branshew

That may be true in most cases, but the connoley leather that Jag uses is very soft as well. However, I still think that the European leather holds up much better over the long haul. I have seen (and owned) several Mercedes Benz cars from the 60's-80's where the leather is still in great overall condition - even when the rest of the interior is showing age. I am not at all impressed with the quality of the leater in my '95 ES300, however my 89 190E is in great shape and has retained its original flexibility and suppleness.

Not to rain on the parade...... .......but in most states, your turn indicators have to be yellow by law. I've been pulled over (as a passenger) in my buddy's rice rocket b/c his turn signals were blue/white and not yellow. Given that your car is pretty high class and low profile, you may not run into too much trouble, but I wouldn't want to be the guy behind you that thinks there is something wrong when your "reverse lights" are coming on during a turn.

I didn't like it at first either. I think that with the exception of the 1st generation ES300, they have all looked too much like the Camry, especially the 97-01. I think that as a luxury brand, Lexus should have it's own look, even if it borrows from Toyota. I recently saw a new ES300 parked right next to a new Camry, and they are definitely different. The ES seems larger and much more refined in its styling. (I really like the Black version). I had the pleasure of driving one ('03) recently as a loaner and I was VERY impressed w/ the interior. This is by far the nicest interior Lexus has put in the ES to date. I thought the engine was slightly underpowered for the weight of the car, but that may change if they put the 330 engine in there. Overall, it is a very nice ride. Call me a convert, but I like it.

For anyone interested, Lexus used a spray-on tanning process for their leather in the first generation ES300 (and other early models). This process is more economical, but it is not as good as vat dying or hand tanning (the latter being the best). This spray-on process actually blocks the natural pores in the leather and prevents them from taking up most conditioning products. I find that when I use Lexol, it feels better for a couple of days and then reverts to the old hard leather feeling again. It just does not penetrate the leather as deeply, and therefore does not condition as well. In fact, my seats had become somewhat brittle and my rear bench seat split at the seam from becoming so dried up (even though I was using Lexol twice a month). I use a leather restoration/conditioner from Griots (Griots Garage) and it works really well. It restored my old tired seats to like new on the first use, and its effects last much longer than Lexol. The first time you use it, you will need to leave it in longer than on consecutive uses. I now treat them 2 times a year with the restorer and they stay in great shape. I have never tried the cocoa butter so I can't vouch for that. The newer generation of ES300's (and others) have a higher grade of leather (probably vat dyed) than the 1st generation and it is much easier to treat the 97+ w/ Lexol. My dad recently purchased a 2003 LS 430 and his leather surfaces are some of the best I've seen yet from Lexus, but I still think that the Europeans have the nicest leather in production autos

I have a 1995 ES300. I am looking for a PC based diagnostic software program to do some basic troubleshooting and cut down on repair costs. I have a few basic questions. 1) Does this model ear have the OBD I or OBD II? (I thought OBD II came out in 1996.) 2) Can anyone recommend any PC based programs that will allow me to read and reset the codes for this year & model. I have a similar setup for my MB, but I am looking for something for the Lexus. Any help would greatly appreciated.