After I sold the 1996 Volvo 850R wagon in the summer of 2014, my wife and I decided to try living as a one car family. (I still had my 1982 Honda Prelude, but Minnesota winters dictated that this could only be a fair-weather vehicle before putting it into winter hibernation.) After a couple of months, even living in the middle of the Twin Cities, it became clear this was not a long term plan and, once again, I was back trolling through Craigslist ads. Also, my older son was closing in on 15, which meant driver’s ed was in our near future. By the fall, I had located a suitable replacement – a clean 2000 Lexus ES300 that was originally a Florida car for most of its life.
The Lexus was the first and only Toyota Motors product I have ever owned. (My wife drove a 1984 Toyota Corolla hatchback when we first met in the early 90’s, but that would more appropriately be her COAL, not mine.). Frankly, for the most part, I found most Toyota models to be fairly dull – competent, reliable, but not very interesting design-wise – with the exception of a few models (Celica/Supra/MR2 anyone?). Moreover, they usually commanded a slight premium as used vehicles vs other Japanese and American models. Nevertheless, there is no denying the raft of Camrys, Corollas, RAV4s and similar models on the street offer much of what many folks want – no fuss, no stress transportation. After the drama of a used high performance Euro wagon, a dressed up sedan with leather sounded downright soothing.
My Lexus ES300 exemplified these virtues. (Other commentators on this site have discussed the merits and demerits of the Lexus ES series, with which I generally agree.) This generation, which ran from 1997-2001, offered a fairly sophisticated V6, predictable handling, a quiet, spacious cabin and easy visibility. Versus the similar Toyota Camry, the Lexus had more sound insulation and an upgraded interior. Otherwise, they were pretty much the same vehicle. As a driving experience, despite its mostly 160K miles, the Lexus was remarkably low-key. The V6 provided smooth, quiet power with reasonable efficiency. The car was easy to drive – handling was safe, braking reliable and the ride handled bumps with a minimum of float. After a few weeks, I began to like the car. Not in a deeply emotional way, but with begrudging respect for the car’s virtues.
It was not without its faults, however, but most of them were attributable to a car with a reasonably high amount of miles. Brakes and tires needed replacement. Emissions sensors were starting to malfunction – “check engine” lights started to come on periodically, and -after checking it at a mechanic- replaced a couple and then decided to buy an OBD II scanner to clear the codes from the ones I didn’t want to change. This included the ABS sensors which seemed to go out every 6-9 months. Nevertheless, the Lexus never left me stranded and all of the equipment worked (a/c, stereo with a 6 CD changer in the glovebox, doors, windows, cruise, etc.)
The Lexus also proved to be the perfect first car for my older son. It was generally safe and unobtrusive – including its ubiquitous beige exterior color and matching interior. For a new driver, particular one who would be driving in winter weather, the Lexus held no surprises. My son was a generally conservative driver and the car fit his personality well. Because the car was parked outside, there were some winter mornings when the rubber door gaskets froze to the door frame, necessitating hot water to unstick them and open the door. That made for some morning drama – but that was more environmental than anything the car did wrong.
We owned the car for 4 years, selling it when my son left home for college. His brother argued for keeping the car, but he wasn’t old enough to drive yet and I wasn’t keen on keeping an extra vehicle around on the city street. We sold the car to one of my son’s friends who had a mixed experience – the car proved to be more problematic for him than for us, probably because it was getting older and started to need more maintenance. (The alternator died the week after he bought it and we decided to split the cost of replacement with him because we felt bad.)
So, in the end, the Lexus ES300 proved to be exactly what it was advertised to be – comfortable, generally reliable transportation. My son still has fond memories of the car and I am grateful he had an overall decent experience. For me, this was a fine enough vehicle – but like its beige color, perhaps a bit too bland for my tastes long term.
Wow, change just a few words there and I’d think that you were describing yet another older Volvo 😉
Thanks for the post. How many miles were on it when you sold it, and how many of those did you and your family put on it?
We probably put on about 25-30K miles over the 4 years.
I grew up in an affluent neighborhood, and my dad considered one of these in ‘97 new but ultimately decided it had nothing significant on a loaded Nissan Maxima SE for $7-8k less, and he knew in 6 years either car would be on the high side of 200k miles and approaching the end of its life-it was traded in on a 2005 Accord DX (he decided even that was too much money for a car, you see) with 227k miles running fine.
Not long after, my neighbors wife (he being an OBGYN) bought one of these. I didn’t notice precisely when it left, but it was there before the pandemic hit, and gone before my father passed in March of ‘21. Anyway, 23ish years of service for someone who would not have trouble buying a new car- not just reliable and durable, but enjoyably so. Good car, this.
As a owner of 2004 Matrix and 2011 Venza, I can say Toyota living up its reputation. Like you I never own a Toyota before the Venza. Always admiring Toyota company philosophy since late 1970s, when China opened up then Toyota light vehicles were most sought after vehicles such as Crown, HiAce and Corona.
Venza came in from sister from LA with 74 k miles, it was virtually no rust at all being it spent most of its life in LA. Only taste of snow was niece took the car to ski in Lake Tahoe. On paper, Venza was a prefect vehicle even mine is front wheel drive coupled with a powerful V6. We intend to use our beloved 2003 Mercedes ML350 – yes, we love that vehicle despite it has very bad reputation, our vehicle was fine and serve us well for 12 years. Right after we got the Venza in 2019, the heat didn’t work, my guess sister never needed the heat in LA weather. Our trusted mechanic was anle to diagnose the problem was a one control module fault, got a replacement from Autozone. My overall impression of Venza is an alright vehicle besides more powerful engine, 2003 Mercedes was a better vehicle, I sold it for $2400 during the lockdown, 4 months before the used vehicle price went to the moon. It was my mistake.
After the heat resolved, I accidentally broke the windshield while changing the windshield wipers. In the summer of 2020, its right front wheel bearing was noise, the replacement was difficult job, the bearing was hard to remove and install.. The left front wheel bearing went bad, and had to replace in summer of 2023. The mileage was just over 100k miles. Its engine also ran very poorly with New Jersey Costco regular gasoline.. Changing the spark plugs helped the situation, but we also found the valve gasket leaking, eventually needed to replace. In general, Toyota front wheel drive V6 is difficult to change the valve gasket and water pump., which Toyota shop manual asks for removal of the engine for this job.
As result of selling the Merceds, when my son started driving, we needed one more vehicle. After 6 months searching an affordable car with result, we got wife niece beat-up 2004 Matrix. That vehicle is running strong with check engine light and smell of gasoline etc etc. After $2000 parts ( gas tank, radiator and water pump, vale gasket and engine seal) and labor, the vehicle passed inspection, I regained mobility.
Interesting post. Just curious though, how did you break the windshield while changing the wipers?
I have a 2001 ES (bought new) and in 23 years and 138k miles, I’ve had to replace a tail-light, a headlight and an O2 sensor. That’s it. Boring car? Maybe, but I’ll take boring. Boring is good.
It’s funny that a car enthusiast wants a car that elicits some kind of passion, be it for performance, looks, heritage, uniqueness, or what have you. Whether they are buying new or used. The “normal” buyer just wants something that does the job unobtrusively economically, and reliably, the less the buyer has to think about it, the better. I feel that way about computers, phones, and appliances. However as I get older, I’m finding that I’d like less drama in the car side of my life.
On the AACA forum someone posted this ad from CL Classic. It’s hilarious. The funny thing is that the seller knew all this about the car before he bought it. I’m posting it below. Apologies if it is too long. If the moderator wants to delete it, I understand.
Don’t need a 16k Paperweight? Of course you don’t! How about an Italian money toilet!
Some of you may recognize this as a 2004 Maserati Coupe’ (also known as the 4200 GT). Don’t let that gorgeous Italian body fool you though, this car is Satan’s chariot to Hell (or bankruptcy).
I do not exaggerate when I say that this car has been in the shop HALF the time I have owned it. In the last 6 months, I have put ELEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS into it in parts and labor and the thing still isn’t right.
I’m not rich. I’m just an average dude that always wanted a Maserati. Since I was a kid I lusted after those Italian curves and exhaust note. Now my own kids come to me and ask me why there’s no food to eat and the electricity has been turned off and I have to tell them it’s because Daddy’s car is sick again.
This car has a new clutch, new clutch actuator, position sensor, F1 pump and relay, gear selector switch (a 2k SWITCH) new tie rods and new tires. It has the miraculous F1 transmission. As in if it works, it is a miracle. It is also seemingly inhabited by evil spirits.
The voodoo priests at the Maserati dealer insist it’s fixed. But it’s not. And I’ve seen their facility. There’s no tools, just an altar to Alejandro DeTomaso where they place the still beating hearts and smoking wallets of Maserati owners and ask for a vision of what the @#$$ is wrong with their clients’ cars.
Come take a look at it! It’s Beautiful! It WILL let you down. You might think that since I poured so much money into it, that there must just be one more thing and then it will be perfect. You can drive it home and laugh at the poor slob that you bought it from who did all the work for you. Nope. Not gonna happen. This car will make you cry.
So why am I asking 16 grand for it? Good question. I’m taking a HUGE loss at that price and that’s the lowest price I can let it go for and still be able to pay my mortgage. If that’s too much, don’t buy it. I don’t blame you.
Come look at it! Bring a witch doctor and maybe, just maybe, if the stars are aligned just right you can drive it. DO NOT DRIVE IT. If you drive it, you will want it. It is fast. It is beautiful. It makes a sound like angels revving their angelmobiles.
I want this thing out of my sight. I’m tired of sitting in it at night drinking and making engine noises with my mouth while I pretend it is not a huge pile of disappointment and debt.
Do not offer me 5k for it. The Trident badge alone makes it worth more than that. I don’t have to sell it. It can sit in my garage and I can continue to hate it. I don’t HAVE to sell it. I WANT to. There’s a difference.
That’s excellent!
Hilarious! I’ve always loved Italian design, but based on family experience (BIL bought a new Fiat; Dad bought a used Fiat) I know better than to piss away my money. Nice to look at though.
I am never a very handy person, but changing the wipers have been doing many times before including my Benz. For the Venza I changed them by pulling out the old one,. When I put the empty wiper arm back, the spring of wiper was strong enough to crack the windshield. That was $750 job to replace the new one from Safelite. My mechanic said today’s car had a thinner windshield for weight saving reason, if you are not safe, the windshield gets damaged.
Camry in an upmarket suit, it was always thus the wide body camcam was designed to be part of the Lexus lineup when it first appeared in 90/91, when released to the world after an engine redesign and some other minor fettling it was also badged Lexus for the JDM thousands turned up here used over the years, standard JDM mush grade suspension fitted to all JDM Camrys, but I guess the Lexus version isnt meant to hustle in traffic for that you need the local assembly camry with stiffer shocks and a quick rack.
I owned a 99 for a while. Had around 160k miles on it. I loved this car, it did everything well. So smooth and quiet. The AC was insanely cold, I loved it. Ultra reliable. Just a great car for a commute.
About the only real issue I had was an alternator. Previous owner also had replaced the alternator, it must be a weak point on this car.
These cars were boring and old people liked them. Thats about the only negatives.
The other thing with the ES is that the rear seats don’t fold down – which can limit your cargo carrying capacity say if you bought something from IKEA and need to trasport it. Just has a ski pass through the armrest.
But other than that, it’s a very practical car – has more interior space, particularly rear seat room, than other Lexus models IME. And of course the interior appointments are nice – an upgrade from the Camry, with a comfy ride. As I get older, I have less of a desire for a stiffer ride and so-called livelier handling.