thinking about buying a Lexus ES350

[il38694]

Wife is wanting a Lexus E350. We live in Anaheim, S. Ca. Does anyone own a Lexus E350 and know a good dealer in nearby area? How much do you pay? Can you also recommend an online website which is as good as Hondapilot.org? Thanks.

[jay]

As a reformed Lexus owner, I can tell you that you'll not find a forum as nice as this one. Clublexus.com is okay, but nothing will match hp.org, its great information, and the group of charachters we have here.

[ecsw]

Go drive 1 before you buy. I can't stand the handling of ES350.
I would rather go with IS instead.

[il38694]

Bump. Anyone owns a Lexus 350 and lives in S. CA?

[whizmo]

I'd also encourage you to go drive one before buying. Isolating the driver from the driving experience is Priority #1 with this car and it does a great job of it. Just a novacaine/pillow of a car.

And make sure the Lexus nameplate/dealership-experience and slightly guzzied up interior is worth the price bump over a Camry.

- Mark

[Poki]

Why not a BMW 535i or 335i? There is no driving experience like a BMW in my opinion. The handling, ride and confidence are unparalled.

[sblvro]

Originally posted by Poki
Why not a BMW 535i or 335i? There is no driving experience like a BMW in my opinion. The handling, ride and confidence are unparalled.

that is a commercial gimmick. if you want ultimate driving experience or a driver's car, hands down it is the evolution. but the ES350 is a boat. the IS is nicer to drive but the back seat is cramped. have I driven the 535i or the 335i, yes.

[Poki]

I agree that the Evo is a blast but in my opinion, and I am coming from a 530i, the BMW has a combination of ride, handeling and luxury that is hard to beat.

[rocky]

Whats your wife driving now and what does she like about it/dislike about it?

[il38694]

Originally posted by rocky
Whats your wife driving now and what does she like about it/dislike about it?

She is driving an 1998 Toyota Sienna, which is still in good shape. My son will go to college next year. I will give the van to him. So she is looking for upgrading to something affordable "luxury" car. She is almost 50 years old and will enjoy "sofe ride" more than "1.1 g" centrifugal force.

I drive the Pilot, so we do not need another SUV.

Any other recommendations than ES350? Our price range is under $40,000.

[Luwin1026]

Under $40k gives you a lot of options -

Acura TL - a bit sportier than the ES350, and is fairly luxurious as well. IMHO, a great value for the money.

Acura TSX - a notch further on the sportier spectrum, but not as luxurios with the high-revving 4-banger, and smaller than the ES350

BMW 3-series - a decked out 335i will push you beyond $40k, so you might consider a 328i - but sizewise it's a bit smaller than the ES350

Audi A4 - as a redesign is due sometime soon, they have the S-line package included now. Attractive design, capable performance, but once again, a bit smaller than the ES350

Mercedes C350/C300 - freshly redesigned and sweet-looking, decent performance, pretty luxurious for the entry level MB

Those are just some options you might have. While there are other offerings from the same marques that are above entry level such as the 535i, A6, etc. - you won't find anything under $40k unless you consider preowned. I didn't consider domestics such as the CTS, etc. as I do not have much experience nor knowledge of them aside from what I read in magazines.

Good luck!

[sblvro]

actually, if you are just after luxury without considering other things like acceleration driving dynamics, the ES350 is the best one there is. but if you compare the driving between the IS and the ES they are totally different. The GS is closer to the IS in terms of responsiveness and is also very luxurious and comfortable.

[jay]

Originally posted by il38694


...affordable "luxury" car. She is almost 50 years old and will enjoy "sofe ride" more than "1.1 g" centrifugal force.
...

There you have it. The ES350 is clearly the car for her. I'm in that age bracket, and love the soft, super quiet ride of my Camry Hybrid.

[sski]

My temptation would be to look at Acura or Lexus. When I saw BMW, Audi, M-B on the list the first thing I thought of was repair costs. I'd agreed they make sence to include in the comparison but the fact you refer to a "budget" and you're sending a child off to college, would make me think a big $$ brake job or alternator etc. 6 months down the road would probably not be very welcome.

With Acura/Lexus you're getting Honda/Toyota quality, just dipped in gold. I'd even consider a certified pre-owned Acura or Lexus.

[whizmo]

If luxury is the #1 priority, I'd go with the Lexus.

But.... if you are going to be driving the car too, see if you can talk here into a Infiniti G35. This will be "luxury enough", still is a very reliable Japanese car, is a good value (you'll spend less than the ES), AND is a true RWD driver's car, in the vein of the BMW and Audis. Great compromise.

- Mark