Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Lexus ES 300/ES 330
This discussion has been closed.
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
EPA ratings wer also listed as well as on lexus.com at 21/29 vs infiniti's 18/24
Hmmmmm--I have already forgotten those 45 extra ponies in I35---also the interior of Es 300 is really best in class and flawless
The ES engine is the same, but has been tweaked to get ULEV certification and better mileage (21/29).
fredvh,
Depending on the region, the 2001 ES could've been had for as low as $27.5K base as far back as June 2001. You'll be lucky to find an unsold, new '01 ES at a Lexus dealer now. Most of them sold them out during the clearance sale in September.
That's pretty much what it boils down to really. If you're more performance-oriented than luxury-oriented, you're better off with the I35 or TL-S. If you're picky about the interior and can swallow the price premium, the ES is the way to go.
Personally, because I'm big on interior quality (currently driving an LS), I like the ES. It may have less performance than an I35, but chances are I'll still smoke 90% of the I35's I encounter on the road. Street driving in LA area is a lot different than doing laps on a track or hitting a sparsely traveled mountain road.
The point is, if you're not one that pushes the car to its limits, the performance difference between these cars isn't going to mean much, if anything, to you.
EPA of 21/29 listed on lexus.com
I35 ePA listed on motor-trend
Michelin Artic Alpin OR Pilot Alpin
Bridgestone Blizzak
BFGoodrich touring T/A VR
Which if any of these are actual snow tires versus all season radials? I was once told that I can't put snow tires just in front on a front wheel drive car and leave regular tires in the rear. They said that the difference in tread design is too extreme and it could cause handling/braking problems. Any truth to this? Any thoughts on snow tires vs. a very aggressive all season radials? Any comments on the above tires or any other tires would be very much appreciated.
Thanks
I was at one of those 2002 ES intro parties at a local dealer last night. The car they had in the showroom was Millenium Silver and it looked awesome.
I would highly recommend these tires. Plus they're more reasonably priced than other tires but you don't sacrifice anything that I have noticed.
If you go to Infiniti.com, it lists it as 20/26, the exact same mileage Edmunds lists for the I35.
Methinks Lexus is trying to pull a fast one.
Way to go Lexus!
If you want pricing, specs, etc., then Lexus has been just as 'elusive' with the new ES since pricing and equipment lists only came out a couple of weeks ago. So is Lexus elusive, too?
And regardless of whether the I35 has 255 or 260, it's still a heck of a lot more than the ES has
LS 430 -- #1 most appealing premium luxury car
GS 300/430 -- #1 most appealing mid-luxury car
ES 300 -- #1 most appealing exntry luxury car (IS 300 was #2)
The APEAL study measures what excites and delights new vehicle owners with their vehicle's features and designs. The study includes over 110 attributes consumers like and dislike in the following eight categories:
1. Exterior styling
2. Engine and transmission
3. Comfort and convenience
4. Ride, handling and braking
5. Seats
6. Heating, ventilation and cooling
7. Cockpit and instrument panel
8. Sound system
It's interesting how you seem to spend so much time on this board. Typically people hang around other people/things they like. I for the life of me can't figure out why you spend so much time on a board for a car that you really seem to dislike made by a company you dislike even more. One of life's mysteries.
And mmcbride-you got my name wrong like all the other facts about lexus
But you guys in here constantly post misleading information about the ES's competition (I30/35 and TL/TL-S). If this is the only source for something that people read, I'd at least like it to be accurate. That way they can make an informed decision.
The whole mileage thing is just one example.
Also, I didn't see the option for heated seats. Are they standard now??
Everyone makes mistakes because nobody knows everything.
Even you get facts wrong. As you'll recall, you're the one on the I35 board who said the I35 had every feature the ES 300 did, while I was able to list about 12-15 items the ES has that the I35 does not. Based on your post, someone would falsely believe the I35 had side curtain airbags or real wood trim or 4-wheel independent suspension.
So you made a mistake and the correct information came out. That's what these boards are for -- sharing info and learning.
gambhir, OTOH, has made no such concession. In fact, he even re-quoted the Lexus.com wrong info after I informed him of the error, and said 'good for Lexus' or something like that.
And I could be wrong, but I believe the I35's wood trim may be real (Infiniti's website was little help here). I know the I30's is not, though. It definitely is different.
While the I35 may not have side curtain airbags, it does have side airbags for the front occupants and it has active headreasts to reduce the risk of whiplash for the front passengers in case of an accident. The ES does not have that feature (or if it does, Lexus doesn't tell people about it).
We are here to talk about the ES 300, not each other - please keep that in mind. Several posts have been removed.
If anyone wants to compare this vehicle to any others, please hop over to our Comparisons - Sedans vs. Sedans board and either join a discussion in progress, or feel free to fire up a new one if the comparison in which you are interested is not already underway.
Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board
If they had what I wanted I would buy today, but they don't. So I went to my local LEXUS dealer today (LEXUS OF RENO), and was told I could order exactly the car I wanted, with the normal delivery time as described on other posts.
However, they demanded a check for $5000.00 for a special order. They said they would not cash the check, and destroy it when I took delivery of the car I ordered. But in the event I did not buy the car when it came in, they would cash the check and I would forfeit the money.
Like I said earlier, I do want the car, but I was offended by this practice, I have never had a dealer require this on any other vehicle I have ordered.
Has any one else experienced this practice.
If you decide to go ahead with the transaction, I strongly suggest that you pay the $5000 with a credit card instead of a check. This protects you if the dealer fails to deliver the car - because, say, of a business failure. You could then ask your bank to reverse the charge. But if the dealer fails to deliver the car after you've given him a $5000 check, you'll have a much harder time getting back your money.
I would not do business with any dealer that refused to accept my credit card for a downpayment.
I ordered a Millennium Silver '02 with a light charcoal leather interior. I hope to get it within a few weeks. It's part of the dealer's allotment, so nothing other than a $500 deposit was asked for. It will have everything but nav and Levinson.
By "everything but nav and Levinson", do you mean you were able to get, without special order, an ES with AVS/VSC/rear sunshade/HID and without nav and Levinson?
This is the config I would want too, but didn't fit into the 3 configurations I read about in this forum.
Well, I took delivery this afternoon of my new ES300. It’s black with ivory leather. It has the premium package ($2,110), wood & leather wheel (330), HID headlights w/auto leveling (640), cargo net (28), trunk mat (64) and wheel locks (41). Along with delivery, processing and handling (read “markup”) (575), the total cost was $35,293, plus T&L.
I bought it through a local PRIVATE auto dealer, Tom Himes, who’s been in the business for many years. I picked up the car at his office, and had no need to mess with salesmen, closers, finance managers, etc. Tom made the buying experience totally stressless. If you’ve had a problem like davxx1, you might try to find a private dealer to work with. If you’re in the Phoenix area, call Tom; he’s in the book!
Oh, about the car... All I can say is, WOW! I love the styling from every angle. The climate control works very well; it was almost 90 degrees today, and the car had been sitting in the sun. It cooled right down in a couple minutes.
The leather seats are very adjustable and very comfortable. I drove it about 35 miles home from the office, and it feels wonderful. Sound system (6-disc In-dash CD changer) is very good. My brother is a musician who drives a new C-class Benz, and just doesn’t think any other car measures up to any Benz. He was very impressed with the audio quality. Incredibly, he (very begrudgingly) found it necessary to admit that my car is every bit the car his is, and more. He drove it and I really think his faith in the infallibility of the M-B has been profoundly shaken. He actually admitted it reminds him of an S-class!
One thing that surprised me: the laser-cut, chip-embedded keys are over $400 each. If you lose both of them, it’s like $3,000 to replace them! I’ll have to talk to a plastic surgeon about surgically attaching them to our persons!
Driving down the freeway, I passed several ES owners, including a couple of 2001s. Got a lot of neck-craning and staring. One was driving a beautiful new black SC430, and he nodded approvingly. I just feel great behind the wheel of this car. It’s worth the money, no doubt about it. Handling and power are very satisfying. I was worried that I’d want the variable suspension for a stiffer ride, but I don’t think I’ll miss it. It soaks up irregularities in the road very well. I took a drive with 5 passengers and noticed no difference in ride or handling.
I researched the heck out of all the competitors in this class, and I’m really glad I waited for the ‘02 ES. I can honestly say I feel just like I’m driving an S-class, and I’ll just smile when I see one now. More later.
Cordially,
RNBESQUIRE
Congrats on your new purchase, and being one of the first to be driving around town in the new ES!
I'm glad to hear the standard audio system is also excellent. The Lexus salesman I talked to confided that he couldn't tell much difference between the standard and Mark Levinson audio systems. One would likely have to be an audiophile to appreciate the difference as well.
jimbres: Thanks for your info
Renbesquire--woweeeeeee--Congrats--Yes you are driving a better than S car--no doubt--I am anxiously waiting for mine end of this month and I believe lenscap is next to celebrate with his gorgeous Millenium silver
Greaaaaaat
He got a real good deal on his very fine '01 GS, but he said he now wishes he had been able to wait. He loved the whole package, exterior and interior.
He looked at the ES wistfully as he drove away...
Head- and legroom in the back seat are very good; no cramped feeling at all. My wife and I feel it is much more roomy than the GS.
A new car always makes one feel better, but this one is unique. I'll revel in this car for a long time to come.
Cordially,
RNBESQUIRE
I totally love the HID headlights. They are like laser beams, and are a must purchase. The look of the car from the front with the HIDs and fogs on is very impressive.
Crystal White ES 300 $ 31,505.00, Navigation System/Mark Levinson Audio Package (Leather Interior with memory and 6-Disc CD Changer) $ 4,860.00, Wood & Leather Steering Wheel $ 330, Heated Front Seats $440 (not needed in California), High Intensity Discharge Headlamps (excellent headlamps) $ 640, Vehicle Skid Control $650, Power Rear Sun Shade $ 210, Cargo Net $ 28, Trunk Mat $ 64, Wheel Locks $ 41.
I didn't care for the standard wheels, so they replaced them with Lexus GS 300 Chrome Wheels for $ 850, they look great. I think they changed the ride quality a bit. The ES 300 chrome wheels were not available.
We also ordered the Gold Kit for $450. That will take up to 3 weeks. If you can order the car with a license plate holder in the front of the car, it looks cleaner.
The Mark Levinson sound system in the demo, sounded really weak. I thought audio system was going to be worst than the standard unit (played a CD). But our car's Mark Levinson system sounds wonderful with really clear sound. Be careful.
Make sure you put the dome light to "auto", otherwise illum. lighting system does not work. And since I'm not used to placing my key in the dash versus the steering column, I scratched the steering column trim.
Likes: Quiet, comfortable, Nav. and Mark Lev. Sound System. Optitron Gauges and high quality interior. Great Headlamps with HID
Dislikes: Transmission doesn't shift smoothly, maybe it will improve. Exterior Style not classy like previous years. Parking Brake pedal causes me to scrape my shoes. Needs more horsepower.
We test drove the 2002 Jaguar X-type 3.0 $ 42,000 (worth $25,000), Acura TL Type-S (great value, good handling and powerful, but not as refined) and Acura RL (lease cost for a $ 54,000 car would be $ 450 per month - great value and again not as refined). My wife's 1999 Toyota Solara has the same interior as the new ES 300 and she wanted something with the same quality feel.
We have had great luck with Toyota cars, hope our Lexus will be even better.
davxx1 -- I placed a $500, fully-refundable deposit on the new ES 300 back in February. That is what my dealer then used when I ordered my car last week. No extra money was required, but remember the dealer knows me since we've bought so many cars from him. I don't know what deposit would have been needed if he didn't know me (perhaps nothing else).
rnbesquire & caves -- Thanks for all the great info on your new cars!
gambhir -- Let us know all about your ES when you get it. You'll probably have the first Black Garnet on this board.
My dealer said it will take about 90 days for my Millenium Silver with black interior ES to arrive. It's going to be a long wait!
I noticed that there is no wood around power window switches--though my current Platinum had it
Other than that I think it is a magnificient car
You must be the envy of your town
Lenscap--I share your agony of wait--for me waiting three more weeks is becoming impossible!
I sat in a 2002 ES in my dealer's showroom over the weekend and am simply amazed at the upscale nature of the interior. Everything is simply top-notch. One note: It is really neat the way the glove box door does not drop open when you unlatch it -- it opens slowly.
Quick question: where can you lease an Acura RL for $450/mo??
Your order will take 90 days if you ordered a non-standard config (see earlier posts)--my suspicion is you either ordered AVS or ordered Mark levinson or nav in isolation but not together--these cars have to be custom built and would hence take 90 days--will be less if you choose a more conventional config-there are 3 configs so far
It is a great toy even if you don't really need it on a daily basis. I would want to have it in my next car just like I would like to have a great stereo system that I don't really "need" to have.
If you are a real estate agent that needs to take clients around town from house to house or have some other similar use or travel out of town a lot, then it is probably worth it.