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Lexus ES 350
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Comments
OK, the ES has opportunities. BUT...it is a beautiful car that is nice to travel in. The seat adjustments, steering wheel adjustments, headlight control and keyfob starting system are all very nice features. I am looking forward to enjoying this car. We have a Corvette and Nissan 4 wheel drive truck, so my driver issues may be satisfied with them. If you are buying an ES think about what you want. It is pleasant to the eye, powerful, comfortable and fuel efficient.
You sound like you are a true 'drivers' kinda guy...sports car fan...A lot of negatives and IMO I would have not forked over the cash to the get this car....I would have stayed in the Audi column...or some other stiff/sports brand...but hey if you're throwing away money throw some my way.....
The ES is NOT a drivers car as you are now so painfully aware of, I think a test drive AND some elementary research online...would have revealed this to you. So beware all you 'sporty' types....Can't understand why those who prefer the EURO or sports brands go with the ES, disappointement is generally the result...too bad...so sad.... The few little positives you mentioned.... perhaps you would be better off parking it and admiring how good looks it in the shade... :confuse:
I own ES 350 as well and is 1 year old. Good to read your remarks in avoiding the servicing cost. Last time I went for 100 miles servicing and Lexus Hartford, CT charged me $197. Felt like getting ripped off as I knew apart from changing oil, rotating the tiers and a good wash, nothing else was done.
So again my service is due for for 15K and called Lexus to find out this time the service charge is going to be $290. Crazy. Reading the service manual nothing else other than Oil and Filter, Tier Rotation is due. Don't understand why these guys have to fool us with this kind of service charge.
Called Firestone and Auto care service station and you are right. Probably I'll get the oil and filter change done under $70 for sure.
Lexus Service center is 65 miles from my place so can't afford to go over there.
Cheers,
Sanjay
Oil/Filter change:$55
Discount:10%
Tax, Disposal fees, etc:$5
Tire Rotation:$0 (Discount Tires)
Car Wash:$0
Total:$55
Of course after that, they wanted close to 60 dollars for an oil change. That too, is pretty bad. The local Midas shop in Binghamton, NY gets my oil change business on my Corvette and Nissan truck. They treat me fairly and only my vette with Mobil One approaches 60 bucks for oil and lube.
I say keep good records of your service to preserve the Lexus warranty but, never use the lexus dealer! Any thoughts on this approach?
We took this approach with my wife's 1st Lexus, a '99 ES 300, & we're doing it again with her '07 ES 350. It's both cheaper & more convenient. We have an excellent independent mechanic less than a mile from our house, so I can drop off her car & walk home. The dealer is 15 miles away.
Thanks for your input.
Mike
For myself, I can deal with a few minutes of noise if it means not having to worry about replacing a timing belt. It isn't just the cost, it is the potential the belt may give out before the 90K mark.
Ultimately, it hurts Lexus more than me if any of my passengers think the car is too noisy.
if it was a timing chain it seems as though it could be fixed with the tensioner
who knows.....at any rate it is a disappointment...noisy L car
you hear it each day when you start it for the first time, lasts for about 5 or 10 minutes
let me know....noisy L car
Tim
Any suggestions??
Tim
I agree the standard stereo is lackluster; my 2003 Audi A4's standard radio far exceeds this. However, I find when I up the volume (I do tend to like the volume a little high), that the stereo's sound fills in and it isn't so bad. Personally, I also find the quiet of the car helps too.
There isn't anything you can do about it since the ML stereo has more speakers.
I have less than 3000 miles on the ES, but so far I am very happy with the ride. The smaller interior space, compared to the Avy has taken a bit to get use to, but the interior finish and quality outshines the Avalon, as does the quiet ride. My gas miliage is also 2-3 miles per gallon better than the Avalon.
My dealership in Bellevue, Wa attached a VIP sticker to the car windshield, and they do offer free car washes 7 days a week. No limit. The service department looks more like a hospital surgery suite than a car service department. They provide a loanaer car and shuttles depending upon how long they need to keep your car. I rate my experience purchasing the Lexus as top notch and look forward to many years of service from the car.
Tim
I need your help, I am buying a lexus es 350 ultra package with ML audio system. The MSRP is 44, 094. The best offer I have received is 39,500. They are offering it to me at 6.0%Apr despite the fact that my brother ( who is cosigning the car) has perfect credit. My own credit is excellent as well. Do you guys think it is a good deal.
Also what do you think about the car and specially the panoramic roof and ML system. Id appreciate if someone who owns a similar lexus posts their feedback on these features and others.
Thanks
I got the exact same deal for my ES350 2008. Even the 6.00% APR. The only thing different between your deal and mine is the MSRP.
When i configure the lexus on www.lexus.com , I get 41K MSRP.
If you are getting more discounts, grab it. This car runs superbly!!!
first they said is was the fuel injectors..then it was called piston slap. will never go away - will not get fixed.
unhappy - noisy L car
Thanks
I've just experienced brake failure with my 2007 ES350 about 4 hrs. ago...I was all shaken up...
I towed my car to the Lexus dealership and went home to google up to see if anyone has the same problem...
I was doing 40mph on a big street in Fountain Valley, California...gunned the car to pass another vehicle to get into freeway 405 going south...then I notice, it seems like suddenly the car has lost all power and no response...so I put my foot on the brake paddle to slow down...that's when I realized the brake paddle is literally "stuck" to the floor...no pressure at all...DEAD...I panicked, luckily I did not entered the freeway...I was still traveling fast and the thought of driving without brake scare the craps out of me, and I have my nephew with me on the passenger side...I pumped the parking brake, shifted the gear into N and P a couple of times real fast and back to D to slow the car down...I didn't want to mess up the transmission...I have been driving automatic for so long, I totally forgot about shifting the gear to lower to slow things down...I was able to slow the car down and ended up hitting the car in front of me lightly and bended my front license plate...
I was shaken when I get out of the car...I stopped about 50 yards to the next major intersection...the thought of having no break and crossing the intersection was still on my mind...
I towed my car to the closest Lexus dealer and ask if they have heard of this problem before...of course they said no...
This is my second Lexus...I droved an SC400 before...none mechanical problems ever...I have always consider the Lexus a very "safe" car to drive in...today, when I got out...I didn't want to get back into my ES350 again...
Do you know if you in-laws have the same issue...? I'm dying to find out what is the real problem...and what did the dealer fixed...
Awesome car ! Good luck.
The special interest rate may not be available in all areas so check the 'incentives' section in Edmunds and Lexus for your area.
I'm here in Los Angeles.
Thinking of getting a used red 08 ES 350, but appears Lexus has some problems with their cars-noise at idle, paint, transmission, starting, rust(?).
As for others -- noise at idle? None, super quiet. Haven't seen other problems from reading other forums but the paint job is 'soft'. Beware of black as it scratches easily (from experience); but sure looks nice when kept clean and waxed.
Just remember that servicing these things is costly although they try to make it worth your while by giving you good customer service at the dealership.
Have a great time!
I have a 2008 model but have not noticed the noise at idle problem at all..
For travel I use the more expensive hangers that have swivel hooks. These hook over the sissy handle just above the rear door sill. Works pretty well.
Your car does have some great features too. I think mine has great mpg for the fairly powerful engine. Also, a stylish car that is quiet, smooth and very comfortable for long distance cruising. I just can't resist spouting off sometimes. (!!!)
I hope the designers read our rants.
Mike
Really surprised at handling on interstate. Very susceptible to cross winds and draft from tractor-trailers. Couple of times at 70 wasn't sure I was in control of the car.
However, in the interests of full disclosure, I must say that I used to drive a Honda Civic before this car. I wouldn't be able to compare it with a Merc or a Cadillac, say.
Sincere Regards
ateeq ahmad
">Good luck! Tim.
2009-09-01 03:38:41 (GMT)
San Diego, CA—A fiery crash left four people dead after the car’s accelerator became stuck. The fatal crash happened on Friday, August 28, 2009 at 6:30 p.m. at the intersection of Route 125 and Mission Gorge Road in Santee, as reported by San Diego Union Tribune.
According to the California Highway Patrol (CHP), a loaner 2009 Lexus ES 350 driven by CHP Officer Mark Saylor, and three family members experienced a serious malfunction, which caused the accelerator to stick. Someone reportedly dialed 911 around 6:30 p.m. to report the cars accelerator was stuck, and the car could not be stopped while traveling nearly 100 miles per hour. The out-of-control car careened through the intersection of Route 125 and Mission Gorge Road and collided with a Ford Explorer. The Lexus then jumped a curb, plowed through a fence, and then slammed into an embankment before going airborne. The luxury car reportedly overturned several times before it came to a stop and burst into flames in the San Diego River basin. The CHP officer Mark Saylor, 45; his wife, Cleofe, 45; Saylor’s daughter, Mahala, 13; and his brother-in-law, Chris Lastrella were all tragically killed at the scene of the horrific crash.
The car was reportedly loaned from Bob Baker Lexus El Cajon on Friday after Saylor dropped his car off for service. The Lexus is fully equipped with a double redundant fail-safe system, which would shut the vehicle off if it were to experience a major malfunction. No one at Bob Baker Lexus El Cajon knows what went wrong and is currently waiting for the completion of a full investigation. The CHP multidisciplinary Accident Investigation Team and Sheriff’s investigators are conducting the investigation into the runaway vehicle accident.
ES350 kills 4