gappell

I have been looking to replace my 2007 ES350 with a new 2014 ES350. However, the changes after 7 years appear to be minimum if not regressive. No touch navigation screen but a return to joy sticks. I had the Ultra Luxury package that included everything. I now find that you have to special order items that were included like adaptive cruise control with PCS.

The Lexus website does not allow you to configure a car with those options and dealers are telling me they have to be special ordered. They discourage special orders as they say they will not offer discounts and it will take over 4 weeks.

Does anybody on this forum have these features and what experience did you have in buying a car with those options?

jollick

I have the 2013 ES300h, I special ordered it in September 2012 and received it in January 2013. I also wanted the UL with everything. I was able to get a discount but not as good as some on this site who purchased off the lot.

brittmayo

I got a 2014 - same experience as jolick. Was worth the wait. Odd way to run a business, though.

mspearl95

i bought my 2013 UL with all options right off the boat as it came in; didn't have to special order it, and was able to get a bit of a discount, tho not much. purchased in late august 2013.

i much prefer the joystick over the touchscreen, which I had on my 2011, but of course that is just a personal preference.

amphipri0n

You actually can go to the Lexus website and configure a vehicle with everything. It depends on your region as some of the packages may not be available....

Try 94027 when you hop onto the website and click "Build your lexus" For the ES 350, there are 5 packages available here, with the last one at $12,362 Ultra-Luxury Package with Additional Options. This includes *everything* PCS, ML, etc If you don't see this package available in your zipcode, that must mean it's a regional availability issue.

Lexusxoxo

I have a fully loaded one that I bought off the lot but mine is a 2013 and I'm in Southern California..
I had a 2007 UL ES and I think the 2013 Blows it away!!
Hope you find the one you want.

gappell

Now that is interesting, tried your zip code and it does build with the Ultra showing PCS and adaptive cruise control. Lexus decided you guys needed it in California but not in Florida. I did find a dealer in Miami that says he will be getting one in another month. I now have to decide to wait or let my wife by a Honda.

jonmanch

In September 2013, I bought a 2013 ES300h with adaptive cruise control off the lot, but it was a special order and the purchaser got cold feet. It was the only one within a 490 mile radius.

Just lucked out.

mcomer

Keep in mind that any Lexus Specials, lease rates/residuals and/or interest rates are applicable at the time of delivery, not at the time of deposit. When your specially ordered UL/PCS/LDA arrives you may be pleased to qualify for something extra.

pbarbi

Believe me, the adaptive cruise control option is well worth the wait of a special order. Have an almost fully loaded 2014 ES300h, & had concerns whether it would be worth the high price, but after having some experience with it, it is truly worth it, especially if you do alot of highway driving.

It provides for a very relaxing drive. My issues with the standard cruise control was that varying traffic speeds, particulary on hilly/mountainous passages, & following trucks, made standard cruise almost useless in those situations. This has solved all that. It really works great. In fact it reduces speed because of slower vehicle in front of you so smoothly, you may not be aware of it, unless you're watching the speedometer.

Hope this helped.

jakepdx

After returning from a 1k mile trip the other day, I totally agree about the ACC - it is awesome! One question occurred to me, though, as I was using it: does the car's brake lights turn on when the ACC brakes the vehicle? Sometimes it's forced to slow down fairly suddenly, and I was hoping that the lights would come on, even though I'm not hitting the breaks. Anyone know?

Arty101

I'd be very surprised if it didn't. Otherwise, you might have a very short rear end.

LexBob2

Good question anything in the owners manual?

mspearl95

the little graphic of your car in the instrument panel while using ACC shows the brake lights coming on when the car comes upon another car and brakes; I would assume that the real brake lights are coming on at the same time.