Overview & Reviews

Side-impact airbags debut on Lexus's entry-level car, as does an engine immobilizer anti-theft system and an optional Nakamichi audio system. Reduced force front airbags are also new on all 1998 Lexus models.

• Attractive, roomy and powerful sedan is a bargain compared to comparable BMW and Mercedes-Benz models.

• The model we tested had some build quality problems.

User Reviews:

Showing 21 through 30 of 42.00

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  Excellent Reliable Car - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By johndds - July 24 - 1:46 am

  Original owner. ES 300 is extremely reliable: no engine/transmission problem. still get 19+ MPG. Timeless body design. Excellent value. However, does not drive like a BMW.

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  Once you own a Lexus you cant go back! - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By Joanie - July 14 - 10:00 am

  My 98 ES300 was my first Lexus, and the main reason why I bought it was because my salesman (Carl is the best!) sold it to me. None of the other car dealers gave me the time of day. So, I took the plunge and bought my first luxary car. Ive now owned my ES300 for over five years, and Ive have put over 135,000 miles on it without a single problem! I spent less money on maintaining this car than any car Ive ever owned - all Ive done is change the oil, one minor tune-up and replace the brakes and tires (and I got 85,000 miles on the tires that came with the car!). Ill never buy anything but a Lexus.

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  Antoines Review - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By Antoine - March 16 - 10:00 am

  My experience with this car has been great. You cant ask for a better entry-level luxury sedan. A wonderful automobile.

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  Takes a licking and keeps ticking - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By John - April 23 - 10:00 am

  Very are money nice and reliable car other the oil changes, replace brake calipers at 180K. Hit two deer in six months rebuilt just like new, mine has every option available, and everything works just fine, will drive it till the wheels fall off, i figure about 500k miles or more, Mercedes E class move over theres a new kid in town.

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  Love My Car - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By Love My Car - March 25 - 2:00 am

  I really just love this car. It is the best thing to drive. Enough power to get up and go also it has a really nice comfort level.

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  Moving on up - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By metfan - July 30 - 12:13 am

  Have been a Toyota loyalist for the last 15 years until I purchased my first Lexus about 3 years ago. I bout a 7 year old ES 300 with 100K miles on it. I have put about 50K on it since then and the car has been flawless. I change the oil about every 5K, and that is all that I have needed to do. Yea, I have the CD display problems that everyone else has, but other than that, the car is great! I get a realistic 25 mpg, and can hardly hear the car purring, even when completely stopped. I seriously do not believe they can make a car run any better than this one! Ill drive this baby for another 5 years.

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  Drive it, youll love it - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By RDL2AEL - March 12 - 10:00 am

  Drive it,youll love it! The quietness, the smoothness, the reliability, the 6 CDs in the glove box I would buy another one.

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  the best - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By denger - January 24 - 10:00 am

  I am 77 years old and this lexus is the best car I ever owned.

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  Great car with amazing reliability! - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By seattlegirl - December 15 - 10:43 am

  I have owned this car for a little over a year now and am still loving it. The car had 68k miles on it when I bought it and now has 80k and runs as if it was new. The only maintenance it has needed was a new tail light bulb (the car told me it was out or else I never would have known). Its so comfy both to drive and ride in and fun to drive. I wouldnt call it sporty, but I love the comfy ride the responsive steering. considering it is a luxury car, the es300 gets great mileage. It doesnt take premium and I can get up to 26 mpg driving lots of highway. Very quiet, lots of handy features. Theres even an extra outlet plugin for an iPod in the console. The styling is classic, people love it!

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  Used but still a lexus - 1998 Lexus ES 300
  By avan - October 24 - 7:03 pm

  I love this car, the 97 to 00 body style with its sporty, deliberate lines stemming from its lifted rear to its lowered front end quite simply seem to flow better than that of the newer models which, though impressive in their own right, seem more to me like that of a family ride. As far as performance is concerned this car handles like a champ and practically drives itself, its impressive 200 hp is more than complemented by its smooth beyond reason shifting. Interior and dash controls are simple and elegant like that you would expect from Lexus. There is a downside in its poor turning radius but its made up for by its ease of handling suitable even to that of a 5th grader. 5 out of 5.