Supercat

Kowalski, I can probably get a set for you. A friend of mine got a set off Ebay as an extra set for his IS and no longer has the car. What are you looking to spend? Shipping might be the only issue here. I'm in NY. Let me know jaysquared@yahoo.com

lexusk8, you the man! I had a suspicion I'd hear from you! When I replace those little plastic plug screws, do I just push them back in when replacing the black plastic shroud? Thanks. I'll let you know how it goes!

I bought clear corners and not sure how to remove the original ones. Any one out there to help me? If there's a thread on this already, please let me know and I'll check it out. Thanks!

Has anyone done this? I have looked at HID conversion kits. To convert the entire front lighting system (Hi/Lo/Fog), I'd have to install 3 kits...costing ~$300 each kit. In 2001, the HID option became available. Would a conversion be possible for the 97 using 01 parts? P.S. I did search this topic as well. Nothing came up. Sorry if this was already posted.

Congrats to the new ES330 owners! I have been driving one for the last few days as a loaner car. My 97 ES is at the dealer for some routine maintenance. I wasn't "sold" on the latest gen ES; but after driving one for the last few days, I could see myself owning one now. Something about the car sitting in my drive way and having all my neighbors drool over it might have something to do with it. ;) Lexus has the right appoach, though. After I told my neighbors it was a loaner car, and about the service I get whenever I go back for anything, they were surprised that a dealer would go to such lengths to keep a customer coming back. So they're going shopping for one this week, and dragging another friend with them who's in the market! My only issue with this model is that it just reminds me WAY too much of the Camry...I KNOW I KNOW...we shudder when we hear such comaprisons, but I think Toyota goofed on this one (design wise). However, the ride and comforts in the Lexus are extraordinary! The heated/cooled seats? I am in awe! After the hot weekend we had, I have been sold more than ever!! Sadly, she has to go back today. My bro-in-law bought a TL back in November, and although I'm all about performance, I just don't think Acura keeps up with the Lexus in style, refinement, and service. The G35 sedan? Can it look more cheaper on the outside? The nose on that car is hideous. I don't know what it looks like inside, but I can't get past how ugly it is to want to get into one. Jaguar = Ford, do I need to go on? That's my $.02 cents on this...great thread!

Try depressing the button which allows you to switch the transimission between gears. I did this once with another car and that's how I got the handle to let go. Also, not sure if the gear selector has to be in "D" or "N" But, let me know how this works out. I can't seem to find a proper replacement for my stock shifter handle due to the O/D button. I'd like to go with a wood or leather/wood combo to go with the interior modifications I've been making on my 97 ES. Which one did you get BTW?

I installed a kit in my 97 ES300 last Summer and have only received compliments on how beautiful it makes the dash look. I got mine off EBAY and bought another set for my girfriend's SUV, in carbon fiber, from the same seller and they both look awesome. The one for my Lexus came in the exact finish as the few pieces that were already on there and came with 11 pieces altogether. Make sure to take your time installing the kit. Before you put the kit on (permanently) test fit the pieces and see if you like the way it looks. If you don't you can always return it to the seller for a refund. Good luck.

I tried L-tune and TAP, but no luck. If you need these, gimme a holler: jaysquared@yahoo.com FYI: they ain't cheap, even used, but cheaper than going through Lexus directly.

VERY NICE INDEED! Here's what I have on my 97 ES - 17"s with 215/50 Falken Ziex tires: IMHO, chrome looks better on a black car than a white one and your car must look amazing with the new wheels! I wanted to go with something different and match the wheels to the bottom grey color on my car. The wheels are a lot darker in person than they looked online, and I almost returned them for the "silver wheels"; but when I put them on they looked incredible - and the black helps hide dirt pretty well. They also match up well with the bottom-most part of the rocker panel, grill and window sills. I need to put decent rotors (slotted/cross drilled) and paint the calipers now. How does your car feel with 18"s on? Please post some pics!!

Does anyone know where I can get steel brake lines for my 97 ES?

I'd like to change the shift knob on my 97 ES to something different. I'm looking to do something in tan leather/burlwood combo to match the other changes I made so far (steering wheel and dash are now all wood). Do any of the Lexus shifters match this? I saw one for an RX300 which looks exactly like mine, but in the combo I'm looking for. I also checked with L-Tuned (online store) and they have some, but in dark leather/burlwood, which seem to come from the current generation ES. I don't see the O/D button either so not 100% sure about this. Any suggestions? Thanks JJ

I had just gotten divorced and went car shopping with a friend. I still had the "sensible dad/husband" cap on my head and almost went with a Honda Accord or Toyota Camry. Also, mid life hadn't hit me (probably won't for a while! lol) and I still have two daughters who I remain close with and see often...so I needed something with a back seat! But thanks (and I mean it) to my good friend, he reminded me that even though I was a dad, I was now single and needed something that I would look great in and make the transition into the single scene, and, yes, deliver great service. First stop: Lexus. Best car I ever had. 'Nuff said... JJ

1997 ES300 Purchase Info: 3rd owner, 68k on the ticker $14,900 @ Smithtown Lexus (LI, NY) (include 2yr/100k warranty) Purchased in July 2003, as part of my Divorce celebration! Service/Maintenance: Dealer installed 2 new tires, performed COMPLETE detail job and oil change Within 1st year, replaced front struts (@ Lexus under warranty), oil change & filter (@ lexus and always synthetic) Rear brakes (ceramic) at my own mechanics shop ( $120), tranny service (@ Lexus and part of $400 75k service) In Jan 2005, replaced Timing chain, water pump, front brakes (ceramic) at own mechanic: $550 (A LOT less than what Lexus was asking and 3k miles later, she's running perfectly!) Mods: Engine: None Interior: Wood dash kit (steering wheel and glove box included); Windows tinted (Titanium, 35% sides, 20% Backlite) Exterior: 17" GF1 Enkei rims on 215/50/17 Falken Ziex tires. Ride and look are better than expected. I was worried the wheels (they're Graphite color) would be too dark, but they look great! Check out the: PICS Insurance: GEICO, best rates ever and I've checked around my whole life! I'm old enough for it to be cheaper now ;) Future Plans: Immediate: While changing the wheels, I noticed the rear boots were torn. I need to replace these. Otherwise, the only other thing I plan to do is another tranny service. By the end of the year: Install winter tires on the stock wheels. Next year: Lowering springs to get the height down ~1" Distant future: Get a daily driver and retire the Lexus to "show car queen" duties. I LOVE THIS CAR!!! More to come... JJ

I'm not sure if this is a wheel topic or a modification topic...so apoligies to the site admin if I posted in the wrong spot :whistles: Anyway, I want to upgrade my 1997 ES wheels to a slightly larger rim and always liked the IS300 rim? Are the bolt patterns and offsets the same? How about the rim width? Will this work? Thanks JJ

It's more like sproinngginngggingg...like springs stretching is the best I can describe. Well, I'm covered for CV joints in case it's that. I called Lexus to see what my extended warranty covers. Also, the tech suggested I first check the tire pressures.

I replaced my struts a few weeks ago. However, I'm hearing a sound whenever I turn the wheel at a slow speed (i.e. parking, turning into a driveway). The best way to describe the sound: springs compressing and stretching kind of sound. I have a feeling it's the springs. Has anyone else encountered this?

MY REPORT: Went to Autozone last night and picked up the new battery, installed it, returned my old one. This morning, she started up perfectly. I hope this chapter can be closed. The counterperson at Autozone remaked how clean the old battery looked...I was surprised just how clean it was as well and how little grime I had on my hands after all was said and done. Thanks for the feedback everyone.

Ok Ok you got me :whistles: I got the pic off the Lexus website...it's close enough (colorwise) sheeeeeeesh! I don't have pix posted anywhere. I'll update as soon as I get one. (done)

Ooops, sorry. I bought it at a CPO dealer, but the car was too old to qualify...I just purchased it in the Summer of this year (plus extended warranty)...the battery is definitely 6+ years old. I checked Auto Zone and found their duralast (duragold) battery for $69.99 which comes with a 3 year replacement warranty and has 640 cc amps which s.b. sufficient (spec = 575 cc amp) Oh, so mileage at time of purchase was approx 68k, mileage now is close to 78k...DAMN! Ok, so I LOVE driving this car...isn't that the point? lol Well, the last time I went in for service, I didn't hang around to read anything because I had to get to the office, but they did "lend" me a Seafoam Mist 03 ES 300 for the day...nice ;) Thanks for the feedback guys! I'll give a report...going to Autozone 2 NITE!

That's why I made sure to get rid of mine before purchasing my first Lexus...d'oh!

My 97, all of a sudden, is giving me problems starting after having sat for awhile (like over night). I have a jumper system so I've been able to get her started, but I have been trying to drive the car for at least 20mins on the highway, yet it doesn't seem to be sufficiently charging the battery. I want to take her in to Lexus to have the electrical system checked out, but damn if I'm going to pay $165 for a battery (with labor) when I can go to Autozone and get a great battery for half that and install it myself. So, what's the consensus folks? Did I give enough info for someone to give me an indepth analysis and diagnosis? Oh, btw, my name's Jorge, I'm from NY, own a PRISTINE 97 ES 300 which I purchase "pre-owned" from Lexus and am a HUGE fan of the brand now...never going back to Ford or Mercury lol.