ES 350 Reviews Official Thread - Page 4

sirCharles · 08-28-08, 07:16 AM

Great find LEXBob2

Jeannie · 10-15-09, 09:44 AM

I am a new owner of a beautiful ES 350 with all of the bells and whistles. I was looking for a comfortable ride. After test driving a few other brands, including an Avalon and a Genesis, I test drove an ES 350 at the dealer. I also did a lot of research on the most comfortable riding cars. I settled on the ES 350, and the dealer placed me in a different color vehicle and I was off...only to be greatly disappointed in the ride. I could literally feel every tiny bump in the road. After driving it only a few miles, my back was hurting from the jarring ride. I called the dealer and lodged my complaint. While they have been very nice, they deny there is anything wrong with the vehicle. I have ridden in a lot of vehicles, including a Nissan, a Hyndai suv, a Volkswagen GTI, a Buick, and even a Lexus suv. This car has one of the worst rides ever. Within the first mile of being in this car, I am in pain from the extremely uncomfortable and jarring ride. I am now having others drive this car to confirm the ride. So far, 100% of the people have agreed that the ride is awful. This car handles well, looks beautiful, and receives a lot of compliments. However, I would never buy another one and am looking to trade in this brand new car for one that I can ride in for more than one mile without it jarring me. It has 1000 miles on it. The dealer says it rides as it is supposed to. I know this isn't true.

LexBob2 · 10-15-09, 10:05 AM

Check the tire pressure on all four tires. The cars are delivered with around 40lbs PSI for transit from Japan, and should be adjusted prior to delivery. The recommended presure on mine ('07) is 32 lbs per the mfgr. label on the door jam.

I had the same issue as you and after setting the tire pressure to the correct levels, things were fine. Good luck.

Jeannie · 10-15-09, 10:10 AM

I agree on the tire pressure and that was the first thing I checked when I got home. They had over inflated the tires. I reduced them to the 30 psi as recommended by Lexus then to 28. While this made a slight improvement, it did not fix the problem. Ironically, when the dealer looked at the car for my complaint that it rode rough, they over inflated the tires again and returned it to me saying there was nothing wrong.

Thanks for your input though. I really like this car except for the ride, which is a deal breaker for me.

LexPaul · 10-15-09, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeannie

I agree on the tire pressure and that was the first thing I checked when I got home. They had over inflated the tires. I reduced them to the 30 psi as recommended by Lexus then to 28. While this made a slight improvement, it did not fix the problem. Ironically, when the dealer looked at the car for my complaint that it rode rough, they over inflated the tires again and returned it to me saying there was nothing wrong.

Thanks for your input though. I really like this car except for the ride, which is a deal breaker for me.

I'm not even sure if we're talking about the same car here. The Lexus ES 350 is universally known for its smooth ride, even from its hard core critics. This car is isolated from road noise, smooth, a virtual "cocoon on wheels" as described by US News Rankings. My wife and I test drove an 09 Infiniti M35, and right off the bat we both commented on the road noise and how the ride was not as smooth as the Lexus, the BMW 5 series = 'sporty ride' = more road noise. In fact my wife liked my 09 ES so much that she went out and found a fantastic deal on a very low miles, 05 ES 330. That car is awesome!!...., I recommend if you can find a smoother, quieter ride, then buy it!!......

amf1932 · 10-15-09, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LexBob2

Check the tire pressure on all four tires. The cars are delivered with around 40lbs PSI for transit from Japan, and should be adjusted prior to delivery. The recommended presure on mine ('07) is 32 lbs per the mfgr. label on the door jam.

I had the same issue as you and after setting the tire pressure to the correct levels, things were fine. Good luck.

That's strange........the label on my door jam said 30 lbs as the recommended pressure.

LexBob2 · 10-16-09, 07:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by amf1932

That's strange........the label on my door jam said 30 lbs as the recommended pressure.

My mistake, it is 30 lbs. on the sticker. I run mine at 32 lbs.

Jeannie · 10-16-09, 08:46 PM

I agree that this car is supposed to have a smooth ride, which is why I bought it. It does have a quiet ride. It is a 2009 ES 350. And if you haven't ridden in MY car, then you can't possibly know what I'm talking about. Trust me, my car does not ride smoothly or cushiony. My aching back will attest to that. I would say there is something wrong with it, but the dealer says there is nothing wrong with it. It is riding as expected. So I can only go by that. And you are right...it is only all of the people outside of the dealer who I have asked to drive the car to see if it rides roughly to them too. I shall continue to poll the people. As I said, it is a beautiful car and except for the ride, I very much like it.

amf1932 · 10-15-09, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeannie

So far, 100% of the people have agreed that the ride is awful.

FALSE!!! I have my '07 ES350 since May 2006, and to this day I as well as the majority of owners agree that this car has an exceptionally smooth ride.
So why the 100% figure that you use to mislead potential buyers? Maybe you mean 10%. I really didn't like your post!!!