intermec

Hi somewhat new member looking for advise.

Have been thinking about getting an used Lexus but not sure which one. So far we are considering LS430 or ES330. We want to get input from current LS users who may have experience with ES330 before moving up to the LS.

At 1st we look at the ES350 and like the memory seats on the front (LS has driver side only I believe). Also we think the V6 may be easier/cheaper to maintain (maybe I can go to Toyota dealer to have it serviced there?)
Also FWD maybe little easier to drive and park in Seattle.

For the LS, we know it has big V8, more power, pretty good mpg and more features. everything the ES has, LS has it as well (and better) except the memory seat thing. However, we are not sure if the power folding mirror is standard feature or not.

Last thing we care about is the purchase/resale value. We look at a 2005 ES350 87K miles asking ~15000 and a 2003 LS430 80K miles ~19000, both with nav from the same TOYOTA dealer.

We don't mind to pay a little more for the LS but not sure 3 years later, which one will have better resale since 2003 and 2005 translates to a 6 and 8 years old car by 2011.

any input will be great. Also will it be non-lexus if I get either model without nav? or it's a no no. our 2 boys (4 1/2 and 1 months old) will be sitting on the back so they won't enjoy the UL version that much so base model will do.

thanks again

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

I never actually owned a ES330 before, but I had a ES300 and me and my family pretty much has the entire range of Lexus (see my sig below), so I am familar enough to give you my thoughts.

I drive a 05' LS430 UL and had 2 ES300 before, my sister recently considered the 05/06 ES330 and ended up buying a 01' GS300. In a nut shell, the LS is better in everyway, it is MUCH smoother and feels a lot more substantial. The ES feels like a luxury Camry and the LS feels like a Japanese S-class. Also the LS got much more room for your 2 boys.

Yes LS don't have passenger side memory seat, but that is not that important at all compare to the entire car, unless you REALLY want that feature.

Depends on how you maintain it, if you do it yourself, the V8 is actually easier due to the spark plug location, the V6's plugs is under the intake manifold and it REALLY hard to get to. If you let the Lexus dealer maintain it, the dealer is going to gouge you quite a bit harder on the LS just because it is a LS, not because it cost them more, just another dealer scam. And the V8 last longer due to the higher quality.

FWD is better in the snow, that's it.

The ES get slightly better mpg, but not by much.

Standard on the LS, not available on any ES.

They will worth about the same 3 years from now.

The factory NAV is just nice to look at, all integrated. But if you don't need it, you don't need it. There is no such thing as non-Lexus like. Aftermarket NAV unit offer much better value, but it is also a lot more tacky, just a stuck on afterthought. So it is all personal preferences.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

Jeff pretty much sum it up already.

Yes, the ES330 is a Camry in a tuxedo.
LS is LS. There is not really a comparsion.

My boss has ES330, I had it for a week and the car didn't impress me in anyway.

DrJfrmLA

I had a '00 ES300, '00GS300, and now have an '04 LS430. I also have an '04 S430 Mercedes Benz. The ES was a great little car; I had the Platinum Series so it was a bit more tarted up than a standard model. NO repairs in 85k miles. The GS was a scooter in sedan clothing; it felt faster than it actually was. A worthy E-class competitor. Our LS is my wife's car and it has the Premium Package but no other add-ons. It is a superb automobile and gets within a mile or two of the mileage the ES got, but runs on premium fuel. The ES is no LS--make no mistake. After 400 miles behind the wheel, you will know the difference without a doubt. The ES is a swanky Camry; the mechanicals are the same (along with the Avalon). It's probably fair to say the LS is a Japanese S-class with ALL that implies. IMO, the LS and the S-class Mercedes are not comparable cars, but there is $25k difference in the MSRP. The LS is a terrific value and would be my pick between the two you are considering.

AlexusAnja

For me, I preferred the ES300/330 over the current ES350 exterior and interior. The wood treatment in the 300/330 was just better across the dash and it gave the car a classier look. The current ES350 just has too much dash and not enough snap. Not luxuriious at all.

As for getting LS430 or not, it's not even a fair comparison to have it go against the ES350 (or 330). It's like having Oscar Delahoya go into a boxing match with Muhammad Ali, both in their prime. Both are smooth and classy, but it's a mismatch.

intermec

Thought about GS and E class as well but feel the GS carried the same look for so long (98~05?) didn't like the dash layout that much. E class looks good from the outside but seems to be very unreliable according to Consumer Report and other auto reviews. It costs less to get at 1st but maybe a money pit?

intermec

Yes, we feel the same about the ES300/ES330 and the ES350. We like the older look (even from 2000 and 2001) is better than the current ES350.

Some folks mentioned ES is a dressup Camry and I agree with them as well. That's kind of the reason we consider ES since we have a 97 Camry which has been a very good and reliable car for our family.

AlexusAnja

With all things being equal, if you COULD NOT afford the LS (new or used) and the ES was your only affordable vehicle, then it's definitely a good choice. If however you're shopping and the LS430 is within $10K of the ES and you CAN afford it, then I would never pass up on the LS.

Having driven a 2005 ES330 and 2008 ES350 for a total of about 3000 miles, and now having owned the LS430 for only about 2000 miles, there is NO COMPARISON of the luxury and refinement of the LS to the ES. When driving the ES, it's a nice vehicle and all that, but when I use to approach it, could not help but get that "uh, vanilla sedan" feeling, but with the LS now, I smile every step leading to the car, opening the doors (without taking the key out) and starting the baby up.

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

E-class cost more new and worth less used, inferior reliability is the main reason.

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

00/01 is my favorite ES as far as looks goes, we had a 98' and then a 01'!

intermec

The more we think about it, the more we like the LS over the ES (also, because of you guys feedback )
The $ factor is not that much as I mentioned on my 1st post. It's either a 03 LS or a 05 ES which cost about the same (around $18-$20K)

we will start searching and wait to see, it will be nice if I can find a BLK with Tan int. Nav or no nav is not a big deal for us.

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

without NAV LS430 is dirt cheap, you can almost get a 04' for $20k if you look and find a good deal

The last time I check, 04' LS without NAV was in the low $20k, and that was a few months ago........ it is definitely $20k now.

DrJfrmLA

The really nice thing about LS models is the mileage doesn't really matter except for the cosmetic issues miles produce. Like all Toyota products, they seem to be indestructible. I know of a guy in ATL who has an LS with 550k on the clock and no mechanical repairs. He has had the front seats recovered twice and had the car resprayed once. The suspension has been reworked, but the drive train just gets expendibles. He is on a quest to see how many miles he can put on it before something breaks.

That means lower-priced high-mileage choices are well in the hunt and are bargains for the wear you'll get out of them.