ES350drivr

Let the bashing and berating begin.

I was struggling to find my unicorn ES350 at a reasonable price: a 2010 black on black with ~20-40k miles for about $25k. That seems to be a highly popular color combo. I called on 4 cars and every time the sales guy said they had been sold.

It got a little frustrating so I decided to test drive the 2014 Optima. I had already drove the 2013 over the summer and decided it wasn't quite what I wanted. The Optima was not offered blk/blk in anything but a turbo. That changed for 2014 and the new trim package and options just couldn't be beat, even with a used ES.

I can honestly say I feel I made the right choice. It's not the same car, or even in the same league for that matter. My tastes have changed though and my lust for a 2007-2012 ES350 lives on a little. That car to me set the design standard and admittedly the Optima took many cues from it. I priced a 2014 ES and might consider something like that in a few years so who knows.

LexBob2

Congrats and good luck with the new Optima. It's a good looking car.

igzy

Congrats and enjoy your new ride!

liquidz

That lust will bring you back to us

But honestly, the Kia Optima is a very nice car and has plenty of comfort and convenient features. Some times I missed the sportier steering feel. I also crossed-shop this car vs 2009-2010 Lexus ES350. For me, I lucked out and ended up with a Black on Black Premium trim 2009 Lexus ES350 CPO. Otherwise, I may be driving a Kia Optima too.

Rogarven

I was very fortunate to find a mint condition 09 ES350 with 16.5 on the odo and for a good price. Really was not looking that seriously, but got this one. I have a friend with a Kia loaded and she is very happy. I am amazed at the features on it. Best wishes.

dman00001

Guess you'll have to change your moniker to KIAdrivr now. Figured I'd do the berating since no one else stepped up!

Seriously, enjoy the new ride. Drop another note here in a few years when you come back to a Lexus.

tmf2004

iTrader: (15)

Fellow Optima owner here as well... Enjoy the car... Congrats on your purchase... There was another member as well that bought one but don't know his screen name...

mlacomb

I have to agree - when I saw adverts for the new Kia Optima, I see hints of the 07-12 ES in the design. They are sharp looking cars.

igzy

Agreed! Over years, Kia and Hyundai have done a good job copying some best cars out there including ES. It certainly helps that their currency is good position so that they can pack more options and features than others and keep the price competitive...

jcat_350

optima = budget avalon twin.

Good cars for the money, they just don't seem to age well and become a bit rattle-ey and the interior plastics deteriorate unless meticulously cared for.

As I go on, I'm less and less interested in buying cars without warranties. I used to like working on my own cars but now it's becoming an inconvenience and unnecessary expense when you consider the difference in cost between something like a used ES and a new Optima or Sonata, when the equipment is damn near identical.

I'd just never be caught dead in a Kia or Hyundai, so that's one thing that puts me out of that category.

lgb0250

Yes they are. I really like the looks of the Hyundai Azera! Problem is that it, the Buick LaCrosse, Hyundai Genesis, etc will never hold the resale value of an ES!

Four years ago I was looking at the LaCrosse CSX versus the ES. I really liked the look of the LaCrosse and since I have family that works for GM, knew I could get a good deal using their discount program. They both priced out within a few dollars of each other. Luckily I couldn't find one east of the Mississippi in the color I wanted. Then the more I thought about it the more I knew it would never hold its value!

When I am purchasing a vehicle I always try and figure out what it will be worth when it comes time to sell it. It is after all, only a piece of metal. Actually a depreciating piece of metal. Checking the LaCrosse private party price today versus the ES, shows a $4K advantage to the ES.

garsarno

l looked up a 2011 Lacrosse CXL which matches up to my current 2011 ES350. They had very close MSRP equipped the same options and current mileage. Lacrosse trade in value: $18,837. ES350 trade in value: $24668. $6000 difference.

mlacomb

Agreed on resale; I have NEVER owned a car that has such a promising resale value as the ES. I never gave resale value a second thought - always assumed the car I purchased (never leased) would be worth dirt. And Ford and GM have both held up to this rule. I've never gotten more than $2000 value out of a car - loan or no - on the positive side of a car trade.

That being said, I'll drive this ES until the wheels fall off. And I image it'll still be worth 3-5k at the end!

korlexus

I used to drive a 2012 Kia Optima as my company car for about an year and half.
Very reliable, comfortable and easy to drive.
Congrats on your new vehicle and always safe drive!!

mnewxcv

good luck with the optima, seems to be they take pride in it as their flagship vehicle. my dad had a forte a couple years back and it was pretty bad in terms of quality. around the wheel openings and lower fenders you could see spots where primer coat was still visible that didnt get basecoated but did get cleared over. that and the plastic feel of everything in the interior made me hate to drive in it.