FutureOwnr

I'm a Noob to this forum but I'm looking into purchasing either a ES330 or LS430 (2004-06)

Which one do you all believe is better OR is pretty much the same in terms of overall quality, quiet AND smooth ride, and maintenance costs?

I already know that the LS is much more powerful and it's going to the rear wheels which is a plus. However, I'm from Chicago, has anyone had any horror stories of their LS being stuck in SNOW?

I have approximately a 30-46 mile commute daily, I put approximately 60-90 miles on my vehicle daily on highway travel for work. Which one would you choose? For the record, I don't mind the extra $15-20 in premium fuel that I would have to put in the tank.

For me I have driven both, but wanted some extra opinions... I personally enjoy the quality of interior and features in the 05-06 ES330, many of which come in the LS430.

My top concerns are overall maintenance costs between the two and want to hear some people's stories?

I'm REALLY drawn to the LS430 (04-06) but it's hard to find one these days for what I ideally want to pay (under $17k and under 100k miles). However, the ES330 gives me much of the same options, but with FWD, however, it's a smooth FWD. Don't really care about the rear seat options as I'm seldom ever have passengers. Plus, I can easily add a remote start without compromising any lexus factory keyless entry or anything else. I've heard crazy stuff about the LS430 and adding aftermarket remote start and electronic stuff messing up.

jimbosr1

i havent driven a es in a long time,however if my 06ls were stolen,recked i would buy another one in a heart beat.

warminwisc

LS will need newer all seasons or snows in the winter for Chi town traffic. No offense if it is really not a stark difference when you drive them buy the ES.
Better yet look for a Acura TL with AWD for the chi town winters(all three are pretty bulletproof). The new TL body style came out in 09 I think and you can get one for 17ish by now.

good luck

warminwisc

09 AWD Acura 20ish nice one at Lexus of Napereville but price is more than 17g's all day long. Avalon, or 2007-2008 Infinit G37 AWD they sold alot of them they are fun to drive and great for us midwesterners, many on the used car market.,

Kansas

I'm certainly a Toyota/Lexus fan but based on what I'm seeing on eBay motors for the Chicago area, $17,000 could buy a nicely equipped, slightly used, low mileage (< 25,000 miles) Hyundai Sonata with a substantial remaining warranty, technology like Bluetooth, USB, aux-in and iPod controls and features like stability and traction control that were standard on the LS430 but optional on the ES330. I was very pleased with the Sonata rental car I had a while back. It's something to consider if you are driving 100 miles a day.

chris81964

I drove in the NJ winter and I had all season performance tires. The winters have been relatively mild. I had one incident. I ran of an ice covered road. It was down hill and at a slow speed. Otherwise it performed well. With snow tires I am sure it will perform even better.

warminwisc

I run Primacies to 5-6/32 and never had a problem here north of Chicago it is pretty flat. Having said that I would tell someone who is in Chicago madness in the winter you might have to consider snows, just to be safe. When did the GS350 AWD come would they be 17g's used?

warminwisc

There is a nice 07 350 at Lexus of highland park, every option 68k 18k$asking. The ES has pretty good resale value.

FutureOwnr

Thanks for all the responses

There's a 2005 Lexus in Palatine but it has that cheap wood trim on all the plastic parts on the dash where it shouldn't be. Seems like it's a nice buy though.

Here's the thing. I currently have an Accord and I would like to replace it with an 2005-06 ES330 or LS430. Ultimately I want the LS because it's just an overall smoother and cooler car, however, it's difficult to find one in my price range under 100k miles unabused and etc, at least in the Chicagoland area.

I'm torn because the ES330 is well equipped with all the options! It's FWD, but it's a smooth front wheel drive, I don't necessarily feel that JOLT or hard shifting which is what I'm looking for, it seems that the ride is smoother and quieter in the ES330 (2005-06) than the newer ES330s, more leather.

I'm not concerned about navi because I intend on installing the Alpine Z928HD which is the sickest double din unit out at the moment, I'm in audiophile, so all the factory speakers would tastefully be replaced by quality Hertz, FOCAL, Boston Acoustic, or Polk Audio MM speakers in all the factory locations and a kicker 8 inch for the rear mount sub (unless any of you have any recommendations for an amazing free air sub to go in that location, I don't want to throw in my kicker cvx's, I love the bass but it's taking up too much space and looks a bit immature at this stage in my life.

warminwisc

Look Milwaukee craigslist. there is a 04 ultra 73 k miles for 18 and its been listed for a while. Services at North Shorw lexus. You come up I will meet ya there. i will be in MKE tomorrow actaully.

warminwisc

Blue , saddle leather (rare interior and beautiful) heated garage kept, I will be right down there to see my bedridden brother tomorrow in the PM.

irishbrahm

OP,

Regarding a LS430, is buying one with <100K miles just a preference? Since these cars can probably go to 300K+ miles, you might consider getting one with around 100K miles. I think that there's a lot to be said for buying a car with 100K miles with all of the service records that was meticulously maintained (incl. the 90K/timing belt service) than buying one with lower miles that was poorly maintained. I bought my '05 LS430 last month with ~100K miles from a Lexus dealership (which only sells used cars in excellent condition). The car looks and drives like it is brand new.

fensterlip

If you have a good feel for the LS I wouldn't cop for an ES350.
I think you'll have the ES blues especially when you see an LS cruise by.
You'll feel you settled for - and not be happy about it.
The ES350 is a nice well built car but there's a reason they sell for many thousands less.
IMHO the FWD is something in feel that's hard to avoid - and like much.

I would follow warminws advise on the nice copy nearby. Otherwise I'd look in Dallas. The drive isn't all bad (less than 2 days) and there are a lot of nice copies there.

Go with your heart on this one.

Oh, another point, the LS are unfairly depreciated faster by the market so you'll get more for your money - quite a bit more.

Good luck.

ls430lover

no comparison of the two vehicles the es is a good car if you want perfection and detail buy the ls
the gas mileage with the 6 speed automatic of the ls vs es is minimal in fact i bet you on the highway at 65 with cruise on you will get better gas mileage with the ls
i personally dont like the fwd characteristics of ride / handling the ls is neutral as a bmw
enjoy

hypervish

The ES330 is an awesome Mini-LS. But, nothing beats the real thing! If you can afford it, and it seems you can, go for the LS. Keep in mind, you will need snow tires for the winter though if you bought the LS.

BTW, LMAO at the comment about getting a Sonata instead! I fell of my chair after reading that one!