I am waiting for an Ocrober run with Android Auto. There is no guarantee that when these start showing up at my local dealer they will receive an es350 with my absolute minimum "must haves", such as color, AA, Levison sound, and advanced safety package.

I know next to nothing about ordering a specific build from Lexus through my dealer. Can you still negotiate a better price? Can you refuse touch ups or repairs if the vehicle does not arrive in perfect condition? Does it take a longer time to recieve?

I considered ordering a fully loaded UL- if that were a form of a standard build, thinking it would arrive sooner. I plan to buy by year end. If I stay in the Totota family my only other option for a sedan is a V6 Camry with the JBL sound system and AA which feels like a significant step down from a es350. Twenty grand cheaper though.

I welcome advice from anyone with experience or advises against special orders. Thx.

 

Go for an Avalon if you want to step down, not a Camry.

 

No android auto.

 

My opinion to ordering a car vs. picking one from a lot is what you said; What if it comes in with damage? Then you're right back where you started... I, personally, would never take a car I haven't seen first... Additionally, dealers will deal from their lot to move cars that are costing them interest. An important choice and a tough one to make. GOOD LUCK with whatever you decide...

 

I've never special ordered a Lexus, but I did special order a car a long time ago. Yes, you'll have to wait because they build the car to your specs. I waited about 7 weeks. I suspect that hasn't changed much. I negotiated very hard and got a great deal. IMO, you should be able to do the same with a 2020 ES, but the same principles apply to negotiating for a car on the lot. No dealer is going to give you a great deal walking in the door. See my posts as well as others in the long thread on pricing.

I bought my 2019 ES about 2.5 months ago. I ended up with some options I didn't want, but that's OK. I didn't want to wait 2 months for it.

 

I'm somewhat in the same boat for an F-Sport with the only "must have" option being a Heads Up display. The dealer told me orders take 90 to 120 days. The Toyota production system apparently places customers last rather than first in priority. I'll have to see what dealers are getting in to see how much unwanted equipment is being loaded on cars for dealer stock and weigh the unwanted equipment cost against the time penalty.

 

I'm curious to know why the heads up display is a must-have. The gf's vehicle has it and I don't find it very useful.

 

If I could take the HUD in my car and give it to you I would... I don't use it at all even since right after I got the car. I find it distracting at night so I keep it off...

 

Same for me - I NEVER use it. Total distraction.

 

My wife and I really enjoy the heads-up display. I find myself looking for it when driving our NX. I can certainly understand why some find it distracting and it doesn’t show anything that isn’t available in the instrument cluster, but we like it. It would not have risen to the level of “must have” for us however. This is another one of those situations where you really need to try it out carefully for yourself and make sure you really like it since you can see there are mixed reviews.

 

Are you guys saying the Heads Up on the Lexus is sucky? I haven't actually seen one yet on the ES, but would expect it to be world class. It's only a $500 option. The one on the Avalon is very useful and I assumed that the Lexus version should be even better. But then again, Lexus couldn't get the base radio right on the ES either. From the 3 comments, I will take a hard look and just may pass on HU if it is a disappointment.

 

I wouldn't say its sucky but its just not necessary in my opinion. And it is in fact a distraction for me so I never turn it on.

 

I like the HUD. I don't consider it a distraction at all. I leave it on all the time. Most of the time I forget it's there until I want to know my speed, the speed limit and/or the other info it displays. I'm still getting used to looking for that information at the bottom of my windshield.

Ir's a personal preference. There's no right or wrong.

 

I would agree that it works as it should and as advertised, but as Mike says "just not necessary"... As I previously stated, at night (when you can see it) it is a distraction for me as I look straight ahead through the wind screen. I turned it off the first week I had it... My buddy had a Corvette with HUD and I thought hmmm this is something I want. Nahhh...

 

I had the option of going with a car equipped with either AVS, or one with HUD.


Given that the F-Sport already has a nice digital display and a windshield for a HUD equipped car is more expensive, I went with the AVS. Zero regrets!