LexBob2

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

On the other hand, Edmunds says of the ES350 "plush ride, sumptious interior, high end luxury features" etc.

DASMan

It's all subjective. The best thing to do is to go out and test drive the car. We all know what we are looking for in a car. What I may consider plush could be harsh and bumpy to you.

When we were shopping around, we went to 5 different Lexus dealers in across two different states. We chose to take a test drive in each instance so by the time we finished, my wife and I had driven the ES for about two hours on different roads and in different conditions. We both liked the feel of the car, the way it handled and the overall experience we had.

The main thing is that you ultimately like the vehicle that you purchase and it provides you with many a year of trouble free service.

SW17LS

Hey, I didn't buy a 2013 ES, and I have *****ed and moaned about the material quality all over this forum.

BUT, what I have always said was that I have driven the 2013 extensively, back to back with my previous 2010 ES, and when it comes to ride, to me they both rode exactly the same. if you closed your eyes you would be hard pressed to know which car you were riding in.

I found that a lot of reviews that took issue with ride had pictures of cars with 18" wheels.

I agree with that about both vehicles.

gemigniani

Both of Consumer Reports test ES350's (one gas, one hybrid) had the 17" wheels one with Michelin Primacy tires and the other Turanza EL400's. So even the 17" ES350's have a "generic sedan" quality ride rather than a luxury car ride in the eyes of Consumer Reports (& Motor Trends) testers.

Consumer Reports has found all the latest model Toyotas ride harder, not just the ES350; e.g. the latest Camry, the Venza, newest RAV4, Tundra, etc. and have lower material quality interiors.

LexRuger

Unless you have computer controlled suspension, a better handling car will be stiffer. That could be what Toyota is doing. I test drove an Acura TL AWD and the ride was extremely stiff but it handled like it was on rails.

Also, a lot of newer cars have low rolling resistance tires to have better advertised MPG. These tires can also stiffen the ride. There's a compromise to everything.

SW17LS

I just don't agree. I've put 200,000 miles on the ES sedan, and I thought the 2013 rode just as well as the two older ones I had before it.

Donniels

I was also given an ES 350 2013 although the interior was a little cheap compared to the LS the ride in city was quite nice, I just purchased an 09 LS AWD and fine the ride a little rough and the transmission acts up around 35MPH and 40 MPH. I have to switch to manual to keep the car running smooth. I think I should have purchase a RWD not satisfied sold 09 ES no room needed the bigger interior but ride is not nearly as smooth.

SW17LS

What PSI are your tires aired to on the LS, and what kind of tires? Do you have the 18s or the 19s?

You shouldn't feel your LS isn't as smooth as your old ES.

amphipri0n

Is this the 2009 LS 460 Sport? If so, that may account for a tighter ride as well as some transmission behavior difference. (when downshifting the 460S winds up the engine for a crisper shift)

Donniels

Tires are the Conti DWS had a power issue and took it back to dealer. I'm running on 19in rims AWD when starting off making a turn I hear the transmission make a romping noise like the computer is trying to get proper distribution to the transmission. Dealer said he was going to reset computer and check allignment with the new tires should get back this afternoon and will keep you posted.

SW17LS

Yeah those aren't the greatest tires, and coupled with the 19" wheels thats where you are experiencing your ride issues.

If its really an issue, I would look to swap your 19s for the 18s and put a nice set of Michelins on it...

Donniels

The dealer says he has cured al;l my problems but back to the ES I had the opportunity to driver the 2013 for 2 weeks as a loaner and thought the car was really comfortable and much more space than the 09ES I just got rid of for the LS.This time they provided a 10ES for a loaner and I am miserable.

Give LExus credit the comfort in the 2013 is a huge step up over the previousyearsl but i am looking forward to getting my LS back tomorrow roadtrip down south.

09 LS460 AWD
09 GS350 AWD

Arty101

It's was previously discussed on this thread, but for those of you that like the Lincoln MKZ, check this article out about the MKS, since this could be the trend on this model:

http://autos.yahoo.com/news/10-vehic...021709767.html

Another reason to get a Lexus.

LexRuger

The 3 year residual for the MKZ with 15k miles a year is like 50% My payment would have been more than the ES even with a lower sticker price. At least Lincoln buyers get free 4 year maintenance

Arty101

And the 5 year residual value of the MKS is 22% . Now that's really scary. That means the car is worth about $10K? I think the ES retains over 50% of it's value over 5 years. Much better.