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Lexus ES 300/ES 330

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

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#6 of 5432 . by enigmaone Oct 05, 2000 (10:09 pm)
The 2002 ES300 arrives in fall 2001. It will be a totally redesigned ES300 from the 2001 model. As wenyue said, expect it to be bigger more powerful, more feature packed, and still remain more luxury than sport. And I wouldn't expect the price to go any higher than it is today.
#7 of 5432 2002 by s852 Oct 06, 2000 (6:50 am)
I would certainly hope the price wouldn't go any higher. If anything, it should drop or a lot more should be standard if the price remains or climbs any. By the time you load an ES300 up with the typical options it is not priced competitively. The options are overpriced and many optional items are standard on competing cars.
#8 of 5432 s852 by scongro Oct 07, 2000 (12:23 am)
I'd expect the new ES to be a little cheaper than the current. As far as you mentioning options. In the long history of Lexus (11 Years), no 6-Cylinder Lexus ever had a Moonroof or Leather Standard (Save the LX 450). I'd expect to see the new ES start under the 30K mark, like the C-Class does for 2001. However, you will rarely see a stripped-down model of either. Owners of the Acura 3.2TL can see where Acura cut corners to get the car that cheap, and if they can't, they're lying.
#9 of 5432 . by enigmaone Oct 07, 2000 (3:48 am)
I don't think the 2002 ES300 will creep back under the magic $30K mark. I think the base MSRP will stick right around $31K, like the current one. Lexus doesn't really need to drop the price under $30K. The car sells where it is quite nicely, and when the car is redesigned for 2002, Lexus will easily sell every copy without a problem for the first 2 years. The reason the C-class creeps in below $30K is because you get the smaller 2.6L V6 engine with it. The ES300 will continue with only one engine choice, that being a 3.0L V6 or larger. Plus the ES300 will continue to be built in Japan meaning it will cost more than a 3.2TL, and the higher value of the yen right now and in the forseable future means that a price cut is very unlikely when the new one comes out. You can also expect to see some new standard features that are now optional, like the 6CD changer will be standard for 2002.
#10 of 5432 2002 by s852 Oct 07, 2000 (5:17 am)
I don't know about "Lexus doesn't really need to drop the price." That sounds pretty arrogant like Mercedes Benz in 1989 before Lexus came out. I think most people believe Lexus is somewhat nicer or more prestigous than an Acura or Infiniti, but when the price ends up several thousand more on a $30K range price class, people start questioning if it is really worth that much of a price difference. $37K for a loaded ES doesn't look attractive.
#11 of 5432 . by enigmaone Oct 07, 2000 (4:08 pm)
Then you must go buy a Infiniti I30! The ES300 is priced in between lower cars like the I30 and Acura 3.2TL and Mercedes-Benz C280/C320 and BMW 330i. Again, because of Lexus' higher prestige level than Acura & Infiniti, Lexus is going to charge more for the car. Please don't expect Lexus to price the ES300 at Acura 3.2TL or Infiniti I30 levels. Quite simple you shouldn't think that because its not going to happen. Unless out of nowhere Infiniti or Acura suddenly turns into a car with the level of prestige of a Lexus or even higher like a Benz. You think thats happening in the near future??? Here's another simple theory. The Acura 3.2TL & Infiniti I30 are priced lower than the ES300 because they know they couldn't sell a loaded 3.2TL or Infiniti I30 for $35K-$37K. Replies to this message: sean3 (Sep 08, 2005 8:39 pm)
#12 of 5432 . by s852 Oct 07, 2000 (6:23 pm)
I didn't say they would price it at exactly the same price as a TL or I30, but when the difference is so huge, people will pass it by qand they have. Have you seen were the ES300 has been ranking in the most recent comparison tests? This is exactly the same as the situation when Lexus came out in 1989. Mercedes did not drop their prices right away because they felt the Mercedes name was enough to command any price they wanted. Without any serious competion, that may have been right. In 1989 Mercedes probably said something similar to what you posted. "Lexus is selling their 1990 LS400 for $35K because they know they couldn't sell it for what we charge for our S class." The previous-generation TL and I30 were not that appealing and really were not selling that well. The current ones are much improved and are selling much better as the result (especially the TL). The new LS430 is much higher priced than a 1990 LS400, but compared to a Mercedes S-class, it is still aggressively priced. If they are pricing the ES300 significantly higher than a TL or I30, people are going to see where the money went. They will want everything the competing cars have plus better looks, significantly richer materials and better driving feel than the competion not just a Lexus name badge.
#13 of 5432 s852 by vernlew Oct 07, 2000 (7:23 pm)
I believe enigmaone is correct (as usual) in his comments. The ES is only slightly more than the TL and I30, and significantly less than a C class or 3 series. (since the Germans have gone to a practically no discount pricing structure) Sure, you can say that the TL and I30 are a little sportier...but, still not close to Bimmer territory. I really like the MB and BMW, but, I don't like spending a lot of time in the service department. I would say there is a certain amount of compromise in most cars at every price point...I like what Lexus has chosen to emphasize. Also, you must remember we are at the end of model cycle for the current ES...so, I would expect some improvements when the new body style is introduced soon. Vern
#14 of 5432 . by turbotc Oct 08, 2000 (12:58 am)
not to mention that the resale value on the es300 should be better than the i30 or TL.
#15 of 5432 Value by s852 Oct 08, 2000 (4:27 am)
I'll save further comments until I actually see the new 2002 ES300. I don't think the current aging ES model is a good value for what you get, but when the new model comes out and it then becomes the most modern design compared to the competition, that could change. Even though I expect it to cost more as usual, if there is substance and additional refinement that you can see and feel it might be worth it. I certainly hope the styling does not get messed up with the new design.

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