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Lexus ES 300/ES 330
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Comments
I know Infiniti has been shadowed by Lexus all these years, but seems like they are seriousely trying hard to catch up.
It does not take a lawyer to appreciate the difference between a Lexus and a Toyota, especially after you have owned both before. The service and the prestige are the big reasons to pay the extra, not to mention the refinement you can only find inside a Lexus. However, for a change, I would seriously look into the Infiniti.
I have also tried out the MB C-class, BMW and even the Jag X-type. My conclusion is still a Lexus, but..., with the 'value for money' and 'for a change' plus 'similar dealer service' in my mind, I am kind of fall for the Infiniti I35. What do you think, Ceccon?
I like the Mercedes, but have been hit with some maintenance surprises that I'd just as soon not worry about. Last summer, the sunroof locked open right as I parked for a Broncos Football game. I couldn't get it closed, period. I worried all game about rain and/or someone stealing my radio.
I visited our Lexus dealer earlier this week and saw the 2002 ES300. I wanted to love it, but didn't.
I like the front, but think Lexus could have been much more creative with the rear of the car. Personally, I think the design is too boring. I/m also not a big fan of chrome door handles, so that doesn't help.
The color of the ES300 was gold, I hope to see a dark blue ES300 and hope that will help. I own two Lexus autos and am sold on the quality and reliability.
Has anyone looked at the Infiniti I35? I'd like to see one up close.
And since the Maxima is selling at invocie now and the I35 is still selling at either MSRP or $1500 off.
Hope this help.
For me, I have owned both Toyota and Lexus before, I'd pay the extra any time, just for the service. Besides, the interior refinement and workmanship in a Lexus is worth every extra in my opinion. The same logic as to why people choose to eat in a restaurant with good service instead of a self-serve fast food one.
Do not forget the resale value too. Every one knows an used ES300 is always worth more than a similar used Camry because the Lexus depreciates less.
By the way, wifey and I really like the DTS. She actually let me drive her SC430 now that she can take the kids to school in the DTS (Heh Heh!)
It does not depreciate "less." It is worth more used, but it also cost a lot more new.
You get part of that extra money back when you resell it, but not all of it.
Where is alfinegold?
I have an ES 300 now, I saw the new 2002 and test drove it and liked it a lot. I will wait till this summer to decide between the Lexus ES 300, Infinity G35, and the Acura TL Type-S (like my wife's). I wish Lexus had upped the horsepower on the new ES because then my decision would be so much easier.
Link for G35 here: http://www.motortrend.com/july01/g35/1.html
The Touring T/As have been great for me. They seem to be wearing very well, and are quieter and much better in the snow than my original Dunlops. I would highly recommend them.
thanks.
The ES now appears as of this afternoon at the main site where you can view options, 360 degree views, colors, pricing, etc
Enjoy
My dealer said the only way to get these features is to order a car, which may take 2-3 months. It looks like that's what I'm going to do.
By the way, when the car was last redesigned for 1997 my friend wanted a car with AVS. He, too, had to order a car since they did not come in that way. If you can wait, the AVS on my friend's car is great.
The interior is awesome...but not awesome enough for me to purchase due to my extreme dislike of the exterior.
Why did they do that with the headlights? It's dreadful!! I'm disappointed as heck.
Oh well...time will tell.
Any thoughts?
I got my factory order confirmation with mark/nav--I am getting VSC as well-However the car is due this month end--so VSC is offered--it is offered on the web-site also-make sure you scroll down to see it--so VSC is part of the pre-set configuration-however AVS has run into some tech difficulty-this year they tried to make all the wheels independent and they ran into some bug-so it is not just a question of special order-it is not being offered right now-period
My letter says " AVS --an option you expressed in is not available now for the forseeable future"--may even be pushed till next spring when one more feature is being added "adjustable pedals"
Again, however no issues with VSC--Also Brake Assist is included in VSC package along with TRAC
Pl. note that TRAC is standard even if VSC was not ordered so you need not be concerne about safety--however, ofcourse more safety features --the better
That said, the I35 is looking very tempting since I can get one for $32,345 with cold weather and sports package. I'm off for a test drive tomorrow and will let you know what's up.
1. What area of the country do you live in?
2. Was your car special ordered, or are you picking one that is coming in your dealer's allocation?
My dealer is checking with the Central Region manager since AVS may only be offered in certain regions for now. I have heard nothing about any technical difficulties, although you may be right. Lexus Customer Service checked and told me there are cars being made in October with AVS (very few though).
Again, congrats on your car. I'm sure you will love it!
Hey lenscap--by the way I chose the color based on your advice--so thanks--I was debating b/w black garnet and mystic sea and you had seen the garnet and liked it--so I went for it--I will let you know when I get my car--can hardly wait--when will the month be over!
Regardoing AVS--maybe my region is not getting it--who knows__Atleast I am getting TRAC, VSC and brake assist--so that should be fun--well AVS--maybe next time
As for AVS, it is available. There were never any problems with the feature. Lexus is just building the first cars a certain way. For example, the Central Region received/will receive about 900 cars that were made in September. None had AVS, and only a handful had TRAC or the rear shade. That's because Lexus built cars as they felt demand would be. Very few 2001 cars had AVS (most buyers didn't want it), so they're not producing many with it for now. Another example: none of the 900 cars have just ML or NAV; it's either both options or neither one.
Gambhir, I tend to think your car is not a special order because you're getting it in 2-3 weeks (an ordered car takes months). Your fax said AVS is not available because no cars in September for your region were probably made with it, and you are taking a car already produced and on its way here.
One other thing, TRAC is optional (as part of the package with brake assist and VSC). It is NOT standard (I looked on all window stickers at the dealer lot last night).
Finally, the Black Garnet is a great color. I'm sure you'll love it.
anyways one month is long enough to wait--three months would have been terrible:)
What color are you ordering? what interior?
(IMO)
My 1995 ES is black with a black interior, so I wanted to go with a lighter exterior this time (but I still like the black interior). If I went dark again it would have been the Black Garnet in a heartbeat.
Please let us know all about your car when you get it. I'm jealous you're getting it so soon!
Even though the acceleration was much better than the Lexus, I still felt the '02 ES300 gives a much more luxurious impression--exterior and especially the interior. I have 2 prices for the I35, $32,345 and $32,455. I know I can get them down a bit more. The Lexus is basically 10% more, 3 grand. It's a lot for a "feeling" but I think that's the way I'm headed.
We have a '98 QX4 and this will be our drive-around car; my wife will use it a lot for work.
Any thoughts?
As a former I30 driver, I can tell you that I30/35 interiors are CHEAP. The silly analog clock they put in the middle of the dash is a sorry attempt by a desperate car company (Nissan) to add some distinction. All they have done is made the Infiniti I30/35 an overpriced Maxima. Unless you look carefully, you really can't tell a Maxima from an I30/35. As for the Lexus, the difference is like night and day between the ES and Camry.
I also agree with the post concerning the headlights on the ES 300. They seem soemwhat out of place. I am hoping that Lexus is ahead of its time and the the design will grow on me. However, I like the GS headlight configuration far better.
Based on my invetsigation to date, I'm now considering buying a used 2000 ES 300. With the new model out, prices on used 300s are dropping and will continue to drop.
My wife and I walked around an ES300 (sales people were too busy to help us) and she didn't like the high windows. Could anyone who has actually sat in the ES300 comment? Do you notice this design? It's probably a design fad that other car companies will soon emulate...
Seems like the interior is compensating for shortfalls in the exterior in the minds of many posts here. Nothing's perfect, I guess.
I also want to point out--people often worry about just Hp numbers--well torque and hp are important together --also factors like whether you have five or four speed auto transmission, whether torque is available at low rpm (VVT-i gives 80% torque in just 1200rpm)--and body weight control the agility of the car
This way I-35 has 255 hp and lexus es 210--then how come 45 hp were not enough to be way ahead for i35-the fact is i35 is at 7.0 seconds 0-60 and es at probably 7.6 (official is at 8.2 but lexus is very conservative and I clocked this at test drive)
Also interior is so rich that you fall in love with the car--teh 3D gauges are so cool also
I would really suggest--don't go by just hp--it is a misleading number--I would much rather have 210 with 21/29 mileage than have 250 with 17/24
The ES does not get 21/29. According to Edmunds, it gets 19/26 EPA estimated mileage. And the I35's mileage is 20/26 (per Edmunds). I'd rather have 255 hp with 20/26 than 210 hp with 19/26 (which is the 2001 ES numbers, but it has the EXACT SAME ENGINE for 2002). But that's just me.
I like the I35 also but can't get both
I 30 engine was cvoted best engine for several years in a room--I think in quietness and comfort ES is better and hence more money too.
I do believe it is a quick car and one second goes by in a blink--I personally begin to notice a 0-60 diff only if it is 2+ or 3+
But hey we all should get what we like--i am sure Audi A4, CTS and X type and S60 would all have relative benefits--it is all what you like--i like quietness so Lexus is my favorite
By the way the second car I am eyeing is G35 which I think will be a success but that is another post
Hey, I've always said to get whatever you want. Just don't spread slanted 'facts' around.
And 1 sec. is a BIG difference. Look at sports cars. If your car can go 0-60 in 6 sec. flat, it's pretty fast. If it can do it in 5 sec flat, it's extremely fast. Lots of cars can do 6.0, very few can do 5.0.
Also, speed numbers are proportional. One second 0-60 means less the slower the cars. There is a bigger difference proportionally 0-60 between 5 and 6 seconds than 7 and 8 seconds.
A car which goes 0-60 in 6 seconds is 20% slower than a car that does it in 5 seconds.
But a car which goes 0-60 in 8 seconds is only 14% slower than a car that does it in 7 seconds.
What one driver likes is obviously very subjective.
I was rear ended by an elderly lady driving a 99 ES300 at a traffic light a month ago. Her car suffered more damage because the radiator started leaking and the hood was totally warped. I didn't see her airbag deploy when this accident occurred.
Guess what, my 94 Mazda had no major problems except for some dents and a few rattling noise at the back (and I had my seat belt on). I can safely assume that it would cost at least 4X to repair her car as mine.
Regards,
Wabends
about 30,000 miles. they seem to have alot of
them on the lot.