TomMartin

I finally test drove a 2016 ES 350 yesterday...after also driving a 2015 GS 350 and a 2015 GS 350 S Sport.

I must say that I was pleasantly surprised. I had driven 2014 and 2015 ES 350s as service loaners a couple of times and did not really enjoy the driving time.

I drove the '16 ES 350 last of the three and found it very enjoyable ride. It appears more quiet, seemed very responsive, seemed pretty solid in clover leaf "test" and generally I found it quite comparable...or maybe even preferable for what I would call daily driving.

The F Sport was a bit noisier than the regular GS and the ES was clearly the quietest inside riding.

Kind of changed my perspective and may shift me back to the 2016 ES as I also like the MPG/regular gas...and do not mind the front wheel drive.

We try to do a long road trip each year...about 5,000 miles...and I think the 2016 ES would shine.

I also saw my first 2016 GS and I do like the design better in person than in the pictures. Dealer says they will have on show floor beginning right after the New Year.

FWIW...TomMartin

TomMartin

Pretty non-scientific...may be partly due to the fact that the 2014 and 2015s were loaner vehicles with close to 10K miles.

The 2016 seemed generally quite and more solid...also seemed a bit more responsive. Not sure if transmission ratios are changed at all? Seemed to pass my "cover leaf" test pretty well and I expected a bit more "float".

I drove the '15 GS F Sport first, the '15 GS second and the '16 ES last. I just felt pleasant. I did not push any of the units since I do not particularly drive that way in any case...maybe the GS*(F Sport particularly) would show its' handling strength if I had pushed it a bit more than I did.

Al in all...I was pleased and a bit surprised that I didn't feel...boy I have to have an F Sport. We shall see...Tom Martin

SW17LS

Yeah I always find myself liking the drive of new cars on the lot vs the same car as a loaner car.

USALV

So let me go this straight the ES 350 only needs regular gas? Thank you

teezee1000

Yes it uses regular gas.

bc6152

One of the great features of the ES 350 is that it can use regular gas. Runs great, and with gas less tan $2.00 a gallon, a real bargain. If you're using premium fuel you're wasting money. No advantage in performance with premium.

USALV

Thanks for the info. I gas is about 1.50 per gallon in southern Texas. The sales man at dealership the tried to tell me that premium was required. I'm glad I got this cleared. It's between The 2016 ES 350 and the Toyota Camry XLE Or XSE. My current car a 2000Toyota Camry with 241,000 miles and its getting a little long in the tooth.

Kijug

I got my 2014 ES 350 UL in July 2014. I had a 170,000 mile 2003 Acura TL Type-S that used premium fuel back when fuel was $4.00/gallon, etc. Boy, to use regular fuel at $1.60/gallon (north Texas currently) is totally awesome! Yes, the owner's manual says to use regular 87 octane.

And for what its worth overall, I have enjoyed the car very much. Detailed the inside yesterday...which caused it to rain (right!?) so now I have to wait a few days before I can give it its spring wash 'n wax job.

USALV

Do you recommend buying the extended warranty ? Thank you

bc6152

Many on this forum have posted their opinions on buying an extended warranty for their new Lexus. The great majority, of which I am one, do not advise one to purchase an extended warranty. Lexus cars are very reliable, consistently at the top of any owner survey regarding repairs. Extended warranties are a source of very high profit for dealers and brokers alike. This is why they push so hard to sell you one. Save your money.

Les, chime in here please...

Brn2fish

My salesman told me that it uses any gas. As soon as I will take delivery of my new one, I will do a comparison test on plain and mountain roads

bc6152

Salesmen say a lot of things. Most of it BS. In any case, yes you can use any QUALITY fuel in your new Lexus, premium or regular. Lexus engineers designed the engine to run on regular 87 octane fuel.

Mike728

^^True, except you can't run E85.

USALV

Thanks so much for the insight!

LexusBC

I'm about to make the same move. My 2000 Toyota Camry LE, with 224k miles is needing a rest. I want to get a new daily, and really was considering the GS350, 2014-2015 model, and then the ES350 caught my eye. I need to drive to DFW (200 miles) to see how they are, just doing all the research before doing so. I do plan to keep the Camry as a beater for bad weather days (hail), since North Texas gets a lot of that.

I am really interested in what you decide to get.