My wife totalled my ES300. I'm looking at an 04 ES330 129,000 mi to replace it. I asked the owner if the timing belt had been replaced he said it has. I asked if the trans fluid has been changed and was told it has been rebuilt with an updated third gear. He says that transmission has a reputation for blowing that gear. Is it true and should I be worried about the trans if the rest of the car checks out?
Keep looking.
Unless the seller can provide receipts to prove the trans rebuild and fluid and filter change and the timing belt change, I would find another deal somewhere else. You could be looking at and expensive headache.
So, it turns out the guy is selling it at his work and he owns a transmission shop.
Like yaser said, keep looking, unless this guy is going to give you a 3 year warranty with 100% coverage.