I am considering an ES 2014 from Carmax, $26,000. It's a bit on the high side but has the Ultimate and Luxury packages, and is a rust-free Florida car with 55,000 miles. I have an '04 ES which I'm dissatisfied with due to middling ride quality and lack of amenities. I'm going to set up a 24-hr test drive they offer assuming there isn't any "catch" or BS. Please look at the link and tell me what you think. I'd also want to know about ride quality (looking for plushness, not sporty handling). Thanks.

​​​​​​https://www.carmax.com/car/21909269

 

With that price, you might as well get a 2016 which has a whole heap of improvements including Lexus Safety Sense.

The one you’re looking at is missing ML Audio, Rear Side Sun Shades, Power Boot, Double Plane Windows, Radar Cruise.

 

Ultimate package?

 

Either Luxury Package or the Ultra Luxury Package...not the "Ultimate and Luxury" packages. If it has the Ultra Luxury Package, that's probably about right. That's what I have and there are lots of amenities on that my car. =)

 

Luxury and Premium. Does not haveUltra Luxury Package. Has some add-ons listed under Specs.

 

It's probably a luxury edition. There is no luxury premium. For 26 large should be in super condition with no dents, dings, or scratches... I sold my pristine 2013 Lux in 2018 - 6 years old with 18k miles for 22k privately... Dealer offered 17k for a trade in.

 

I've got a question about the "manual" shifting mode. First off, I know this isn't a sports car, isn't designed to be and probably, it seems to me, a ridiculous feature. Does anyone bother to use this mode and how satisfying is it? I was just wondering if it would be fun to use every once in a while.

I did look at it yesterday and it is in showroom condition, absolutely flawless (underneath too). Couldn't drive it because I didn't have my insurance card with me (never been asked for that!). Anyway, I found it and today is test drive day.

 

I didn't know what it was until someone told me they said you got to try it so I did and I was amazed at how fast the car took off 2013. I only use it occasionally. It's fun

 

Sport mode just increases throttle response and tightens the steering wheel feel. It's only faster if you don't put the pedal to the floor.

You new people should search the forum for old threads related to the 3 modes. This is feeling like deja vu.

 

The car is a “manu-matic”, as I call it. Or, the shifter is my pacifier, as my wife calls it, since there is no manual clutch.. Anyway, I use the shifter often, myself. I downshift to lower gear in prep to pass. I downshift durning a turn (on residential streets, for example) so when I come out of the turn I don’t get a jerk of auto-downshifting. I’ll often star after a light in first gear and shift up. I like to control the car, but it is not a manual, granted. I learned and drove manual for 20+ years until I got more expensive cars and now I have to settle for the jerkiness of automatics when you step on the gas—I really dislike it, so I use the shifter a lot. Each to his own, I guess.

 

The wife says no because the car is "impracticable" (eg, no folding rear seat) - told her this is a sedan, not a combo use car that people on a tight budget drive. I put my foot down and told her we are not getting another suv (she has a Palisade). Her other complaint was that it's overpriced for something that old.

Time for a divorce! (j/k)

 

The ES is not a car to get divorced over. Maybe an LFA. ES target market is old men, not woman. Has zero appeal for woman.

 

Wow!

 

Lexus ES350, the new Buick LeSabre.
Old people drive 'em, any corner repair shop can fix 'em.
=================================
My karma just ran over your dogma
Current Hers: '13 Lexus ES350
Current Mine: '15 Jaguar XF (it's aubergine)

 

I've found the manual shifting useful for downshifting during unexpected short-distance braking, such as hitting an offramp from the interstate only to find an unexpected stopped vehicle, etc. If you were to upshift the transmission manually from a dead stop, I doubt you would notice any appreciable increase in acceleration over just letting the car shift on its own.