Lexus ES: 2nd Generation

Looks like someone's breaking into their old VHS collection, as Youtube user bajabusta has been steadily posting old segments from Motorweek. First there was the Lexus ES 250 vs. Infiniti M30 footage, and now it's a review of the newly introduced 1992 ES 300:

I always get a kick of these back-in-the-day TV segments, they really paint a great picture as to just how the car was actually perceived at its release. I was interested to see that the ES 300 had the manual 5-speed transmission, which was only available in that first year. Also, the video's worth watching just for the slalom test, I don't think I've ever seen an ES 300 move like that.

It's been a long time coming, but tomorrow begins my search for a suitable car for my girlfriend, Karissa. Having driven a 1993 Toyota 4runner for the last five years, she's looking for an upgrade in comfort, gas mileage and safety. Of course, it's going to be a Lexus.

Now, there was talk of buying another brand, perhaps an Acura or a BMW, but nothing all that serious. It's certainly no secret which car company I was pushing. In the end, it was a process of elimination:

• No large sedans
• No V8s
• Nothing new/nearly-new (which she refuses to buy due to depreciation)

This left us with the RX, the IS, and the ES. In our test drives at the local dealer, the RX was too big and the IS too small, leaving us with a single choice. Only problem, Karissa doesn't like the ES 330 and its super-Camry look, meaning we're going a few years back, to the 1997-2001 ES 300.

I've arranged for us to test-drive eight ES 300s tomorrow, all in Toronto. Armed with days of research, a list of common problems and an eye for blue smoke from the exhausts, I'm looking forward to it.

In running this site, I see a steady stream of beautiful cars, but once and a while , I come across an absolute gem:

This ES 300 can not be beat, only $1,100! If you're in Texas, it would be a crime not to give that number a call and see if it's still available.