Overview & Reviews

The entry-level Lexus has been totally redesigned this year, growing in nearly every dimension. Lexus manages to eke out more power from the ES 300's 3.0-liter V6 engine. No longer just a dressed-up Camry, the ES 300 has finally come into its own.

• Beautiful new shape, more powerful engine, more interior space, and higher levels of luxury than the previous model.

User Reviews:

Showing 31 through 40 of 50.00

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  Excellent Car - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By HR6895 - November 30 - 5:53 pm

  Bought at 62K, drove 8K since then. Runs solid, comfortable, reliable.

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  Lexus is the best! - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Lexus Family - September 4 - 1:26 am

  Sold on Lexus, have an LS 430 and love it so bought a 97 ES 300 for my daughters to drive. Love the classy look, safety, reliabilty and feel of a Lexus. It will spoil you forever. The V-6 has tons of power. Comfortable seats with nice quality leather. Very quiet and smooth. Get compliments on the white/tan appearance, looks like a new car. Trust this car to get my daughters home, enough said.

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  The best car you can get for under 5K - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Brian - July 10 - 10:00 am

  I Purchased this car in June of 2009 and it had 105k miles. It is now at 120k miles and runs great. I have never had to take it to the shop for anything other than maintenance. It is very comfortable and reliable. This is the 3rd Lexus in my family. My mother has had an IS and a RX hybrid. all great cars. It has a good amount of features. The gas mileage is ok for a V6. I get 19 combined and I have gotten 28 on a road trip averaging 75 mph. I would highly recommend this car. It is very solid, I never have to worry about my car breaking down. As a college student, I cant afford to pay for costly repairs. This car has Toyota reliability. I think this car will go for another 100k miles easily!

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  Best care I ever leased - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By solr - February 9 - 2:00 am

  Have been leasing the ES300 for ten years now. Never had any mechanical problems, other than a bad seat motor. A pleasure to drive on long trips (3-5 hours), the standard sound system is awesome. I dont think I have any changes I would recommend. each year they have incorporated small improvements, like heated photochromic mirrors, memory for multiple driver settings etc. You cant go wrong with this car!

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  the real best car - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By K Leung - January 3 - 10:00 am

  this is the best car Ive ever drove, I bought this car at 2002 in its only 44000km...so its kept in really great condition and everything is just perfect...guess I wont dream about any other cars since I think Ive got the best in this planet....

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  Pretty Good - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By superflykhaeyo - December 23 - 2:58 am

  I prefer sports cars, but this vehicle was comfortable great styling (for a 1997), drove smooth for a 4 speed,great acceleration, handled well i was short-stopped at about 15mph and tapped a minivan and not a scratch on the sienna or my ES, my car later spun out on a flooded highway ramp at -20mph NO BODY DAMAGE but the rear wheel was bent to a 70degree angle. but this thing is a TANK

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  Fantastic Car - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By David Peecook - September 18 - 9:13 am

  I bought my ES300 in 2000 as a "Certified" Lexus with 45,000 miles on it. I just passed 200,000 miles and the car still run as it did when I first got it! I have diligently followed the maintenance schedule and have only had a few surprises - never a break down. This has been the best car that I have ever owned.

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  Runs like new at 120K - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Scott - September 11 - 4:40 pm

  I bought the 97 lexus ES 300 with 120,000 miles on it. I was a little afraid of buying a car with so many miles, but after driving it for a week, I couldnt be happier. Its hard to believe, but the car runs like new. Previous owner garaged it. Today a guy actually asked me if it is a brand new car! It runs extremely smooth. I just came back from a 800 mile trip and it averaged 28.4 miles/gal.

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  The Best Used Car!! - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Lexus LOVER - August 29 - 4:20 am

  I bought this car with 197,000 miles on it. My odometer shows 210,000. I do a lot of traveling to neighboring states. Let me tell you that this car is close to perfection. It drives like as if it just left the showroom. Lexus ES 300 from 97-01 are very reliable cars. They will never breakdown. If you want a used car that would run "FOREVER" and I literally mean it, buy this car.

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  Excellent, Excellent, Excellent car to own! - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By vijay - June 18 - 5:22 pm

  Mine is Canadian car that I purchased in year 2006 with ODO reading at 210K. Current reading is 345K. Excellent, excellent, excellent car. I have used it over longer distances non-stop, nearly 1000 miles, as well as daily city use without any issue. The car is so smooth and reliable that I dont ever wish to leave it. Now it is my sons car and he is equally happy with it. It will stay in our family until it dies, we will not sell it. Issues and solutions till date are as follows: 1. Radio LCD display (faded); bought the part and replaced it myself (easy fix). 2. Serpentine belt changed at 215K. 3. Time belt and water pump changed at 310K. 4. Brakes, rotors and emergency brake at 315K. 5. The car trunk stopped responding to the remote or the internal button in the cabin. Sprayed WD40 through keyhole on the trunk, and in a few minutes the issue was resolved. 6. Rattling sound. Found rusty lose covers under the fuel tank and catalytic converter/exhaust pipe area. Got them removed. 7. Front shockers sound. Sprayed WD-40 at top of both shockers, sound gone. 8. Front leather seat stitch opened up while the leather was still in very good shape. Found a $17 leather patch being sold on Amazon. Applied this leather patch over the stitched area, and the seat is looking fantastic, and the ugly look of the opened stitch is gone. 9. Transmission shifting issues, which started after a transmission oil change. Put in a bottle of Lucas and continued to use the car with problems. Though the transmission will die eventually, however it recovered in about a months time, and has been running smooth ever since. This issue happened at about 230K odometer reading. 10. some sound starting to come from the rear wheels at about 340K occasionally. On my own inspection, I found that dust cover plates behind the rear disc brakes were completely rusted, rotten and hanging loose. My car mechanic removed them completely and I have no intention to put new ones back on. That sound is gone now. All the issues above were so minor, and mostly I was able to find a solution and fix it on my own. Besides above, the only other issue was that at about 280K the rear valve cover started a minor leak. I do not intend to fix it as I know mechanics will open the engine and create more issues (I will run this car as long as the engine and transmission work). The car has developed rust on both sides of the rear wheels, as well as the clear top is peeling on the front drivers side too. The paint all over the rest of the cars body still is shiny new. I had it fixed for $900 (kind of new metal on the rusted area and nearly the whole car painted except the rooftop). After few days of painting, did apply "NuFinish" coat and it is mirror shining the black paint. Great car to own, drive and maintain.