Noya

1997 for $8300 w/98k, last year. One owner, garaged, ALL maintenance w/records up to date from Lexus of Portland, even the window sticker of $35k something. Not a scratch or ding. Perfect. Easily the best pre-owned vehicle I've purchased.

justin97, where did you get your setup? Where would you recommend looking for a setup?

Thanks

You can try a solution of Woolite and water 5:1

I'm going to move this to Detailing

←

I'm a new (nearly mint 1997) ES owner and plan to give it a full detail in the next few days thanks to all the reading on this site. Not that I think it really needs it, but it's going from the original owners garage to my uncovered apartment parking space. But onto my question, is that 5 parts Woolite to 1 part water or 5 parts water to 1 part Woolite? I've seen the Woolite recommendation in several different posts written both ways, so I just want to make sure.

Thanks, Noya

What options do I have for fitting HID lighting on my 1997 ES300? Will the performance be close to that of factory equiped cars? Is it possible to complete for around $500?

Thanks, Noya

When you do get it fixed, do what honkand did and buy a lower mileage used tranny. Two of my friends have had their trans. 'rebuilt' at "specialist trans. shops' at a cost of more than a low mileage used trans. and they are still having problems. Transmissions are never quite what they were once they're cracked open and rebuilt IMHO.

You want better quality buy OEM for example. And yes there is a differenace from a better quality or just being ripped off. Most times (at least for me), if you start worrying about price, you have bigger problems and should not be shopping.

I'm all for OEM replacement parts, but $66 vs. $12 for spark plugs is quite a difference.

Does the ES300 really need Iridium plugs? Is that what comes from the factory? I know my friends 2000 Acura Integra GSR requires them but that engine has 11:1 compression and makes peak power at 7800rpm; a very stressed engine at around 100 horsepower/liter with aftermarket CAI intake and full exhaust.

fallabel, if you've never changed a timing belt I wouldn't recommend it unless you have a friend who really knows what they're doing. I did most maintenance on my Eclipse GSX (brakes, clutch, turbo, suspension, etc.) so I thought I could complete the T-belt/H2o pump job. Talk about a cramped engine bay! I probably could have completed it if I had an air compressor and impact wrench as trying to get the crank pulley off without the air tools is next to impossible. Not to mention the 4G63T is an interference engine and if your off with the pistons it's going to cost you. It's also nice to have a second car as it's definitely a full weekend job.