A Few Questions Re 93' Toyota Windom

[Wallace]

Hi all,

My name is Wallace, and I just joined this forum when I was navigating around the net searching for Toyota Windom Information.

1). Is the 93' Toyota Windom (V6 3.0L) primarily sold in Japan "EXACTLY" the same as the Lexus ES300 (I mean the electrical/mechanical parts used inside the car, etc)???

2). What is the value of a 1993 Toyota Windom (V6 3.0L) with a mileage around 165,000 and it does have a Sunroof? If it is advertised for $5.5K with RWC, is that too much to pay? If so, what would be a reasonable and fair price to pay (including RWC and Rego till March 2011)?

3). There is Lexus badge in front & back of the car, but the steering wheel and engine has the Toyota logo and the registration only says Toyota ~ So does it sound a big dodgy or should a Toyota Windom has the Toyota badge instead of the Lexus badge in front & back of the car?

4). If the Toyota Windom is NOT exactly the same as the Lexus ES400, will it be hard to find the parts for a imported from Japan Windom?? Are the parts interchangable with Toyota Camry?

5). Will a 1993 Toyota Windom (given the mileage of 164K) still be a reliable car to drive around or it is simply TOO OLD? I would hope to find a car which could last for the next 5 years without too much trouble.

6). Should I buy the 1993 Toyota Windom with 164K mileage or better off buying the 1997 Lexus ES300 with 215K mileage (around $8~9K) and paid the extra $3K? Which car is better bang for the bucks from your experience and understanding?

Any feedbacks are highly appreciated ~

Cheers

Wallace

[buck naked]

Hi Wallace,

I own a 1993 Toyota Windom myself. They are the same car as the Lexus ES300, they roll off the same production line in Japan. The same standard of fit and finish. What can be different is the trim and equipment.

The Windom came in a base-spec and the '3.0G' - which is closer to the ES300, with standard ABS, traction control, cruise control and airbag. The 3.0G also has TEMS suspension (automaticly-adjusting valve stiffness), a 'ECT-S' sport mode, and a button to turn off traction control - I'm not sure the ES300 has those, but it's no loss. The Windom drinks PULP and its 3VZ-FE runs 147kw, the locally-delivered ES300 runs regular unleaded and has 138kw.

The ES300 has two airbags (driver+passenger), the Windom only has driver. The ES300 had a 6-stack CD player standard, the Windom only had a tape deck. That said, those old CD-stackers aren't the most reliable or convenient, so that's no great loss, and after 15+ years, the ES300 leather interior is often quite worn. Leather was an option on the Windom, the cloth interior in my Windom is still good.

$5.5k is too much though. I'd expect to pay $3500, tops. The car is due for a timing belt and major service at 175,000k - check the timing belt cover to see if it's been done yet.

I paid $2000 for my Windom (93, 3.0G, 185,000k), but it has a lot of car-park bumps and scrapes on the body.

As for reliability, at 17 years old, it's a gamble. It might be fantastically reliable... but it is at the time of its life where parts need replacing. If the steering rack goes, or the aircon loses its chill, or the transmission packs it in, you're looking at repair bills that could easily be 50% of the value of the car.

Is 97 Lexus ES300 a better buy?

Yes.

The 1MZ-FE is a much-improved engine (better power delivery, better fuel economy, smoother). It's a stiffer, more responsive and safer chassis. And most likely, it'll have been serviced at a Lexus dealer it's whole life. The big 175k service will be done already, for example.

If you're looking 5 years down the line, I wouldn't hesitate to go the 97 model.