Robot78

Hey everyone,

I'm looking for opinions. My wife and I will probably be buying a sedan within the next year. My quandry is that Lexus offers too many good vehicle options !!

As background, my wife currently drives a 98 GS 300 with about 90 K miles. It has been a wonderful car and probably will be trade-in material. I am currently driving a 2006 GX 470 - my prior car was a 2002 BMW M3. With a new car, we'll probably take turns between the GX and whatever we get.

The new ES, IS and upcoming LS each hold a lot of appeal. I know the IS is sportier/faster and the ES is more "refined", but I want both !! A year ago, the ES would not have been on my radar, but I really like the look and equipment on the new ES. My wife is going to want the new LS, and I suspect that I will really like it; but it is going to be worth 30K more than the ES (40K vs 70K) ??

We obviously thought about the new GS, but neither of us really like the interior. My wife didn't think the seats were comfortable and my head brushes the roof (6 foot tall) - so it is not on the list at this time.

Another car that has me drooling is the possibility of the IS 500. Lexus quality with M3 performance - man that will be hard to pass up. I'm assuming it will be in the 60K range.

Anyway, I'm not in a hurry. Certainly going to see what the new LS looks like in October, and wait for the demand to (hopefully) drop on each of my options.

Thanks for any thoughts.

dshahs420

If you can afford the new LS, there is no competetion! The IS is too small, especially if you have a toddler or thinking about a family. The ES is a wonderful car but the LS is going to be great. Awesome engine, power and refinement! Cant beat it.

twister

Where did you hear about IS500?

Pheonix

That leaked in a japanese mag. along time ago. Old news. Well. The new ES 350 is alot more car than the first (or second) LS400 was back in the day.
You seem like a status man. Spend the money on the LS460. Which is huge.


I see the problem here, as you're compairing what this time last year, would be three cars. One of which is twice the price of the other two!




ES350 is great. IS350 is great. LS is what Lexus throws all its money into, even tho it's the slowest seller. They're not just boats, They're flagships!
(LoL! Somebody quote me on that. That's funny!)

redman

Hey Guys,

As quoted by that "Lexus Champion" PHEONIX when describing the Lexus LS series automobiles, "They're not just boats, They're flagships!"

How's that Pheonix?

Seriously though, after a 1990 ES250, a 1994 LS400, a 1997 LS 400 and now a 2007 ES350,............They're ain't nothing like the REAL thing, baby! And, the LS's are the real thing! We tried another ES this time. And, while it's a fine little automobile, with lots of style and tons of bells and whistles, we really can't wait till our next trade back into that "flagship".

Be Well,
The Redman

wanderer99

If you have the means to comfortably get an LS460 then buy it.

The ES350 is wonderful. The LS460 is simply better. Everywhere in every way. If I had the cash and was comfortable spending that much on a car (I'm not there yet!) then I'd seriously consider the LS.

Lexus will like reading this: My wife and I actually consider our ES350 as a practice run to really see what Lexus is all about. If our ES350 is serviced, repaired and responded to by Lexus in an A1 manner, then we'll feel comfortable buying an LS next and know we'll be cared for. If Lexus screws around with us, then we'll know not to buy an LS when the time comes for the ES350 to be replaced - if that day ever comes!

jeffofla

Clearly, the LS will be the best luxury vehicle of the entire bunch. Speed, handling, suspension, ridge, torque, all of that. But one little tidbit that surprised me is that was that with the LS will top out at a speed of 130 mph (electronical limited governor) while the ES tops out at a speed of 139 mph (also electronically limited governor). I wonder why the 9 mph definiciency on the LS when it is a much more powerful car.

Kaius88

Okay the LS is bigger, more powerful, more comfortable, and has more stuff, but if the new LS460 look anything like the previous LS models then it still looks like just a big long box on wheels. I mean in terms of sleekness, which I think even flagships should have, the LS isnt even close to the lower models. Is it worth $30k more? I guess i'll have to test drive one to believe it.

wanderer99

Anyone wondering what the LS460 looks like should head over to the LS460 forum here at CL. Lots of pics and interim reviews are now posted.

redman

Kaius88,

Don't do it! As someone who has driven an LS from 1994-2006, Don't do it!
After what you've just been through getting the "perfect" ES350, you just don't want to risk getting into another rumble with your wife.............

Be well,
The Redman

Lex350

For the 70k for a LS you could get an ES for 40K and an IS for 35k. You could have the best of all worlds.

Kaius88

Now thats an idea.... Switch off your cars depending on your mood.

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

youre not going to get an IS350 for 35k unless its used, or a very lucky deal on a bare bones 350, a 250 definately for 35k

wait for the LS to come out, it will blow the ES and IS away