1992 Lexus ES 300 from North America

Summary:

Aggrrrrrravating

Faults:

This car has been a HEADACHE.

The first problem was smoke coming from the engine. I didn't know what it was for about 2 years until I got a smog check and my car spilled motor oil. A simple missing screw on the bottom of the engine was causing the problem.

Then one by one, ALL of the windows stopped working (each for a different reason).

The driver's side door no longer opens from the outside.

Lights on the speedometer turned black. Speedometer works when it wants to.

Transmission has always "lunged" when I put the car in drive, but it hasn't been a problem... so far... and the latest issue is the COOLING SYSTEM. For about 8 months about I've had continuous problems with the car overheating, mechanics couldn't find the problem. It has caused me to replace the radiator twice (once it had a 1-inch hole blown in it), and about 6 months ago the overheating COMPLETELY ruined my engine and I had to get a new one. It is still overheating to this day, with no visible leaks.

Oh, and it's started to get bubbles in the paint. Ahhh, nightmare car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 21st April, 2009

1992 Lexus ES 300 from North America

Summary:

A real bargain if you can find a good used one, as I did

Faults:

Replaced radiator at about 150,000K and tires at 180,000K.

Replaced radio for an in-dash CD when the old CD changer bust at about 120,000

Nothing else, but regular oil changes.

General Comments:

Bought it from a friend who had bought a Mercedes. His pain, my gain. The car is quick enough for me in town and I just returned from a 3800K trip at 29.75 mpg cruising at or over the posted limit. Quiet, comfortable, fast, economical.

All black. Looks terrific when polished.

I'll have to change it eventually, but I'm not in any hurry. I'll probably buy another a few years newer, if I can find one in as a good shape as this was.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 14th December, 2007

1992 Lexus ES 300 from North America

Summary:

Great car, I just purchased a lemon : (

Faults:

I had the car for a grand total of 2,000 miles and the following problems have occurred:

Blown transmission (Toyota put in the wrong tranny fluid and it caused the tranny to overheat and fail)

They replaced it for free, but the power steering pump failed the same day and they refused to take the blame. The new transmission shifts hard. Don't ever take you're Lexus to get a Tranny flush if it has over 100k miles.

Power steering pump failed (as stated above)

Rack and pinion is starting to fail.

Radio head unit stopped working.

Power mirrors stopped working.

The vehicle jerks extremely hard when shifting into drive or when the car needs to down shift when slowing down.

The car vibrates when driving on the highway. You can feel it in the steering wheel and in the foot petal.

Fuel sensor? blew so now the car won't start.

General Comments:

I would like to point out that I have had so many problems with the car because I wasn't smart when purchasing the vehicle. I later found out that the vehicle had been in a collision.

Get a Carfax on the vehicle you are wanting to purchase and also have a notable mechanic examine the vehicle before you make the purchase.

I simply got a lemon. Low price does not equal a good car.

I am now looking into an another Lexus, but this time I am going to make sure I do my homework and get the car fully checked out.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th July, 2007

28th Jul 2007, 17:43

Yikes, you would buy another from Toyota? I don't get you import fans, many reviews I read often give them a pass even though you go through hell with the cars. This is exactly why I went back to FORD, I had so many problems with the imports - Nissan, Honda, and Acura. I have never had any major malfunctions or problems with my Ford's and I put on lots of KMS.

Good, luck with your next Toyota (Lexus), If I were you I would try another - from the home team this time.