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 21 through 30 of 50.00

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  Money well spent! - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Singh - August 8 - 12:20 am

  I was looking for a reliable car for around $5000. Took my own sweet time to drive a lot of cars, check there edmunds.com reviews. Fell in love the very first time I drove this car, it was just great. Lot of power, space and comfort. Fuel economy is around 15 mpg in city but on highway its close to 30 mpg. I feel safe inside the car even while driving it even at high speed.

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  Great Commuting Vehicle - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By jjnd - June 6 - 2:00 am

  This car provides and excellent ride and fantastic fuel economy. I regularly exceed 25 mpg with in town driving and 30 mpg on the highway. This car is more comfortable than most. I am regularly on the road for several hours at a time. Being of small stature I appreciate the compact interior. My husband, a large man, finds the front seat comfortable but the back seat is limited in size and you wouldnt want to spend too much time confined there unless you were a small person. The suspension and steering on this vehicle make it feel like a sports car and the traction control is a nice feature in the north country where I live

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  Best Car Ever! - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By packagemaster - November 27 - 6:12 am

  I bought a 97 in spring of 06, with 150k miles already on it. I travel 110 miles per day, and I wanted a reliable comfortable, but cheap ride. Because of the miles, I got mine cheap. Fast forward, 2011. Now the car has 330k miles, and let me tell you, this car has been rock solid. This is list of everything I did for the car. (from my log book) 1 set of tires. 2 batteries. 8 sets of wiper blades. Oil change every 6-8k miles. (thats right) 4 air filters. 2 windshields. (rocks fly in Interstate) Front and rear Struts. 2 sets of brake pads for front, 1 set in back, 1 set of front rotors. 6 Headlight bulbs.. Im looking forward to the next 180k miles. I know this car will make it.

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  Great used vehicle, love it! - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Research Nut - October 14 - 12:16 am

  Bought this 2yrs ago with 160k from a private party after getting it checked out at a Lexus dealership. Outside of the usual, I HAVE NOT SPENT A PENNY! Not one thing has gone wrong or needed to be fixed. It is just a wonderful car, and Im glad all of my research (much of which I did here at Edmunds.com) in finding it paid off. After owning this car, I just cannot understand why people would ever pay more money that I paid here for another inferior, less-reliable used car (like anything from Detroit)...

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  Solid ride! - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By B - May 26 - 2:20 pm

  This car is great! I bought it in June 09 after doing much research here on Edmunds. I had a tight budget ($5000) and I needed to find a car that would be reliable and well built. The ES300 had great reviews so I thought I would get it and it truly is a great ride. I get compliments all the time, most people think it is newer and more expensive than it actually is. My ES is smooth, quiet, and is somewhat fuel efficient in the city and great on the highway (30 mpg from CO to CA). So far I have had no problems with the car and I plan on driving many more trouble free miles. I just wish it had a little more power, it has enough passing power its just a little slow off the line. I love my Lexus!

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  All around great car - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Gingerbread - May 24 - 10:00 am

  I have had this car since October 1999. This car has never had any problems. The only downside in my opinion is if you use the dealer to maintain the car you can expect $1000 a year or so easy. I drive a lot so for me its about $2,000 per year in up keep.

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  Lexus Family - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Lexus Cruiser - May 21 - 9:00 pm

  Bought this ES 300 about 7 months ago and it has been problem free. Its comfortable, quiet, smooth, powerful and gets decent mpg. I have the suspension control and heated seats. Have the factory chrome rims with white pearl paint, people think its a very expensive and classy car. We really like this car and would recommend to anyone.

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  The best car in the world. - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By John Holland - November 11 - 10:00 am

  I purchased this car in 1997, since then, Ive never spent a penny on repairing except tires and oil/coolent change. Although the upfront cost for a Lexus is a bit pricy, you can make it back in the long run. Many people think that Lexus is a bigger Camry, theyre WRONG!!! I had a Camry V6 XLE, it was a good car, but Lexus owners can tell the difference. The average maintenane cost is no higher than a Camry.

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  Best Car Ive Owned - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By BRock - October 2 - 1:26 am

  I bought this car wholesale for a real nice price. It had 107K and needed no work. Ive been driving it every day since and only have had to replace the starter which I could have probably avoided had I done something about the warning signs earlier. I also replaced the o2 sensor. Other than that gas oil and drive. I think it has at least another 100,000 in it.

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  Love my Lexy - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Love my Lexy - June 23 - 10:00 am

  I bought my ES300 about 4 years ago with 92k. I have not had to do anything more than the usual upkeep and I now have over 275k. Yes, she is getting tired but her ride and style does not compare to any other car on the road. Even the newer style ES300 is smaller and not as comfortable as this one. I previously had the 95 ES 300 with 268k when it was totaled in 2006.