ESMags

That is why at the time, I got my 2001 ES. ;) ???? Consumer Guide rates the '02 as a "Best Buy". Were you going for the hp? Personally, I'd rather have the updated body style. My '02 is a great car. I got it after I totalled my Bonneville :cries: . Sherry, don't let the complaining scare you. All cars have problems, IMO. Just do your research on what they are and try to avoid the vehicles that seem to exhibit those traits. I tried enough 02s and 03s to feel the difference in hesitation on some of them. You can have a good mechanic inspect the vehicle before you finalize the deal.

I have mixed feelings about the upgrade. I've only had my car a little over a month, and when I was looking for a used ES I picked this particular one out because it didn't have the hesitation that I felt in several others - some severely so. Mine's an '02 with only 24,000 miles on it. I debated on the ECU update, and when I took the car to the dealer's for a rotor issue I asked about the ECU upgrade and what my car had previously had done. At first the service person pretended he didn't know what I was talking about :chairshot: , but when I asked if any of the ECU updates were done he admitted that it had the 03 but not the 03R. The only thing that bothered me was that the car was kind of slow in accelerating in the lower gears, slight hesitation but not that major jerking I experienced in some. And I actually had a really surprisingly quick response in passing a car on a two lane road, faster than any of my previous cars, which had me thinking that the ES isn't lacking in power. Anyway, the service guy informed me that I could get the update under warranty. Since my warranty expires this summer I decided to go for it. My first experiences were such abrupt shifting and lurching that it scared me, and I actually turned around to go back to the dealer to complain about them ruining my car. I did know that it was irreversible, and also that it took time for it to "learn", so I decided to drive home and give the update more milage time. At first I hated the fact that it made the motor noisier, as the shifting was occuring in the 3000 to 4000 rpm range instead of the 2000 to 3000 rpms previously. My "purring kitten" motor sounded more like a growling tiger. I've put a few miles on it since (about 600), and it is adjusting some, but I do think I was happier with the car shifting in the lower rpm range. Pickup is okay, but I'm not one to floor the pedal looking for intant acceleration (drove too many older cars with failing transmissions :( ). I'm light on the accelerater and let the car respond, figuring with the throttle system it's going to react more like a manual transmission. On occasion I do accelerate quickly from a stop at a light, just to kind of test my acceleration in comparison to the cars next to me, and to my surprise very often the ES is quicker :o. I don't expect this car to perform like a sports car, or even to accelerate as quickly as something with dual exhaust, or I would've bought something else. But I would say that there is a difference in the amount of hesitation found between different vehicles, even in those of the same year. I don't know that a standard "fix" is going to cure the varying degrees of the problem.

Looks like it might be pretty nice looking on. I'd love to see a photoshop pic as well.

While I was recently shopping for my next car, two of my finalists were an '03 Camry V6 XLE and an ES300, either '02 or '03 (due to the high ES resale prices). I liked both vehicles a lot, they were comfortable, well-made, luxurious (okay, the ES more so). At first I was leaning toward the Camry. The Camry actually had better pick-up, no noticable lag, but after driving it for over an hour I didn't like it as much. I felt like it was just an ordinary car, and it wasn't much different from the 98 Bonneville I was leaving. I also thought that the exterior was not attractive enough - a little TOO sedate and plain. When I went back to try the ES, it felt worlds apart from the Camry. Definitely nicer looking, a little more rakish or sporty, and I like the fact that the newer ones are basically the same exterior as the '02/'03 (My body is not obsolete yet :D). The ride was much smoother, and the handling felt more precise. The luxury features just made me feel pampered. The real California walnut wood trim was gorgeous, instead of nice imitation plastic wood that other makes use. The '02 ES300 that I liked the best had 23,400 miles on it and was only $3,500 more than the '03 Camry XLE with 35,000 miles. I decided it was a no-brainer, and went with the ES. Even my teenage son noticed the difference in the rides between the two and wanted me to go with the ES. He said it felt like he was "cocooned or in a cockpit". For once I understood him :P . The Camry was a nice car, the ES was special. They might share some parts, but they are certainly not the same car. I do think that the newest Camries are much nicer looking, an update of the exterior was needed IMHO. It is interesting that my grown daughter often hears this same argument about her '03 Acura CL vs the Honda Accord coupe - that the Accord coupe is cheaper and virtually the same. These people haven't driven the two to make an accurate comparison (especially in the back seat!). We did. When you drive both and compare, there are very obvious differences and the Acura comes out the winner. And a loaded Accord coupe would've cost more than the Acura CL, which comes with almost all of its amenities standard. I do think these neersayers are either 1) jealous or 2) ignorant. They just have no experience with what they're talking about.

I just joined the forum, but you guys have already been very helpful to me in my recent search for a Lexus ES300. Whenever I'm buying a new (used) car I always try to find out as much about it as I can beforehand, as I really think that they all have inherent problems and it's better to know about it ahead of time and know what you're getting into :chairshot: . I even read all 37 pages of the annoying tranny thread :cries:. I do have some minor issues and/or concerns, but in general I love my '02 ES300. Will post more later, gotta take the car through inspection today.