I've decided on the ES350 to replace the 2014 Maxima my son is buying from me...does anyone know if one can fit a bike either in trunk or back seat with wheel or seat off? I am really bummed that the back seat does not fold...but understand it is for more rigidity and soundproofing, as I almost tilted toward Avalon. With the following things I am looking for, thinking about just going to the UL package...anyone have thoughts?

• Seat thigh extenders - a MUST...main reason I turned away from the F Sport
• Pano roof
• Mark Levinson Stereo...is it worth the upgrade cost?

THANKS in advance...Happy Thanksgiving!

 

You will receive many subjective opinions about these things and only you can decide which one will be best for yourself by seeing in person. My personal opinion - I have a pano roof on another car and love - almost never open it but the shade is always open (ex hot summer days) making for a very bright interior. On the ML stereo, countless opinions on this so go listen for yourself.

 

Since I'm getting ready to place an order for a UL 2019 350, I have the choice of a pano roof or no pano roof. I've never even opened the sun roof on my 2013 preferring to use A/C but have seen the pano roof on other Lexus cars. What are the advantages and disadvantages? Keeping in mind that we get very hot summers and very strong sun here in the southeast. My inclination is to delete it and save $500.00.

 

Bob,

Like you, I never use open the sunroof, and I keep the shade closed all the time. By not allowing the sunlight into the cabin, I feel like I have less eye strain or glare on the gauges, map screen, etc. while driving, and I prefer the quieter cabin that comes with keeping the sunroof closed.

However, with the pano roof on my 2017 UL ES, I've come to appreciate a conincidental advantage of the full glass roof. Paint imperfections, such as polishing swirls and minor surface scratches tend to be more visible on horizontal surfaces of a vehicle. Also, on those horizontal surfaces, environmental contaminants, such as tree sap and bird droppings, can etch the paint. With the all glass roof, I don't have to worry about surface scratches, polishing swirls, tree sap, or bird droppings. And, with the combination of paint protection film covering the full hood of the car and the glass roof, the only painted small horizontal surface on the car that is exposed is the trunk, and that makes maintaining a factory-fresh look on the car much easier. For that reason alone, I've come to like having the pano roof.

 

You make some valid points. I'm definitely going to consider the paint protection film and will try to get the dealer to either throw it into the deal or at least pay half or so.
Another feature that I'd like to have is the illuminated thresholds. About $400.00 as a PIO. Maybe for $500.00 I'll just be a sport and leave the roof in. However, no triple LED's and no 18" noise reducing wheels... Thanks Les

 

I am interested in the same. Do they have any discounts on the final price?

With the pano, if your place has hail storms, will the glass be strong enough to not break?

 

The paint protection film isn't cheap, but I consider it to be a good investment that helps keep the car looking like new. Not only does it protect against stone nicks to the paint, but, when I do get bird droppings, they wipe right off with a damp paper towel, and there is no need to worry about introducing swirls while using that paper towel. And the same thing is true with bugs that collect on the bumper and hood. They just wipe right off.

The way to get the paint protection film is to save it for the very last item in negotiations for the car. You should not even bring it up at all until every other aspect of the deal has been settled. On my ES, I have a very complete paint protection film package that includes the full front bumper, full hood, full front fenders, mirrors, door handle cups, and door edges. The trim shops in the area are charging around $2500 for that much coverage, and the dealer's advertised price was also $2500. The dealer sold it to me for $1200. At $1200, I'm sure that the dealer still made a little profit, but, at least, it was not a profit at an outrageous level, and, by saving the paint protection film for the last part of the deal, there is no way that the dealership was going to lose a sale by holding out for an outrageous profit on the paint protection film.

 

I think mikemu30 said it the best. Try and check out those features in person before you buy. Everyone seems to have a different opinion and if you base your buying decisions mainly on the opinions of others, you might be depriving yourself of a feature that you eventually regret not having.

For example, some think the ML Audio System is a waste of money. Others, like myself, love it. You need to form your own opinions by checking things out in person, if possible.

 

I'm sure that there is risk that the pano roof could shatter as a result of large hail, but, just like with the skylights on my house, the glass is, I think, quite strong, and any hail large enough to shatter the glass would also be causing a large amount of sheet metal damage to the roof (and the rest of the car) if the car did not have an all glass roof.

 

Theres always the risk with glass. Ive had panos for the last seven years with never an issue.