RL has the nicest interior in the mid-size luxury class, but ES is entry level luxury, not bad in quality in it's class, but a step backward from the previous ES. I still like it better overall than the ES330 it replaced though ...

 

the RL is in the 40 to 50K. the ES is 33K. lol thats a huge difference.

plus, i dont really like that door anyways

IMO, i like the RX door

 

Here is the problem.

Lexus's used to have a big advantage, there was a bigger gap: performance, quality, design, etc.....now it just seems like you see a new Lexus and it's like oh big deal.....I remember seeing an SC for the first time....back lit during sunset at my moms work: Wow. It was like no other car on the road.

A 95 SC feels like a Lexus should. The doors are heavy/solid/well designed. There was purpose, feels solid. ALL cars produced today, at pretty much all price points feel pretty cheap interior wise unless you spend more than 60 grand....which is stupid. The newer cars are sort of like the girls in high school we all made fun of that wore too much makeup, you eventually peel the onion back and find that they are just average with a mask, another boring date.

Sad when our $4-$10k sc's feel, look, better than cars costing 2-6x more.

I know this, after having a new IS250 for 2 days. It just feels like a "LOOK at me" 4 door car. It just isn't special enough. Does it get some looks? yes, but not like the SC.

I really feel like lexus/toyota in the late 90's chose the quantity over quality approach, and it must have worked since people are still buying the cheapo looking newer models. It seems like interiors have taken a step backwards as of late.

I'd much rather put money into an older car that doesn't have an identity crisis, doesn't feel cheap, and pleases all ages.

The new Lexus's, I'd rather just lease one, hand it back in three years...they are not emotional, or special. Sadly.

$550-$800 a month? I think I'm going for something else...I'll get back to 'you all' on that....

 

fake wood? am i missing something?

 

The doors on the old gen SC were very heavy and because of that the hinges often developed many issues over time. I would not the doors as a example of what a Lexus should be as it was a very weak spot on that model.
At the time it was great, but certainly not even close these days compared to what Lexus offers. But I see your point, the original SC was leaps and bounds over the Acura Legend when released and Lexus has not made that jump since then.

 

this all again roots back to what was originally stated: cost of raw materials and labor.

 

The design is very simplistic. Two-toned, arm rest, a huge speaker grill, a lot of vinyl, and a sheet of leather. It is very flat with minimal contours. Maybe some extra wood accents would help.

I understand where you are coming from. To some, having a very simple boring design can translate into being cheap (not the actual material, but the design).

IMO, its not horrible, but it is certainly not great either.

 

Correct. We also cannot compare a 2 door to a 4 door b/c the 2 door will WEIGH more as it is a much longer door. It will feel heavier. Also the SC has a double-hinged design as you mentioned to help with ease of access without having the door swing wide open and hit other cars. It was copied by the Benz CL.

The first gen SC remember HAD to be overbuilt, Lexus was just entering the luxury car arena and Lexus smartly knew THEY COULD NOT AFFORD to make a half *** car. Looking at the other Japanese brands that debuted, its clear Lexus took that extra step.

I own an ES, I've driven every ES, the door is not he strongest part of the car. It is still based on a Camry and IMO, those cars simply do not feel the same as a GS or higher which is to be expected.

Amazingly, during my "Freaknik" days I've had friends sit on the frameless doors of my ES and they swing the door open and sit on it and the door didn't even sweat. Once I had a 250lbs bud do it and I looked and my eyes nearly popped out my sockets "dude, don't do that". The door though, was fine!!

 

Its boring, but the quality is probably better than most cars. But if you're buying an ES and you're expecting excitement, you've looked into the wrong car.

If lexus had integrated a few more lines on the door, it wouldn't be as bad.

 

I SC doors were one of the weak points on that car. My hinges were shot as well. Also, the SC door panels are a piece or crap. I've taken mine off enough times to see what a piece of crap thin cardboard junk it is. Not too mention how easy the top part cracks due to how thin and brittle the plastic was. Not sure if they improved the door panels in the later SC years as mine was a 1993.

I also wouldn't call the SC leaps and bounds better than the Legend as I owned both and aside from the RWD V8 there really was nothing the SC had over the Legend.

 

What can you expect from a Camry with a price tag 10K higher?

 

For comparion purposes.

 

As for the ES door, I don't think it looks cheap. It just doesn't look as good as the previous generation. There is a lot of things about the new current Lexus' that to many seem like a step backwards to the older Lexus cars, but to others seem like a step up. Its all preference and individual taste and opinion.

 

i do like that C class door...

 

Well said.

That's pretty much the case with any car/model.