Used 2002 Lexus ES 300 Consumer Reviews

Love my ES-300

I've only had it for one week. This is a great car. I purchased the fully- loaded, Mark Levinson sound and Navigation package. Quiet and smooth driving. A pleasure to drive. Although it seems to have the same engine as the Toyota Avalon, which takes 87-octane gas, the ES-300 requires 91-octane gas, but I don't know why. But this is a minor matter. I'm very happy with this car.

Sexy Lexy

This car drives like when new , VERY little maintanance but well taken care of, inside perfect and outside lines still look much like a new Lexus.

2002

The transmission on this thing is a piece of junk. I can't believe that Lexus would put out something so poorly tested. It's so sad, because I like everything else about the car. It has many great features, but the reliability of the transmission is terrible, even dangerous. Lexus has promised over and over again that they will fix it, but so many promises have turned into so many lies.

Excellent Quality with the Price Tag

One big problem: I left the car in the garage for my summer vacation for one month. It went totally dead. Dearler said it was not uncommon because of all the on-board computer features. Why put so many features if the battery cannot support it? Service consultants said I should have mentioned that I was a frequent traveller before making the buying decision. So you have to be able to afford to buy expensive car but no allowed to travel? The salesperson never told me that, and Mercedes and Porches did not give me this condition. 2nd question: noise started to appear after a year.

Want more Hourse Power?

Most of the negative feed back has been about the transmition and hourse power...If you want the handling and luxury of the ES300 but with a flaless transmition and a lot more power check out the Infiniti I-35 (255HP 246 ft- lbs) and it costs thousands less! Thats what I did and I don't regret a thing!

Worst car ever

My third Lexus. First two 96 and 98 ES300s were great. This car has been cheapened up. Most repairs ever. The wheels bend. The aluminum is too soft. It has no power and the tranny shifts when you would think it wouldn't. Sway bar links, struts, wheel bearings, lights, wheels, all replaced. Check engine light comes on and off. It was a older one owner vehicle and it has been the worst vehicle I have ever owned. Avoid this model. Gonna take my losses and try the ES350.

A+ on increases to comfort and design

The new ES300 is everything advertised. There is no comparison to past models as the interior is more in line with the more expensive models and the exterior styling has a nice balance of luxury and sportiness. The ride is extremely smoothe and quiet. Inside, you are wrapped in leather and walnut trim. Although most amenities have been included, I would like to have had the steering console included in the preset seating memeory. This is a very nice car.

Mark's ES

Best car I've ever owned. I bought black with black interior. Only issue in the purchase was that it took almost 7 weeks to get the car and during most of that time the dealer lacked the ability to update me.

Best car in the mid 30's

Exceptional quality, fabulous service and support. These guys do everything but put a mint on your pillow!

Lexus ES300 Review

Lexus ES 300 Is Excellent

Smooth Drive, Luxurious feel, GPS is very good,

A Baby LS 430

Best car I ever owned and it just seems to be getting better each day.

Excellent

I have just recently purchased a Lexus ES 300 and am thrilled with it.. I love everything, the way the car handles and drives. I really like the new body style too....

Don't be mis-out: Great Car

OK, so it doesn't look like a Mini or an LS430, but this is by far the most car you can get for the money. Let me specify: -Luxury, pure and real (real wood, real leather, real technology) -Ride and comfort- can not beat under $35K -Reliability - you get a million dollar service plan for under $35K -safety - side, front airbags, safety cage, sensors, all standard. This just can't be beat. If you want a sportier car with more horses, try the GS line. But for a commuter, this is the one. I paid $31,800 for the premium package model in white with window tinting.

Best luxury for price.

True to Lexus tradition, this is the best luxury sedan for the price. Others imitate but can never catch up.

Love the ES 300

I have taken my Lexus ES 300 on two ling trips now, and can say only one thing. Love the ES 300.

Luxury and Performance

This car is sweet. It has excellent styling, inside and out. The attention to detail is unmatched in its price class. I definitely recommend the leather, steering wheel and wheel upgrades. Additionally, it handles very well. The acceleration won't break your neck, but it is decent. The navigation system and Mark Levinson stereo are added touches well worth the additional expense. I like the CD magazine under the driver's arm rest.

JP

During my first month of owning Lexus ES 300, I am real happy for the comfort, convinience and luxary interior of the car. Few people that I know says this is exactly like Toyota camry and money I paid was waste, but I don't agree with them. Few other friends said why didn't you buy Honda Odessay for that price. I belive buying Lexus is a better choice than paying sticker price for Honda Odessay. Top of the line Honda Odessay costs slightly more than Lexus. I bought my Lexus for $ 32250.00 which includes premium package including Highdensity lights and 6 disk changer. I really enjoy the ride.

Disappointment

I have bought seven GM cars so far, and would like to try something different. So I went to the Lexus dealership and drove the ES300. The car looks great in the showroom. Interior material is something that GM can't even match. Build quality is good, but gaps between body panels are wider than those on the Acura. The driving experience was disappointing: The steeling wheel rattles when the engine is cold, and the screen of the navigation system is rubbing against the frame and sqeeking noise can be heard when the road is bad. I can't believe this happened on a Lexus, becuase a New GM vehicle (say less than a month old on Michigan roads) won't do that.

It's worth your money

quiet, smooth and comfort drive; convenient features. much more...

Outstanding Vehicle

The car is smooth and responsive. Just got it 3 weeks ago but so far it has been outstanding. This is the first Lexus I have owned. I have had Caddys and Acura Legends but I think the ES300 exceeds them.

Finest Yet

Wow! Just traded my 2001 ES300 for the 2002. Night and day difference! This is car #40 for me and I've done them all, from Studebaker to Mercedes. This is the finest car I've ever been in. Style is awesome, interior a knockout, quiet, smooth and responsive. Tranny is a big improvement over last year, as is everything else.

Nice car but..

Well it has a nice ride & is quiet. Nice features. It is a little under powered, but I expected that. Many have complained about instability of the transmission - but it is my understanding that the ES300 has fly-by- wire control, & have experienced "shuttering" to different degrees - from the feeling that your on a bumpy road, to a low frequeny shutter after coming down a hill & getting ready to go up another. This is a classic unstable servo system - something that the engineers should have solved long ago. BTW, the transmission isn't all that great either. Should be a lot better for a 35k car made by Toyota.

Transmission Problems

More luxury, less driving fun than my 92 ES300. Major problems with the new 5 speed electronic transmission. Downshift from 5th into 3rd for passing when aggressive shift is needed delays and rpm builds for a second before lower gear engages. This has been of serious concern at times when immediate response was necessary. Lexus says they are aware of the problem. But no fix available yet.The car has sufficient power and pick up for other driving situations.

Happy First Time Lexus Buyer

After driving a company purchased Taurus and its predecessors for 35 years, I finally had the opportunity to buy my own car. The honeymoon is still going but it looks like a long happy marriage.

disappointed

Too many problems for a luxury car: computer failure on braking system, jerky transmission, and inferior tires. Had to replace Toyo tires at 20,000 miles due to very loud road noise. The cost of replacement was partially covered by warranty. Poor radio reception without external antenna. Poor gas mileage for a car with no "Get up & go" performance.

I like it!

No problems yet. I am tall, so, it could be bigger. Also rear spoilers should be good for the car.

Worthy of the reputation

I have owned 10 toyotas from the lowly corolla to the Land cruiser including several camry's and quite pleased with all of them. Well the Lexus es300 takes you to a new level. while the camry's are good the ES is great!. You are in a world all to yourself when you get in the ES. First trip with the car was JaxFl to Tx no problems. Buy one you won't be sorry, no buyers remorse

What I Expected

I have now enjoyed the car for 4 weeks and it has lived up to the Lexus tradition. I am still learning to park close to right-hand objects, since you cannot see the end of the hood on the right. I would highly recommend this car.

Review 2002 Lexus ES-300

A true luxury car for less than a luxury price. Lots of options that are truly useful. Safety features galore. Fun, fun, fun to drive and handles flawlessly. An excellent sound system and climate control. Unbeatable at the current price. Interior very tastefully designed.

02 Lexus ES

Compared Volvo S60, Acura TL, Audi A6, Infiniti I35, Jag X-Type and Lexus ES. Selected the ES due to quiet cabin, smooth ride, comfortable seats, adequate acceleration, Lexus reliability. Dealer is extremely easy to deal with. This is my 4th Lexus - Have never had one in the shop for anything except scheduled maintenance.

Will never buy anything but a Lexus.

I only had this car for 4 weeks now, but I can't stop talking about it. I find myself going to the garage just to take another look at it. It drives smooth and controlled (but you do get road feedback), it doesn't lean in corners and it looks very well built. The interior is amazingly beautiful and rich. Plenty of usefull features, great leather seats. It is a car that will make you happy when you see a traffic jam ahead of you.

2002 ES300 outstanding car

I have owned the 2002 ES300 for 4 1/2 months and love the car. It is very quiet and smooth around town and on the highway. Very comfortable. It could use a more power but is adequate. Build quality is outstanding.

Transmission concerns

Nice ride, but needs more power. Exterior a little boring, but interior is excellent quality. I am waiting on the Re-design of the Acura RL.

my nightmare

this car is a lemon. I have taken it to the dealership again and again. It always seems to have another problem.

Ugly as hell !

This is one UGLY car! Interior is exceptionally luxurious! This car has zero driving fun...compared to my Acura TL Type S this ES300 feels like a big old boat!

I can't get it away from her.

Although my wife was hesitent to spend the money at first, we purchased our ES 300 in January. Now it is very difficult to ever get the car away from her for my use. We have both been very, very pleased with almost every aspect of the car. My wife and I are about one foot different in height and can both fit very comfortably - this is something that has kept us from purchasing other vehicles. The fit, finish, and quietness impress us every time we get into the car.

EXCELLENCE RUNS IN THE FAMILY

Lots of car for the money. Step up is a big one in money for a better car. Step down, you get Camary, or Mazima. Not bad. Yet, certainly different thant the appointments of this small Lexus. Much more car for about $4 to $5K more.

Noisy start and rattles

Not many people can say they ve owned 2 2003 ES300s.. I bought one in Oct/2002 a 2003 model.. Brought it back to the dealer 3 times for an engine noise on starting the car.. They attempted to fix it numerous times and I finally said. I don t want it.. Enough is enough.. Well I traded it in last week for another one with Nav system and ML stereo pkg which I m very happy to have done the second time around.. The car itself is nice to drive, luxurious and quiet well except for a rattle in the front dash or upper window.. Still needs to be determined where.. The Nav system screen is also loose..

Nice Car, bad paint

Everything about this car is nice, but the paint. I've notice several spots where the paint is chipping. First, I thought it was caused by treesap, but the other cars were not affected. I will discuss this problem with the dealer.

I liked my 1998 Lexus better

This is my 2nd ES300. I traded in a 1998 model for this car. Power and gas milaege are less than last vehicle. Brakes on car were poor and unsafe. When dealer serviced car he informed us there was a defect. Vehicle was not recalled. Brakes were dangerous, customers are not notified. You find out when you complain about the brakes. I will never buy another Lexus.

Poor Design

Look too much like a Camry.