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 11 through 20 of 50.00

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  Safety And Beauty - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By bcolby - December 10 - 10:00 am

  We have had our 97 ES300 for about a year and it has been the best car we have ever had. Loaded to the gills and showroom-like condition, until recently. My wife and 14-month old son were in an accident where another driver turned in front of my wife. Travelling at 55mph both vehicles were totalled. My wife and son came away with only minor scratches and aches. If they were in any other vehicle I feel the results may have been different. It was a beautiful car, but they make more everyday. There is no question we will get another.

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  Lexus Makes Great Cars - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By John R - September 30 - 8:06 am

  Ive had my 1997 ES300 for 10 years traveling 188,000 dependable miles. Best car Ive ever owned. If fact, I purchased a brand new 2007 GS350 AWD, with everything, because of my 1997 ES300 experience.

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  Best quality car! - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By Jack Hamid - August 7 - 10:00 am

  Ive owned this car for 5.5 yrs. Nothing to complain about. Never done any repairing. Parts are actually cheaper than most of the German/Japanese cars.

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  Why I dont buy American or German - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By erpgupta - July 10 - 10:00 am

  This is by far the best car I have ever owned. 7 years of hard driving and not 1 single problem. Unlike my BMW 330i, $3,000 in out of pocket expenses that the dealer says are normal. Or the Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer edition that my wife used to drive. In the first year it was back to the dealer 32x. I have owned all of the German brands along with a few Swedes and Americans thrown in along the way. Lets just say that after owning this Lexus and my wifes new Acura, we would never sink another dollar into any car unless its Japanese.

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  Buy this Lexus! - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By MRH - June 20 - 10:00 am

  Best vehicle ever owned! Drives wonderfully; beautiful attention to detail & high resale value--- cant go wrong with it! Recommend it over any other car in its price range!

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  Simply love it - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By BlueKarma - March 18 - 9:50 pm

  I love my 97 Lexus. Its an older car but you wouldnt know it. It drives great and Im very happy with it.

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  A great car! - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By RazorWinger - March 10 - 1:20 am

  I bought this car with 58,000 miles on it; no problems except wear & tear. It started using oil for a while and I expected the worst - an engine re-build. But after an independent technician replaced the PCV valve ($10!), the oil usage stopped. I sure hope my next Lexus has better cup-holders; theyre far too shallow. The key to the Lex is keep it maintained and no telling how many miles theyll run. A great value.

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  Fun to Drive - 1997 Lexus ES 300
  By wesley - September 20 - 2:00 am

  This car is really fun to drive. I have owned an Acura and BMW and this car is the most fun to drive.

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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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  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)...