some luggage in trunk, vehicle bottoms out often.

Front seats with lower lombard adjuster are very comfortable.

Sound system very nice.6 CD changer stops functioning in the summer heat.

This vehicle travels well at 80+ speeds on freeways.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 27th January, 2007

19th Jun 2007, 14:38

Wow, all the yellow smiley faces for these older Lexus ES300s is REALLY misleading when you start reading the reviews regarding the type of problems they have. I'm shocked (and quite frankly disgusted) to read review after review stating that the transmission crapped out around 100k miles and numerous issues with oil leaks. I think people don't realize how crappy of a car it truly is because they drive so nicely. It's misleading. My current '89 Chrysler Lebaron (yes, you read that correctly!) has NO OIL LEAKS and I've never had to replace seals. The transmission is original. And my oh-so-antiquated traditionally lit gauges don't give me issues. Even if they did, it's $2 to replace the bulb. These Lexus cars sound highly overrated, just like my old '87 Mercedes 300E was. Man, that was a truly unreliable car and NOT worth the money. My experience with Volvos has been better than most reviews I'm reading about these ES300s. I was considering one, but I think I've changed my mind. The '85 Volvo 240 I had several years ago was an exceptionally reliable car when I sold it at 164k miles. All it ever needed was 1 inner tie-rod, a new master cylinder, brakes, and tires in 164k miles of driving. Only reason I bought it because my Mom had just sold her '89 Volvo 740 turbo with 224k miles, with no issues from the engine or transmission. She replaced it with a '95 Volvo 940, currently with 164k miles and she's done NO WORK to it yet! Yes, the ES300 sounds very overrated with failing transmissions, failing $600 gauges, and issues with engine leaks. I'm royally unimpressed and dissapointed. Well at least its a pretty car.

View 4 more comments