Comments by "Stephen DiBari" (@stephendibari5010) on "The Car Care Nut" channel.

  1. Yes ! I’m 58 and I feel the same way. Too many years of owning German (Audi and VW) cars and Volvos. These all have issues and headaches as they get older. Lexus/Toyota have the best quality and won’t bankrupt you. I even sold my 2013 es350 to buy my current 2002 es300. Didn’t want a high monthly payment, now I have no payment with all the luxury and refinement I need
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  2. My 2002 Lexus ES300 is amazing. The (02-06) generation is the best ES Gen. Quality and fit and finish is unparalleled. Not one squeak or rattle anywhere. Everything still works. I have 173k miles, I’m the second owner. New struts installed last summer. Rides like new, rear end is sitting up high like it was when it was new. Bought it in April 2021 soon after had to replace the OEM alternator and AC compressor (started squealing). Earlier this year I had to replace the original starter. These parts lasted 20 years! A true testament to the build quality and reliability of the original parts ! All parts except struts were replaced with GENCO I’ll keep this one for 10+ years!!
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  3. That’s a WOW. Amazing to see a 13 year old Camry in this mint condition ! Only 1,000 miles is incredible
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  4. Great advice putting the car in neutral first then applying the emergency parking brake, I’ve been doing this for many years. I Only use my emergency parking brake if I park on a severe hill/slope. Good points on downshifting “You can’t keep on doing the same thing and expect a different result”. LOL. Defines insanity pretty well ! Always use the lowest gear and go easy on the throttle I’ve been putting my Lexus in Neutral at every red light. Great tip on not doing this
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  5. The fact that you did this video on your own truck with only 5k miles and didn’t need to change your plugs shows your work ethic and honesty. I don’t have this engine but always like to watch your DIY videos.
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  6. He’s a former Toyota Master mechanic and recently left Toyota and opened up his own repair shop. This is the Bible of car mechanic channels
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  7. Awesome 👏. I have a 2002 Lexus ES300 which is based off this Camrys platform. I have “only” 173k miles. Timing belt, water pump and valve cover gasket changed at 88k miles. Best car I’ve ever owned. Replaced these 20 year old OEM parts: alternator, starter, struts and exhaust flex pipe. Car rides like new. Not one creak or rattle. Super quiet and luxurious
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  8. Amazing condition for 141k miles !! Love it. I’m sure it was garaged. My 2002 ES300 just turned 170k miles. I’m the 2nd owner. I bought it in April 2021 with 160k miles, the original owner did replaced the timing belt, valve cover gasket and water pump all at 88k miles. Mine is in very good condition but nothing like this one. Surprised to see this LS400 doesn’t have an eyeglass sunglass holder like my ES300. Also surprised to see the fuel filler door is on the passenger side, on my ES 300 and mostly all Toyotas now they’re on the drivers side The first year Lexus LS400 was advertised with a pyramid of champagne glasses on the hood while the car was running to display the vibration excellence.
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  9. Toyota/Lexus are the KING OF RELIABILITY based on great design, quality parts, remarkable fit and finish. Im the 2nd owner of 2002 ES300 that just turned 174k miles. Original owner changed the timing belt, water pump and valve cover gasket at 88k miles. They serviced it at a Lexus dealership thru 110k miles. Since I bought it in April 2021 I replaced all 4 struts, original OEM Alternator, starter and exhaust flex pipe. This baby rides like new, quiet and tight. Everything still works like new, every button and switch. I’ll be keeping this one until the wheels fall off which will be 10+ years ! 1MZ engine the predecessor of this 3MZ is an awesome engine. I don’t burn any oil between 5k synthetic oil changes ! Reason why I bought my ES300: 590k highway miles on original engine and transmission https://youtu.be/75YcIEyWmco
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  10. When i was 22 years old, my first new car was my 1986 MR2, 5 speed manual, red with black/gray cloth interior and red rear wing. Changed the oil every 3k miles. Loved the pop up headlights. Not one problem ever. Kept it for 7 years and sold it with 73k miles and never had to change the pads or rotors!. Always engine braked by downshifting. Toyotas are super reliable
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  11. 7 minutes in and this is def. not a DYI job... excellent work. as always, smart and making sure you do the job correctly. One thing i always do is kneel on a cushioned pad, i have a few, keep one in the trunk of my ES300, my knees cant be on a concrete floor.
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  12. I had a 2013 ES350. Bought it used in 2018 kept it for 2 years and sold it for financial reasons only. The car was flawless, not one issue in 2 years. Same month I bought my 2002 ES300 from the original owner w 160k miles. All records showed on Lexus owners website. Timing belt, water pump and valve cover gasket all replaced at 88k miles. Best car I’ve ever owned! Fit and finish is unparalleled. Craftsmanship is amazing. Tight and quiet. I’ve had comments on YouTube saying that it’s just a glorified Camry not even close the amount of insulation used and the tightness of the suspension is unparalleled. Shock tower brace under the hood and rear structural brace behind the rear seats really solidified this car
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  13. My 1MZ Engine in my 2002 ES300 is amazing. I’m the second owner bought it in April 2021 with 161,000 miles. It was serviced at a local Lexus dealership according to the Lexus owners website from day one. the timing belt was done at 88,000 miles also new water pump and valve cover gasket. Last summer had a certified mechanic change out all four struts because the original rear ones were leaking, changed out the original AC compressor (was squealing) and original alternator. All of these parts lasted 19 years which proves the longevity and durability of Toyota/Lexus. Everything works nothing is broken, the car is solid and tight not a creek or rattle anywhere I Did my first synthetic oil change last year at 5k miles. I’ll be keeping this car for 10 plus years!
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  14. Love the LS430 and this was another great informative video. Maybe when i retire in 5 years i'll move into an 05-06 and sell my 2002 ES300 which now has 178k trouble free miles (im the 2nd owner). great points on the 'cycling' of repairs needed. the dark cherry one with only 57k miles needs the most work because its time to replace parts.
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  15. So much honesty here! Appreciate this video. In April 2019 i bought my 2013 ES350 with only 30,009 miles on it from a non-Lexus dealership. THe original owner traded it in along with a high mileage BMW. Since i financed it, i decided to get a 4 year 48k miles extended warranty. I did it for piece of mind, yes it’s similar to car insurance. It’s for a “just in case” situation. Although these Lexus ES350’s are virtually bullet proof, you just never know. In hindsight now after owning this for almost 2 years, i wouldn’t get the extended warranty if i had to buy a similar ES350 today. at that time i lumped the warranty into the car finance so it wasn’t a big upfront cost.
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  16. 3 years ago I was tempted to look into a LS430 but i chose my 2002 ES300, original owner with 160k miles. within first 2 years i did have to replace several original OEM parts: starter, alternator, exhaust flex pipe, front brake calipers, denso ignition coil packs, denso plugs, and 4 struts. all other parts were replaced with GENCO. but its worth every penny. best car i’ve ever owned. now with 180k miles and going strong.
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  17. German cars (except Porsche) are exciting to drive but After 5 years old and/or 50k + miles they will bankrupt you. My 2002 Lexus ES300 maybe “boring” to most people but at 176k miles it’s as reliable as anything on the road today. I replaced all 20 year old OEM parts (starter, alternator and struts) and now it rides like new. It will last me another 176k miles with proper maintenance !!
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  18. awesome convo with the savage geese dudes. After watching this, I’m extremely happy I made a smart decision 3 1/2 years ago and bought my one owner 2002 Lexus ES300 w 161k miles. No way I’m buying a new car not even when I retire. The 4th gen ES is outstanding. Car is a tank, quality build is outstanding. Whisper quiet, every button/switch still works like new. Now with 186k miles, recent timing belt/water pump (2nd replacement since new), new struts and a few other OEM replacement parts (starter, alternator) I’m set for many many years. At 60 I’m keeping this car until the wheels fall off which is never. I change the synthetic oil myself every 5k miles. 2 years ago I replaced all plugs and Ignition coil packs with DENSO. If properly maintained and driven, The 1MZ-FE engine will last well past 300k miles
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  19. Read my post above. I sold my 2013 Lexus ES 350 just this past April and bought a 2002 Lexus ES 300 with 161,000 miles. One owner. Amazing car.
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  20. My 2002 Lexus ES 300 with now about 167,000 miles is rattle free, tight and solid. The level of craftsmanship is unparalleled. I bought it from the original owner last April. Last summer I had the following work done: 1. Replaced all four struts last summer because the rear ones were leaking. 2. Replaced original alternator 3. Replaced original air conditioner unit because it’s starting to squeal and didn’t want to take a chance of not getting through the summer without air conditioning. Now the car sits about an inch or two higher in the back the way it was when it was new as well as the ride which is like it just came off the showroom floor. Last summer I replaced the in-dash CD changer/cassette player with a double din Alpine touch screen unit with a hard wired backup camera. And now it works smoothly with my iPhone for Google Maps and my Apple Music I wish you were closer to New York I would love to bring my car to you for a complete look over like you did with this car. I love how you take your time and evaluate everything based on experience. Toyotas/Lexus are the best cars/SUVs on the road today. dependability and reliability are unparalleled. I almost bought a similar year v6 Camry but I figured for an extra thousand or more I would get an older Lexus like mine. I searched for a one owner well-maintained and found my beautiful ES300. The original owner replaced the timing belt, water pump, and valve cover gasket at 88,000 miles. It was serviced at a local Lexus dealership in New Jersey all the way through 110,000 miles According to the Lexus owners website.
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  21. I have a 2002 Lexus ES300 w 186k miles, Its a tank and super reliable, super quiet and luxurious.
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  22. LEXUS is the KING of luxury, fit and finish and reliability ! My 2002 ES 300 just turned 170k miles and w new struts it rides so smooth, interior finish and quality is unparalleled. It’s quiet like a vault and still tight. Not one creek or rattle. Everything still works every button and switch. The amount of insulation they used 20 years ago is incredible. I’ve got people on YouTube who commented that it’s just an expensive Camry. Not even close. There is more luxury items, Real walnut interior and insulation. My ES300 feels like it just drove off the showroom floor with 170,000 miles !
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  23. Another awesome video. I absolutely love this Supra. I hope the detailing shop does a video on it too.
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  24. Love the LS430’s ! The original owner of my 2002 ES300 changed the timing belt at 88k miles also changed the water pump and valve cover gasket. I now have 170,500 miles and I’ll be having it changed at 180k miles.
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  25.  @Theyralltakenfu  this was in April of this year. Pained me to get rid of the 13 ES350. It was an amazing luxury sedan. Not one issue in 24 months. I’m gearing up for retirement in 5 years and didn’t need a big car payment. This 02 ES300 is as luxurious and refined as the 13. Feels like it’s no more than a few years old let alone almost 20.
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  26. Excellent Video AMD.. Im glad my 2002 Lexus ES300 is super quiet, now with about 173k miles ! Sunroof is tight, so are the windows. The amount of insulation is amazing, even in the front fender i can see the gray foam in the door jam. Love this car and i'll be keeping it for 10+ years well into my retirement in 2029 !!
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  27. 634k !! Awesome! My 2002 LEXUS ES300 just turned 174k miles and hoping with proper maintenance and my 5k mile synthetic oil changes I get 250-300k ! I’m confident I can. There is one on YT w 590k miles
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  28. Love the LS 430 ! Buying a good well taken care of used one is the way to go ! I have a 2002 ES300 w 167k miles and it’s simply amazing. Best build quality. Fit and finish is unparalleled. Over the summer I installed 4 new struts after the rear ones were leaking. Amazing rides like new !
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  29. Great review AMD. Your reviews are the best on YT. COMPLETE car reviews Love the ES, as I’ve said on your channel a few times I have a 2002 ES300 now w 175k miles. i even I sold my 2013 ES350 to get rid of a $470 monthly payment and higher insurance and bought my ES300. Now I have ZERO monthly payment with all the luxury and refinement I need. I’m the second owner (bought in April 2021) and although I had to replace some original parts within first year of ownership due to age all w mostly GENCO parts: starter, alternator, AC condenser which started squealing but still worked, struts (rear ones started leaking) and exhaust flex pipe. this car is bulletproof especially with the 1MZ engine. I change the synthetic oil every 5k miles (3x so far). There is one on YT with 590k highway miles posted about 3 years ago w original engine and transmission. Amazing build quality, luxury and refined. Super quiet Everything still works like new. The 4th Gen ES (02-06) had one of the highest build quality’s
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  30. Spot on about what happened to the Avalon and why buy the crown when you can get a Lexus ES for a similar price. Great quality as usual but if you’re going to go around 50k you’re in Lexus territory price wise
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  31. The 4th Gen Lexus ES’s (2002-2006) are bulletproof if properly maintained! As I’ve commented on this channel a few times, My 2002 Lexus ES300 maybe “boring” to most people but at 176k miles it’s as reliable anything on the road today. I replaced 20 year old OEM parts (starter, alternator and struts) and now it rides like new. It will last me another 176k miles with proper maintenance !!
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  32.  @anthonymarinelli9224  my car even though its 20 years old drives like new. No creaks or rattles everything works. Not gonna chance it. Going to do at 180k miles
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  33. I had a 2013 ES350 (2nd owner) from 2018 to 2020. One of the best cars I’ve ever owned. v6 is solid and quiet. I would never get a 4 cylinder in this platform. Too heavy and would be underpowered. Sold that ES350 to Carvana for financial reasons and bought my 1 owner 2002 ES300 with 161k miles. Love this ES BETTER !! Solid and tight. Not a CREEK OR RATTLE. sound proofing is exceptional. Now with 4 new struts it rides like new !
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  34. I wish I lived closer to him. He would’ve did all my repairs (replaced 20 year old OEM parts, starter, alternator, exhaust flex pipe and struts) on my 2002 Lexus ES300
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  35. Love this Gen LS 430, best LS’s ever made. This is the one to buy. 1 or 2 owner meticulously maintained. If I didn’t buy my 2002 ES300 this would definitely be an option. Maybe when I retire in 5 years I’ll find one like this to replace my ES300
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  36. Awesome 👏 Another one I saved for My 2013 ES350. Definitely will follow your steps in this video. Will need to buy that overflow bucket and 1/4 inch ID clear plastic hose. Very clear and easy to follow !! Thanks ! Your channel is priceless. My grandfather was a mechanic, he owned a service station in Brooklyn NY back in the 1940 and 50’s. Definitely got my knack for working on cars from him.
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  37. Great analogy !!
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  38. Thanks ! If I get this I’ll go for the yearly subscription for less than $5 a month. I have the same scan tool that you showed in the first few minutes. It’s a basic one that just gives codes but this is so much more
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  39. what a wonderful gift for his dad. Thanks for sharing this AMD. These LS430's are amazing. Maybe when i retire in 3 to 4 years I'll pick one up, but for now I'm loving my 2002 ES300. Would need a PRE-purchase inspection for any car especially an LS430 !! those Quick struts are a NO GO !
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  40. $44k ! Insane. KUDOS to you AMD for being super honest, especially being a Toyota/Lexus fan. Best/most complete car review channel. Only thing missing is a test drive
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  41. Excellent video. Like how you compare the gas mileage to a two-door refrigerator going down the road. 😂.
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  42. Awesome video but for me I would never off road a truck like that. GX is a luxury style and obviously meant for luxurious cruising. Glad to hear Jose is ok and welcome to the team
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  43. God bless you AMD. This was a treat and a pleasure to watch !! My grandfather was a mechanic and at one time owned a gas/service station in Brooklyn NY back in the 1940-50’s. This is where I got some of my skills from. Yes Milwaukee battery operated tools are one of the best. My older son is an elevator mechanic here in NYC and he is in local union one and all his tools are Milwaukee. He loves them. Loved how organized your drawers are. Smart to use the top drawers for your commonly used tools. Surprised no P Touch labels on them, I guess you don’t need since you’re using them everyday. Awesome video. I’ve said this before but I wish I lived closer to you, My 1MZ in my 2002 ES300 would thank you !!
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  44. Exactly. Happened to my 2002 Lexus ES 300 New Year’s Eve day 2021. Some dude in the shopping center hit my bumper tore the bumper halfway off and the cost to fix it in New York State exceeded 70% of the value of my car and technically it was totaled. I got a cash payout from the insurance company got my car fixed and I even had the hood re-sprayed for $300 extra (labor only). Had my fog lights housings and headlights buffed out. Had a reputable body shop do the work who I’ve been going to for past 20 plus years. Not worried about selling it with a totaled title since ill be keeping this car for many years and if and when I sell it, it won’t be worth much anyway. It now has 172k miles but is in near excellent condition and this Gen ES are the best ever built and will last well into the 300k + miles if maintained well ! I found out in NY state DMV didn’t have to issue a “salvaged or reconditioned” title. But I’m certain an Autocheck or CarFax report will show my car was “totaled”.
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  45. What a beauty. only 141k miles and now rides like new. How can you not keep this car, if it was mine i wouldn't let go of it ! Awesome. super rare to see one in this physical condition
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  46. Love this video. Honest and on point. I owned a 2013 ES350 for 2 years as a second owner from ‘19 to April 21. One of the best cars I’ve ever owned. Not one issue in 24 months ! Sold it for financial reasons in April and bought my 2002 ES300 w 161k miles. One owner with all service done at Lexus dealership thru 110k miles including timing belt, water pump and valve cover replacement at 88k Just installed 4 new struts after the rear ones starting leaking. Now it rides like it just rolled off the showroom floor! Sits up much higher in the rear like it was new. Amazing build quality and fit and finish. Not one creak or rattle anywhere! Insulation is beefed up. I read and heard that this 4th generation is the best generation of the ES line up and I believe it ! There is a YouTube video of a 2002 ES300 w 590k highway miles still on the original engine and transmission! A well maintained older Lexus is the way to go. Let the previous owner get hit with depreciation. Definitely worth the upgrade from a Toyota. Fit and finish and quality of materials are a notch higher and yes more insulation really takes it to a higher level of refinement
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  47.  @Theyralltakenfu  nothing to be confused about. I did it for mostly financial reasons Sold my 13 ES350 to Carvana which was an excellent experience, they picked up my car at my home. Bought my 02 ES300 from a local dealership for $4,590 who pretty much buys cars at auction and flips them.
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  48. Great video ! 99% of customers would’ve believed they would need an induction cleaning after seeing those pics.
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  49. Great video. Still love the LS430 better. Maybe when I retire in 5 years I’ll sell my 2002 ES300 and get a LS430. Love your honest opinions and reviews.
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  50.  @AnalogWolf Im the 2nd owner of a 2002 ES300. Got it 2 1/2 years ago at 160k miles. Now with 185k miles. Shifts perfectly. Fluid is still red/pinkish. Will need to drain and refill soon
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