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Lexus ES 350

24567…87

Comments

  • jchan2jchan2 Posts: 4,956
    truely is unique. It's a comfortable cruiser in a sea of "performance" models.

    Basically the only comfortable cruisers in its price range would be:

    Lincoln Zephyr
    Mercedes-Benz C-Class

    Back in 2004 you could have added the Infiniti I35 to the list, but Infiniti axed it...
  • navigator89navigator89 Posts: 1,080
    And the good news for Lexus is they have the ES330 as the quiet cruiser, and the IS350 as the performance sedan.

    Rumour has it that Mercedes is planning to build a four door coupe (think CTS) on the C Class platform. The picture I saw was pretty nice, but then so was the upcoming C Class. Heard the new coupe would be called the CLE or CLX.
  • vetfannyvetfanny Posts: 11
    I was set on an Avalon Limited until I looked at it and drove it.
    The engine was not very smooth and the ride was so so.
    The interior is like a Buick product, cheap looking.
    THe passenger front seat is typical Toyota...not comfortable.

    After driving my neighbors ES330...the only thing holding me back is the HP and it's a shade smaller than I like. I currently drive an Acura RL
  • caliddcalidd Posts: 60
    Has anyone spotted a sneak preview of the next generation ES? I saw a photo of a Lexus super coupe that is actually a 4-door coupe. It was touted as aimed at the BMW 6-series--like it might be a new model--but I'm hoping, instead, that it's actually the next ES. If Lexus doesn't return to the coupe-look of the 95 with the sloping c-pillar, I'll probably look for another car that combines "coupe look" and "comfortable (and quiet) cruiser" elements.

    Meanwhile, photo anyone?
  • vatvatsethovatvatsetho Posts: 18
    I think we are looking at the wrong engine....I think the engine in the GS 300 is going to be the engine for the Camry and ES. It is very logical....because Lexus wouldnt make an engine for only a year of use...and bag it.
  • lexi4lifelexi4life Posts: 181
    Perhaps Camry will use it, but not the ES. Toyota has already "registered" the new name of its next ES as ES350. . . But using the 3.0 in the Camry seems a very good idea, since this car doesn't need 260-280hp to be competitive.
  • maxhonda99maxhonda99 Posts: 1,289
    All sedan's have sloping rear C-pillars. How does that give it a *coupe look*? The 1995 ES and the current ES have similar slopes in the C-pillar. What gave the 1995 ES a coupe look was the frameless doors. Frameless doors gave it slim visible B-pillars and therefore gave it a coupe look. We're not going to see the ES 4-door sedan go back to frameless doors, so you might have to look elsewhere.

    Although I would bet that the next ES will be more aggressive in design and should have a strong family resemblance to the 2006 IS and 2006 GS.
  • vatvatsethovatvatsetho Posts: 18
    so you think they would only make that engine...just for a Camry? I doubt it...even though 3.5L on a ES would be nice...i think it would be impractical. Because the GS will have that engine too. I think they wouldnt have the same engine used in both models. Also the ES is suppose to give that 'luxury' look and feel to it...not a 'sport' type of feel and look. So i think 3.5 will be with the IS and GS.
  • maxhonda99maxhonda99 Posts: 1,289
    "so you think they would only make that engine...just for a Camry? I doubt it"

    It wouldn't be just for the Camry, the Solara would also get it. Besides you are missing the point, the 3.0L V6 in the current GS is part of the same family as the 3.5L V6 that will be going into the GS and possibly ES & RX. I'm guessing a good part of both engines are similar, therefore the investment in the 3.0L V6 is relatively small. And putting a 3.0L V6 in just the Camry is no big deal. Think about it, Toyota sells 400K Camrys/Solara's just in the US every year, about 20% are V6 sales, therefore that's still alot of V6's they would be producing.

    "Also the ES is suppose to give that 'luxury' look and feel to it...not a 'sport' type of feel and look. So i think 3.5 will be with the IS and GS. "

    The Avalon isn't a *sport* type of car either yet it has a slightly different version of the 3.5L V6 with 280bhp. Also, the ES currently has a 3.3L V6 as it is, so I don't see them moving back in engine displacement, I only see them going up in displacement.
  • lexi4lifelexi4life Posts: 181
    They won't make the 3.0 just for the Camry, obviously. They'll probably use it in Highlander (245hp), Sienna (245hp), base V6 Solara (245hp) (an upscale model having the 3.5 with 280hp) and finally the base V6 Camry (245hp) (the SE V6 model having the 3.5 with 280hp). It could even be used in the next RAV4 (detuned to 220hp?), that is supposed to have a V6 option. And the next ES is really going to be ES350, using the 3.5 rated at probably 280-290hp (with AWD option). It is possible that Lexus offers the 3.0 in the base ES and leaves their 3.5 for the upscale model with AWD! They said they wanted to offer more choice, so that's a possibility! But be sure the next ES is going to have the 3.5, in option or not, since the Avalon gets it fot less money...
  • alpha01alpha01 Posts: 4,747
    probably wont find its way into the heavier Camry based vehicles- Sienna, HL, RX.... as the new 3.0L doesnt produce as much torque as the larger, older 3.3L.

    ~alpha
  • lexi4lifelexi4life Posts: 181
    Then if the 3.0 isn't used in Camry, Solara, Sienna and Highlander, can you tell me why Toyota built that engine but is only going to use it for 1 or 2 years it the Lexus GS300? As far as we know, the IS already has 2.5 and 3.5 engines and the GS300 will become GS350 soon. So there's not other car apart from RX and ES that could use the 3.0, and I don't think Lexus will want their cars to have less power than cheaper Toyotas! (RX VS Highlander, Camry VS ES, Avalon VS ES too). Just think about that, it has no sense!
  • vatvatsethovatvatsetho Posts: 18
    exactly
  • prof_daymeanprof_daymean Posts: 5
    It make sense, Lexus use a bigger engine, than "cheaper Toyota" (I don't think Lexus will want their cars to have less power than cheaper Toyotas! (RX VS Highlander, Camry VS ES, Avalon VS ES too). Just think about that, it has no sense!) :)
  • chris65amgchris65amg Posts: 372
    I think that Toyota is only using the 3L in the GS as a stopgap for a year or so until the GS350 comes along. Ditto for the 4.3L until the GS460.
  • maxhonda99maxhonda99 Posts: 1,289
    "I think that Toyota is only using the 3L in the GS as a stopgap for a year or so until the GS350 comes along."

    But we are talking about the Lexus ES, not the GS. It's a given that the GS300 will be replaced with the GS350 as soon as the 4.6L V8 is ready. Actually we don't even know that for a certainty. They could very well do like BMW and keep the GS300, add the GS350, then have the GS460.

    Back to the 3.0L V6. It makes no financial sense to design the 3.0L V6 just for one model year and really only for a few markets like the US, Canada and probably Europe. That is very light volume.
  • alpha01alpha01 Posts: 4,747
    in the Camrys, Solaras, and RAV4s, most definitely. Im only saying I dont think it produces enough torque for variations of the platform that weigh greater than 4000 lbs, at least not in today's market place.

    Regardless, the ES will be the ES350 out of the gates? No, I dont know this with certainty, but I cant imagine Toyota continuing to produce an older, less efficient 3.3L when the 3.5L is available and ready to go. The 3.0L, despite its 20 greater hp than the 3.3L, would be a step in the opposite direction of where the class is going... more power AND torque...(especially given that the Avalon uses it).

    ~alpha
  • jchan2jchan2 Posts: 4,956
    where gasoline is pricey, Lexus still uses the 3.0L on the ES and RX even while North America has upgraded to the 3.3L.
  • sortersorter Posts: 146
    Any engine used by Lexus or Toyota will have multiple usuage for Japan market. GS' V6 is not new and used for Crown in Japan right now.

    RX, Sienna, highlander type of vehicle will definately get the Avalon 3.5. Not sure about Camry or ES like passenger car. Which 3.5 will GS use? same as Avalon? Or Not?

    According to Lexus web site, GS350 will have 315Hp vs 280Hp for the V8. How many percentage of V8 can they sell??? It will be another year before the new V8 is available. Rummor has it, it will have more HP than the Hemi V8! Let the power war begins...
  • lexcorplexcorp Posts: 2
    As you may or may not know, since 2004MY, The 3.0L V6 has only been used in the Camry LE V6 / XLE V6 and the Avalon prior to 2005MY. The Highlander, Sienna, Solara, Camry SE V6, Lexus ES330, RX330 have used the 3.3L V6 since the 2004MY. The redesigned 2007 Camry/Lexus ES models will feature the new 3.5L V6. Furthermore, for the 2007MY the Highlander, Sienna, Solara, RX, and GS will also be changed to the 3.5L V6. While the Lexus models feature the an engine of the same family, they will however feature the direct injection technology that will give them a power advantage over thier Toyota counter part.
  • lexcorplexcorp Posts: 2
    If I were you I'd wait for the 2007 ES to bow in Late January/early Feb. That car will definately be a winner!
  • lexi4lifelexi4life Posts: 181
    I know that. But what you don't seem to understand is that the old 3.0 had been used in lots of Toyota vehicles previously (previous RX, ES, Camrys, Solaras, etc. That 3.0 was only being phased out after a couple of years of utilisation and that's why it was only being used in the Camry at the end! But the new 3.0 we're talking about has just been built not a long time ago so they're certainly not going to drop it or put it in only car. . .
  • macdee33macdee33 Posts: 4
    :) i can see them putting a new motor in it but i think they should give you 280hp for the base model and 300 for the ultra luxury model :D
  • macdee33macdee33 Posts: 4
    :lemon: if they dont make a better desighn i would not consider me in one but i love the ls and new is
  • macdee33macdee33 Posts: 4
    i got a pic of the lexus HLSimage
  • lexi4lifelexi4life Posts: 181
    And. . . What is that supposed to be?
  • prof_daymeanprof_daymean Posts: 5
    http://www.caranddriver.com/idealbb/view.asp?topicID=67201&pageNo=1 CHECK it?
  • bobob20032000bobob20032000 Posts: 69
    Do you have the link... i dont see it.
  • bluesman3bluesman3 Posts: 202
    I've been away from this board for awhile but I've just read through this thread and see all the folks asking for the picture. Well here it is.

    http://img263.imageshack.us/img263/6493/newesrear9hi.jpg

    I'm axiously awaiting this car and I've been watching for spy pics. on a daily basis. The 2007 Camry should debut at the Tokyo Motor Show which opens to the press on Oct. 19th, I suspect the 07' ES350 will also debut there but that remains to be seen. It could also be at the CA international show early in Oct.
  • jchan2jchan2 Posts: 4,956
    sad to say, but it looks like a photoshop to me.
This discussion has been closed.