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How many of you would buy an ES again?

44 messages,  Last post on Nov 29, 2011 at 11:13 AM

You are in the Lexus ES Forum.

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

Messages Page 3 of 5

#21 of 44 2000 ES 300. by strapper

Nov 27, 2007 (6:03 pm)

I have a 2000 ES300 and apart for scheduled oil changes I have not had to spend any money on the car.I live near Toronto and last year we drove to San Diego and back and did not have to add any oil and most days we cruised at about 80 MPH when possible.I have had this car from new and the only reason I want a new one is because of the safety features on newer cars.A great car and very economical on gas.I have read about the problems some owners are having with the ES350 so I have test driven Acura RLs,Volvo S80,and Infiniti M 35X but all are too noisy, and I am comparing newcars to my 8 year old car.I guess being a Lexus owner has one drawback ,it spoils you so you cant go to another brand.Both the Acura and the Infiniti salespeople admitted to me that prospective customers they have who are Lexus owners find their cars too noisy and have a harsher ride.I guess I will buy the ES350 and trust I am not one of the few with problems

#22 of 44 Car is overrated by frostyr

Dec 09, 2007 (12:24 pm)

Have had mine for year and half and frankly I'm not impressed. It is a nice car but nothing special. (The BMW 5 or 3 is impressive to drive but too unreliable and too expensive). The most outstanding thing about the Lexus is the mileage, which is impressive. I should say that my wife loves the 350.
 
I rent cars often when traveling for business and based on my experience frankly I'd be happy with a Buick, Mercury or Honda.
 
I would consider another Lexus only if the price was not much higher than other choices. Otherwise I probably won't buy another one.

#23 of 44 Would I buy a Lexus ES again by oldfart2

Dec 10, 2007 (10:46 pm)

Interesting question.
As I have read these posts over the past couple of years,
I consider myself a fortunate Lexus owner. I am aware of the transmission issue,
as is my wife, we are both car savvy and we work with it. And the air conditioning
system odor, keep the cab air filter changed and keep the system clean and free
from mildew. This is not just a lexus problem. Check with a Ford owner. They make a special spray to run through the system to eliminate the musty smell.
 
Otherwise, my 2003 has 50k miles on it and runs very well. Great mileage, quiet on
the highway, we travel to the country regularly. Have done the front brakes for the first time earlier this year. Replaced the tires just last month. I am a big fan of synthetic lubricants and that is one of the first things I did after buying the car was change all the oils to Amsoil synthetic. No other gremlins so far.
And yes, the display on the radio and climate control is pathetic in the daylight.
Would I buy another Lexus. Yes, an Ls 430 or a 460L
It's about time that someone made a big sedan car again. Even though the 460
is really not that big.
Volkswagen Phaeton anyone?

#24 of 44 Re: Bye bye ES, hello G! [es4jb] by x021627

Jan 29, 2008 (6:36 pm)

Replying to: es4jb (Jun 29, 2007 12:49 pm)
Funny that i agree with nearly all of your comments. today the car was in for the 32k service, which is major. I was told I need brakes on both front and rear with about 1mm on front pads and 2 mm on back pads. Cost $750 on a call with only 32K miles. Ridiculous. I was also told that I'm going to need to buy at least 2 tires by the next service (another 5k miles). This will be the 4th & 5th tire I have bought for this car at $195 each. I loathe this car as well and am happy that my lease is over shortly.

#25 of 44 I would not buy another one either!! by acat1234

Mar 07, 2008 (1:07 pm)

My 2007 ES 350 has 27,00 miles on it. This is my first foreign car purchase and thought I would get the "best" and not have to worry. Boy - was I wrong!! I should disclose that my previous cars were Olds Auroras (1995 and 2001) which had their own mechanical issues but the normal maintenance items were economical. Also, both cars ran and handled great! In fact, I would have bought another Aurora except Olds was no more.
 
Back to the ES 350. The much hyped Japanese technology is so much bull!!
- Interior temperature controls are virtually worthless. I have more luck with my 2005 Olds van with manual controls. My Auroras were much better at maintaining interior temp.
- Audio system is a joke for a car this expensive. The GM Bose system just blows Lexus away!!
- Rain sensitive wipers are virtually useless. Even on the least sensitive setting they continue working, smearing the windshield. I have turned them off. Again, my Aurora's rain sensitive wipers were excellent.
- Throttle lag is annoying (Just to be fair, the Aurora had a similar problem)
- The factory tires (michelins) are deplorable! Worn out at 20,000 miles!! Changed to Yokohama with 60,000 mile warranty and have a much better handling car!!
- The handling is like the old American land cruisers (1970 Olds, Fords, etc.) Again the Aurora was much better!
- The Lexus sounds like a diesel when you start it up and for the first 2 minutes. Told by the dealer it is caused by the exterior fuel pump!! I don't care why - you would think that the supposedly great Japanese automotive engineers could have figured that out!!
- The interior material is so cheap that Lexus should be ashamed to market this as a premium auto. The plastic trim between the seats and the doors ( for the light grey interiors) is simply grey paint over black plastic. The paint rubs off very easily exposing the black plastic - very ugly.
- The exterior paint is comparable to the better US cars - certainly not better!!
- The car looks identical to the Camry (I saw that when I bought the car but did not count on how irritating it would become!!)
- The navigation system is good except it cannot be used while driving!! This is the only system I know of with this limitation!! I understand that it is not safe for the driver to use it while driving but you would think that the brilliant Japanese engineers would have installed a sensor in the passenger seat to allow th passenger to use it!!
- The cost to update the Nav system is $265!! Laughable since I can buy a new Garmin for not much more!!
- Front end alignment can only be performed by the dealer for around $200 if you have the swiveling headlights.
- All the dealer services are waaaaayyyy over priced!!
 
The good things:
- Ride is very good
- Cabin is very quiet while driving
- Gas mileage is good
- Engine/transmission has been flawless (except for throttle lag)
- Even though it looks like a Camry, I do like the body style
- So far, the dealers I have taken the car to have been very good.
- The HID headlights are great.
 
Personal vital stats: Age - 62, male, other cars currently owned is the 2005 Olds Van and a black/black 2001 Corvette.
 
Bottom Line: Will not buy another Lexus, probably trade this one in much sooner than normal. Will seriously consider the new Cadillac CTS for my next car.

#26 of 44 I might!!! by drive_nice

Mar 14, 2008 (12:23 am)

I have never had any " unreasonable" problems with my '02 ES300. I bought it with about 90K on it and it has 130K now. It has been reliable, comfortable, quiet and has received nice comments from those departing the vehicle. Along with normal service I had to replace the mid coupling in the exhaust system, which is after the catalitic converter, because I ran over a heavily crusted ice mound instead of driving over the other side of the road: the back side of a mountain!!! Without a very savvy mechanic that little stunt would have cost me over 3K through a Lexus dealer. Thankfully that part was the only identical piece in the exhaust which was used in the camry that year. So Mr. Mechanic cut out the puntured piece and braised / welded the new piece in place in the system. Total cost $300.00. This is my first Lexus, before it I drove Caddy or Chrysler. Given its price range I'm very satisfied with Lexus. However, if I'm to buy another "L" it will need more horses in the barn and more " Bose" for the tunes. If I wanted to pick it apart I could but again for the $ it's a nice ride.

#27 of 44 My 2'nd ES by catdaddylong

Mar 19, 2008 (6:28 pm)

The first Lexus I owned was a 95 ES300. I drove this car for 10 years and it was a very good mechanically sound car. Toward the winter of it's life with me I had to replace the AC system, hood struts and starter. Other service items were batteries, tires, brakes but nothing unexpected for driving a vehicle for 10 years. I replaced it with an 2005 ES330 and it has been an excellent vehicle although since being retired have not put many miles on it. I have owned GM products, Ford and BMW and I can tell you that Lexus makes a better car. There service is top of the line and if you wait on a repair in their waiting room it is like your living room at home. They treat their customers with the up most courtesy and they always wash and clean your car after every service. I have recently just bought a 2008 RX350 so now I am a 2 car Lexus owner.

#28 of 44 It's comical by rsdl

Apr 16, 2008 (3:58 pm)

I have been in the Mercedes forum today researching E Series and I see a lot of people claiming they will never buy another one and will buy a Lexus instead. I come over here and see people complaining about Lexus and saying they'll go with MB E Series next time. It's a small world, indeed.

#30 of 44 Re: I would not buy another one either!! [acat1234] by draperysewer

May 28, 2008 (8:33 pm)

Replying to: acat1234 (Mar 07, 2008 1:07 pm)
My first ES was (2 yrs old)when I purchased it. I drove it for almost 8 years and was problem free baring an expensive maintenance issue that is fairly standard for its age. I do take care of my vehicles and the paint finish and body looked very good at near 10 years old.
 
I then leased another problem free 2002 ES that I liked very much. I was so glad to get rid of those ridiculous lease payments. No paint scratches and looked great after 3 years.
 
Then I leased a loaded Grand Prix GTP beauty with a turbo charged engine. Totally problem free baring rear speakers that needed to be replaced under warranty. I really wanted to keep that vehicle but buy out terms were out of line with its value. I would have been happy to buy another but they are being phased out and the replacement was not available when I needed a car.
 
I thought I had good luck with 2 previous models that I would have the same experience. I got my new ES this Feb. It is a very handsome car, with other than standard wheels and just enough pin stripping to accent the color and body. As of right now I will not buy another, and it is only 3 months old! It does not have near the bells and whistles that my GP had but costs more.
 
The paint is inferior. It scratches/chips easly showing white lines or spots. This disturbs me. I was commenting about scratches and chips within 2 weeks of ownership.
 
I do not like the the push button start and can't wait to get rid of that. It is so annoying. I spend more time looking for the fob or getting annoyed when I get out of the car with the keys in the car and I can't get in the trunk or passenger side. If the key fob is not just the right distance to the sensor again out of luck.
 
The radio is inferior to my GP. It is also not set up for satellite radio which I really enjoyed in my GP. They said I could add the capability if I wanted to spend $500.
 
It does not have fold down back seats, which I didn't realize I would miss as much as I do.
 
No remote start. I was told it couldn't be added because it messes with the security or eletronics of the car.
 
Cup holders need improvement too.
 
2 cigarette lighters but neither are hot so my phone will not charge while the car is off.
 
Another inconvenience is the memory seats. I typically drive my car, however, if my 6'5" husband tries to get in, he has to squeeze in to start the car for the memory button to recognize him. You cannot open the door, push the appropriate button and have the seat move.
 
I am a little concerned about the transmission after reading comments. I have noticed some rough shifting a few times. Fortunately not often so far.
 
The light grey carpet is really light, pretty, but a bugger to keep clean.
 
What I do like: it is silky smooth to drive even if it doesn't have the get up and go that the GP had. It is peppy, but I was much more confident with the power the other vehicle had. When I had to move quickly out of a situation, I was gone!
It handles well in the snow and slippery conditions. Seats are comfortable and back seat passengers are comfortable too. I am still trying to adjust the mirrors appropriately. So far I am concerned about a pretty big blind spot, but hopefully that will work out with adjustments. It feels like a solid car.
 
IMHO it is a good looking vehicle inside and out.

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