nelsona

Hello,

I was recently searching for a used ES 350 and found a 2014 selling for $34,000.00 with the following:

1. Ultra luxury package
2. Navigation / Mark Levinson audio
3. Blind spot monitor / cross traffic alert
4. Lane departure alert / Rain Sensing wipers
5. 18" aluminum alloy wheels
6. Only has 14,448 miles
7. Was a personal lease

Regarding the vehicle:

Q1. Does it sound like a good deal?

Q2. If I was to pay cash for the vehicle, how much lower could I bargain with the dealer for a better price?

Q3. The only thing that concerns me with the vehicle are the 18" wheels (due to ride comfort). If I wanted 17" wheels put on instead, would the dealer do that?

If so, how much could I expect to pay for such an upgrade / downgrade?

Q4. How would this vehicle compare to an 2014 - 2015 Avalon Limited?

In other words, would it be a significant upgrade from an Avalon or just a minor upgrade?

Q5. Has anyone had problems with the 2014 ES 350? If so, was it covered under warranty?

Thank you,
Nelson

pab12

2012 is not a current model. I'd pass...
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My karma just ran over your dogma
'13 Lexus ES350

pab12

>2012 is not a current model. I'd pass...

Whoops, sorry, made a mistake, it's a 2014...
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Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car
Oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car
Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, and
Torque is how far you take the wall with you

nelsona

So given that it's a 2014, does it sound like a good deal?

It's also a certified pre-owned.

Nelson

Kijug

I bought a new 2014 ES UL/ML + All Options; walkout at $50K. Anyway, I know new cars drop price, but I enjoy buying new. So...for comparison, I leave that to you. I have 23K miles right now after about 20 months of driving. I also have PCS ($1500 MSRP at the time)--which the one you're looking at does not. Good luck deciding!

nelsona

I believe the vehicle comes with PCS as well, per the description:

"...INTUITIVE PARKING ASSIST, LEXUS PRE-COLLISION SYSTEM with DYNAMIC RADAR CRUISE..."

So basically we're talking about a 16,000.00 drop in price (if the specs align with yours)?

Sounds like a good deal to me, but I'm worried about maintenance and repair costs (though the ES is from everything I've read, a reliable vehicle).

Out of curiosity, have you had any problems with yours?

If not, has the maintenance been a headache?

Thank you,
Nelson

Brn2fish

Nelson,
It is an average deal.
I am sure that you've tried to research year and model in cars.com.
Depends on your negotiation skills, you may knock down a few hundred from that price ($500.00 or less)

Dealers don't like cash deals really.

Brn2fish

Nelson,

you will be surprised how affordable it can be. $59.00 for an oil change (good for 5K miles) - it is comparable to Grease Monkey or other such shops. In some cases with a due diligence, you can find alternative ways to handle repairs. For instance, here in Denver, we have a ToyDoctor company that offering service and repair for Lexus for significantly less. And do not be afraid to have hard talks to your mechanics. Just to make sure that all they are saying is really necessary for your car.

Just go for it

Mike728

Or, take it to a Lexus dealer and pay $99 good for 10k miles.

You're not using synthetic?

nelsona

@Everyone: Thank you for the information and help.

I guess from the looks of things I should keep on looking.

Furthermore, I guess no one has had any problems bringing in their Lexus into a Toyota dealership (which is good to know).

Thank you,
Nelson

cstone3636

I have a 14 Ultra also and have had 0 problems with it. I take it to the Local Toyota Dealer for service at half the price. The price they gave you is pretty good. I'd offer a little lower and see where it goes, the 1st price posted is rarely the end price from my experience. You won't be disappointed with the car.

bc6152

A synthetic oil change - 0W20 - on the Lexus ES 350 is good for 10k miles - not 5k - no matter where you take it to be changed. Depending on your driving this could mean one oil change a year...

As far as the price goes, I'd offer him $30,000. Most he could say is no...So then offer 32.

Kijug

I've had zero problems. I take mine to Lexus for oil changes. I prefer the dealer until the warranty is up--just in case there is something big that happens, they have all the details on the car...then probably Toyota. But I do make sure I take advantage of the drinks and snacks--heh...free lunch!

But I chose the Lexus ES because of low maintenance (FWD, manual-shifter, goodies, and other reasons). My other Acura and Subarus had very low maintenance. I'm not much for American cars, unfortunately. Dunno how much weight folks put into Consumer Reports magazine, but if you look at the Lexus, they have all really high marks for maintenance and problems (i.e., "high=good").

Good luck!

P.S. As someone above said, it may be an average deal, but finding an UL ES with all the goodies is rare.

nelsona

Thank you all for the information.

I'll see if I can talk the dealer down a few thousand.

Nelson

Bakbayzona

Nelson, I'm curious how things turned out for you...I'm new to the club but I think that deal you were looking at was a good one. I recently found a 2014 ES 350 with the Ultra package and only 7K miles (old lady lease) in pristine condition for just over $34k. I especially liked the black panoramic roof's contrast on the Starfire Pearl (white)...