Camry XLE V6 v. Lexus ES 350
A friend of mine is trying to make this decision, so I'm posting here to get some advice I could relay to him...
I keep hearing that the ES is just a "rebadged" Camry. To what extent is this true?
I got to drive an ES around pretty nicely during the Taste of Lexus event, and I was impressed. Obviously nothing like a BMW or even my own Maxima, but the handling was very secure, better than what I was expecting from the "cheapest" Lexus.
So anyways, what do you guys think? Does the XLE Camry drive as nicely as the ES350?
I keep hearing that the ES is just a "rebadged" Camry. To what extent is this true?
I got to drive an ES around pretty nicely during the Taste of Lexus event, and I was impressed. Obviously nothing like a BMW or even my own Maxima, but the handling was very secure, better than what I was expecting from the "cheapest" Lexus.
So anyways, what do you guys think? Does the XLE Camry drive as nicely as the ES350?
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But if you like more gadgets and the prestige of the Lexus nameplate (plus arguably better dealer service) and don't mind paying for the privilege, then get the Lexus.
By all means, test drive both before buying.
My friend is looking at Entry level type luxury cars.
And it seems like the Camry is the closest to the ES350, at least more so than say an Accord is to a TL or an Altima is to a G35
Also, a Lexus is more of a "status symbol" than a Camry, so if you can comfortably afford the Lexus I would go with the Lexus.
Besides the extra year bumper to bumper, differences in appearance and a few other tiny features (my husband's car is similarly equipped), I think they drive the same and neither is clearly more quiet.
Indeed, my 350 is louder than my 9 year old 300. The insurance premium is the same the same too.
BUT, the Lexus brand is historically better at holding it's value.
Z
I just retired my old '94 XLE V6 (even though it was still running great!) In the early '90s the XLE with leather was pretty much the same car as the ES. I used to park next to a coworker who had the '94 ES and I used to laugh that other than very slight cosmetic differences, they were the exact same car.
So I looked at getting a fully loaded XLE this time ("fool my once...") I drove both cars many times, and to me the difference between a fully loaded XLE and a UL packaged ES is night and day. Just pulling the door shut on the ES got my attention. The ES feels like you are closing yourself in a vault (in a good way). Everything in the ES, from plastic knobs to the leather just oozes quality and luxury.
The ride itself is not that much different (although the ES definitely has the edge), but the quiet, finesse, and attention to luxury details really pampers you in the ES. The ML audio system is superb. I never thought I would hear a clear difference between MP3s (line out from iPod) and CDs. I was wrong. The detail of the uncompressed AIFF CD files is quite apparent, and now I find myself buying CDs again rather than simply downloading from iTunes. (Tip: when listening to music on the ML system - as opposed to a DVD movie - be sure to turn off surround sound otherwise the bass will not be tight and accurate.)
The Camry is a fine car, just not nearly as luxurious and joyful as a UL ES. Yes the ES costs more, but you really do get what you pay for, in fact, as far as luxury sedans go, the ES is a bargain.
Needless to say I bought an 08 ES with UL package and actually enjoy my daily commute now!