tcbted

Crazy question, huh?

I have an 07 ES350, base car, no wood wheel.
I find the interior very stark.
I've considered wood packages, but they never look stock to me.

Love the ES350, but as so many others have stated, I much prefer the
older car's interior. Triple stitched leather, more soft surfaces, like the
aluminum look center stack, etc.
I know some of these issues were addressed with a bit more wood in 2010,
but I'm not looking at spending more money.

My local Lexus dealer just got in a very low mileage ES330 luxury pkg,
with Mark Levinson, wood wheel, Xenon's, sunshade, etc.
Its an 04 with about 50k, and the difference would be about $4k in my
pocket.

I've driven the ES330, and it seems just as quiet, obviously slower, and a
bit more plain outside, with a much nicer interior.

The ES330 is looking a little old right now, but I still like that generation.
I likely won't do anything, because the 02-06 generation will soon be two
generations old, and the values will certainly plummet.

Has anyone ever stepped back to an ES330, or is it a pretty ridiculous
backwards step?

The 04 ES with 50k





My 07 with about 50k

GSteg

iTrader: (15)

I say hang onto your car. The 02-06 ES transmissions sometime have a mind of their own. We have one and on occasion, the transmission would shift back and forth causing a clunk that could be felt throughout the cabin. This happens mostly around town. Downshifts are slow and you have to really gun it before it decides it wants to do something. I do a better job of downshifting by moving the shift lever down to 4th gear (on uphill climbing or when I need passing power).

That's probably the biggest complaint I have. I did buy the ES (2005) for one thing and that's the interior. It's one of the best looking/feeling interior of any car I've been in. I think the 07+ ES interior look too similar to the pre-02 models which is a step backward.

With that being said, I would switch to an ES350 if I had the opportunity. The engine and transmission is MUCH better. I wish Toyota saved the 02-06 interior for the 07+ and used the 07+ interior in the 02-06. That would have looked more appropriate. I have navigation and I think the layout looks much better than the non-navi models.

dreyfus

The ES350 has significantly better horse power and gas mileage. While I agree the interior isn't as plush (especially on your base model) there is no way I'd go for the older model.

jagtoes

Dealer installed wood package doesn't look to bad so maybe you should look into it.

LexBob2

If you like the improvements made to the interior with the 2010 model year, keep in mind the next gen is coming with the 2013. If you can wait a while you'll be able to get a good deal on a pre-owned 2010 as it gets closer to the launch of the next generation ES.

GoingHaam

no way...i could never down grade generations.... if anything maybe moving to an older LS430, "maybe" ...

tcbted

Well, I tend to agree with everyone else here.
Thanks for the logic.

When the 2012's hit the streets, the 02-06 generation will take a big
hit in depreciation.

I may consider a couple of the wood kit pieces .... glovebox and
door handles, and that's about it.

I was really curious if anyone else had actually contemplated going back
1 generation. It would appear no one has.

MadMax96

The only ES330 I would consider is the 05/06 years with the nicer looking 17" wheels and updated front and rear ends. I think the tail lights and round fog lights look way better.

If giving up the horsepower meant an increase in MPG - I'd *MAYBE* consider it, but I'm pretty sure the MPG on the ES350 is rated just as good if not better - the 6th gear helps I bet.

But if you like that car and could do more with the extra $4k in your pocket, go for it!

KLF

No way, NEVER would I make that swap.

Don't get me wrong, I love my '05, but the tranny is just awful. And honestly, the ML sound system isn't as good as I had hoped. My mom has an '07 that is MUCH better, rides better, etc. The only thing I don't like about hers is the poor rear sight visibility.

LexPaul

My wife has a 05 ES330, same color and options as mine , Nav, HID Lights, except for a few options (Park_Assist/Blue-Tooth). I must say that her car seems well built and solid. However, my 09 has a smoother ride. Her seats seems wider and more solid, but this could be my imagination? Yes her car has more wood trim, but I think mine is just as stylish, with less wood trim, my preference. Also I prefer the overall design of my car over hers. All in all I would not want her car. I love mine!!

blinddrver

Ironic.

I don't care for the wood trim at all, especially on the wheel. I bought the car mainly for the ride and quietness. I actually got an ES without leather as I don't care to cake on to seats all the time in this FL heat. I would give you the wood trim if it could be replaced with some sort of stock trim. What is the dashboard, some kind of fancy plastic/rubber?

jkutti2000

no way. the ES350 is refined.. plus it has so many nuances of the higher end LS model.. the parking sensors.. heated/cooled seats, bluetooth, etc.. the car is based on a much recent design... the power. and smooth transmission.. seems like we all have forgotten the tranny issue.. ha ha. in the 02-06. model... the LS430 is stellar. but i would prefer a sleeker mordern looking car.. ie. the 07s models onwards..

cavette

iTrader: (1)

Don't do it. Hang onto your ES350.