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Lexus ES 300/ES 330

5443 messages,  Last post on Aug 14, 2010 at 9:21 AM

You are in the Lexus ES Forum.

What is this discussion about? Lexus ES 300, Lexus ES 330, Sedan

Messages Page 294 of 545

#2927 of 5443 To "kreativ" - New ES 300 Price by mz1234

Jul 30, 2002 (8:53 am)

To "kreativ"
 
I am in greater Boston area. Bought a Toyota Camry from IRA Toyota back in 1999. The quote is from them as well this time. There're totally 3 Lexus dealers in greater Boston area. The other two quote me MSRP price when I called in. Ask dumb questions like "have you droven one before?", "how much do you know about this car", "do you really know what you want?".
 
Come on, give me an honest price and I'll write you a check in 3 days. It's pretty simple, cut and dry. Don't want to waste time with those other guys.

#2928 of 5443 mz1234 by kreativ

Jul 30, 2002 (12:58 pm)

That's good news that this pricing isn't from southern California. That means more people across the country should be able to get pricing close to invoice.
 
I do find it interesting how salesman will try to take advantage of unknowing customers. I played dumb at one dealership and the guy reeled off a series of lies and tried to sell the car at MSRP as well.

#2929 of 5443 PRICE FOR '03 ES300 by bartalk2

Jul 30, 2002 (9:44 pm)

With the new Honda Accord coming on in Sept. with a 240hp V6 and a 5-speed automatic, Lexus should be ready to deal on the '03s. It will soon become obvious to anyone who shops around that the ES300 is underpowered for its price (or overpriced for its power).

#2930 of 5443 bartalk2 by kreativ

Jul 31, 2002 (12:25 am)

Isn't it great when car manufacturers keep one-upping each other? The specs on the V6 Accord sound very nice, and the interior looks great as well, especially for how much the car costs. Based on specs and interior, I'd choose it over the new Camry. Not sure about the exterior design yet...
 
As far as how it relates to the ES, the '02 ES was what you said it is ever since it was released. The TL-S has 260hp, the I35 has 255. And both are less expensive than the ES. Yet the ES trounced both of them in sales. The ES has far more luxury than either of these sportier competitors. Granted, a redesigned model will have more interest than aging designs. But why have one awesome year when you can split it into two? The ES330 should also be quite a hit when it's released.
 
Anyways, I find it funny that people still say things like "will soon become obvious" when it's been obvious since the car's specs were released.

#2931 of 5443 kreativ by bartalk2

Jul 31, 2002 (3:25 pm)

Yes, the ES300 has trounced the I35 in sales, but when you add Maxima sales to the I35, a Nissan clone, then it's not so clear who's ahead. True, Lexus can offer a smaller engine and still sell cars galore beause of the Lexus name and reputation, its plush interior, its renowned reliability, its proverbial silence on the road, etc. Yet, at some point, others narrow and even close the gap. Plus there have been a lot of complaints about this ES300, beginning with the transmission. Consumer Reports says the 4-speed Camry transmission is better than the Lexus 5-speed, and in fact, they preferred the V6 Camry to the ES300 altogether.
 
By "it will soon become obvious," I meant that it often takes time for info of any kind to trickle down and become well known and understood.

#2932 of 5443 by lenscap

Jul 31, 2002 (4:13 pm)

I don't think extra power means much to most buyers looking at the ES 300. Yes, it will sway some people. But not everybody. It didn't matter to me.
 
The same reasoning goes for cars like the all-new, redesigned 2003 Mercedes CLK and E320. Both cars will keep their 221 HP engines. And both are slower than the 2002 versions since they are heavier. As a matter of fact, they're just about as quick as the ES 300 with a 0-60 time around eight seconds. And these cars cost well over $50,000.
 
If you can, check out the latest issue of Car magazine (a publication in Europe). They test the all-new CLK against the BMW 330Ci, Volvo and Renault. The Mercedes is one of the slowest of the group, yet they place it in first. They say that everything combined makes it the best car, even if it is not the fastest. That's exactly how I feel about the ES 300.
 
Lexus should not increase HP just because the Accord now has 140. The Altima has had that much for a year and it hasn't hurt Lexus sales. Similarly, Mercedes and BMW will not be rushing to increase their HP either beacuse of what the Accord has.
 
Lexus knows what's its doing. Right now the ES 300 is hot and the extra HP won't do much for sales. But as interest decreases over the next year or two, as happens with cars, you'll see the ES 330 or ES 350 come out.
 
I bought my car for the exterior look, beuatiful interior, hushed ride and superior dealer service. In my mind, no car in the $35,000 range comes close.

#2933 of 5443 bartalk by coolguyky7

Jul 31, 2002 (6:05 pm)

Well then, let's just add Camry's sales to the ES 300's and see who's ahead.

#2934 of 5443 lenscap - You said it. by atoews

Jul 31, 2002 (6:23 pm)

And I couldn't have said it any better.

#2935 of 5443 To: JM Davis: Re CD Changer Problem 2002 ES by rebelsk

Jul 31, 2002 (6:55 pm)

I had previously written that I had a problem with my 6 Disc Changer as CD's got jammed in it and I could not remove them. I brought it in last thursday to the dealership and they removed the changer and ordered me a new one. The new one was installed today and works perfectly. They sent the old one out and will remove my cd's and mail them back to me. I was treated very nicely and it was all covered as warranty work. So far, my 2002 ES has 18500 miles and I am quite pleased with it.By the way, wht are they changing with the 2003 ES? I would imagine the only change would be the addition or deletion of a few colors? Does anyone know more than that?

#2936 of 5443 To "kreativ" and "neuroguy" by mz1234

Jul 31, 2002 (7:29 pm)

Fellas, my final post on 2002 ES300 price (should make your guys feel better)
 
I made a mistake. The car does NOT have Vehicle Skid Control (RF) and the price is $31,957. RF is
$520 in terms of Invoice goes which means this price is about $520 over invoice price.
 
Bought a black/ivory one today this price, though I *might* be able to knock down another couple of hundred bucks, who knows? Just thought those sales people need to make a living as well... Favorite ext. color actually is blue, they don't have that, have to settle with a black. Comparing specs on paper, Camry and ES300 is about the same size, somehow i feel ES300 is smaller than Camry when i am in it and also don't feel 02 ES300 is bigger than previous generation. Maybe I did not feel it right or deceived by its ext. contour.

Messages Page 294 of 545

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