When we first bought this car, I wrote some pretty “glowing” reports about my initial impressions and about our first and second road trips. Back then we were totally excited and pleased with our new ES.

Well, after nearly 13 months, 19000 miles, and 2 midwest winters, I am pleased to return to this forum and report that this ES350 is still FREAKING AWESOME. Not one single problem to report. No rattles, no tranny issues, no squeaks, squeals, or squawks. She still gets 32 mpg on the highway and has averaged 26.9 mpg in mixed driving from day one. We’re still excited about this car.

Our experience with the dealership has also been phenomenal. They do an excellent job keeping open communications with us. They have been absolutely great at making the paint chips and scratches go away on a black car. When I went in for the 15000 mile service, the "made to order" omelets were pretty good too (not an everyday service but a nice touch on the day I happened to go in).

Thank you to everyone on this forum that helped me out, answered my questions, and told me what to look for (and lookout for) prior to our purchase.

It has been a wonderful “first” year. I guess we’ll be keeping this one too (the 92 & 98 Camrys that we bought new are still running great). This car has been everything that we expected a Lexus to be. I would definitely buy another one.

 

I am glad your ES is trouble free and you are enjoying it. Did the dealer repair the minor dings, chips and scratches for free?

 

Happy to hear it! After just over a year and a half and 32,000 miles I'm very happy with mine as well.

I do have some squeaks though....

 

2000 miles and counting for me. Got some minor squeaks but nothing major...knock on wood!

 

I pay to get her detailed at the dealership every six months. That's when they take care of the paint. However, I do get free removal of dings, dents, and window chips for the first two years.

 

Nice, I am wondering does all Lexus dealer offer detailing? How much did you pay for the detailing?

 

The dealership where I bought my car does detailing. They call it something like White Glove Detailing. I got one free included when I bought the car. Had it done last fall and they did a nice job. Not sure what it costs as it wasn't on the work order.

My car will be two years old in a few weeks, and so far it's been great.

 

Congratulations! That's great to hear about your 2007 ES 350. I currently have a 1996 ES 300 and I'm so tempted to sell it and upgrade to a 2008 ES 350 but I want to see how far I can go with her. We'll see what happens. Anyway happy drivining...

 

Gee, free detailing for a year and free paint repair for dings/chips! Dealers in Illinois must be cool LexBob2 and Lex13!! I assume you also get the free pickup and loaner?

 

My free detailing was just a one time deal. I wish it was for a longer period! The dealership does offer pick up and has loaners. I got a loaner when the car was in for the detailing.

The dealership seems pretty good, although in nearly two years, I've only been to the service department twice (fortunately). Once for the 5K service and once for the detailing.

 

I too share Lex13's opinions with a few other considerations. I have a fully loaded Amber Pearl without the UL package which I bought in February 2007. I have had no problems, my transmission is fine but I do notice engine noise. I have accepted the noise as a product of the higher HP engine.
My 1 year findings:
Good Points
- Fantastic Mileage. I average about 26mpg overall in 14K miles. I too get about 31MPG on the highway.
- Great Ride, great accleration for a V6.
- Great Interior. Yes I do like the non-ML sound system and I am a musician
- Features per price. I like all the options not found on other vehicles. Now I can't live without them.
- Great Looks. I have people stop and ask me about the color. The design is very sleek.
- Generally well made and assembled without any defects.
Bad Points
- Loud Engine. I don't like the diesling sound on startup. It is noisy and shouldn't be on this quality of car.
- Interior Homelink buttons should be lighted at night.
- Nav system inoperative while driving - this was a dumb idea.
- Voice recognition system is useless. Bluetooth works fine.
- Spongy brake feel - although they stop fine.
- Limited Handling - I wish they had put 18 or 19" tires on the ES to make it handle better in corners.
- Limited Space. I wish it had fold down rear seats.

Please note my other car is 2006 Chevy SRR which handles well and has 400 HP but less comfort and a few more rattles. The big difference is although I like the ES, I love to drive the SSR. The ES does what I need it to do quietly, comfortably and efficiently. I would probable buy another Lexus but perhaps a RX. I just don't like the rear end styling of the RX.
AmberPearl

 

The "full" detail is $249. That includes engine wash, road tar/wax stripped, clay bar, paint chip touch-up, scratches buffed out, hand wax, leather conditioned, carpet shampoo, interior detail, Rain-X, trunk vac, wheels cleaned, and tires dressed. They also have an "external only" detail for one hundred something.

My car really looks great when they are done. After my last detail, I was asked during the follow-up call " Were you 100% satisfied with the condition of your vehicle upon pickup"? I said "yes, but there was some wax build-up along some edges that I had to wipe off". Well, the very next day, I received a letter from the dealership good for a free exterior detail. Just schedule and bring in the letter.

I didn't get free detailing. I checked my paperwork today and the ding/dent and windshield repair protection is good for 3 years not 2 as I stated in my first post.

No, I don't get free pickup (my dealer is nearly 40 miles away) but I get a free loaner when the service department will have the car for 2 hours or more. They also have free shuttle service to a nearby mall.

 

Well, 1-1/2 years and 11,400 miles later - outside of the transmission replacement, Michelin tire replacement and cold engine knock noise, the car is good. A minor dash rattle when very cold but everything else is holding up.

 

Always nice to hear reports from a happy owner

 

after 16 months, 34K miles; I have intermittant windshield "tick", tires looking worn and a little brake noise that just started, otherwise a fine automobile.