twister

Driving '09 ES350 loaner today while oil is being changed on my 3GS. To my surprise this one is not as floaty, and steering is not as loose. I mean, it’s nowhere near the 3GS, and you still feel disconnected from the road BUT I clearly remember my previous '07 ES350 and how bad it was to drive. Again, this is just a/b comparison between my memory recollection of driving '07 and now '09, and I do see a significant improvement. Anybody else noticed that?

LexBob2

I recently drove an '09 loaner while my car ('07) was in for the 3yr/36k service, and didn't notice any difference. Maybe your loaner felt different because you'd been away from an ES for a while.

SmokeyES35

the bias has faded?

twister

Na, still there [bias] At least loaner didn't have trany flare, but still wind noise and front/rear door misalignment. It’s been 2.5 years since I drove ES350 (3 years since I bought it), and I still have a bad taste in my mouth about the car but not about Lexus Corp and dealership and how gracefully they handled buyback Oh well, maybe it was my imagination, but I really did feel suspension a little stiffer.

SmokeyES35

yeah... the suspension is probably as crappy as you remember it, way too soft and being able to feel the road is overrated. I dont have any wind noise, but then again, i dont drive over 55 and i dont really drop my foot on the pedal trying to get to the next red light faster then the other guy so i havent had any flare ups, but oh well. Maybe there are others who've noticed a difference... as I havent had any trips for loaners other than an oil change, and I can wait the 45 minutes rather than get a loaner.

vtricar

I had the same experience with a 2009 loaner ES 350. The suspension was definitely stiffer and steering was more direct. adjustments in steering while driving were noticeably less. Body roll was also less. Because of the soft suspension and disconnected feel of the steering, I was reluctant to get a new one when my 2007 came off lease...........until I drove the 2009. Just picked up my new one ...........and the difference is quite noticeable. I also got 18 " wheels with summer tires and put winters on the stock rims. WHAT A DIFFERNCE! Highy reccomended. Obviously not as good as the rear drive GS, but a great improvement over the stock wheels and tires.