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http://www.geocities.com/busybeetoys/scoop/24-windom.jpg
http://www.geocities.com/busybeetoys/scoop/edn34-windom-rear.jpg
What do you think?
http://www.geocities.com/busybeetoys/scoop/
and then look for the jags '24-windom.jpg' and 'edn34-windom-rear.jpg'.
Enjoy.
Most Dealers do MORE than the minimum required.
I just took my 2000 Lexus to the dealer in Sacramento, CA for my 15,000 mile servicing on June 26th. The bill was $182.18. I have not had one thing wrong with the car since I bought it. I ask the dealer whether he would tell me if they found anything wrong, then fix it with out telling me. He said no.
What did they do for over $180? My 2000 just turned 16,000 and all I can see from my manual is an oil & filter change and an air conditioner filter change and a tire rotation. The rest is checking stuff that usuallly doesnt give us problems at 15,000 miles. The air conditioner filter change is described in the manual with pics and looks pretty straightforward. I've done 2 oil changes on the car myself and with a filter spend about $12. If I'm missing something important I'd love to know.
Please read my post #987 regarding my personal opinion about stepping on other model's toes if engine size is increased. Also, if nexus doesn't increase displacement on this engine, it will be quite embarrassing, considering that the new Nissan Altima will be offered with an optional 3.5L V6 at 240HP and the 2002 Maxima will have a 3.5L V6 at 260HP. I'm sorry but no Lexus model other than the SUV's, should have it's doors blown in by an Altima.
The Lexus will not get killed by the I35 and TL-S. The Infiniti is a total joke. I don't care how fast it is, park it next to a Maxima and you can't tell the difference. And the Acura just does not have a quality look and feel to the interior. To say the Lexus will get killed in sales is a poor comment. The new Q45 has 340 hp while the LS 430 has 290, but here are sales figures:
April
LS -- 2744
Q45 -- 565
May
LS -- 2807
Q45 -- 686
June
LS -- 2724
Q45 -- 543
The S-Class also has a low hp rating compared to the competition yet sells very well.
Further, the BMW 330i "only" has 225 hp, yet they are sold before the dealers get them. Same for the BMW 525i and 325i, which have even less hp. Is it embarrassing? People still buy these cars despite that because a car is more than just hp. If you are buying a car only for hp buy a Mustang.
Heck, the new Subaru WRX is a rocket, but I wouldn't take that car over an ES 300 in a million years.
A well informed car shopper would look at the
whole perspective of a car. HP is just one.
If that's all you want, then you gonna have
problems down the road. for me, I researched
and considered all kinds of cars. I read articles
by car experts, historical surveys, etc. but
overall I realized the best judge of cars are
their owners who share their stories in forums like Edmunds. but the owners views must complement the experts views or similar. Otherwise
people may just be making things up. I settled
on getting a Lexus. Initially didn't want an
ES but the test drive convince me that it was the
car I needed to have. It was so smooth and relaxing. Love the LS test drive too but too
large and not as elegant for my taste. So the
HP was not what made me buy the ES. It was the
balance of everything considered. Lexus knows
who their customers are. And most of them buy
lexus not for HP but for a heck of a lot more
goodies compared to MB, BMW, Audi for the buck.
It is a compromise no matter what type of car
you buy but I don't think there's a doubt that
Lexus gives people the best balance of everything
that people need and want in a luxury car. That's
how they reach their status. And I see them only
getting better.
I agree with you guys that it would be great to
have a 230HP or 260HP but Lexus right now believes
that HP is not one of the main reasons for their
success. Although I have to admit that Acura
TLS 260HP has gain a lot more popularity after
getting the 260HP but it was also because of
value, reliability, etc. 260HP on an ES would
make it look more attractive but it is a
compromise. However I do see a larger engine
(might not be 260) in a few years because
it simply cannot be removed from the equation
when the competitions are increasingly getting
larger displacements.
I don't know where they get their info/pics, but usually, it is off by quite a bit. If you were to remember back to december (about) of '99, they had some future pics of the Celsior (LS 430). It was pretty far off. I think those guys get early concepts, and print them.
As far as the new Brevis, that will probably be a Japan-only car; there are many of those. I believe the Toyota Japan Flagship has a 5.0L V12, that will probably never see our shores (emissions)
I test drove a 2002 TL it it drove much, much better.
The stereo was better in the Lexus, and real wood in the Lexus is nicer than fake wood in the Acura, but the base model Acura just plain drove better, felt more refined, was quieter and had more modern features. The TL-S Acuras were a little noiser and harder riding though.
I'm sure the new 2002 ES300 will be huge improvement. I'm going to look at it, and if it is too expensive, I will go back to the TL. There are not great discounts on the 2002 TLs now, but that may change in response to the competition from the new Lexus ES this fall.
With reference to your message #1014 and my message #1013, I think what you missed was your labor and the records. I'm a senior citizen and haven't been under a car for 30 years. You are right about the parts the dealer replaced but they also checked everything and recorded in the records that they found nothing wrong with the car. This gives a great piece of mind and makes a record for the future if something goes wrong even after the warranty period. Knowing their was not even a tiny oil leak is important to me that the car is near perfect.
I have had 6 or 7 new cars in my lifetime and they spent too much time at the dealers plus the time I spent under the hood.
The reason I bought a Lexus is because it is the most reliable, safe, quiet, fast car on the road. It has lived up to my dream.
Test drove the Acura TL and even though it feels quicker and the handling is better that the ES300 it is lacking in luxury and so it is unlikely that I would purchase one.
However I test drove the TL Type S and I had a ball. The ES300 is still more luxurious but the TL-S is a lot more fun to drive.
I hope the new ES300 will be fun to drive. If not, I am sure Lexus will sell many ES300's. However Acura could create a significant dent in their bottom line.
thx.
I'm about to try to order a 2002 ES. Anybody know what options will be available, e.g., chrome wheels, adjustable suspension, etc.? Are the dealers up to speed and able to order one now? Please reply to rnbesquire@aol.com. Thanks!
Here is what my dealer has said: Within a month or two the delaers will be notified of models, equipment, colors, etc. At that time I will select what I want. Then that order will be submitted prior to production so that one of the first 2002 models to be allocated to my dealer will be to my specs. If someone ahead of me on the list has the same specs, they will obviously have the choice of getting a car before me.
If you have any interest I'd say put down the deposit. If you don't like the car they'll give you it all back.
Do you think that if you wait until there is actually a car on the dealers lot, they are going to sell all of them before you get your chance to buy?
My friend had a 1994 ES 300 and loved the 1997 version when it came out in September 1996. But because he did not have a deposit, it was very hard to get a car. He would up ordering the car in January and not getting one until April. There were almost no cars just sitting on dealer lots (and there are three Lexus dealers very close to my home). All of the deposits had to be accomodated first. The few cars that were available were colors nobody wanted or lacked certain equipment. But my friend (like me) wanted to get the car equipped right and in a nicer color.
You may be right. The sad thing for me is that as consumers we don't have to be gouged. If buyers feel they are being gouged, why can't they walk away and return when the lot is so full of product the dealers will listen to a fair offer? I just did that with the local Audi folks and am glad I did. The fever was bad and I really wanted to trade my 2000 ES on an A6 2.7T, but when list was all the dealers would discuss, I walked. Now that the fever has broken, the ES is still fine for my needs.
Yes. Although some of the systems may look familiar, the ES300 has been completely re designed from the ground up. The obvious change, the styling, is designed to "turn heads" while the uncompromised luxury draws on many features introduced on the LS430.
2. How many versions of the ES300 will be available?
There will be only one version powered by a V6 engine featuring continuously Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (Vat-speed Electronically Controlled automatic transmission with intelligence (ECTi-). However, various option packages will be address a range of individual customer wants and needs.
3. How is the ES300 in terms of performance?
Although the horsepower and torque will remain the same, initial testing in Japan indicates the new ES300 has improved a outstanding flue mileage, and significantly lower emissions. In fact, the new ES300 now meets LEV or Ultra Low Emission standards for all 50 states.
4. Will the ES300 have the same optional DAD nexus Navigation System featured in the LS430?
The ES300 system will be similar, but will not include voice recognition or the interface with the Lexus phone. The screen however differs, allowing the driver to fold it out of the way to access the CD and cassette players. Twice as fast as the current generation, new ES300 navigation system will include map data for Canada, more points and multiple destination input. It give directions in English or French.
5. Will the ES300 come with option packages like the LS430 Ultra Luxury Selection?
Not at this time. Based on current plans, the ES300 Factory Options will include Regency Leather Interior Trim, Lexus Navigation System, Mark Levinson Audio System, Wood Trimmed Steering Wheel, Wood and a Leather Trimmed Shift Knob, AVS, HID Headlights with Rain Sensing Wipers, VSC/Brake Assist/TRAC and Power Rear Sunshade.
6. What's the difference between the ES300's standard Audio System and the optional Mark Levinson System?
The optional Mark Levinson Audio system offers much more power, patented Mark Levinson Digital Signal Processing (a separate amplifier for each mid and high range speaker with two amps driving the woofer and Mark Levinson premium speakers.
7. What colors will be available?
Color selection and actual color names are usually one of the last specifications to be confirmed. However, at this time, the ES300 will be in Diamond White Pearl, Alabaster Metallic, Millennium Silver, Blue Onyx Pearl, Black Onyx, Black Garnet Pearl Metallic, Mystic Sea Opalescent and Starlight Pearl. Remember one or two of these could change prior to launch.
8. Who are the target buyers for the ES300?
The ES300 buyers will tend to be equally men and women between the ages of 35-50 years old who are looking for a youthful luxury purchase. Expect the new ES300 will attract more buyers with children under 18.
9. How much will the ES300 cost?
Final MSRP has not been released yet, but base ES300 pricing is expected to be very competitive with BMW 330i, Lincoln LS, Mercedes C320 somewhere in the low $30,000 range.
10. When are the first ES300's scheduled for arrival in dealerships?
Currently, the Lexus Division plans to begin shipping the ES300 to all dealers on or about October 1, 2001.
David
At this time the selection appears to remain pretty good but at prices like this (right around invoice) they won't last. My sales person told me that I got the last graphite grey they had (and would likely get) and that they're aggressively moving them in preparation for the 2002's.
As to the 2002's, even my sales person claims he's only seen "spy picks" but has heard from up the food chain that it will be a very nice and popular car. I happen to casually know the GM of the dealership where I purchased my car and spoke with him briefly about the pricing on the 2002. He said it will likely be a slight up-tick from the current model (which I took to be about $1K, on average) but they don't anticipate having any cause to sell them below sticker for at least the first few months. No surprise there.
Thank you for for providing details on the 2002 ES300. I've put $500 down as a deposit and plan on buying one this fall.
After reading your post, I have a few questions:
1) I didn't notice a Sunroof as an option. Is it included in the base model?
2) Under Factory options, you listed AVS. What is AVS?
3) Colors....what color is Alabaster? How about Black Garnet Pearl? Is that a deep red or a deep green?
4) Automatic transmission only? I'd love to see a 5-speed or 6-speed manual.
5) Do you know exterior dimensions? I assume the 2002 ES300 will be larger than the existing ES300 and should be larger than the BMW 330i and Mercedes C320. Is this correct
Thanks in advance. I appreciate your comments.
Brian
Larry
L - 191.7
W - 71.3
H - 57.1
For comparison, the 2001 ES 300 is:
L - 190.2
W - 70.5
H - 54.9
And the all-new 2002 Camry is:
L - 189.2
W - 70.7
H - 58.7
Do any of you have the same or similar problem with your car?
Thanks.
1. www.mag-x.com, which is supposedly reliable, gets updated this Thursday (7/26)
2. Lexus dealers across the country will drive the new ES 300 and its competitors in their hometowns mid-late August. At that time the dealers will be given lots of info.
Since I will be getting the new car I am as anxious as anybody to learn more!