Getting rid of 02 es300... gs350 replacement?
01-31-17, 04:35 PM
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Getting rid of 02 es300... gs350 replacement?
This is a cross posted thread from the es forum..
Hello,
ive been a member here a long time, but rarely post. I've got an 02 es300 that I bought with 40,000 miles. It's been an absolutely perfect car and I just rolled over 300,000 recently. It's just gotten to the point where it's a lot time to replace it. Still original transmission and engine, but it's 15 years old and I'm tired of it. I'm thinking I'd like to get a newer GS350, similar mileage, but I wanted to get opinions. I'm thinking 2008-2010 is the way to go. My current one is black with black leather, and while I love that, I think I want a different exterior color this time, but I want to stay with black interior. Are there any specifics I should look for?
some specifics about me- I'm 38, married with 6 kids. My wife drives a family car, and this will be my commuting car, hence looking for used. It won't be babied, but it will be maintained. Ill drive anywhere from 50-200 miles a day, depending on what I have on my schedule. I recently moved to Ohio, so if I do get the gs, I'll probably need to get awd.
Hello,
ive been a member here a long time, but rarely post. I've got an 02 es300 that I bought with 40,000 miles. It's been an absolutely perfect car and I just rolled over 300,000 recently. It's just gotten to the point where it's a lot time to replace it. Still original transmission and engine, but it's 15 years old and I'm tired of it. I'm thinking I'd like to get a newer GS350, similar mileage, but I wanted to get opinions. I'm thinking 2008-2010 is the way to go. My current one is black with black leather, and while I love that, I think I want a different exterior color this time, but I want to stay with black interior. Are there any specifics I should look for?
some specifics about me- I'm 38, married with 6 kids. My wife drives a family car, and this will be my commuting car, hence looking for used. It won't be babied, but it will be maintained. Ill drive anywhere from 50-200 miles a day, depending on what I have on my schedule. I recently moved to Ohio, so if I do get the gs, I'll probably need to get awd.
02-01-17, 09:25 AM
#2
Lead Lap
Welcome to the dark side. There are TONS of threads on here with people transitioning over from a different model Lexus, to a GS300/350/430/460, so you'll probably find a lot more specifics by skimming through those. However, a couple of the things mentioned right off the bat:
1. Replace the water pump, just to be safe.
2. The interior creaks, rattles, and buzzes worse than my family's old '89 Suburban (multiple remedies posted on here for that)
Overall, I absolutely love my '08 GS460, but the interior noises do tend to drive me a bit nuts at times, especially when I have my pretentious BMW fanboy friends in the car who talk about how their old 3-series make less noise and blah blah... haha. The cars are very reliable, comfortable, and a lot of fun to drive. Best of luck.
1. Replace the water pump, just to be safe.
2. The interior creaks, rattles, and buzzes worse than my family's old '89 Suburban (multiple remedies posted on here for that)
Overall, I absolutely love my '08 GS460, but the interior noises do tend to drive me a bit nuts at times, especially when I have my pretentious BMW fanboy friends in the car who talk about how their old 3-series make less noise and blah blah... haha. The cars are very reliable, comfortable, and a lot of fun to drive. Best of luck.
02-02-17, 06:08 PM
#4
Lexus Champion
I went from a 4ES (2005) to my 2007 GS350. Its a good upgrade and I'm liking it so far.
The GS350 will cost you a bit more to maintain than the ES. The advantage of the ES is it uses regular fuel and shares its mechanicals with the Camry for cheaper parts and service.
Interestingly, I get better fuel economy on my GS350 (11.5L/100 km, 20mpg) compared to 14L/100km (16.8 mpg) I used to get in my ES in winter.
I sold my ES because of the throttle/tranny lag in rush hour traffic; the GS is marginally better.
The cars do feel a bit different to drive, with the ES having a floaty feeling, and the GS having a more solid (though still isolated) feel and of course way more power. RWD is a bit dicey when its slippery but gives you a nice push compared to the handful of torque steer with FWD. I'm running Michelin Pilot summer tires which are absolutely horrible in the snow.
While the interior of the 4ES is really well done, the 3GS is still on par or a bit better. Can't say the same for the 5ES though.
The 3GS does feel smaller on the inside given the size of the car on the outside, its quite snug, with that high sitting center console and tranny tunnel. Its also got larger B and C pillars which make it more difficult to see blind spots compared to the older 4ES.
2008+ is a good choice for the GS350, post face lift with bluetooth audio streaming and other goodies added. I personally didn't like the face lifted steering wheel though.
As for problems so far, I only have one rattle coming from the top right side of my radio, when I press on it it goes away. It doesn't bother me much.
The GS350 will cost you a bit more to maintain than the ES. The advantage of the ES is it uses regular fuel and shares its mechanicals with the Camry for cheaper parts and service.
Interestingly, I get better fuel economy on my GS350 (11.5L/100 km, 20mpg) compared to 14L/100km (16.8 mpg) I used to get in my ES in winter.
I sold my ES because of the throttle/tranny lag in rush hour traffic; the GS is marginally better.
The cars do feel a bit different to drive, with the ES having a floaty feeling, and the GS having a more solid (though still isolated) feel and of course way more power. RWD is a bit dicey when its slippery but gives you a nice push compared to the handful of torque steer with FWD. I'm running Michelin Pilot summer tires which are absolutely horrible in the snow.
While the interior of the 4ES is really well done, the 3GS is still on par or a bit better. Can't say the same for the 5ES though.
The 3GS does feel smaller on the inside given the size of the car on the outside, its quite snug, with that high sitting center console and tranny tunnel. Its also got larger B and C pillars which make it more difficult to see blind spots compared to the older 4ES.
2008+ is a good choice for the GS350, post face lift with bluetooth audio streaming and other goodies added. I personally didn't like the face lifted steering wheel though.
As for problems so far, I only have one rattle coming from the top right side of my radio, when I press on it it goes away. It doesn't bother me much.
02-02-17, 07:27 PM
#5
04-05-17, 10:05 AM
#6
I just got rid of a 2001 ES300 into a GS430. The mpg isn't quite as good, but not as bad as I originally thought. I am getting a solid 19-21mpg since I've had it a week now. I do find it hard to keep my foot out of it. Even when I drive it like a granny, I get to my destination quicker than my ES :lol
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02-01-17 05:24 PM