oldcajun

I just got back from a 3000+ mile road trip in my 08 ES350 and this car is much better than I expected. With a load of luggage (my wife packed a lot for 2 weeks) and 2 of us in the car we averaged 30.8 mpg for the trip. On the open freeway there were several tanks that were over 32 mpg at 75 and 80 mph. The best tank was 34.2 accross Southern New Mexico and Arizona. The average speed for this leg was 76 mph. Mileage was calculated from odometer readings and fuel added, but the trip computer was pretty close to these numbers.

During the trip, the car was smooth, quiet, roomy, and comfortable. Dispite my wife's best efforts in packing and shopping, we never filled the trunk. There was never a glitch of any kind with the car and it burned no oil on the trip.

The sound system was great and XM radio gave lots of options. The navagation system was dead on for all the destinations and is a piece of cake to use.

I know there are some who have had problems, but I can't think of another moderately priced car that I would rather have.

Steve

LexBob2

Glad to hear that you are enjoying your car. We bought our '07 two years ago this week and I agree that for the money and available features, it's tough to beat. As you spelled out, it's a very comfortable long distance cruiser.

We've taken three extended road trips in the car, with a fourth coming up next week and I'll appreciate the 30+ highway mpg. With gas prices continuing to rise I might be motivated to back off a few mph's for even better mileage, but that's easier said than done and probably ain't gonna happen.

garsarno

My wife drove our ES350 from Wilkes Barre, PA to Cleveland, OH and back. It is a 367 mile trip one way and she had a liitle under 1/4 tank of 93 octane gas left each way, averaging 75 mph. Navigation system worked flawlessly.

MD350

Yes, the 3.5L gets better gas mileage then some 4 cylinder engines out there. I do love the NAV system and prefer the touch screen vs the **** that Honda/Acura is now offering.

jagtoes

I haven't had the opportunity to take any real long trips but I just got back from a 150 mile drive up the thruway and this thing is like riding on my couch. Super smooth and dampens the bumps. I was on 3/4 tank of city driving but it looks like the MPG's will come. I just have 575 miles on the car and I still am impressed. I still need to get used to the nav because some of the directions take me in a round about way. I guess I need to explore the system a little better. Phone system is much better then some of the other systems I've heard. Standard sound system is just great and for some of us oldtimers the cass. deck is great. So far so good and considering this is my 1st Japanese car I am enjoying it. MPG on last tank was 26.7 using 87 .

jgtile

oldcajun, congrats on the new car. Despite some minor issues, my 08 UL is great and I too got over 34 mpg on the highway over a long trip (~220 miles). gasarno, go Wilkes Barre...you are just up the road from me and your wife probably drove through my old stomping grounds in Western PA!

I have to say the ES is a quiet and comfortable drive and for a price less than alot of its competitors. When I bought it in Dec 07, I compared it to the BMW 3 and 5 series, MB C Class, Infiniti M, Cadillac STS and CTS, and Acura RL. The ES was less and still very good. Of course it is not a car to drive 80 mph around a curve like the BMW or MB but, they are not as reliable as the ES.

Seize

Glad to hear you're enjoying your car

carbuff

oldcajun, happy to hear that you and your wife have had such a good experience with your ES.

When you said, "I can't think of another moderately priced car that I would rather have," it was if you were reading my mind. I simply love everything about my ES350.

Although it is designated as a entry luxury model, I have found mine to be far better in appointments and engine perfomance than any "true" luxury car I have ever owned.

I wish you continued joy with your Lexus.

Lexus 1

Still loving my 08 ES after six months. Not a single issue to date.

jeffofla

I just drove my Dad's Buick up from LA to Boise this past week and wish I would have had my ES 350 UL. Sure, his car is fine, but it was so much more noisy than mine (and bumpier too) and it's in these moments that it's nice to have the quiet luxury of my ES.

n2cars

Congrats on the new car oldcajun. I've had mine about 4 months and love it. We passed our 2000 ES300 to our daughter and she loves it as much as we did for 7 years. They are great cars (IMHO, I know many don't agree).

I drove to one of the neighboring cities in the DFW area today. 50 miles each way. Going, we drove 65 into a 20MPH headwind and got 31MPG. Coming back, we were pushed by the same wind and got 38MPG. Not bad for 3.5L.
I touch better than we got with the 2000 ES300.

Good luck with your new car and welcome to the forum.