eman_be_lexin

I was involved in a front end collision and I noticed the problem right after I picked the car up. I contacted the dealership where I had it repaired and they told me that the reservoir wasn't damaged. I am going to try to disconnect the sensor and play around with it to see exactly what it is. I noticed where the reservoir is when I was changing my fog lights.

I was shopping for an Acura RL when I walked into the car dealership. I test drove the RL and I liked it. It wasn't a "fun" car in my opinion. I tried out a 2000 acura TL but the only color they had was that pinkish red color. I was not trying to drive that. The guy told me he had a 97 ES with low miles on it. I told him I don't want a Lexus. I wasn't a Toyota fan. He talked me into test driving it. It was love at first drive. I was really impressed with the luxury and sportiness of this car. It took me a week to make up my mind and I chose the Lexus over the RL.

That's a good idea! Thanks Jay

Here is a crazy situation. I have been having problems with my windshield washer fluid sensor. The light has been on in my dash for 2 years. I have yet to get it looked at because it was not at the top of my priority list. Yesterday I noticed that I used my washer and the light went out. I figured the problem was resolved but I was wrong. When I filled the reservoir the light came back on. The sensor is working backwards. Indicator on when the tank is full and indicator off when the tank is empty. Do you think I should replace the sensor? I found where the sensor is located when changing my fog lights in the bumper.

The guy quoted me $234.82 for the set. I paid $200.00 for my set for my Accord. I never clocked my 0-60 time but I know it shaved some time off. I was able to reach higher speeds and really feel my acceleration. I was impressed with them also because I had them on for over 110,000 miles and they were still pumping.

I have been searching for aftermarket spark plug wires that will help boost HP for my 1997. I used to own a set of Nology Hotwires for my 93 Accord and they were wonderful. They made a huge difference in acceleration and top speed. I went to www.Nology.com and noticed they made them for the earlier ES300 (90-93). They didn't offer them for any other years. I contacted a sales guy and he told me that if I send him a set made for my particular year, they can custom make a set that will fit my car. Has anyone found a set of aftermarket wires that helped bost Performance?

Looking at my owners manual it specifically states to use 93 or higher octane gas in my 97 ES. I want to downgrade to 89 but am afraid of what it will do to my baby. Has anyone else who has a 97-01 ES use anything less than 93?

I live in the B-more area also. I take my 97 to MetroMotorks in Dobbin Center in Columbia. I have always trusted them to do any work on my car. The guy there is really honest. I don't know about tranny service but they do pretty much everything there.

I have encountered the same problem with my 97 also. I have gone to several car stereo places inquiring about replacing it and they tell me that it is hard to find an 8" free-air 2ohm sub. I saw in a previous forum that an Image Dynamics IDQ8 is really good. I found them on www.sounddomain.com. You will have to purchase a seperate amp for it to really work to your expectations. I am going to be getting it in a few weeks. I believe it is rated at 300W. I also know that Kicker Comp makes an 8" free-air woofer but it is rated at 4ohms.

Thanks you all are a very big help.

Fern- Thanks for the link however I think the instructions are how to change individual bulbs on the console. The dealership told me that there is one central bulb under the console that lights the display. I need to figure out how to get the console off. There are no visible screws to take it off.

Has anyone had a problem with the light in the shifter on the console go out. If so, Can it be easilly replaced? My 97 light has gone out and I don't want to take it to the dealer to get fixed if it is just a bulb.

branshew- I had the Nokya H3 bulbs in my car and they are similar to the stock bulbs as far as visibility but give off a hint of yellow. They still look good though. However I was involved in an accident last week so Hopefully I can salvage my bulbs if it is totaled.

Thanks!! I ended up taking it to Darcars Collision center. I hope they do a good job. Right now I have to deal with a Buick as a rental.

I saw in an older forum that Nokya makes really nice headlights. They are a tad cheaper than the silverstars and look more like H.I.D. I have H7 Nokya headlights and H3 Nokya yellow fog lights on my 97 ES. I have received nothing but compliments about them. I put my car beside a Mellinia with silverstars and hands down, mine were better and brighter. The headlights were rated at 7000K and the fogs are rated at 2800K. I bought them from www.autothing.com

Someone hit my baby this morning and caused damage to the passenger front and side doors including the front fender. Can anyone recommend a good bodyshop in the MD area to get my baby fixed?

Try E-bay. Do a search for "ES300" You may be able to find it there.

I do have to admit that I am a little hard on my baby. I just love the sportiness and the smoothness of this car. I am taking everyone's advice into effect. I will get different opinions both from a Lexus dealership and Toyota dealership and from a transmission place and see where I will make out. She drives good although at times she jerks when shifting from park or from reverse to drive. I am very lucky because I have had little to no major problems with this car and am still running on all original parts including the spark plugs and wires. I will definately be getting another Lexus when it is time.

You guys give great advice. Thanks again. Has anyone had to replace their tranny on a 97+ ES yet. What price do they run? Just in case I have to go that route?

This website is the best. Thank you all for your insight. I will just take a chance and get a drain and fill first and see what happens. But only at a Lexus or Toyota Dealership. Better safe than sorry.

Hi I am new to this website and have found it to be very informative. I have a 97 ES300 and I bought it in 01 with 44,000 miles on it. I am pushing 130,000 and I have never changed the tranny fluid. I was told by a very well respected mechanic that if the fluid was never changed on a regular basis, than do not change it. I know many people who go for a long time and never change their fluid and one day have it changed and "boom" the tranny goes up? What should I do?

1997 ES300 ONYX WITH THE CRAPPY GREY CLADDING AT THE BOTTOM PURCHASED FEB 2 01 FROM ANTWERPEN TOYOTA IN BALTIMORE,MD THE CAR HAD 44G'S ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT FOR $21K. IT WAS MY FIRST LUXURY/PERFORMANCE CAR AND I WAS ONLY 21. IN B-MORE "LEXUS" IS KINDA LIKE A STATUS SYMBOL WHICH IS PROBABLY WHY I WAS SO EXCITED ABOUT BUYING IT. I WAS A LITTLE NERVOUS BECAUSE I AM YOUNG AT THE CAR BUYING GAME. IT IS LIKE A PSYCH CONTEST. THE CAR CAME WITH HEATED SEATS, LEATHER, A MOONROOF VISOR WHICH I RIPPED OFF (TOO MANY CAMRY'S HAVE THEM). AS A DISAPOINTMENT TO ME, MY BABY (NAMED ALEXUS) WAS IN A TERRIBLE FRONT END COLLISION IN JUNE 01. SHE WAS IN THE COLLISION CENTER FOR 2 MONTHS TOTALING $14G'S. I WAS MISERABLE ALL SUMMER. UP TO DATE I HAVE ABOUT 130G'S ON THE ODO NOW MAINTENANCE: 09/01 CHANGED FRONT BRAKE PADS AND NEW ROTORS (METROMOTORWORKS IN COLUMBIA MD) THEY DID A GREAT JOB. $365.00 B) 12/02 90K SERVICE PERFORMED ONTHE CAR. HAD THE TIMING BELT, WATER PUMP, ACCESSORY BELTS, ALL HOSES, THERMOSTHAT, NEW TIRES AND TIMING RESET (METROMOTORWORKS) $1,100.00 :cries: 07/03 NEW BATTERY (WAL MART) $65.00 INSTALLED MYSELF MODS: 18X8 ZENETTI MYSTIK'S WITH NANKANG TIRES 7000K NOKYA H7 LOW BEAM LIGHTS 2800K NOKYA H3 FOG LIGHTS K&N AIR FILTER BREMBO CROSS DRILLED ROTORS PROBLEMS: DRIVER DOOR HANDLE BROKE WHILE OPENING THE DOOR ON A RAINY DAY. MY HAND SLIPPED FROM UNDER THE HANDLE AND THE HANDLE SLAMMED AGAINST THE DOOR BREAKING THE HINGE. HAD IT REPAIRED AT LEN STOLER LEXUS IN OWINGS MILLS FOR $375?????????????????? EARLIER THIS YEAR I TOOK THE CAR TO METROMOTORWORKS FOR A TPS SENSOR ERROR $69 FOR THE SENSOR AND $60 INSTALLED. LIGHTS ON THE DASH ARE SLOWLY GOING AWAY INCLUDING THE ENTIRE LIGHT ASSEMBLY ON THE SHIFTER. I CAN'T SEE THE DISPLAY AT NIGHT. GOOD THING LEXUS PUT IT ON THE DASH TOO. SEAT HEATERS NOT GETTING HOT (JUST NOTICABLY TAKING THE COLD AWAY) THIS RE-OCCURING PROBLEM WITH THE WAY THE CAR IS RIDING. IT SEEMS TO FEEL LIKE I AM RUNNING OVER A BUMPY ROAD AT TIMES BUT THE ROAD CAN BE VERY SMOOTH. NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO FIGURE THAT OUT. THOSE PROBLEMS ARE MINOR AND CAN WAIT TO BE FIXED. I AM NOT CONCERNED ABOUT THEM YET. I AM 24 YEARS OLD AND i PAY ABOUT $2G'S A YEAR FOR INSURANCE (FULL COVERAGE) I WAS YOUNG AND DUMB BUT QUICKLY GREW UP AFTER SEEING ALL MY MONEY GOING TO MY BABY. FUTURE MODS: HOPEFULLY CHANGE THE SPARK PLUGS (ORIGINALS FROM WHEN THE CAR WAS BUILT ARE STILL RUNNING STRONG) NEW SUBWOOFER (I GOT A GREAT TIP FROM THIS FORUM ABOUT AN IMAGE DYNAMICS 8" SUB FOR THE BACK WINDOW) ROCKFORD FOSGATE 351M AMP NEW SPARK PLUG WIRES IN THE PROCESS GETTING THE LITTLE STUPID PROBLEMS FIXED.