I can buy either cars for very little money, (appx $1,500). The Max has 113k on the clock and the Lex has 115k. Both have abs, power accessories, premium sound etc. Both are five speeds. The only thing I know to look out for w/ the 89 SE is the exhuast manifold studs. This particular car is airtight in the engine compartment, no leaks-no bad sounds. The Lex has toyota reliability going for it if nothing else. Both cars have the usual dings and stracthes on the outside. The interiors on both are good. The max has the cloth and the lex has leather.

What do you guys think? I really like 'em both and both are rated pretty highly by used car reviewers.

Lex is a 91, Max is an 89 SE

Thanks in advance for your help and/or advice.

Paul

 

stick shift only.. if the 89 is a stick shift.. buy it.. if its not.. keep looking

 

lexus made a stick shift for the ES250? .. interesting..

i would get the 3rd Gen.. my step mom had a fully loaded 89SE 5spd the fit and finish on hte car is remarkable

 

Personally i would go w/ the lexus (even though this the maxima site ). The 3rd gen max was a sweet car though. . . My 90 was at 137,000 when i sold it for $1500 and it was running great.

 

Yes, the made a stick for the 250, but as you might guess they are really rare!

 

What do you expect it is a 3rd gen
I say go with the max. There is something about the older lexus's I dont like except the GS models! Maybe im biased

 

since there is not much of a support group for the 250's and the dealership will charge you arm and a leg for maintenance issues.. check this and see if something you an deal with..

http://www.alldata.com/TSB/31/90310101.html

an 89 maxima may not be as reliable.. even though i am pretty sure it is.. as a lexus es250 .. but atleaset you will have over 15,000 people giving you advice and help if something goes wrong.. i doubt there are more than 10 people on Clublexus with es250..

something to think about when owning and maintaining an older car

 

If you want performance...MAXIMA...this guy here in my office has a 91 es250 he wants $6500 those things look like a 2nd gen.

 

Are you serious? $6,500!!!!!!!!!!!! Wow, that thing must be awesome or something. Ya gotta give me more details about that car. The most mint low mileage one I've seen is going for $3,500!

By the way, have you driven this guys car. I'm just curious.

Thanks,

Paul

 

the es250 is by far one of the ugliest cars i have ever seen, please, do us all a favor and get a maxima.

- M

 

3rd gen.

 

M30 Convertible..... Mmmmmmmm....

 

Servicing an ES250 should not be an issue. They are mechanically identical to 2nd gen V6 Camry's, which any mechanic can work on.

 

Get the Max and have a license plate that says "4DSC"

 

Nothing special, just rebuilt trans, he claims it is mint and it has 97k on it.

 

Maxima wins the looks for sure!!!

the ES250 is extremely reliable except for tranny problems- but if the tranny was just rebuilt hopefully you have some time before you need to worry about that again

didya know they made ES300s in stick too?

 

 

Ah, back when Maximas truly were Maximas.










My recommendation:

As Sprint said, the support for 3rd generation Maximas online is substantial. Every little issue I've noticed has been explained inside of 10 minutes searching here or a couple of other excellent forum based 3rd generaton Maxima websites.

Get the 89 Maxima.

 

well I'd try to find a 92SE with the VE if I could have a choice... now thats a sweet car to have!

the pricing on the ES250 is pretty damn good, even though I still feel the Maxima is a better car

and aftermarket support for the ES250? hmm I think on Club Lexus they dont even have a forum for the ES250 hahahaha how sad is that?

 

ES250 Forum @ clublexus

and stay out of the Lexus Lobby

 

hahha damn I only saw the ES300 forum I dont mod that car much so I just stay in the Lobby

 

What years?

 

92-94 I believe.

 

get the 3rd gen

 

I was gonna say, Lexus until I found out it has a small 2.5 liter V6 rated at about 155ish hp. But you could probably buy it,turn around and sell it for about $3500ish and buy the maxima + profit.

 

yup

well yea the Lexus is a good deal, I'd consider buying it then reselling it

 

Yup 92-94 only a handful. I had one until it was stolen a couple of weeks ago.

I would go for the Maxima.

 

good evening! how goes it on CL?