Lexus ES 350 - PLEASE talk me out of this!

Two words:
Premium Fuel.

 

For what it is worth.......

I've got a Lexus ES330 (and '07Prius), The Lexus is a nice car and rides smoooth, Good for the Interstate. My wife likes it better.

The Prius, likewise is a great car. I use mine for short trips.

But !!! But !!!... the Super thing about the Lexus is the Lexus Service. It is just beyond belief.

There is no screwing around , scams etc like the other dealers. In my area (Little Rock) if service takes over an hour and a half, they give you a new Lexus loaner car to drive.

The waiting rooms are plush.....food and drink provided.

Just awsome service. It costs alittle more (maybe) but definately worth it(in my opinion)

Check it out before you buy !!!!

 

I don't know how you define "a little more", but if I remember correctly, when my friend's Lexus RX went in for 7500 service, it was $187. The 15K costed him $400+. The former only consists of oil change, lube, tire rotation and X-point inspection. 60K service could cost you nearly $2000 easily. Those nice loaners come with a cost out of your pocket. I have owned 540 BMW for 9 years, luxury vehicles are over-rated.
A final note, I would never buy another vehicle that "drink" premium gas. Thank you for the couple of extra horse power. But, no thanks.
Just my humble opinion.

 

Partly as protest against the disgusting trend we call American consumerism, I will not own a luxury brand automobile. I'd rather take my Toyota branded vehicle and make it look and feel like those fake luxury brands.

(remember, in their country of origin, the MANUFACTURER of these products doesn't bother differentiating between regular and "luxury" marques - "Lexus," "Acura," "Infiniti" are all created as false abstractions Americans put faith in and spend more money on a label just to have)

~ dan ~

 

Hmm, our RX400h Lexus runs on both regular OR primium, but gets better mpg on the higher octane ... enough so to make up for paying the difference. The seating in the 400h IS nicer than our Prius, but enough to trade it in? No. Not even at 6'-5" 220lbs. I simply made brackets to put the seat back an extra 2" or so. Even when moved up for big rear passengers, for me, it's still do-able.

 

Lexus and Toyota are now separate....Es350 is the only toyota lexus... all the other are under lexus..

 

He might mean that Toyota has begun selling the Lexus brand in Japan- which sort of differentiates the otherwise the same models, ie Toyota Celsior is same as Lexus LS, Soarer = SC, Harrier = RX, Windom = ES.

 

Yes , the RX is based off the Camry.. but this is not what i meant...

Recently, Toyota and Lexus has become separate company... I read this from CL somewhere.. so it could be the R&D or the Manufac. But it was saying that ES was the only one to remain with Toyota.... sorry can't find it be i've read it more than once... when i find it i'll post it up..unless someone else would like to share...

 

I read soemwhere that the ES 350 was made out of melted orphans. I'm just sayin'.

 

i would say... go with the Camry Hybrid. after all, it is an ES300.

 

That's exactly my thinking right now. I am at a point in my life and career where I can pretty much afford any vehicle I want without financial concern. Yet, I want something as economical as my old Prizm (a relic from a different point in my life) but a lot more modern and safer. That's why I think I am about to buy a 2008 Prius. Plus I have a thing for hatchbacks that just about seals the deal for me.

 

That would be my first or second choice. BUT I have serious concerns when I read all the owner complaints about '07 and '08 Camry interior rattles everywhere, misaligned panels, pieces falling off, loud suspension thunks, SKS with a mind of its own, etc. These are widespread complaints, a few of which I experienced for myself when I test drove a brand new Camry Hybrid last week. I really liked the car and was impressed with the overall experience. But my wallet gets really antsy when (1) a car with less than 25 miles on the odometer is making loud suspension thunks over small road imperfections and (2) the car is sitting outside in plain view when the trunk suddenly pops open in the pouring rain while the key fob is sitting on the salesman's desk right in front of me and nobody touched the car or the fob. Hmm. (YMMV)

 

Don't do it.

 

Some people will want to experience the "luxury car" stuff for themselves no matter what other people say Else, they will always be hunted by that idea everytime they see one on the road. Life is short. Go get it, enjoy it for a couple of years, and report back. Then trade it in for the next gen Prius. Cool