Based on the hugely successful Toyota Camry, the ES 300 is the 'entry-level' Lexus. Priced at about the same level as larger, more plush premium American sedans, the smaller ES 300 is more nimble, solid and refined, and is as reliable rain in Seattle.

The only options available on this car are leather trim, a sunroof, heated front seats and a CD player. Everything else is standard. A 3.0-liter twin-cam V6 powers the front wheels, providing swift acceleration. Four-wheel antilock brakes haul the ES down from 60 mph in short order, and your choice of Goodyear, Dunlop or Firestone V-rated tires keep the ES 300 glued to the road.

The cabin is well insulated from the buzz of the outside world, and a premium Nakamichi sound system does a fair impression of the Boston Pops performing at the Hollywood Bowl. The optional leather seats are well bolstered and provide an excellent seating position. Ergonomics, in the Lexus tradition, are unbeatable.

For 1995, the ES has undergone a slight revision of the front and rear fascias, and chrome wheels are optional. The ES 300 is a remarkable car, but we have a difficult time justifying buying one. The Toyota Camry XLE V6, outfitted with leather and all the trimmings, is powered by the same drivetrain and rides on many of the same underpinnings for thousands less. If a Lexus badge really means that much to you, the ES 300 is a great car, but we'll opt for the less prestigious Camry and use the savings to go white water rafting or something.

1996 Highlights

Two new colors are available.

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the 1996 Lexus ES 300.

Overall Consumer Rating

4.939 reviews

Write a review See all 39 reviews

5(90%)

4(10%)

3(0%)

2(0%)

1(0%)

Most helpful consumer reviews

Reliability is out of this world

adam2009m,12/06/2013

Everyone thought I was stupid when I decided to drive this car from Chicago to Miami when it had 328K miles on it. I had 0 incidents during my round trip of over 3500 miles. Enough said, the best car ever built in my opinion.. I have more confidence in this car than driving a brand new car from any manufacturer. I change my oil every 5000 miles and it has a minor oil leak which I decided

My daughter loved this car!!

slooper3,01/19/2013

We bought this car from a auction for my daughter and it has been a wonderful car for her. She loves this car and I told her recently to change the oil in it and she took it to get changed. It started to run bad ever since. Since we changed the oil more problems have developed. Now it is sitting in the yard :( Wonderful car!!

Can't find anything wrong!

horstm3,05/29/2002

I have about 90000 miles and the only thing this car has needed is one battery and a set of tires, besides oil and filter changes. No brakes even!

Smooth Blue

Lexus4Her,12/30/2003

I found this car to be as smooth a ride as it is smooth looking. The engine is buttery to say the least. The dealer gave us new brakes when we bought it, with the 100K warranty. Sotps great, goes fast in ECT Power. Nice Cruise Control. More Bass in the Sound System would be nice. Sub woofer possibly? Seats are comfy with Leather, just wish they were heated. I wonder if anyone

Write a review

See all 39 reviews

Write a consumer review of your vehicle for a chance to WIN $100!

Write a review

See Official Rules for eligibility and other requirements.

Write a review

Features & Specs

MPG

18 city / 26 hwy

Seats 0

4-speed automatic

Gas

188 hp @ 5200 rpm

See all Used 1996 Lexus ES 300 Sedan features & specs

Safety

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Driver5 / 5
Passenger3 / 5
Side Crash Rating
OverallNot Rated
Side Barrier Rating
OverallNot Rated
DriverNot Rated
PassengerNot Rated
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front SeatNot Rated
Back SeatNot Rated
Rollover
RolloverNot Rated
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of RolloverNot Rated

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Side Impact Test
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Not Tested
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Not Tested
IIHS Small Overlap Front Test
Not Tested
Moderate Overlap Front Test
0

More about the 1996 Lexus ES 300

Used 1996 Lexus ES 300 Sedan Overview

The Used 1996 Lexus ES 300 Sedan is offered in the following styles: 4dr Sedan.

What's a good price on a Used 1996 Lexus ES 300 Sedan?

Price comparisons for Used 1996 Lexus ES 300 Sedan trim styles:

The Used 1996 Lexus ES 300 Sedan Base is priced between $1,994 and$1,994 with odometer readings between 227279 and227279 miles.

Shop with Edmunds for perks and special offers on used cars, trucks, and SUVs near Ashburn, VA. Doing so could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars. Edmunds also provides consumer-driven dealership sales and service reviews to help you make informed decisions about what cars to buy and where to buy them.

Which used 1996 Lexus ES 300 Sedans are available in my area?

Used 1996 Lexus ES 300 Sedan Listings and Inventory

There are currently 1 used and CPO 1996 Lexus ES 300 Sedans listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $1,994 and mileage as low as 227279 miles. Simply research the type of used car you're interested in and then select a prew-owned vehicle from our massive database to find cheap used cars for sale near you. Once you have identified a used or CPO vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the Used 1996 Lexus ES 300 Sedan.

Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 1996 Lexus ES 300 Sedan for sale near you.

Can't find a used 1996 Lexus ES 300 ES 300 Sedan you want in your area? Consider a broader search.

Find a used Lexus ES 300 for sale - 1 great deals out of 16 listings starting at $9,741.

Find a used Lexus for sale - 3 great deals out of 11 listings starting at $13,023.

Find a used certified pre-owned Lexus ES 300 for sale - 8 great deals out of 24 listings starting at $15,220.

Find a used certified pre-owned Lexus for sale - 1 great deals out of 23 listings starting at $24,526.

Compare prices on the Used Lexus ES 300 for sale in Ashburn, VA to other major cities

City
Great Deals
Cars for Sale
Starting Price

Los Angeles, CA
Great Deals58
Cars for Sale4168
Starting Price$16,743
Chicago, IL
Great Deals40
Cars for Sale3224
Starting Price$13,207
Houston, TX
Great Deals82
Cars for Sale2140
Starting Price$18,306
San Jose, CA
Great Deals44
Cars for Sale5032
Starting Price$16,258
Indianapolis, IN
Great Deals60
Cars for Sale4296
Starting Price$14,485
Charlotte, NC
Great Deals6
Cars for Sale6481
Starting Price$8,279
El Paso, TX
Great Deals80
Cars for Sale6868
Starting Price$8,348
Boston, MA
Great Deals50
Cars for Sale989
Starting Price$12,848
Seattle, WA
Great Deals31
Cars for Sale1845
Starting Price$14,839
Nashville, TN
Great Deals39
Cars for Sale6344
Starting Price$12,205
Oklahoma City, OK
Great Deals23
Cars for Sale4162
Starting Price$8,177
Tucson, AZ
Great Deals41
Cars for Sale2967
Starting Price$7,410
Albuquerque, NM
Great Deals85
Cars for Sale949
Starting Price$16,430
Fresno, CA
Great Deals86
Cars for Sale6191
Starting Price$12,256
Kansas City, MO
Great Deals53
Cars for Sale6859
Starting Price$8,694
Minneapolis, MN
Great Deals79
Cars for Sale536
Starting Price$18,214

Should I lease or buy a 1996 Lexus ES 300?

Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.

Used 1996 Lexus ES 300 Sedan

Used