jeffnpigs Posted June 27, 2003 Share Posted June 27, 2003 We test drove the 2001 ES300 when it first came out. We loved the luxury and beauty of the car, but were disappointed by the engine and handling. I have been hearing rumors that the 2004 model will have the larger 330 engine, which should put some extra pep into the car. Does anyone know of any other modifications which we can expect in the 2004 model? I would love to feel that I could buy an ES 300 (330?) which would be able to handle my daily commute. Any comments or insights would be greatly appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted July 2, 2003 Share Posted July 2, 2003 From what I understand, the only changes will be the badge and the engine with a minor freshening coming the next year. I have an 03 300, and I was a little dissapointed with the performance at first also, but honestly (and steviej will back me up here) now that I've gotten used to how to drive the car, it has plenty of pep. You dont want to floor it, just give it good steady throttle. I've heard the 330 will be several thousand dollars more expensive too, being priced closer to the RX330 to put more distance between it and the IS300. So, I say drive an 03 300 and see what you think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffnpigs Posted July 11, 2003 Author Share Posted July 11, 2003 Thanks for your helpful suggestion, SWO3ES. I will use it when test driving the 03 ES300 this summer. I believe, however, that Lexus should not demand that their owners develop a pattern of acceleration that is different from that used in most, if not all, other cars in order to obtain maximum acceleration. I also checked out "steviej" postings on the "other" forum which confirm what you say. As a newbie I don't want to make a fuss. However, I thought that the coming version of the ES300 would be a matter of more interest in this community. Another site that I read on this forum discussed the matter of "censoring" of postings. Is there something which we are not able to read at this time. As moderator, I appreciate your answer to this puzzle. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted July 12, 2003 Share Posted July 12, 2003 I'm afraid that I dont at all understand what you mean. Censoring of postings, information you can't see? Huh? This site is in no way affiliated to the Toyota Motor Company, I have no information that anyone else doesn't have. I don't work for Lexus. I've given you all the information I or anyone else for that matter knows about the ES330. I've compiled it from talking with people in the industry, salespeople, other dealership staff, other enthusiasts, analysts, and just plain detective work on my part. Lexus is VERY tight lipped, and they have released nothing about the ES330 except "It will have the 3.3 liter V6, it will be called the ES330 with few changes" thats it. Its not a new redesign or anything, its just an engine upgrade. I was trying to share with you my opinion that if you waited, you'd be dissapointed by the lack of changes, and the increase in price. Its not that people aren't interested or excited about the "new" model, its that there's no information out there for us to be excited about. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffnpigs Posted July 14, 2003 Author Share Posted July 14, 2003 Sorry about the negative tone of the prior post. I appreciate your searching for what information could be found, and recognize that the fact that there may not be much information out there is certainly not your doing. I also appreciate your willinginess to put in your own opinion that the price increase might not be worth the horsepower increase. Thanks, Jeff Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted July 15, 2003 Share Posted July 15, 2003 The minute I get some more information about the 330, this'll be the first place I'll post it ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuegaberta Posted July 28, 2003 Share Posted July 28, 2003 If you look at MotorTrend's webiste, they are saying that the new ES will have 240 horses. Can anyone confirm the amount of horsepower? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted July 28, 2003 Share Posted July 28, 2003 It'll be the same horsepower rating as the RX330, as the RX330 already has the new engine. 230hp, 242ft-lbs of torque. I'm sure it'll have exactly that. Thats why i've been telling people not to get so excited about the ES330, we're only talking about 20 horses and 22 lb-feet. That'll take .5 seconds off the 0-60, thats it. In all honesty it may actually have less hp than the RX, citing the RX300 as an example. Same engine, 220 hp while the ES only has 210. If this is true we may see only 220 out of the 3.3 liter. Lexus has no intentions of making this car fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviej Posted July 28, 2003 Share Posted July 28, 2003 my friends have the 2004 Toyota Sienna LE with the 3.3L engine that is the same as the RX330 and should be the same in the ES330. The Sienna window sticker also said 230 hp as did the brochure. sj. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted July 28, 2003 Share Posted July 28, 2003 Yep. its going to be 230 at the very most, 220 possibly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chillaxin Posted July 28, 2003 Share Posted July 28, 2003 i wonder how much the price will increase by? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted July 28, 2003 Share Posted July 28, 2003 From what I've heard several thousand dollars, to put more distance between it and the IS. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviej Posted July 29, 2003 Share Posted July 29, 2003 I heard moderatley equiped will be in the upper 30's. Maxed out puts it over 40. sj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted July 29, 2003 Share Posted July 29, 2003 Yep, and there's not supposed to be any change in equipment or appearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chillaxin Posted July 29, 2003 Share Posted July 29, 2003 how far over 40? cuz maxed out right now was 40311, which was sticker price on my car... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted July 29, 2003 Share Posted July 29, 2003 Your car is weird though LOL. Generally, the most topped ES you can find is $39,671. $39021 now that the VSC is unavailable. I've heard that it may top 43ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amf1932 Posted July 29, 2003 Share Posted July 29, 2003 I spoke to a Lexus executive and he told me that they will continue to have, EBD, VSC, and ABS in the new model and they're going to discontinue AVS. It seems the AVS wasn't that successful as far as sales were concerned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chillaxin Posted July 29, 2003 Share Posted July 29, 2003 but the AVS is sooooo cool!!! B) actually, itz just a fun gadget to mess around with :P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted July 29, 2003 Share Posted July 29, 2003 Yeah its so cool until it breaks down LOL. Then it costs $2000 a strut. Actually its Lexus' own fault that it didnt sell, I would have gotten it if it were availiable anywhere but CA. They never shipped any, how could they expect it to sell well? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chillaxin Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 ok, hopefully i'll break them before my warranty runs out hehehehe :P i didn't know that they don't sell it with avs anywhere but california... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 No way, warranty doesn't cover struts or shocks ;) Hope they dont go, ever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chillaxin Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 holy crap! i better stop messing around with my avs then <_< Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SW03ES Posted July 30, 2003 Share Posted July 30, 2003 It'll happen to you too BWAHAHAHAHA :D Luckily enough you can just replace the sir struts for normal struts when they fail. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpeedRacer959 Posted July 31, 2003 Share Posted July 31, 2003 Trust me ... failing adjustable struts aren't fun. I'm going to replace the $400 ea. struts w/ normal ones and just disconnect the button. If Lexus builds them like they used to, they should last you up to 119,208 miles then go out. Sell the car now, while you can! :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steviej Posted August 5, 2003 Share Posted August 5, 2003 back to the original content of the thread. Toyota has posted on their web site that the 2004 Solara will have a 3.3L V6 VVT-i, 5 spd automatic as the V6 option. They post numbers of 225 hp and 240 torque. This will probably be the same for the awaited ES330. My guess is the hype begins 9/1 and the debut is 10/1. steviej Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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