Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Options
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
I drove my car several times before I decided it was okay, which was hard since it only had 10 miles on it when I first drove it.
I now have 2,800 miles and I am SO glad I got the car, despite the many complaints about the transmission/throttle lag.
So far I am among the lucky ones.
Knock wood the problem won't arise after several thousand miles.
I wrote them a strong letter, with a copy to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, highlighting the safety issue. I'll send you a copy if you want.
Email me at: JerryFle@adelphia.net
Actually you can have that cluster repaired. I had a similar problem in my LS400 and will send it out to have it done soon. Here is the person I'm thinking of using:
Mikado Engineering in San Fran.
1435 Huntington Ave
SF, CA 94080
650-615-9966
I had my Climate Control unit rebuilt by them as well. Also, consider this guy too. I've heard good things about him on other forums
http://www.dashusa.com/japanese_imports.htm
Hope this Helps,
SV
They have done everything that can be done for the current model and a redesigned model will be coming one day.
It wasn't attractive even when it first came out. They ruined the looks from the previous generation. Only the interior looks better than before.
The engine is not weak, but it has less power than most competitors other than the Mercedes C240. Even a 325i has less than 200HP.
The ES330 certainly has adequate power for a car that is non-sporty.
If the transmission\throttle response was as slick and refined as you would expect in a Lexus, it would be very nice to drive.
I wish it were quieter also. It is somewhat quiet, but not even remotely as quiet as an LS430. I think every Lexus except the IS should be shockingly quiet and this isn't. Tire noise is quite apparent on average roads.
Has anyone else noticed that or did I drive an odd-ball? Maybe I should have driven another one, but that really turned me off as far as the ES 330 is concerned.
Not to mention that it didn't have much power, but that's another story.
2020 Ascent Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
My dealership here in Atlanta expects major changes for the 2007 model. Does anyone know what those changes might be, or when the 2007 model will hit the dealerships?
Might want to go to www.autovisuals.com They have an auto pen that gets rave reviews.
I plan on ordering one today since I have small scratches on my NEW 2005's bumper. At least I had the car three months in all it's exterior perfection, smile.
All I could imagine is some special trim "Coach Edition" etc. to add some interest in it's final year.
You can not drive in icy/snowy conditions. But otherwise they are very quiet and smooth.
Is this A/C Compressor going bad? The dealership mechanic told me that this noise is normal, but I am having a hard time believing this.
I'd appreciate any help.
Thanks.
I took the car into the shop anyway, and hoping that the mechanic will come to some conclusion, since he already replaced my A/C belt.
Thanks again.
1. Does the system allow you to input addresses using your voice? Both street numbers and street names?
2. Is the nav system integrated with other features, like climate control and radio? My TL allows me to say "Temperature 70 degrees," and then makes the appropriate change.
3. Can you input data while driving?
4. Is it also a touchscreen system?
Thanks for all your help.
I have a typical hour-long southern California commute to work that involves stop-start driving, constantly going between first and second gears. The car frequently lurches forward, to the point where I often don't feel I have control of the car. For me, this isn't just an issue of annoyance; it borders on unsafe. For a $35,000 car, this problem is unacceptable, particularly given Lexus's reputation for quality. Like many others above, I was told at the dealership that "the car is performing as designed" and "you'll get used to it soon". Nonsense.
I called the Lexus Customer Satisfaction Dept. at 1-800-255-3987 and the guy I talked with said they get complaints about the ES's transmission "daily". I am disappointed that this problem -- one that clearly many people know about -- was never disclosed by the Lexus sales staff.
I have already filed a report with the National Highway Safety Administration (1-800-424-9393) and am filing written complaints with Lexus and Consumers Union. I urge others who are having this transmission/acceleration problem to take action. It's clearly the only way we're going to get results.
The wife's '98 ES300 seems to be the one with the advanced technology!
Martin
1. No. You input street addresses, numbers via the touch screen. No voice commands for that.
2. No. Temperature is set via regular buttons not on the touch screen and not via voice. The radio stations are set via the touch screen although you can command the audio on or off via voice.
3. No. You can give it the pre-determined voice commands while you drive and you can use the touch screen for things like changing the radio stations and the views of the maps but you can not, for example, change the destination information (things you would use the touch pad to do) while the car is moving. The touch screen actually dims those buttons once the car is in motion.
4. Yes. (See above)
I find that the voice commands are frequently misunderstood by the system while the car is in motion. I'm told by the dealer that it's the background noise of the movement the causes the system to get the voice commands wrong.
"For me, it was a deal-breaker."
Me too - that and the uncomfortable drivers seat. I only drove the car for about 15 minutes, but the hesitation was horrible. (The drivers seat felt "lumpy" too)
I'm picking up my BMW this afternoon. :shades:
2020 Ascent Limited, 2024 Subaru Legacy Sport
I loved my Camry but the Lexus is a step up in many aspects. It is smoother, quicker and loaded with creature comforts like leather heated/cooled seats, moonroof, real wood accents, HID, rear shade, 6 disc CD changer and a four year warranty.
Found the dealership to be much better, too. My car came with summer tires, a fact I didn't realize until the day I picked up my car. The dealer gave me five of the newest Michelins THREE WEEKS later at no charge when I asked for them. Just stamped the paperwork "goodwill." Would Toyota do that? Maybe, maybe not.
I have 4,000 miles on my car as of today. Initially I felt some hesitation when driving 1-5 miles. But it wasn't consistent. I don't have the 1-2 second lag/hesitation some folks do when merging, accelerating, passing.
I would recommend the car.
Good luck.
My question to Camry and ES 330 Owners - How do you think your cars will hold up to a 6-Foot 230 Pound guy behind the wheel, all types of weather and washboard roads?
Yeah, it's hard to believe that Lexus screwed up such a good car. A new ES330 with the styling and driveability of the wife's 98 ES300 would have been a no-brainer for me.
I was also impressed with the BMW "driving experience" and should be getting my new 2005 530i next week. Hope you enjoy yours.
Martin
I have been reading about the reported hesitation/transmission problems, and thought that I had been spared. However, today I took it in for the 5k service and had a 2004 ES loaner. I found the loaner to be much smoother than my car, in terms of smooth up and downshifting and a more responsive throttle. When I picked up my car, I mentioned this to the service writer and inquired about why this may be so (different size tires, etc?). He told me that last night(4/1) at 5pm, a new TSB came in with some kind of re-program for the "intelligent" transmission on the 2005...erase the memory, drive normal, whatever. I had the service dept do this fix right then, rather than wait until the 10k service. Took about 2 hours, and I immediately noticed that my car is now much smoother and more responsive...just like the loaner. I have only driven about 15 miles since the fix, but so far so good. Interesting thing, I would not have known that my car had the issue had I not driven the loaner. I guess ignorance is bliss.
The problem may be that since the car learns "your " driving behavior, it may be picking up bad habits when driving in stop and go traffic (the story of my life...about 1 hour per day on Capitol Beltway in DC area).
I hope the fix holds. I guess we'll see. Thought this story may be of interest to some of you. No, it's not an April Fool's joke, unless the dealer's story about the TSB was one on me.
Can you provide more specifics about this fix? The throttle delay still bother me in my 2005 ES330, and I really don't want to get used to it. Is there some number or name assigned to this TSB?