1998 Lexus Es300 1st Time Owner

Narco · July 4, 2006

Greetings,

I found these forums useful in my purchase of a 1998 ES300. It has 93K on it. The car is immaculate, totally loaded, never smoked in. The 1 Owner was seemed to be a mature adult who took care of this vehicle. CARFAX on this vehicle was clean, and showed dealer rountine service

It had, now I am assuming most of its 90K tune up, from what paper work I have seen, Timing Belt, Rotors shaved, new pads, tires, has had nothing but synthetic oil for the past 5 years.

I read that I need to clean the throttle body along with possibly changing the O2 sensor infront of the catalytic converter.

Also is there anyway to see if the car has an extended warranty on it or some service that still is under warrenty to get done. The only recall for this model that I can find is the tightning of the steering wheel nut.

I am thinking of doing the plugs, wires, raditor and transmission flush just to be on the safe side. I have read that Amsoil is good for these types of vehicle?

Otherwise for the past 15 years I have used Castrol 10w30 ro Castrol Syntec 5w20 (will use correct weight in this vehicle)

Now I live in Baton Rouge Louisiana, and bought from the owner in North Alabama since alot of vehicles in Louisiana were flood damaged, even new ones during Hurricance Katrina. I shopped for a vehicle for 2 months before coming across this beauty.

Any tips tricks or suggestions will be apprciated. I am going to deboss the Lexus tag on the back and removed the moon roof gaurd, tint windows 20% F/R/B

I read the stock stereo is good but I would like to add a little extra bass. Should I take this to a reputable import car audio shop for the installation of a amp and subwoofer.. I really dont want to mess with the stock radio, I can change the stock speakers DIY..

Below is pics:

Toysrme · July 5, 2006

Dude if you can change your own speakers, you can install your own sub & amp. It's easy on the Camry platforms. You run your wire through the stock location into the driver's wheel well, stock location into the cab, under the carpet, under the rear seat, into the trunk.

Nothing to it.

The stereo quality depends on your relative ear. I always think they're horrible. It's not like listening to an old civic, or P/U, but blah. Cheap paper pioneer speakers, and a weak HU & amp.

But like I said, it's all relative. If your ear is ok, doesn't matter.

I am thinking of doing the plugs, wires, raditor and transmission flush just to be on the safe side. I have read that Amsoil is good for these types of vehicle?

AMSoil is the best period. Mobil1 synthetic is the best you can buy without ordering AMSoil. It's wear rates are phenominal in the Toyota v6's. German Castrol is good. Castrol you normally find is pretty bland. Don't forget the differential & check the CV boots.

Thermostat, check o2 sensors, clean the entire upper intake, IAC EGR & throttle body. I would skip the plug wires.

It's a good looking car man cgts!

Narco · July 5, 2006

Ya but the headache of doing so, I am not going big big bass.. I just turned 30 I had that tick tack in the back in my younger years.. Just a little more than factory is what I am going for.. I like the look of the factory H/U + it doesn't alarm ppl to your specialized equiptment. But I get what your saying.

A buddy of mine is AMSoil dealer, so I will be going with him, after a brief discussion last night.

Are you saying I should change the thermostat?

Just spray all the rest down with cleaner... Gee what fun...

Sludging started in what year of Lexus?

mburnickas · July 5, 2006

Ya but the headache of doing so, I am not going big big bass.. I just turned 30 I had that tick tack in the back in my younger years.. Just a little more than factory is what I am going for.. I like the look of the factory H/U + it doesn't alarm ppl to your specialized equiptment. But I get what your saying.
A buddy of mine is AMSoil dealer, so I will be going with him, after a brief discussion last night.

Are you saying I should change the thermostat?

Just spray all the rest down with cleaner... Gee what fun...

Sludging started in what year of Lexus?

I was using Amsoil for a short time, 15 years. There price hike again (7-1-2006) is making it too expensive

Amsoil ASL is $5.55 per qt (dealer price) WITHOUT shipping & tax.

So 5 qt , s/h and tax (for me) is like $36

Mobil 1 SUV is $23.06 total (delta of $12 in savings per car). Plus the ZDDP, CA, Mo etc are all VERY close. Many members here use Mobil and like it. So I am now on the bandwagon..:) These debate of Mobil vs Amsoil is on BITOG and here. Both are good and they both buy there adds from the same place. Do a search since I really do not want to turn this into a debate.

When it was cheaper Amsoil was a better deal, now with the price hike, I think Amsoil is too much $$$ for upfront numbers and what I see from tests (mine). Plus after looking for years on the UOA, results are close. I will be testing Mobil in my car (normal process) and see how it does. I know my car EATS the add pkg up BIGTIME (due to poor engine design); the 4+ years of tests show that. I know LC20 makes Amsoil really better (as my last tests showed) and all wears dropped. That put a very bad taste in my mouth about Amsoil. So it will be neat to see how Mobil does then test again with Lc20.

Narco · July 5, 2006

Ya but the headache of doing so, I am not going big big bass.. I just turned 30 I had that tick tack in the back in my younger years.. Just a little more than factory is what I am going for.. I like the look of the factory H/U + it doesn't alarm ppl to your specialized equiptment. But I get what your saying.
A buddy of mine is AMSoil dealer, so I will be going with him, after a brief discussion last night.

Are you saying I should change the thermostat?

Just spray all the rest down with cleaner... Gee what fun...

Sludging started in what year of Lexus?

I was using Amsoil for a short time, 15 years. There price hike again (7-1-2006) is making it too expensive

Amsoil ASL is $5.55 per qt (dealer price) WITHOUT shipping & tax.

So 5 qt , s/h and tax (for me) is like $36

Mobil 1 SUV is $23.06 total (delta of $12 in savings per car). Plus the ZDDP, CA, Mo etc are all VERY close. Many members here use Mobil and like it. So I am now on the bandwagon..:) These debate of Mobil vs Amsoil is on BITOG and here. Both are good and they both buy there adds from the same place. Do a search since I really do not want to turn this into a debate.

When it was cheaper Amsoil was a better deal, now with the price hike, I think Amsoil is too much $$$ for upfront numbers and what I see from tests (mine). Plus after looking for years on the UOA, results are close. I will be testing Mobil in my car (normal process) and see how it does. I know my car EATS the add pkg up BIGTIME (due to poor engine design); the 4+ years of tests show that. I know LC20 makes Amsoil really better (as my last tests showed) and all wears dropped. That put a very bad taste in my mouth about Amsoil. So it will be neat to see how Mobil does then test again with Lc20.