I was given a 2009 sales brochure yesterday on the 09 ES 350 and the one change that I see is that there is a new color, it is called Matador Red Mica and looks much brighter and nicer than the previous red color.

 

better be more changes than just a color.

 

Isn't Matador Red Mica already available on the IS?

 

Matador Red Mica has been available on GS, IS, and recently RX models. Great bright red metallic color.
Steve

 

There are probably more changes than just color. But, Lexus ain't going to advertise it...what are they going to say?

Improved quality and the ES dash no longer rattles
Transmission improvements with less slip
Cold engine knock is now a tap

 

Some more colors would be interesting to see on the ES lineup. The RX has a baby-blue that looks nice; if I were a woman I'd get an ES with that color.

 

I cant wait to see the ES in matador red its my favorite color and think it will add a little more passion to the ES since its kind of a passionate car.

 

I'm curious, what changes do you think are needed from the 2008? I still don't see any other car that matches the ES style, comfort, luxury, ride, performance, and economy at such a low price. The Hyundai Genesis is the only one that comes close.
Steve

 

A handling package would be nice. The ES is a bit on the soft side, and I find it handicapping when taking moderate to severe curves even in suburbia. Stable at speed and a hoot on the highway, but soft.

 

Drove an ES350 for the first time today, and I would have to agree this thing is not a good on the corners. Very nice when cruising and soft and powerful on the highway. Also, not really feature laden.

 

That was the color that got my wife in an 08 ES350. She saw some RX's in that color but she did not want an RX. I found that IS's also come in that color so we test drove an IS. She found the IS to be a little confining compared to her ES300, she decided against the IS. The salesman showed us the Aquamarine Pearl ES and one now resides in our garage. She likes the Aquamarine but she would have been happier with the Breakwater Blue.

John

 

Different strokes for different folks. The primary reason my wife likes the ES is because of the very smooth ride. She is not at all into performance driving.

I think the BMW's, Acura's and Infiniti's are geared more toward performance than the cushy ride of the ES and she did not like any of them.

John

 

Agreed. It would give the ES a broader appeal. Although, with a handling package, the ES would be infringing on the GS...

 

Was Matador red the only new color?

 

IMO there might not be a big demand for a handling package for the ES due to the demographics of the majority of ES buyers. It would be nice, but don't think they'd sell very many.

I recently read that Avalon is dropping the Touring model.