While the 2010-2012 have a bit more tech which is now a bit dated, I'm turned off by the multiple reports of the plastic chrome trim peeling which make the car look cheap. The 2009 I'm looking at has far less chrome accents and nowadays chrome trimming is now out of style I do like the signal mirrors on the 2010+ but it does not seem worth it to spend $5K more. My budge is around $12K. I just want a basic daily driver, I can do most of the wear and tear items replacement myself in my garage.

Besides tech, what did they improve/fix in 2010? Thanks

 

I recommend the 2010-2012:

Less frequent transmission flaring
Most mechanical issues have been resolved by then (water pump, oil feed line, window regulators, etc. )
Bluetooth audio
Refreshed front end (head lights, fog lights, bumper, grille)
Refreshed tail light
Chrome accents along the side skirt/doors
Steering wheel buttons upgraded to rigid plastic (07-09 had rubber controls that wore away)

The interior chrome trim is easily replaceable. I recently did my drive door and it was very straight forward. About $25 per corner.

The body will also have less years which usually means less wear and less corrosion.

 

Personally, I buy Toyota's because they last. If was me, I'd just be looking at the one with better service records and overall condition of the car.

 

I just picked up a 2011 with 99,000 miles for $10,800 and it looks brand new.

 

Thanks guys for the replies especially HAYK. Not sure I want to pull the trigger on one just yet. I hope drive one soon. Just suffering some "Lexus withdrawals" after selling my 2008 LS460 2 yrs ago. Hoping the ES350 will scratch that itch
Loved it to death and had a lot of family time together in it. I did nearly all the labor on it. I was just afraid on of the $3000+ brake actuator failure since I was out of the 10 yr extended warranty on it. I sold it for a great price. I've been stalking it on the drivers.lexus.com sight and I see that the brake actuator has not been serviced which make me regret selling it.

I've been driving a 2006 Toyota Camry 3.0 V6 for the time being and it has been amazing! Ultra low upkeep & same engine as the ES300. I figure the ES350 would be the ultimate Camry.

 

Its a shame you sold that car in fear of a big repair bill. It looked perfect, totally worth any repairs it needed. I’ve heard those cars are also known for control arm and air strut being big ticket items.

 

The control arm problem is overblown and I guess so is the brake actuator failure. I did a flush and fill from the brake reservoir regularly with a fresh bottle of sealed brake fluid. I also changed out the original brake fluid reservoir cap to keep out air and moisture. I also had a stupid rule of getting rid of cars before they hit 100K miles. I was going to move into a 2013 LS460 which ironed out most of the major issues like melting rubber interior parts (my 2008 had extra leather triM package) but the pandemic happened.

 

I had a 07 which was supposed to be a beater but I loved it. It had 110K I think but it drove like a new car. I’d been used to always driving newer Toyota’s so I found a few minor annoyances. When I came on here to read thru the forums I learned that Lexus being Lexus for 2010 had ironed out all of the issues that I had with my 07. Interior lighting is horrible on the 07 as they used tiny single leds in the overhead console that didn’t illuminate anything. In the glovebox, center console, and the accent lighting in the footwell they used Orange Leds which again didn’t illuminate anything. On the 07 Bluetooth didn’t work for music just calls. Taillights are nicer on the 2010’s and the horrible steering wheel buttons on the 07’s were replaced. There’s allot more little things that I can’t remember anymore but there’s allot of upgrades. Most of the items can be replaced or upgraded quite easily except for the overhead console if you like to tinker yourself.

Whichever car you get try to find one that’s had the dash replacement tsb done as they are prone to melting and will make you hate the car once it happens. The radio if I could do it again I would of gotten a non Navi version so I could upgrade to an aftermarket in dash multimedia player with Apple play. The Navi looks good but is basically useless by now. Only problem is it’s usually bundled with the Hid’s which are awesome on this car.

 

Where did you get the replacement chrome?

 

Amazon, more info here.

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/es-...photo-diy.html

 

How did you find it?

 

Persistently checked Craigslist every day. They don't usually last but this particular one sat there for a few weeks. Turns out the current owner was a smoker. They covered up the smell with air fresheners and what seemed like cologne. I got rid of the smell by doing a thorough cleaning, shampooed the carpets and bought a $60 ozone generator and gave it the ozone treatment 3 times. Its like a brand new car now.

The key is to not be in a hurry or rush to buy a car. Be patient and persistent. Check every day. Wife's 2007 got totaled on Mother's day morning. This one took me 3 months to find. It typically takes me 6 months to find the right car.

 

I would buy a car based on the maintenance history v. year it was manufactured. Don't get be wrong, 10+ are, in my personal opinion, better ES due upgraded look + bluetooth audio but I would buy 07-09 ES that was religiously taken care of. Regardless, ES are amazing cars and we love our 09 ES.

 

I just bought a 2010 with 90K miles from the Lexus dealer. It has all maintenance records even at 68K the AT was flushed by Lexus. Though I paid 14200 dollars with that maintenance proof I am more satisfied than getting es350 2010 around 12K. The engine is super super quiet and I can say the interior condition is 4.5 out of 5.