dp5

I understand wanting both.

Aren't we all lucky to be in the position to own any of these cars? It is hard to make a mistake at this level no matter which car you decide to go with.

Threxx

The old 3.0/3.3L V6 w/ 4-speed/5-speed auto was the worst-feeling/responding powertrains available in any car over 30k dollar IMO.

I mean yeah it was smooth, but smooth was all it had going for it. Not so hot fuel economy, slippery-like shifts that made you wonder if somebody put mayo in the trans fluid, poor off the line throttle response, rough noises at high RPM without much power to go with it... if it wasn't for the fact that the entire rest of the 4th gen ES was amazingly nice/luxurious for the price range, I'd wonder how they ever sold to anyone but the super old fogey types who could care less about the powertrain.

This new 3.5L GR-series V6 alone is more than enough reason to upgrade assuming that they also fixed the transmission to be more like the IS, GS, SC, LS,... heck, like all the other vehicles in their lineup except for the RX330 which shares the ES' depressing powertrain characteristics IMO.

With that said if I do go Lexus next time around (only reason I went with the A4 I have now is that the Lexus dealer was way too full of itself with lease pricing on the IS350 - they wanted nearly twice as much for a car that didn't sticker anymore), I'll have a tough time deciding between the IS350 and the ES350, unless they come out with a manual transmission IS350 or a manual transmission IS460/500. If my only choice with either is an automatic trans then I'd almost prefer the more laid back, roomier, and more luxurious demeanor of the ES.

S L I C K

I'd definately wait 6 months and get a 2007 GS 350. The 2007 ES 350 is a lot nicer than the 2006 ES 330, but it's still kind of boring. IDK, maybe I have to see it in person.

yESman

I wish I could be more positive but I honestly think the 2007 ES is a disaster. If you are going to spend $40K buy the IS and get some performance and design.

I'm really bummed about the new design.

Rockville

Your not an ES type buyer. You belong in an IS250/350 or a 3 series. It is BMW and Mercedes and other Euros that don't have an answer for the ES350. They don't make FWD. A lot of buyers in the US favor FWD. Between the ES and the RX sales Lexus puts BMW and Mercedes in their rear view mirrors by a bigger and bigger margin each year. ( 6 years in a row) They don't just compete they dominate. You may not like the ES350's style but the performance will be surprising. It will have a 6 speed auto that shifts smoothly and without torque steer. It is much lighter than the RX350 which is much better than the RX330 in acceleration. The ES350 will have all of the toys of the upper models now like Bluetooth, rear backup camera, high end Mark Levinson and it will have the interior size of an E Class or 5 Series (maybe bigger) At the same time it will be fuel efficient and emission free and FWD. Luxury plus good performance and traction. Did I forget to mention reliability? Everyone should just trade in their ES300's and ES330's which have held their value well and upgrade to the next generation.

Rock

GFerg

5 ES for me. No brainer for me.

Rockville

at 4,000 posts. The ES350's gonna have it all.

bpv12

I think i would be all for the new ES. That keyless go is a really nice feature. Also the DVD playback and ML system. Has anybody heard anything about the ML for the ES350? I've seen some complaints about it in the new IS. I have it on my ES and I think it's the best thing ever to come in car stereos.

Macklin

Just what I'm considering doing. I do plan to look hard at the IS as well. What do you think the dealer will offer me for my 98 ES with 86K in excellent condition?