For me to consider another ES350, I will want to see the following changes / additions to the model:

Standard satellite radio integrated from the factory - just subscribe and go

Standard remote start system integrated from the factory

New acknowledged transmission recalibrations or new design

All wheel drive option would be icing on the ES350 cake

Diesel engine noise upon start up deleted

 

AWD would be cool, the next gen TL is suppose to have it

 

I'm unsure if your other requests may be fulfilled by the new ES but the above two should not be hard for Lexus to do. The Camry has had the remote start option available since MY '07 - I dont see why Lexus wouldn't give us that option.

As for the transmission - from what I was told, the transmission that are going into the current cars are in fact physically different (in terms of their internal components) than those that were being put into '07 and early '08 cars. I was told this by the managing service tech at my dealership who has been working with me for the last year or so.

 

Your service tech told you wrong.......Same transmission in ALL '07-'08 ES's!

This was told to me directly from Lexus Corporation.

 

Same transmission yes, in that they're all still the 6 speed we all came to love so much. The current ones are suposedly physically different in their internal components compared to those of before.

...but heck, maybe he's wrong - I have never taken them apart to examine their insides yet so I can't verify the differences.

 

I should have said, "Same transmission in ALL '07-'08 ES's, but including the upgraded internal parts as per current TSB's, depending on date of production."