LVPUNK

We are in the market to buy a "new" car for us. We don't drive too much, but do take a lot of road trips to national/state parks etc. We currently have a 97 Camry that drives great with 237k miles on the clock and no signs of slowing down. We've been driving this car for 15.5 years! So I'm pretty loyal to the brand.

I've test driven a few ES 350s and think they would work fine for us. We have a lot on the private market and I'm finding some good deals are out there.

Price range could go as high as 23k, but I'd prefer to keep it 15-20k. I drove a 2012 last night, one owner, all records with 56k miles, asking 18,900. Some light scratches and two small dents though. I also found another 2007 with only 38k miles, asking low 15k. Going to see that this week.

My big question is if there are any years that were more problematic than others? Did (the first year) 2007 have more problems for instance? Any issues in particular that I need to look for or ask the owners if they've been addressed? I don't care about tech too much, and the Missus just wants cooled seats, ha.

Also how DIY friendly is this car?

Thanks.

12jimmyjam

Not terrible for the DIY maintenance. The atf changes are a pain in the neck because you have to have the fluid at an exact temperature when you do it. It's pretty far from a drain and fill so most people pay toyota around $200 to do it. The back 3 plugs are a pain to change which again leads most people to take it to a mechanic. And of course you can have most work done at a toyota dealer vs. lexus for a huge cost savings.

The lexus website will show you the maintenance history on vehicles if you enter their vin.

The 2012 seems like a great deal, but the new body style came out in 2013. Overall these are great cars that are comfortable to drive with a great balance of power and fuel economy. Good luck!

LVPUNK

Thanks for the feedback.

Doesn't sound too daunting. We have a great Indy shop here in Vegas that works on Toyotas, which I'd imagine will be my go-to for repairs I don't feel like tackling.

On the 2010 Lexus, the exterior has scratches one rear/front bumpers and small ding on the driver's side door. How difficult would it be to get these fixed up? If I could find a way to get them cleaned up I may consider making an offer. Other than that the car appeared flawless from my test drive.

I'm going to drive the 2007 this weekend. The car was barely driven, and while the low miles are alluring the age concerns me a bit as my primary driver. I'm a cheap *** though, so the price point is very appealing.

Edit: I was just told about the timing cover leaks on these models. Does this apply to all years of the ES 350? Or was the issue cleared up later on?

LVPUNK

Today we test drove the 2007 with 38k miles. This car was in excellent shape and drove fantastic. The owner was a retired mechanic who barely used it. I'm going to schedule an inspection this week to see what it looks like on the lift.

Asking price seems high to me 15,900. This is a base ES,, with no tech or cooled seats. However if it checks out mechanically, then I'd absolutely be interested.

Any thoughts on price?

ESh

I think that's a lot od money for a base 2007 model.
With $20000 you can buy a low mileage 2011 or 2012 Ultra. Check on autotrader.

12jimmyjam

Eh, I was just shopping around a month ago in the DC/Baltimore area and everywhere in between and it sounds like an ok price. Definitely cheaper ones out there, but it sounds like the low mileage is bringing up the price. Definitely better deals out there.

The ventilated seats are an awesome feature. My car cools down really quickly during our hot summers here. You may kick yourself if you pass on it- especially if it's a feature you want.

ESh

I agree. Cooled seats are a great feature and they are one of the best seats out there.

LVPUNK

What would a fair offer be? I'm not attached to any outcome, so if they so "no", then I'd continue to look. I told a sales guy yesterday that I'd been looking for over a month and he seemed shocked lol.

Right now there aren't too many out there on the private market. The 2010 with 46k miles is asking 18,900. Then two others asking 22k, which is dealer price, yet still cheaper since I'd save nearly 2k on sales taxes + dealer fees etc.

12jimmyjam

Also just as an FYI the 2010-2012 have interior and exterior styling updates that differentiate it from the 2007-2009 models including Bluetooth that connects the music on your phone directly (and HD navigation I think). But my 09 is virtually identical to the 2007.

LexBob2

You correct, including the HD navigation beginning with the 2010's. 2010 was a mid cycle refresh and they added some very nice, IMO, interior and exterior updates that really enhanced the ES350.

LVPUNK

The owner said he would not budge much off his price, is quoting me KBB @ 16,300 and says he is the lowest priced one inside 500 miles (which is correct.) Not sure if I'm too interested at this point. The other one I looked at, a 2010 with 56k miles, was asking 18,900 was silver, and had cooled seats etc.

Edit: Now he said make an offer.

LVPUNK

Just got back from a test drive on a 2007 ES 350 with 94k on the clock. See it here.

I just drove the car and I'd give the interior and exterior a 9/9. Drives great. It's very well taken care of. The seller is open to trades/cash. He is the second owner and only has put 4k on it.

I am selling my 1997 Camry with 239k miles. Mechanically and interior are in near perfect shape as well. He also test drove my car and liked it a lot.

The seller offered 8000 + my Camry for the Lexus. He is fine with a PPI at a shop of my choice.

I looked up the VIN on Lexus and the only thing I found that made me apprehensive @ 90k miles:

Thoughts?????

ESh

Don't buy it.

Fugina

I am on my third used Lexus. First was a 1995 LS 400 Second was a 2002 ES 300 third bought this last August is a 2009 ES 350 all had about the same miles on them around 105,000. Drove all to about 250,000. Owned each about six years. Each was about six years old. The first paid 16,000 second 10,000 third 13,000 all had every option you could have. I am a Carpenter and not a wealthy man. I discovered that you coulld but these car at a third of the price with more than half of the life left in them. Repairs have been nothing major that's why I keep buying them. I believe it's better to buy the newest car with more miles than older with less miles. This has worked well with me and others. With that being said I which I would of found out in 2011 they starting using regular gas which would say a lot of money and afforded me to buy a 2011. At 100',000 the cars get cheaper at least in Cincinnati. Denny Black ES 350 Loaded to the Max. Reread your post this is not a Camry there is nothing like these car. They are the best. If I had your money I would buy a 2011 or 12. Read consumer reports look at all the red dot which are good. JD Power says the owners are the most satisfied of all owners. The owners on this forum will tell you can't go wrong yes ther are some dogs out there but there on there second or third owner mine were all one owner. Take you time the right one will come up. The first two I drove 100 and 150 miles to get the last on 20 miles. Buying a 11 or 12 in ten years will be 14 years old a 07 will be almost 20.

tayslexus

to me, the best option is the 2010 and only if it has the UL package.