Lexus ES 300 (XV20, 1997–2001) review: the old-money Camry, still running
3.1/5motorssouq Editorial Team
Buy an XV20 ES 300 in Bahrain today for one reason only: it is one of the most dependable, cheapest-to-run used luxury sedans a modest budget can find, riding on a Camry platform that every workshop in the country already understands. It is not fast, not sharp, and not particularly safe by modern standards — do not cross-shop it against anything from the last ten years. Find a well-kept, low-corrosion example with real service history and it will keep going for years for very little money.
Pros
- 1MZ-FE 3.0-litre V6 has a three-decade reputation for durability
- Heavy parts commonality with the period Camry keeps repairs cheap
- Quiet, softly sprung cabin that still rides better than many modern budget sedans
- Among the cheapest genuine Lexus badges to own in Bahrain
Cons
- Only two airbags and no modern driver-assistance systems
- Interior plastics and AC components need close inspection after decades in Gulf heat
- Soft, numb steering and dated dynamics by any current standard
- Timing belt (not chain) service must be current regardless of how the engine sounds
The second-generation ES 300 arrived in 1997 built on the same platform as the contemporary Camry, and Lexus never pretended otherwise — the pitch was a quieter cabin, softer suspension tuning, extra sound insulation and a nicer set of materials wrapped around mechanicals that Toyota had already proven were close to unbreakable. The 3.0-litre 1MZ-FE V6 makes a modest 200 hp, and the 4-speed automatic is unremarkable by any modern measure, but both units have a three-decade reputation for simply not failing.
Why it is still around in Bahrain
Almost thirty years on, the reason XV20 examples survive on Bahrain roads is entirely practical: parts interchange heavily with the equivalent-era Camry, independent workshops across the island know the platform cold, and a used engine or transmission from a parts car costs a fraction of what a newer luxury sedan's equivalent repair would. It is, in effect, a Camry that happens to be quieter and more comfortable, sold at a used price that reflects its age rather than its badge.
What to check before buying
At this age, condition matters far more than history on paper. Interior plastics and dashboard trim can crack after decades in Gulf heat, air-conditioning compressors and evaporators are a common weak point on a car this old, and any evidence of accident repair or flood damage should be a hard pass. Mechanically the 1MZ-FE V6 is genuinely tough, but a timing belt (not chain) needs replacing on a schedule regardless of how healthy the engine sounds — confirm it has been done.
Set expectations correctly: this is a comfortable, hushed, easy-to-drive sedan with two airbags and no modern driver-assistance systems, not a small luxury saloon by 2026 standards. Buy it as inexpensive, dependable transport with a Lexus badge, not as an investment.