Today I happened by just as two ES300h were being unloaded - nice cars and for my money the best wheels available on any ES will be those on the 300h although it may be hard to get anyone to swap them out. Also the 300h's had Michelin Primacy tires vs. Bridgestone on all of the ES350 at this point - I would also prefer the Michelins.

Price was $45,237 which looks like about a $2,600 premium for the hybrid - not for me.

All cars so far have had the $500 Blind Spont monitor and Cross Traffic Alert - hope this continues. All but one so far have had the nuluxe seating rather than leather. On a hot day the nuluxe seems hotter and seeing $440 for the heated seat option on every car was not cool.

All in all very nice cars and I will be looking forward to one when my lease runs out in a few months - or sooner.

Dave Mac

 

I sat in a 2013 yesterday on the dealer's showroom floor that had the Nuluxe seating. It felt OK to me, but if buying one I'd go for the heated/ventilated leather. If I remember correctly that would require the Luxury Package, and I'd want navigation which is another option package. I think that would make the car around $43k or so.

I brought home a brochure and need to study it closer.

 

Yes, the Premium Package plus the Luxury Package for the leather seating plust Navigation comes in at something over $43K. The only Luxury Package I saw also had the 18" wheels.

Dave Mac

 

I've been doing my research on pricing and the Luxury Package with Navigation are MSRB $43.707. Lowest cost seem to be $39,037 for a base model. I think I'll wait until December and try for one then. I read where invoice is around $33.600 +what ever option package is installed.
Here is ex of one I found.
Blind Spot Monitor w/Rear Cross Traffic Alert 500.00 17 Split 10-Spoke Wheels w/Liquid Graphite F 110.00 High Intensity Discharge (HID) Headlamps ... 515.00 Power Rear Sunshade ........................ 210.00 Luxury Package: Perforated leather-trimmed 1370.00 interior, Heated & ventilated front seats, Da brown bird''s-eye maple wood interior trim, Po tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, Lexus Mem Sys for driver''s seat, outside mirrors, & ste wheel, Remote Keyless entry-linked memory .. Hard Disk Drive Navigation system with Backup 2625.00 Camera, 8 VGA Screen, Lexus Enform with App Destination Assist, and eDestination, Lexus Insider, Voice Command, HD Radio, SiriusXM . NavTraffic, SiriusXM NavWeather, and SiriusXM Sports & Stock (includes 1-yr trial subscript Intuitive Parking Assist ................... 500.00 Rain Sensing Wipers with Deicer ............ 155.00 Wood & Leather Trimmed Shift **** and Heated 480.00 Wood & Leather Trimmed Steering Wheel ...... Accy Pkg: Trunk Mat, Cargo Net & Wheel Locks 242.00 --------- --------- Total Accessories ...........................: $ 6707.00

 

That's a good breakout, I plan on visiting my dealer in September, I have not decided whether I'm going to trade up, but I'm thinking hard about it, I still have the GS in my sights as well. I have to see the ES in person and test drive and go from there. I do want all the options I have now, which is most of what you broke out above and more.

 

What are your first impressions of the ES? Better in person? any wow factors?...I experienced the NuLuxe on my last visit to the dealer, while it's not bad, I'll stay with leather.

 

I wouldn't say it was a wow factor for me, but the car did look stylish, conservative and contemporary. Overall, the interior and exterior looked better to me in person that they did in the pictures, especially the grill and interior. It has good proportions IMO.

 

First impressions...test drove today... Exterior is really not striking...but the interior is amazing...well at least in front seats... back seat gave some extra leg room, but not huge by any means...and there's not much in the backseat but some cup holders and vents. Disappointed in the exterior, but overly impressed by the front seats. Not sure yet... Anyone else drive or buy or lease?

 

Yeah "not striking" is a good way of describing it. I like it, but there are elements I like about my 2010 more, like the side trim, etc. I think from a profile, the 2010 is a better looking car...

So, I too am a little torn about the exterior. I think some small little tweaks, like a chrome strip along the base of the doors or something likt that would have made a big difference. Interior is far and away an improvement.