Maybe you need to trade it in for a 98 Camry ;)
1988 V6 Camry LE vs. 2000 ES 300
>
> OK, I've had my 2000 ES 300 Platinum Edition for about a month now, and it's a
> very nice car for the most part, but here are some things I think
> Lexus needs to take a look at:
>
> Very lousy cup-holder behind the transmission lever.
> Just waiting for something to get spilled...
> My 1988 Camry has more secure cup holders.
> What happened to automobile cup holders over the past 15 years?
> Did they get worse over time?
>
> There is no place to put anything near the transmission lever,
> e.g. sunglasses, etc. The 1988 Camry had a small well/area right in front
> of the parking brake and behind the transmission lever, and another
> well in front of the transmission lever (cup-holder location) that I miss.
> I know about the console box near the driver's elbow, but that's quite > big/awkward
> to open/close while you are driving to get something.
>
> The rear-view mirror is not as bright as my 1988 Camry's.
> The auto-dimming feature is nice at night, but even if I disable it,
> the image isn't as bright as a plain old rear-view mirror.
>
> The rear-view in the ES 300 is partially obstructed by headrests, side
> and rear door panels, etc.
> My 1988 Camry had a much better view of the rear with less blind spots. >
> And it is quite difficult to see a moderately low object behind when you
> are reversing because of the height of the trunk.
> The only other car I can think of that had a more severe problem
> in this regard is the Ford Focus.
>
> The rear-window internal antenna is not as good at weak-signal reception
> as the external antenna on my 1988 Camry.
>
> What's with this Sound Volume Auto Adjustment system?
> I thought it was supposed to get louder as the engine revved up, but
> sometimes it gets quieter when you accelerate!
> I thinks there is a TSB out on this but I'm
> not sure if my dealer will fix this problem.
>
> I am going to have to do something about the ES300 brake squeal at low speeds.
> The dealer said everything was OK.
> This is just unacceptable anymore.
> Squeeeeaaalll! Squeeeaalll!
>
> The leather in the ES 300 requires too much maintenance.
> Not robust enough.
> I wish it had cloth seats.
> Can't use seat covers too; the front seats have side air-bags.
>
> The lower front-end profile of the ES 300 makes it more
> susceptible to paint chips etc. because of junk on the freeway.
>
> How long will this hydraulic thing that keeps the hood open
> last? I think it will cost a small fortune to replace.
>
> An extra master ignition key costs $300 ?!
> And the dealer said the car's computer(?) needs to be replaced if I lose
> my only ignition key. Costs approx $1500.
> Yikes!
>
> I can't believe we have to pay $300 for a duplicate car key now because of all
> the high-tech computer theft-deterrent nonsense.
> The 1988 Camry is the most stolen car in the U.S. many years in a row,
> and mine's never been stolen.
> I'd rather pay $3 for a duplicate key, and donate $297 to anyone who wants
> to lobby Congress for a Death Penalty for car thieves.
> (like the good old days for Horse thieves)
>
> I notice the side-windows of the ES 300 don't have an upper metal door-frame
> like most cars do.
> Can the roof alone support the weight of the car if the car ends up > upside down?
> I think the glass windows will shatter and the roof will not be able
> to support the weight of the car if the car flips over, but I could be wrong.
> Don't convertibles have a roll-bar or something for this?
> OK, I've never flipped over my 1988 Camry or any other car I've driven. >
> It is quite easy to be doing 80mph and not realize it in an ES300.
> And that may not be a bad thing at all.
>
> My 1988 Camry had a power/normal switch for the ECT transmission in addition
> to the overdrive on/off.
> The ES300 only has a overdrive on/off.
>
> The transmission dipstick is a lot more difficult to put back
> than the 1988 Camry's.
>
> Looks like the ES 300 has a smaller turning radius than my 1988 Camry.
> I have not seen a sedan with a larger turning radius than my 1988 Camry. >
> I get about 25 mpg on 87 Octane on my 1988 Camry (2.5L V6).
> I only get about 23 mpg on 91 Octane on my 2000 ES 300 (3.0L V6).
> Maybe my ES 300 engine is sludged.
>
> I like the ES 300 dash/display much more than my 1988 Camry dash/display.
> And this wood-panel(?) steering wheel is way too nice!
> I heard this option in a Benz costs a small fortune.
>
> Excellent defogging/defrosting system in the ES300.
> But my 1988 Camry almost never fogs up in similar situations.
> What's the deal here?
>
> Is the electromagentic-shielding inside the ES300 too good?
> My garage-door opener doesn't work unless I open the sunroof or the window.
> Never had this problem in my 1988 Camry.
>
> Why do some ES 300s have 2 exhaust pipes? (same muffler)
> My 1988 Camry had 1 muffler with 2 exhaust pipes, but my ES 300 only
> has one exhaust pipe.
>
> The standard stereo system in the 2000 ES 300 is much better than the stereo
> system in my 1988 Camry.
> Yes, automotive audio technology has improved much more than automotive > cup-holder
> technology over the years.
>