Pulled the trigger on a 2019
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: CA
Yes, to me, the semi-aniline leather is a very nice upgrade over the standard leather. It is much more supple and has a more luxurious feel to it.
With the introduction of the 2019 ES, Lexus seems to have made some changes in its pricing strategy for the ES. The base price for a 2019 ES is very close to the base price for a 2018 ES. I suspect that the reason for that is that Lexus wanted to keep the starting price for the ES below $40,000. But the total MSRP of a typical 2019 ES is now anywhere from $2000 to $4000 higher than that of a similarly equipped 2018 ES because Lexus has bumped up the prices of many options, and they seem to be shipping cars that are packed with those more expensive options.
For example, for the 2019 ES, Lexus is now shipping most ES 350 Luxury cars with many options that, with the Generation 6 ES, were likely to be found only on the Generation 6 ES with the UL package. The result is that a typical 2019 ES Luxury is likely to have an MSRP that is over $2000 higher than was the MSRP of a 2018 UL package ES. And, with ES Luxury cars for 2019 being packed with many options that, in the Generation 6 cars, would have only come with the UL package, there is now only about a $1000 difference between a typical Ultra Luxury car and a typical Luxury car.
For that relatively small difference, I would have a difficult time not going for the Ultra Luxury. For me, the semi-aniline leather, by itself, would allow me to justify the extra cost, and the other Ultra Luxury features would just be a bonus.
With the introduction of the 2019 ES, Lexus seems to have made some changes in its pricing strategy for the ES. The base price for a 2019 ES is very close to the base price for a 2018 ES. I suspect that the reason for that is that Lexus wanted to keep the starting price for the ES below $40,000. But the total MSRP of a typical 2019 ES is now anywhere from $2000 to $4000 higher than that of a similarly equipped 2018 ES because Lexus has bumped up the prices of many options, and they seem to be shipping cars that are packed with those more expensive options.
For example, for the 2019 ES, Lexus is now shipping most ES 350 Luxury cars with many options that, with the Generation 6 ES, were likely to be found only on the Generation 6 ES with the UL package. The result is that a typical 2019 ES Luxury is likely to have an MSRP that is over $2000 higher than was the MSRP of a 2018 UL package ES. And, with ES Luxury cars for 2019 being packed with many options that, in the Generation 6 cars, would have only come with the UL package, there is now only about a $1000 difference between a typical Ultra Luxury car and a typical Luxury car.
For that relatively small difference, I would have a difficult time not going for the Ultra Luxury. For me, the semi-aniline leather, by itself, would allow me to justify the extra cost, and the other Ultra Luxury features would just be a bonus.
Ok, a base with Premium and Navigation is $45, 045.
A Luxury with Navigation is $47, 445.
Would there be anything in the base with Premium and Navigation, that wouldn't be in the Luxury with Navigation?
It also appears you can now get the Mark Levinson package on a base model with the Premium package? Before, the Luxury package was needed, right?
It's too bad you can't get the Semi-Aniline seats as a stand alone.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: CA
Well I just thought that for a list price of $1515.00 there wasn't a substantial difference to justify triple over the standard. However to eliminate having to special order a car exactly the way I wanted it, I accepted this one with the triple LED headlights, the pano roof (which I didn't want either) and the noise reduction 18" wheels. Honestly, I don't know what Lexus actually means with "noise reducing wheels". I can't say that the 17" wheels on my recently sold 2013 were noisy... Anyway, it's done now and I have to admit that the triple LED's do look pretty cool... Thanks for the congrats Doug.
What's the discussion about the triple LED headlights vs the alternative? What's different about the headlights in 2019? They don't have the halogen option anymore?
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From: CA
Like I said in previous posts, shoot them an offer that may be substantially under what they're offering. I offered $49k and the salesman didn't want to go back to the manager with it. I insisted and he did. The T/O (turnover) manager came out and handed me a paper with the figure of $50,500. I said no and countered with $49, 500. He held out his hand and we shook on it... I then said that before I sign I would like you to include the Lexus floor liners in the deal. The manager looked at the salesman and both smiled. Then OK. Remember that the most they can say is "no". Don't be shy... GOOD LUCK! BTW I'm available as a negotiator for a small fee... JK, JK... If you hire me and Les you'd probably get the car for half price...
Instructor
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From: CA
You are very observant Les. I asked the salesman about this hump and he stated that the AWD ES is coming and the GS is going. According to him they are building the ES chassis right now that would be for the AWD version of the ES 300/350... So if anyone is looking for an AWD Lexus ES, hold onto your money as it looks like it may happen sooner rather than later. We'll see...
https://carbuzz.com/news/lexus-is-an...-be-killed-off
I'm for giving consumers more options, so they can decide what they like best.
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
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From: SE PA
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 755
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From: CA
I've read about some changes in the driver side console. Like they don't display elapsed time anymore.
What are some differences between your 2013 and this one, that you like and dislike?
One thing I wish they would do is be able to make the center air vents fully close-able.
Mercedes has a great design for this. You just rotate the air vents to fully close them.
On the Lexus, they could just add a vertical dial next to each one.
What are some differences between your 2013 and this one, that you like and dislike?
One thing I wish they would do is be able to make the center air vents fully close-able.
Mercedes has a great design for this. You just rotate the air vents to fully close them.
On the Lexus, they could just add a vertical dial next to each one.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: CA
Thread Starter
Lexus Test Driver
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From: SE PA
I'm finding that the voice activation of numerous features is excellent. The power trunk kick opener is the best. Les was right about the semi aniline leather, it is very supple and rich looking. Haven't checked out the pano roof yet as it was freezing here in Pennsy today. 25F. The center display is, well, large... I have the HUD feature but find it distracting always in front of my eyes. Heated seats are very nice and have several LED settings. The LDW vibrates the steering wheel and pulls you back into your lane. A bit of a PITA cause it's always going off. Dynamic radar cruise is a real benefit as it slows you down behind other cars and actually tracks the car ahead of you. Most of the other options are available on previous MY and haven't changed much. Only how you access them. Temp setting is cool as you just say what temp you want and it's set. Still have a lot to learn and it's actually overwhelming.
The IT guy at the dealer gave me a quick rundown of how to do everything and I quickly forgot about 90% of it... Probably due to my age... One thing that I'm finding is a bit annoying is the touchpad. Maybe it will get easier. The extra 36 HP gives the car some good zip. My '66 Corvette only had 300...Overall a really nice car with a lot of nice features that has top shelf looks...
The IT guy at the dealer gave me a quick rundown of how to do everything and I quickly forgot about 90% of it... Probably due to my age... One thing that I'm finding is a bit annoying is the touchpad. Maybe it will get easier. The extra 36 HP gives the car some good zip. My '66 Corvette only had 300...Overall a really nice car with a lot of nice features that has top shelf looks...
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 755
Likes: 22
From: CA
I'm finding that the voice activation of numerous features is excellent. The power trunk kick opener is the best. Les was right about the semi aniline leather, it is very supple and rich looking. Haven't checked out the pano roof yet as it was freezing here in Pennsy today. 25F. The center display is, well, large... I have the HUD feature but find it distracting always in front of my eyes. Heated seats are very nice and have several LED settings. The LDW vibrates the steering wheel and pulls you back into your lane. A bit of a PITA cause it's always going off. Dynamic radar cruise is a real benefit as it slows you down behind other cars and actually tracks the car ahead of you. Most of the other options are available on previous MY and haven't changed much. Only how you access them. Temp setting is cool as you just say what temp you want and it's set. Still have a lot to learn and it's actually overwhelming.
The IT guy at the dealer gave me a quick rundown of how to do everything and I quickly forgot about 90% of it... Probably due to my age... One thing that I'm finding is a bit annoying is the touchpad. Maybe it will get easier. The extra 36 HP gives the car some good zip. My '66 Corvette only had 300...Overall a really nice car with a lot of nice features that has top shelf looks...
The IT guy at the dealer gave me a quick rundown of how to do everything and I quickly forgot about 90% of it... Probably due to my age... One thing that I'm finding is a bit annoying is the touchpad. Maybe it will get easier. The extra 36 HP gives the car some good zip. My '66 Corvette only had 300...Overall a really nice car with a lot of nice features that has top shelf looks...
I didn't know that's what Dynamic radar cruise control did. After reading your post, I did some reading, and you are right.
I'll have to try it sometime.
That is cool how you can tell it what temperature you want.
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2013
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From: Illinois
The LDW vibrates the steering wheel and pulls you back into your lane. A bit of a PITA cause it's always going off. Dynamic radar cruise is a real benefit as it slows you down behind other cars and actually tracks the car ahead of you.is cool as you just say what temp you want and it's set. .
With the 2017 (or 2018) ES, you can also use voice commands to set the temperature by just saying something like "72 degrees". You can also do other things with voice commands that you couldn't do with the Generation 7 system. For example, you can change the radio by just saying something like "AM radio 670". And setting destinations with voice commands also works much better than it did with the Generation 7 system.
In any case, like you, when I first got the 2017 ES with the lane departure alert, I found that the alert was somewhat annoying, but I quickly got used to it, and I've come to believe that it gives me a good reminder, from time to time, that I should be paying more attention to my driving.
I'm not a big user of cruise control, but, on the occasions when I have used it, I've been impressed with how well the radar cruise control works with regard to keeping a safe distance between your car and the car in front of you.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
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From: CA
I tried the temperature voice commands today.
"Warmer" increased it by 4 degrees.
"78 degrees" set it to 78.
Next I'm going to see what happens if I go above the max, or below the min.
For the LDW, when signaling, it is de-activated.
During one of the rainy days a few weeks ago though, it was activated more than usual. I didn't mind.
"Warmer" increased it by 4 degrees.
"78 degrees" set it to 78.
Next I'm going to see what happens if I go above the max, or below the min.
For the LDW, when signaling, it is de-activated.
During one of the rainy days a few weeks ago though, it was activated more than usual. I didn't mind.
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 755
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From: CA
Congrats on the new ride. I’m envious and I have no doubt you will love it. The Atomic Silver is awesome. We love ours, but we have the black interior that is constantly showing dust. I really like the flaxen so I think you are really going to enjoy that combination. You were pretty set on avoiding the triple beam headlights - how did you do in that regard?