2005 Lexus ES 330
Any news on 2005 lexus ES? Because the camry has been face-lifted, I would expect the ES to get some minor changes (front and back lights, dash, equipement?) I also heard there perhaps wouldn't be any face-lift because the ES would be redesigned before the camry, for the 2006 model in late 2005 instead of late 2006 for the camry. Lexus said they didn't want their products to look like toyotas anymore, especially for the ES. I think it's a good idea.
0
This discussion has been closed.
Comments
1. Headlights are now projector beams.
2. More chrome on the grille.
3. Round foglights.
4. Different air intake in lower front bumper.
5. Thin chrome strip above rear license plate.
6. Redesigned taillights (which may be LED, it's hard to tell).
7. Lighter wood with the ivory interior.
8. Steering wheel radio controls.
http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/All_toyota_lineup/Windom/exterio- - r/index.html
In the U.S. 17" wheels will be optional. However, my dealer said that of the first 1,000 cars coming in to the Midwest 85% will have the 17"ers.
As for colors, Classic Silver is replacing Millenium Silver, there is a new gold replacing the existing gold, Mystic Sea is replaced by a different green and Starlight Pearl is dropped.
The current ES is not supposed to be reskinned until the 2007 model year.
It did also state heated and cooled seats. It didn't say they were air-conditioned I assumed it was a fan through perferlated leather ala Saab 9-5.
I was told they would have a 05 on the lot in 4 weeks.
One OR the other? I doubt it. 03 was all or none. 04 added Nav w/o ML, but no ML w/o Nav. 05 becomes one against the other? Can't be. I am hoping they can have ML as stand along option w/o being coupled with Nav, or just make ML standard. At least they need to upgrade their base audio, which is a shame to a very fine luxurious automobile, tranny whatever notwithstanding.
To see the difference in style look at the headlight on a 2003 LS 430 (reflector style) and a 2004 LS 430 (projector beam) and you'll see the difference.
Also, projector beam headlights (which are a style) are not to be confused with HID (a light type). You can have projector beams with and without HID.
A projector light basically has a lense in front of the bulb to disperse the light onto the road.
For a example of the multi-reflector type headlamps take a look at the low-beam headlight assemblies of the Honda Accord and then look at the low-beam headlights of a Audi, or a new MB E-class. The projectors you will see basically look like "eyes" within the headlight housings.
Thanks much
Anyway..keeping in mind what you have been saying about the 2005 about to hit the showrooms(and whether I should wait) and the Salesman has virtually told me that he wants to make this sale by the end of this month..here is what he is offering. He has a Gold coloured 2004 ES330.(which comes with the following)
MSRP----- 31725.00
Heated front seats.........440.00
HID 640.00
Power Rear Shade 210.00
Nav system package with
in-dash CD player and
6 Disc CD player 2220.00
Wood/leather Steering
wheel and shift nob 330.00
Cargo net 59.00
Trunk Mat 69.00
Wheel Locks 66.00
$35759.00
Delivery fee 625.00
Total $36384.00
The salesman then tells me that this particular car comes with Exotic Wood trim which adds another $895.00 for a total $37279.00.(can't seem to find this package announced anywhere, even on Lexus's website, thought it came with this wood??) Provided that I take the car by the end of this month he will deduct $2000.00 and give me $1000.00 for my 92 Lincoln(which is all it's worth, unless I sell privately for perhaps $500,00 to 1K more)
So we now come to $34279.00
Fees and Service
Inspection, cleaning etc
(BS or normal?) 499.50
Waste tire and lead acid 8.50
Sales Tax(6% in Florida) 2087.22
Tag and Title 150.00
Grand Total $37024.22
So..is this a good deal?(keeping in mind that Naples FL. appears to get much higher prices than elsewhere)...I thought around $35,000 might be nearer, or am I wrong........or should I just wait for the 2005 version?
Sorry for the long post......Bran.
First off, the wood trim is not a factory installed option. It is a dealer installed option that is not even supplied by Lexus. This wood trim kit generally costs the dealer about $300 to $400 installed and it is merely attached around the radio/climate control area and maybe on the doors around the window switches with double sided tape.
The total invoice of the above car is about $32K + the dealer installed wood. At $35,279 they would be making about a $3K profit. Seems high for a ES to begin with and higher when you consider the 2004 model year is winding down.
Also, the $499 cleaning/inspection fee is pure dealer B.S. Basically they are just padding their wallets with that fee. Their is already a PDI amount included in the invoice(PDI stands for Preperation Delivery Inspection which covers cleaning and preparing the vehicle for delivery).
In the end, I think you should be getting a '04 for close to invoice.
Bran.
You should only count the $2K they are discounting the car. The $1K they are giving you for your trade-in is not a discount, since they are going to turn around and sell your car for more than $1K, hence they are still making $3K.
You have to remember alot of people are getting this car at or near invoice, which means you should still be able to save about $2-3K, especially at model year end.
Two other notes to expand upon what maxhonda99 said:
1. The cleaning fee is a total farce. Refuse to pay this.
2. I would highly recommend you DO NOT get the extra wood trim. The money you will spend on it is a complete waste. The car already has enough wood trim inside...adding more will make the car look pimpish (in my opinion). Further, I have heard from others that over time the aftermarket wood "stickers" (which is all they are) start to fade and discolor.
If you are concerned about getting a good deal you should not be wasting $1,400 on the above two items.
Hope this helps.
The PSI should be about 29PSI.
But also remember the ES will not ride as smooth as the Town Car anyway. The Town Car is bigger and more softly sprung. Also, the Town Car is RWD so it has a more even weight distribution front to back, which helps smooth the ride.
As far as FWD cars, you aren't going to get a much smoother/softer ride than in a ES330, except for maybe a Buick or Impala.
~alpha
Totally OT, but personally can't wait to test the new Corvette 2005 out.
How do you get sick from varnished wood?
Did you not figure out she didn't like the car before you got prices on the car?
How can she feel sickey in the ES and not in the Town Car?
Some notes:
1. Both cars I saw had the 17" wheels, which have a six-spoke design very similar to both the 17" LS 430 wheel and 17" RX 330 wheel. The 17" option was $80. There was a sticker next to the window sticker indicating the 17" tires will possibly experience a tread life of less than 20,000 miles.
2. One car was silver, and they have changed the shade. It has less green in it than the current silver. The other car was the new gold, which is more taupe-like than before.
3. The black plastic on the dashboard (where the radio/climate buttons are) is lighter in color than before...more like a dark gray instead of black.
4. There are now memory buttons for the passenger seat (on the passenger door).
Just don't have a handle on the price to pay for a 2005.
A very nicely executed mid cycle refresh,IMO.
~alpha
The overall diameter on both the 16" and 17" wheel/tire combos is the same (done so they can be interchanged without affecting speed and odometer calibrations). It's just the 17" combo tire is 1" "thinner" to keep the overall size the same as the 16".