I was watching a youtube video earlier. It was about the cost increase by manufacture. Toyota / Lexus has gone up about 24% since 2018. That's 2% more than inflation with is reasonable. However, they also said the far east manufactures make it up by either discontinuing the lowest trim or adding options on the build that kind of make up for it.

That's why I'm asking "Has anyone actually seen a ES 350 or 300h build as a base model"? I've only seen them come with the Premium package (and why would you buy one without it) and other added options. Have the base model as the Premium package build. It is a Lexus you know.

 

My local Lexus dealer has 17 base (with no Premium package) ES 350s listed in the new car for sale inventory (6 listed as in transit from factory) out of a total of 39 ES 350s for new cars for sale. Advertised pricing ranges from $43,695 to $44,595 with the higher price due to premium paint and illuminated door sill additions.

Of the 50 ES 300h listed none are purely base models. Lowest priced ones start out with Premium packages with an advertised price of $48,540 (before subtracting a $1500 lease cash discount).

 

I never see any when I browse inventory around Dallas for fun. Got a base 300h last December with premium plus wood trim plus ambient light plus heated wheel and big screen nav olus some clear film plus keycard last year for around 49,000 was able to talk them out of the dealer add ons. It had the uocharge for pearl white paint, I don’t even know which colors don’t have an up charge they all seem to

 

According to the current Lexus build site, these colors don't have an additional charge:

1. Moonbeam Beige Metallic
2. Caviar
3. Obsidian
4. Matador Red Mica
5. Nightfall Mica
6. Sunlit Green

 

I thought it was only the FSport specific colors like UltraWhite etc that had add'l cost - we bought our RX in Eminent White Pearl back in 2017 with no charge on the sticker. I guess they're dinging consumers for anything and everything these days.

 

The build site is a little quirky when it comes to F Sport colors, but I think these are the colors that incur an extra cost:

1. Eminent White Pearl (Regular ES $500)
2. Iridium (Regular and F Sport $500)
3. Cloudburst Gray (Regular and F Sport $500)
4. ULTRASONIC BLUE MICA 2.0 (F Sport $595)
5. ULTRA WHITE (F Sport $500)

 

Yep they've changed the approach over the years.

 

I know white paint is not easy to produce but the other colors are a mystery. If they can make nightfall mica, why can't they make similar metal flake colors? I was surprised as well at how many of the colors carried a premium.

 

I checked three dealers in my area for a Base model and they said NO INVENTORY and NO ALLOCATION
What I cared most about was getting 17" wheels and every darn one came with 18" and they would not swap for me.
I did get 4% off MSRP so no complaints and I figure I can swap wheels/tires if I really want.
The other good thing was there were NO dealer add ons, just the "premium" package + 18" tires

 

Yes every base model near me has the $600 18" upgrade. I understand your reasoning because my 2013 Avalon limited came with low profile 18" wheels and the ride over expansion joints was jarring.
Don't worry. The 18" wheels still have a great smooth ride.

 

The 18" wheels have been OK ride wise so far but we have AWFUL pot holes around here come Spring. Those 45's look like rubber bands to me!

I wonder if any of the Base models @grp52 found in CA had 17" wheels?

 

All of the pure base 2024 ES 350s listed in the for sale inventory have 17" wheels.

In contrast, it looks like all of the ES 300H base + Premium package ones are equipped with the $660 18" wheels option.

 

Dang. I really wanted that configuration, especially the 17" wheels.
I have to admit I am liking the heated steering wheel and some of the other premium features that were "shoved down" my throat

 

I believe EWP is a 5 stage paint

 

Does anyone really want a base ES? It's supposed to be a luxury car. The Premium pkg should be called the Luxury pkg. I feel all base models should be sold with at least those features.
I have an almost fully loaded base that is more than the starting price for the base Luxury trim. I wanted the Luxury trim for the 14 way seats and the 360 camera view. The day after I bought my car A dealer (1 of 3), 90 miles away had what I wanted except it was a hybrid. It was a Nightfall Mica Luxury trim. This is the only Luxury trim and 300h for a 100 miles. There are no Ultra Luxury or any other hybrids.