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Some of you have seen me asking a whole bunch of questions here lately because I've been looking on what I'm going to replace my '05 LS430 that got totaled in a hail storm a couple weeks ago. I wanted to be picky and get what my wife and I wanted since we usually keep our cars 8 - 10 years. We both immediately agreed up on Red Mica but that was just about it. We also wanted to go pretty sporty since my wife actually wanted an RC350 but I wanted a 4 door. Researching here I figured I would also hold out for triple beam headlights and the ML stereo. Since Red Mica is not as popular as other colors, I figured it was going to be several weeks before I could find something. I actually ended up finding a couple that checked the boxes but they were all in the 14 hours away range and all at individual used car dealers. Well, to my luck, within a couple weeks one showed up at a Lexus Dealer that was only about 3 hours from me. It check all the boxes and then some. I know there are others out there with the same car but still we are really excited and love it so far even though it's barely been 24 hours. Here is our new (to us) 2021 Red Mica FSport (no Sport+) with Triple Beams, ML Stereo, HUD, and 12" Nav. It has barely over 20k miles and is an L Certified Lexus so I have a factory warranty for just over 3 more years. It's basically like new and still has the new car smell. I'm 6' 5" and worried it was not going to be any where near the room of my LS. Well, it's definitely not an LS by any means but I still fit well and all the new tech and power of the V6 makes it an easy pill to swallow that I have to give my LS after driving it for 9 years/100k miles. I was also a little concerned that so many mentioned a rougher ride due FSport suspension and tires but so far it seems to be right on par with my LS on the highway yet way quicker from stop light to stop light than my LS. I do kind of wish I got the '22 for the touch screen but that's a small price to give up for this one and I really, really like the graphite gray wheels versus the gloss black wheels on the '22+ FSport. I'm sure you'll probably be seeing more questions from me now that I have one in my possession.
Congrats! Out of curiosity, especially since you came from an 05', what are your thoughts of Lexus quality today compared to 2 decades ago? The Lexus of today differs quite a bit from the past, as evident by the F sport trim, especially in an ES.
Congrats! Out of curiosity, especially since you came from an 05', what are your thoughts of Lexus quality today compared to 2 decades ago? The Lexus of today differs quite a bit from the past, as evident by the F sport trim, especially in an ES.
I'll have to have more time with it. It's still all shinny and new to me right now. So far, I like the quality of everything. I mean, even at an almost 20 yr old car, the LS has some nice little details that the ES doesn't. Things like soft lighting in the door handles, soft lights on the seat belt buckles, rear passengers lighted mirrors, individual lights for every passenger that come on depending on the door that opens, front seat drop stop inserts, and rear seat heaters.
Oh man, that's a good looking car. Nice job taking the time to do the homework and having the patience to wait for the right one. Really sharp red, I love it
Car looks great - I basically have the same in ultra white 2019 and also black interior to mask the dirt"). The OEM Michelins did not wear well for me but it's been great overall for about 72K miles so far. Enjoy!
Glad you found the car you wanted. Worth the extra effort to get just what you want. Hope you enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed my 2021. Three years here—-no problems.
Car looks great - I basically have the same in ultra white 2019 and also black interior to mask the dirt"). The OEM Michelins did not wear well for me but it's been great overall for about 72K miles so far. Enjoy!
I've heard the stock tires pretty much suck. We have a neighbor that has a '19 UL that we looked over before buying. He talked about how bad the stock tires were, it was really his only main complaint. Another reason I felt like we got a good deal on our FSport is the dealer just put on a new set of Yokohama tires as part of the certification process.
I've heard the stock tires pretty much suck. We have a neighbor that has a '19 UL that we looked over before buying. He talked about how bad the stock tires were, it was really his only main complaint. Another reason I felt like we got a good deal on our FSport is the dealer just put on a new set of Yokohama tires as part of the certification process.
Congratulations! I agree with you about the gloss black wheels. They were the only thing I really didn’t like about my 2024 F Sport. I found a company in Ohio that does OEM wheel swaps and they coat them. I got a color called “Black Ice” that matches the trim around the grill - almost the same color as your wheels. It really made my car look better.
I'm two thirds of the way through a 24-hour test drive. She's at my mechanic right now getting a pre-purchase inspection done. Here she is in my garage:
I thought so too! I didn't know that was a thing.
Gave me plenty of time to look it over in depth, drive it, hook my scan tool up to it last night, and then get it in today for a pre-purchase inspection.
Official new owner
