American built ES 350
02-05-18, 06:54 AM
#31
Lead Lap
Earlier in this thread, I posted about my experience with the 2013 Japanese-built ES that I owned for 3 1/2 years and the US-built ES that I now own. I can briefly update that earlier post now that I've owned the 2017 ES for about 16 months.
The Japanese built 2013 ES was well-built, but it was far from perfect. The fits and finishes of its exterior body panels and interior trim pieces were okay, but they were not great. And there were a few annoying rattles/squeaks that I had to deal with. On the other hand, the fits and finishes, both exterior and interior, on the US-built 2017 ES are about as perfect as can be. The car also continues to be 100% free of squeaks, rattles, and other extraneous sounds, and it has been otherwise completely problem free. I can't guarantee that all Kentucky-built ESs are at the same quality level as mine, but, with my ES, they got it right.
As I said earlier, I previously had a strong preference for Japanese-built Lexus and Toyota vehicles over those built in the US, but my 2017 US-built ES has caused me to completely discard that preference for Japanese-built Lexus/Toyota vehicles.
02-05-18, 07:00 AM
#32
I owned a 2014 ES and now own a 2017, both similarly equipped. I was hesitent at first to trade the 2014 mostly due to its Japanese construction and I carefully scrutinzed the 2017 when offered an exceptional deal to purchase it. I must say that in my case and at this point in time the dfferences in both cars construction are both exceptional and imperceptable. I am just as pleased with the new one as I was the older one. I would not hesitate to consider a new ES based on point of origin alone.
02-05-18, 07:39 AM
#33
Lead Lap
American workers are every bit capable of matching and exceeding the quality standards of those in Japan. After all, it was an American that started Japanese industry on their way after WW2...
02-05-18, 08:41 AM
#34
Lexus Champion
I wouldn't have any hesitations about buying a U.S. built ES350. After a couple of model years the plant is no doubt running efficiently.
I recently have owned two BMW's (my first for the brand) which weren't built in Germany, and they've both been trouble free with no issues at all.
I recently have owned two BMW's (my first for the brand) which weren't built in Germany, and they've both been trouble free with no issues at all.
02-05-18, 08:46 AM
#35
Lead Lap
It's a good thing Toyota started producing the ES in Kentucky midway through the product life cycle. If they had started with a new model, any faults would have been attributed to US assembly, instead of it being a common thing on first-run cars. My 2014 Japanese-built ES has pretty good quality but it still has rattles above the grab handles. I'd think the 2016+ cars have had most of the quality and assembly issues ironed out no matter where they're built.
An example of that would be the squeak that you referred to that comes from the grab handles. I had that issue with the 2013 ES (and I was able to fix it by adding some foam padding around the hinges in the grab handles), but there isn't a hint of any sound that comes from those grab handles in the 2017 ES.
Thus, I might be more inclined to be concerned about buying a car near the beginning of its generation run than I would be concerned about whether the car was built in the US or Japan.
02-05-18, 11:28 AM
#36
Just happened to be in the library over the weekend and saw a CR magazine. Cracked it open and noticed that the Lexus ES was viewed as the most dependable and trouble free vehicle in the Lexus line up.
That's really saying something considering how good a product Lexus puts out overall.
They won't be sullying their reputation with the new ES's built in Kentucky.
That's more a GM or VW kind of thing to do!
That's really saying something considering how good a product Lexus puts out overall.
They won't be sullying their reputation with the new ES's built in Kentucky.
That's more a GM or VW kind of thing to do!
02-06-18, 02:03 PM
#37
Pole Position
Thread Starter
I agree. Japanese culture is just so vastly different. I don't see anything remotely similar to Haji in american culture. Just to be on the safe side, I stick to J vin only. My 01 Camry was a J vin and I noticed subtle differences over the 17 years I owned it. One reason I grabbed an xB (and ES) while there were still low milled ones to be had was the J vin. I might take a trip to the factory if they build the ES in KY.. I don't think it's too far. Would be interesting to see. The new Camrys had a flock of J vins from the start this run. I was kind of surprised to see that.
02-06-18, 06:04 PM
#38
Lexus Test Driver
For what it's worth, I've either owned or driven cars like Hondas, Toyotas, Nissans, BMWs and Mercedes assembled in China, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines. Once you move beyond bargain basement territory, cars assembled in partner factories throughout the world are very similar in terms of build and materials quality.
It's very rare for a top-tier carmaker to sign off on a factory's output if it doesn't meet global standards - for example, Chinese consumers don't get worse Hondas than American consumers. I had a Chinese-built TSX for a few years and it was a solid well-built car.
It's very rare for a top-tier carmaker to sign off on a factory's output if it doesn't meet global standards - for example, Chinese consumers don't get worse Hondas than American consumers. I had a Chinese-built TSX for a few years and it was a solid well-built car.
02-06-18, 06:54 PM
#39
Pole Position
Thread Starter
Yeah. I think this is what we are seeing with Lexus (cars manufactured in US & Canada). It kinda make sense to me because it is Lexus' reputation that is on the line. If the worker can't perform up to the standard, that worker won't be working on these plants.
02-07-18, 07:42 AM
#40
Lexus Champion
I'm always a bit more hesitant with a brand less focused on quality or a completely new plant, but the Kentucky plant has been building Toyotas since 1988, so 30 years. The expansion of the plant to add the ES production doesn't worry me at all. There are some good articles about the requirements and training for those workers who moved to the ES line that should put one's mind at ease.
Not to mention the bulk of RX production coming out of Canada. Japan is not the only place that can build good cars.
I've owned Toyota products made in Japan and made in the US and have never seen a difference beyond the first digit of the VIN.
Not to mention the bulk of RX production coming out of Canada. Japan is not the only place that can build good cars.
I've owned Toyota products made in Japan and made in the US and have never seen a difference beyond the first digit of the VIN.
02-08-18, 03:29 PM
#41
I would like to put my two cents in on this. First and foremost, thank you for all the positive comments made on behalf of the Kentucky built ES350’s. Next, I am very proud of every ES I put my hands on to build each and every day, like all of the other team members that work along side of me. We’re not worried about the breaks or pay, we do worry about our quality and the final product. This is further proven by the fact of owning the JD Power Platinum Plant award in our first year of production. That is a first for any Toyota plant to date. We work hard so that when you do purchase one of our vehicles, you see the quality, craftsmanship, and pride that went into each one. Side by side comparisons have been made with our sister plants products, and I for one would not hesitate to take either. I own a ‘17 IS300, it has its issues, but I know that no matter, something’s happen regardless manufacturers. The next vehicle that I’ll be buying will be the lastest ES soon to be released. We pour many hours into training, processes, and continuous improvement. We strive daily to put the best products into our customers hands so that you will continue to refer and comeback for the next. One would think we’d want to be as good as our sister plant in Japan, and you would be wrong. We want to be better.
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02-09-18, 04:44 AM
#42
Lexus Test Driver
KYLexusMkr, what did you all do with the grab handles on the Kentucky cars? 
Mine's a pre-facelift Japan car and the rattling is annoying in the cold. I've put foam on them but it's quite a hack on a nice car like the ES.
I wonder if there were major changes in the materials spec for the facelift cars. The Japan-built 2016+ cars all feel much more substantial with better panel fits than the earlier cars.
Mine's a pre-facelift Japan car and the rattling is annoying in the cold. I've put foam on them but it's quite a hack on a nice car like the ES.I wonder if there were major changes in the materials spec for the facelift cars. The Japan-built 2016+ cars all feel much more substantial with better panel fits than the earlier cars.
02-09-18, 06:39 PM
#43
I sent a PM for your issue, as far as the second part, there were not any major changes. Most of the parts are carry over to the next model year on minor changes and the materials are generally the same as well. The only time I’ve seen a change in material on parts is if there is field issues for longevity or complaints with them. Panel fits and the tighter tolerances you refer to, I believe to be just a placebo effect that many have with any newer model compared to our own. I hope this helps.
03-04-18, 03:44 PM
#44
this comment may seem out of place here as it is not about the ES or even Lexus but close
My parent have 2002 camry v6 1mz built in Kentucky and I have a 2002 highlander v6 1mz built in Japan
both cars purchased new with same oil same change interval same yota dealership
same driving style, no towing etc...
my highlander has a burnt valve at 202k miles and the camry is running strong at 240k
My parent have 2002 camry v6 1mz built in Kentucky and I have a 2002 highlander v6 1mz built in Japan
both cars purchased new with same oil same change interval same yota dealership
same driving style, no towing etc...
my highlander has a burnt valve at 202k miles and the camry is running strong at 240k
03-05-18, 08:03 AM
#45
this comment may seem out of place here as it is not about the ES or even Lexus but close
My parent have 2002 camry v6 1mz built in Kentucky and I have a 2002 highlander v6 1mz built in Japan
both cars purchased new with same oil same change interval same yota dealership
same driving style, no towing etc...
my highlander has a burnt valve at 202k miles and the camry is running strong at 240k
My parent have 2002 camry v6 1mz built in Kentucky and I have a 2002 highlander v6 1mz built in Japan
both cars purchased new with same oil same change interval same yota dealership
same driving style, no towing etc...
my highlander has a burnt valve at 202k miles and the camry is running strong at 240k
The most likely answer ... on the day the valves were manufactured, the alloys on the Camry valves may have been randomly more pure than the day the Highlanders valves were manufactured. Or there could have been a one in a million variation in the heat treating process the day of production on the Highlander valves. 202k is pretty darn good, either way.
Rest assured, it has nothing to do with the assembly plant.
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