Hi everyone,

First post here though I've been reading the threads for a good month now while contemplating the purchase of an ES350. From what I understand, the 2013 ES will be announced and/or released rather soon? I've heard talk of April-May as a time when it might be announced with a couple of dealers suggesting a release around June.

My dilemma is what to purchase. I've driven and am quite pleased with the 2012 ES350 and there seems to be logic in purchasing a mature platform. However there is the lure of purchasing what will be the "current" body style, etc. along with possible improvements.

I notice that the current ES350 doesn't fare quite as well as I would like in the side and rear crash tests and perhaps this alone makes the 2013 worth waiting for.

Any opinions from you guys? I have reliable transportation currently with no immediate need to purchase.

Would you buy the 2012 or wait for the 2013?

Thanks in advance!

-plumpjack

 

I just took advantage of all the incentives and bought a '12 ES350 w/UL pkg.
However,I saw the '13 pics and really didn't like the design and interior.I also read Lexus is going toward better handling which will mean a bit less cushy ride which I want.So that and the incentives,it was a no brainer for me.Plus,I don't keep a car a long time.
The majority will feel differently,no doubt.
I've heard the '13 ES350 will be available for sale in Sept.New model so some incentives and bigger discounts should kick in during the 'December to Remember 'event.

 

Hi Joeb,

Thanks for the response. What incentives were you offered? I would be very curious if you don't mind sharing? The only thing I've heard of is the 1.9% financing.

I too have seen the photos of the supposed 2013 model which didn't appeal to me as much as the current model. Plus if it really isn't available until September, then it's definitely the 2012 for me.

Thanks!

-plumpjack

 

There's a $1500 Lexus owner loyalty incentive till 4/2 which probably will be extended.1.9% financing and there may be some manufacturer to dealer incentives because of the new '13 design.
Going out of state I got $2K more for my trade.The highest number I could get for my ultra low mileage '10 IS350 in NJ was $31K.I had a deal working in Chicago and matched in VA for $500+ under invoice and $33K for my trade.That $33K is quite high for my trade.
Only two tungsten/black UL pkgs on Autotrader and cars.com in the country the last week or two.

You should be able to get a new '12 a good amount under invoice whether you presently have a Lexus or not.
There's literally 1000's of '12 ES350's out there nationwide.3300 on cars.com and that's not every one available.Lexus dealers have to lower their inventory before the '13 comes out.

 

Personally, I'd wait for the 2013 and see what it looks like in person, or at least better photos. So far I'm not that impressed with what I've seen so far. I've had back to back ES350's and would be looking for something different.

Otherwise I'd go with the 2012. As you mentioned the current model is refined and is a very solid, enjoyable and reliable car. The current incentives would be a plus too.

 

Thank you Joeb427,

I'm not a current Lexus owner so sadly won't qualify for the owner loyalty.

Here in San Diego dealers are telling me that they can't keep the ES350 in stock and the UL/ML units are being sold while still on the boat. I'm assuming this is to scare me into thinking prices will be high, so it's interesting to know that there are quite a few out there.

Any clue what the right target price should be on a Tungsten Pearl with Black and UL package, ML stereo, park assist, etc.?

Thanks!

-plumpjack

 

The UL does seem rare but the dealer I purchased from in VA has 11 UL's and they had mine since 12/11/11.The VA dealer is the 4th highest volume dealer so he may get more units but again,my UL was there since 12/11/11.Popular color too.
I was told by three dealers that the usual ES350 buyers do not want to spend $46K on a ES350 no matter how much of a bargain it seems to be with the more options..Especially when the average buyer is in his 50's.
If you want ML,it's just about impossible to find a non UL with Mark Levinson sound.
I believe all UL's have the same options.I haven't seen one anywhere with the Lexus Pre-Collision System (PCS) & Dynamic Radar $1500 option.
Search on cars.com and autotrader.com.Usually they list the highest cost ES350's first which are the UL's.
Even though you'll see UL prices vary,it's because of price increases during the year and not different options.At least that's what i was told by 3 dealers.
If you see one that works for you,call the dealer.Tell the rep your far away and would like numbers.That's what I did and I had a trade.You may have to travel a bit to get the color combo you want and/or a better price..

If you can locate a tungsten/black I'd offer $500-$1K under invoice and see what happens.If you're trading get a good number.Negotiate a cash deal first.Then talk trade.
I was also interested in starfire pearl/black and there was a dealer in Ontario,CA who actually had two.I almost went 780 miles to the Chicago area .Did travel 260 miles one way to VA.Ontario would have never happened trade or not.

 

I bought a leftover 2011 in 10/11 with $1,000 loyalty rebate and 2.9% financing along with a decent dealer discount and trade in value of our 2007 Ultra. Imagine how I feel looking at the 2012 deals. But, the car is nice, has less than 4,000 miles on it to date. If I had waited until now, then the book value of my 2007 would have went down further. My only optimism is that my 2011 will have really low miles when I trade it in years from now and hopefully recoup some added value because of the low miles and condition.

 

I would wait till the 13' models come out.

 

I would wait for 2013 to come out and then buy 2012
Mature platform, all problems taken care off. See the number of TSB for 2007 model year...

good deals will be available. For example on 11/27/2011 I bought a 2011 base E350 with few options for 31.5K (~6500 off MSRP) in San Diego.

They has a dealer incentive and a loyalty/conquest cash for owners of competing brands that include Acura, Infiniti, Benz, BMW, etc.

 

If you plan to keep this car long-term and want to minimize your chances to have issues/problems with the car (even if fixed under warranty), your best bet is 2012. The benefit of the last year run is the reliability. The current model does not have any known problems, its been pretty stable (no major complaints). With the redesign there is always a chance for screw up/bugs, visits to the dealer, lost time and etc. Remember in 2007 transmissions where bad. So its your decision. If you lease, it does not matter, if you are for long term, then you should consider this

 

Since Akio Toyoda became President of Toyota in 2010 the company has really improved quality control and now tops the JD Powers Charts. The all new 2012 Camry, for example, is NOT plagued by numerous new model bugs that used to be typical of Toyotas redesigns (e.g. the 2007 Camry and ES350 were a mess of troubles).

Go rent a few 2012 Camry's and you'll see what I mean - they look, feel and drive with a high degree of refinement as if they were 2014 models. So I would expect the 2013 ES350 to be well tested and refined too, especially if the drivetrain is carry over from the 2012 model.

 

Garsano: What is that $1,000 loyalty rebate? When I bought my 2nd lexus car back in 2010, I wasn't eligible for this. The guy told me I should have some history on lexus financing program to be eligible to take this rebate.

 

Any first model year will have more problems then the last model year...its given
No engineer can think through all the scenerios.

JD powers look at only first ONLY 90 days of ownership and its called initial quality.

Agreed 2012 camry are good to drive and there have been no reported issues....so are 2012 Jaguar XF's...in fact they drive MUCH better then an ycomparable LEXUS cars for first few years. Its AFTER that time period problems happen.

Just wait for two to three years and we can compare number of TSB issued on 2012 camry (first model year) and 2012 ES 350 (last model year) to prove the point.

Currently 2012 Camry has one TSB related to seat covers and 2012 ES has no TSB (per safecar.gov)

 

I had a very early build 2007 ES350 (4/06) and thru 4 years of ownership never had to take it in for any warranty or service bulletin work, except for the questionable floor mat recall. Just normal maintenance. There were definitely a number of issues with the first model year or two though but I was lucky.

So far, after over two years my 2010 has been problem free just like the 2007 (fingers crossed). Lexus has sold around 300,000 of the current gen ES350. Overall, including the '07's and 08's, it's proven to be very reliable.