looking into 96 es 300

[bowlofturtle]

I've came across a 96 es 300 78k a friend of a friend was selling due to the fact that he is moving. I got a 96 camry. I understand its the same frame and chasis and engine. I wanted to know what was the diffrences between them.

From what i understand it has premium sound, all leather, heated mirrors. What else are tiny options that came standard to a es300.

How is the suspention on that? Is it still like a camry's or is more like a Benz? I just wanted to pick up on the minor tad bits that are diffrent and any thing else.

For those who own camrys and es 300. How are the insurance rates? Are lexus less likely to get broken into then Camry's or is it just the same stuff.

[BullMarket]

My insurance is cheap considering my age *23* and the fact I am not married (but then again I have honor student status and defensive driving discounts and a clean record)...I own a 00 camry.

BULLMKT

[bowlofturtle]

^ i'm 18, honor student as well and i've tooken any course they throw at me for a cheaper record plus clean record too. But when i was asking about the rates i was asking mainly about camry VS es300 same year and everything. Just wanted to get a ball park figure how much i have to dig up on my monthly/ yearly rates.


The price to upgrade from a camry LE to ES300 is fair, but i wanted to know if the rates were fair and the gains of a es300.

[BullMarket]

Rates vary widely (that is no understatement)...it is gonna be diff for everyone. Depending on company, your history with it, your coverage, your deductible...the insurance folks have a never ending list of things to get more out of folks like us.

BULLMKT

[Toysrme]

OK

• ES weighs about 200lbs more than a Camry every year.
• Only assembled in Japan and uses motors actually built in Japan with tighter tolerances than the Ky plant.
• Suspension is the same.
• Larger rear rotors
• Frame is 2" longer on some years compaired to a Camry
• Both gen 1 & 2 ES 300's have a smaller frontal area with a better Cd = More aerodynamic
• The damned things just look better on the front end... (No ass-ugly Camry headlights)
• Fog lights stock
• Frameless windows (stonger, quiter)
• The cars have tons more sound deadining, they're *very* quiet
• Audio system is better, I still hate them, but it is better...
• All of the wood trim you see is REAL WOOD. Even the plastic looking stuff... It just has a very thick enamle on it. *The company that makes the wood trim OEM for Lexus, is also USA based, and you can order replacements, and matching extra trim kits for large sums of money*
• Full size spare w' OEM tire on it (In my case it's a Goodyear Eagle RS)
• Five words, heated leather seats
• The leather is beautful, and very thick (looks great with Lexol)
• You get a neat hidden compartment!!!
• You can do stupid things like de-badge it and put Toyota Windom on it :rollseyes:

That's about the only things I can remember right now.


The rate will varry between companies, but it won't varry between cars. It would cost me $20 per 6 months to go frmo a '93 ES 300 to a '99 GS400, or a '99 Proche Boxter. I wouldn't save $50 per 6 months driving a 1980 VW Super Beetle...

It's all because you're not 25 yet.

Are lexus less likely to get broken into then Camry's

You're more likely to have someone try and pull the lock open through the frameless front window, but less likely overall to have people mess with it. Minus people taking your pimp chrome lug nuts in the bad parts of town... (Don't worry about the window thing. The ECU just sets off the alarm and locks the car back ROTF, it takes a little practice to get the timing right)

[bowlofturtle]

Sounds good to me. except the camry suspension. I dislike mines. I want it smoother to a point where i almost dont feel the bumps. Well in chicago there are crap loads of pot holes and i hate feeling them in my camry. But i never even felt 1 in my friend's E 500 but seeing as how E 500 isn't in the same class i understand. Gen 1 and gen 2's which gen has the ES300 emblem on the tail lights? And which ones come with the angel eyes. I love the angel eye look so much. Yea a down side is the frameless windows. But seeing as how its a lexus i assume the vacuum and seals are super and i wont get wind nose or water leaks in those.

Is the interior bigger on a es300 ? since the frame is 2 more inches i'm wondering where the 2 inchs comes into play. in the cabin or in the engine.

[Toysrme]

Bud, unless you buy a Caddy, or an L-daddy, you aint gonna get any smoother... Drive it around and see what you think.
Gen 1 & 2 ES 300's have emblems on the tail. (gen 3-4 Camry)

No non-BWM car comes with Angle-eyes... There were two kits on ClubLexus.com, but both members got banned for hocking their products, and fighting with each other.

The frameless windows are actually superior in suppressing noise. The sunroof is the same way. My '93 has been outside every day since I got it last year and the other owner left it outside 1/2 it's life in Destin Florida @ the beach house. The seals are A-1, no leaking. (Especially if you use a rear rubber conditioner on them before you wash the car)
Don't worry about them breaking in a wreck. IMHO it's an advantage they're frameless. One of the real big Audiworld member's got T-boned in the drivers side by a semi-truck on the highway & flipped & all kinds of shit. Instead of shattering, the frameless window just bent inside the car and stayed in 1 piece. Strong glass Notice it's 50-100% thicker than what you normally find too.

No idea where they put the space. I can tell you that surprisingly, the interior is shorter in an ES, because ES's were standard with a moon roof, and optiond as no moon roof. (more sold with than without) That cuts about 1-1.5" off head room. (If you're 6ft and under it won't matter)
I can tell you it's definately not in the engine bay Typical Toyota (and now USDM) It's not built for "small hands", it's assembled in a way to put the maximum amount of stuff in the smallest area. (Everyone does it now, so no Jap stigma's anymore please)

[bowlofturtle]

maybe i got the terms wrong. Maybe i ment projectors instead of angel eyes. but this is the headlights i ment when i mention angel eyes.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...spagename=WDVW

the look like angel eye with a circle around it. but i want those, i haven't seen the car yet myself i'm getting a look at it this weekend. Could you tell me what years or gens those ES come in those projectors or what not. I fit nicely in my gen3 cam, i'm 6 foot tall. I think i should fit nicely in the ES.

[skperformance]

try searching lexus faq for all your answers