Bought a Lexus ES350

[AZjeff]

Having recently reached near-oldman status, I'll send you a link for white New Balance Shoes, and white socks.

You are getting old you forgot the white belt. I can send him one of mine.

 

[trd1zz]

I don't think you understand the resale value of Toyota/Lexus.

From what I've seen posted on this site, he is not the only one.

On another note, I am curious why do you own three ES350's? Multiple drivers in your household?

 

[trd1zz]

This engine is very easy on oil, 0w20 as recommend by Toyota will have no issues.

I personally run VRP 0w20 and did an oil change before I drove them all back to Wyoming from CA - 2016, CA - 2017, and PA - 2018.

Agreed, I run 0w-20 on my 2GR-FE. Although I am thinking about switching to 5w30 purely for simplicity sake since that's what my other cars take.

 

[Patrick0525]

Love this car, I would prefer your interior and exterior colors as I love white and that cream interior.

All the cars below were bought between Oct 24 to April 25:
Satin Cashmere 16 Lexus ES350 @86k - Cream/Brown interior - paid $17k
Nebula Gray 17 Lexus ES350 @65k - Black interior - paid $22k but this has every option available including the chrome wheels (not a fan)
Obsidian Black 18 Lexus ES350 @95k - White interior - paid $17k

even though my ES350s have more options, I would still prefer yours because its has the interior and exterior colors I like.

Note: before 2015 the 2GR-FEs can develop an external head gasket leak and can have a leaking timing cover.

I looked at 50+ ES350s when deciding to buy my cars.

I highly recommend you order the complete cv boot kits from Toyota (same part number but cheaper then buying from Lexus) in Arizona and having 80k miles, they are already leaking or will shortly leak, do not replace your cv axle as they never have issues unless they run dry from leaks

CV Axles	Part #s
CV Axle Boot Kit - Front Left	04428-06570
CV Axle Boot Kit - Front Right	04427-06540
Axle Nut	90080-17238

I just got a Toyota dealer quote for doing the boots for a 14 Venza and it is 6 hrs labor or $1200. It that normal?

 

[dkryan]

I have found it quite normal for Toyota dealers to quote $1,200 for numerous "problems," real or imagined.

I would get other quotes for that work.

Do you know for a fact the CV boots are bad?

 

[Patrick0525]

I have found it quite normal for Toyota dealers to quote $1,200 for numerous "problems," real or imagined.

I would get other quotes for that work.

Do you know for a fact the CV boots are bad?

No just preparing for the inevitable with my car at 132k mi. I did get the inboard/outboard OEM boot kit for both axles at $82 free shipping during the on-line 20% off sale but it has been backordered for weeks.

 

[panthermike]

Nice!! I have a major soft spot for these cars. I had a '98 ES300 that was just amazing. Sold with 207k, would have drove it anywhere. My brother picked up an '08 ES350 with 140k miles several months ago for 6K. Not perfect but overall pretty solid. Should last forever!

I think you did fine at 17K. Plus it is a huge bonus to have service records and know that it was maintained well

 

[AKhan87]

From what I've seen posted on this site, he is not the only one.

On another note, I am curious why do you own three ES350's? Multiple drivers in your household?

Yes

wife & I, and for a very long time, I have owned, insured and maintained the vehicle my mother drives.

2008 corolla will be sold soon or will be used as a backup car.

Agreed, I run 0w-20 on my 2GR-FE. Although I am thinking about switching to 5w30 purely for simplicity sake since that's what my other cars take.

I personally would keep the 0w20.

I just got a Toyota dealer quote for doing the boots for a 14 Venza and it is 6 hrs labor or $1200. It that normal?

Honestly I wouldn't know because you are paying someone else, this is a VERY easy job to do on your own, in my opinion $1400 is insane.

I can DIY, and my cost was the following:

• CV Axle Boot Kit - Front Left - 04428-06570 - $68.04
• CV Axle Boot Kit - Front Right - 04427-06540 - $68.38
• Axle Nut - 90080-17238 - $0 as I know how to properly remove OEM axle nuts without damaging them but I wouldn't recommend this to others
• Shop Towels - ~$2.50
• Brake Clean - ~$2.50
• ATF - ~$7 only on the 18 ES350 because I had it at a certain angle, for 16 ES350 I made sure the angle was different to prevent any ATF loss

My total cost for each car was about around $148.42 using OEM Toyota parts but that's because I can DIY.

No just preparing for the inevitable with my car at 132k mi. I did get the inboard/outboard OEM boot kit for both axles at $82 free shipping during the on-line 20% off sale but it has been backordered for weeks.

Good idea, I always buy parts ahead of time to keep my cost down, but since you have a 14 Venza, it could be the timing cover, people confuse the passenger cv axle leak with the timing cover all the time, and even the power steering pump on older 2GR-FEs.

 

[OVERKILL]

Nice purchase, I figured you'd opt for something a bit less "needy" after your Genesis experience(s). Hope it serves you well!

 

[Exhaustgases]

I don't think you understand the resale value of Toyota/Lexus.

All my ES350s have perfect carfax but that doesn't mean much.

Yeah maybe 2 years ago during crazy car prices times. 100k lots of things can still be on the high wear side.
Nowadays with all the engine recalls Toyota is nothing special at all. How many parts for it are now are "Not Available"?

And yeah 0W-20 who needs an oil film, especially in 80 to 90 F and higher in Az ambient temps.

 

[trd1zz]

Yeah maybe 2 years ago during crazy car prices times. 100k lots of things can still be on the high wear side.
Nowadays with all the engine recalls Toyota is nothing special at all. How many parts for it are now are "Not Available"?

And yeah 0W-20 who needs an oil film, especially in 80 to 90 F and higher in Az ambient temps.

I haven't had any problems locating and ordering OEM parts for my Toyota's, which are both about 20 years old at this point. Have you had issues locating parts for yours? If so, which year / model?

 

[AKhan87]

Yeah maybe 2 years ago during crazy car prices times. 100k lots of things can still be on the high wear side.
Nowadays with all the engine recalls Toyota is nothing special at all.

During the pandemic, these same cars were 10-15k more, so I waited for the prices to come down, and the 2GR-FE has no recalls, these engines can easily go 300-400k miles without any issues, especially 13+ when they updated the issues with the VVT-i gears.

How many parts for it are now are "Not Available"?

All the parts for my Lexus are available, I am not sure what your talking about.

And yeah 0W-20 who needs an oil film, especially in 80 to 90 F and higher in Az ambient temps.

This engine has no issues with XW20 oils, even in Texas or Arizona or Southern California. what issues have you personally experienced with this engine or your just speculating?