flipmode64

Here's what he said. Thank You for your response Devan.I would not expect that you pay for half of the labour involved to deal with the sludge issue.However, I would offer to deal with all issues related to this matter. If you want us to deal further with this car for you, I obviously would like to get a purchase agreement in place, which could be subject to you viewing and test driving the vehicle. If you are seriously worried about engine issues, why don’t you purchase a basic extended warranty for one year? This would cover all engine related problems. With the safety and tune up costs, I would cover all safety related items and deal with engine related issues as well; if there is any. If you would agree to those numbers, I would request a deposit of $ 500.00, once again subject to you viewing and test driving the vehicle. Furthermore, we would remove the valve cover and send pictures over to you. Please give me a call and let me know your thoughts. Any thoughts, the more I keep reading up on this sludge crap, the more I do not want to buy this car.

I have emailed the dealership and have asked them if we can arrange a valve cover removal to check for sludge. I will see what they say.

I will maybe try calling Toyota with the VIN number. You guys are scaring me with all this, I was reading on the net that only .002 of the sold cars are affected. Is this such a widespread problem or is it fairly common? It just makes me feel by reading all this stuff that any 97-01 ES300 is just going to fail and the engine is toast. There is a 1996 ES300 with 110,000 km for sale as well. Is there anything on that year to watch out for?

I have a 95 Avalon right now, isnt it the same engine? the Avalon has 250,000km and climbing and its still smooth. I will have to see how bad that one rust spot is. Also does this model of car have the dash clusterlight failures like the early LS400's?

Hey guys, I have been looking for a while and I am thinking of purchasing a 2000 Lexus ES300 with 155,000 kilometers on it. I live about 3 hours from the dealer so I have to go check it out first. Just wondering what are some main or major things I should be looking at. The timing belt has NOT been changed the dealer said. He mentioned when they obtained the car they replaced the alternator. He mentioned there is one spot of rust of the pillar of the drivers side door, I do not know how bad it is yet or if this would be something fairly easy to fix. Just want to know what major things I shoul dbe asking hima bout the car. He said he does a have a FULL history of the car. Thanks for all your help guys, Devan