ridenalexus

I have a 98...I heard a rattle that I thought was comming from the front...after a mechanic put my car on the lift we saw that it was the sway bar mounts in the rear. The rubber had worn out and the sway bar rattled. Get this checked out.

I know you posted in April but if you're still in the market for a 97 or a 98 I can tell you that if taken care of properly that car will last a very long time. I bought my 98 with 41,000 miles on it. From since the day I bought it, I religiously change the oil every 4,000 miles and I only use synthetic with a Mobil 1 oil filter. Mobil 1 Oil filters run about $12-13. I also have the tranny serviced every year. There is a tranny filter kit that is sold that is a filter/seal/tranny oil. My mechanic recommended I do this every year. Apart from the 60,000 service and Timing belt...I've had no issues with this car...It runs beautifully and is very reliable. By the way my 98 now had 82,000 miles on it...at the rate this car runs...I can put another 250,000 on it with no problem.

I have a 98 ES300 with 82,000 miles on it. Everything about the car is perfect except for that damn "tat tat tat" sound coming from the engine. The first time I took it in for that problem. I was told that there was no abnormal sound coming from the engine. I thought maybe it was me. After hearing the engines from several other lexus vehicles including 2 other 98 ES300s I concluded that the dealership was the one who was wrong. I wrote a letter to Lexus who eventually had the dealer call me back. After a second look he told me that the car had a slight valve tap noise comming from the engine. Well no sh*t...when I came in here the first time it had the same damn noise. The only difference is that he now tells me it's gonna cost about $1,000 to have the valves adusted. Go figure !!! Well all I can say is good luck ! Keep us posted...I'm probably gonna spend the money because I love this car and I intend to keep it until it turns to dust. :zee: