2016 es 350
#50
Lexus Champion
The "Build Your Lexus" page on the Lexus website is usually a very good indication of what combinations of packages and options are currently being built. As of the last time that I checked about a week ago, you could not build a 2016 ES that combines either the Luxury Package or the Ultra Luxury Package with the Safety Package. Thus, it could be the case that, from the early shipments of the 2016 ES, vehicles with the Safety Package may be hard to find. When auto manufacturers do a redesign of a model or when they do a major mid-cycle refresh, it is not uncommon for them, in the early production runs, to build vehicles without a full array of optional equipment.
When I bought my IS, the configurator said my combination of packages was unavailable in my area, yet there were several such configured ones on the lot of my dealer and the next closest dealer.
#51
Lead Lap
Since we are only at the very beginning of the the 2016 ES production cycle, dealers are not, at this point, going to have any 2016 ES vehicles in their inventories that were built earlier in the 2016 production cycle. When we get later into the 2016 production cycle, that is when dealers are going to be likely to have in their inventories a range of vehicles that were built at various times during the production cycle.
Thus, at the very beginning of the 2016 production cycle, the "Build Your Lexus" tool is likely to be a pretty good indicator of what vehicles are going to be available at dealers soon.
#52
Lexus Champion
The example with my IS was right when the new IS first hit dealer lots, similar to this situation with the '16 ES. Despite the online tool stating those configurations were not available in my area, those were the exact configurations being sent that week and the next week.
So at least in my experience, the online configurator was far off from reality. YMMV.
So at least in my experience, the online configurator was far off from reality. YMMV.
#53
Pit Crew
#55
Lead Lap
Geez, I wonder if the designers read these forums and take note of the dissatisfaction with the grille design.
Maybe they'll modify it next year for their biggest market.
Maybe they'll modify it next year for their biggest market.
#56
Lexus Fanatic
I've been posting on Lexus forums for ~15 years. ]lPeople have been whining about the spindle grill for years, before that it was the L-finesse styling. People always hate change, and most model refreshes draw more hate than love. The proof will be in the sales. If sales take a dip, they may change course, I'm betting that won't happen though.
I've been a spindle grill fan, for me its getting a little much though as it gets even bolder. I like it on this ES actually, and I like it on the F Sport NX and the new RX, but I don't care for the implementation on the refreshed GS and I'm not sure about the new LX.
#57
I just keep telling myself the other changes are nice and Lexus Customer service has always been great for me.
Dave Mac
#58
Lexus Test Driver
Front tag placement is embedded
The models with large mesh spindle grilles look much better without the front tag applied. This is not an option in many two tag states. You can get a $90 fine here in Maryland. All Lexus are shipped with a tag bracket and specific places to mount the bracket. Toyota manufacturing worries about the smallest of details and that is why they receive so many rewards for their factories. Since robots are employed for many repetitive tasks you might think that the process is autonomous. The programming of those robots is controlled by skilled craftsmen known as Takumis. They are famous for noticing any small aberration in the production and are ever vigilant. One such Master will purposely bring a chassis with defects into his section to see if it will be allowed to proceed. Not one defective chassis has made it past the checkpoints. Even a stray hair could cause a blemish in the stamping process or dust in the paint. Lexus goes to great lengths to keep these areas clean. As the old adage says, " You could eat off the floor." would be true.
#59
I'd love to see Lexus replace their single stage obsidian with one with a hard clear. The lack of clear definitely makes a difference in the amount of gloss the paint has. And with a harder clear you'd have less marring to show up on the dark paint.
#60
Lexus Fanatic
I personally prefer the look of the single stage black. Its less "shiny", but its deeper and richer looking IMHO.