ES350 is an excellent car for your $$. Here is my testimony however..I test drove ES twice before going for 08' new RX 350. Here were my reasons from someone hwo owned 83' RX7, 86' Accord hatch, 03' Camry LE and 06' Pilot EXL.

1. ES was very smooth and luxurious but I wanted something less 'senile'. I am 38 y.o., and I will reserve luxurious sedans for when I am 65. It did not ride or sound any better than used 07' Avalon Touring (12 speakers w/o ML). That;s why I traded in my Pilot for 08' RX350 with Nav(ave mixed MPG=26-27).. and I love its versatility and don't have to worry about flooding risk--see below for sedan flooding risks.

2. With recent flooding in midwest, I was unfortunate enough to have ran my beloved 03' Camry over a partailly flooded street (maybe 8 inch accumulation of water), and eventhough I drove through it VERY CAUTIOUSLY, since then there was raspy machine noise from my otherwise serene 2.4L motor that served me so well for 135K original miles. Water probably went into my muffler and/or radiator. It was time for a decision, whether I should trade-in my 'beater/commuter car' Camry for another one. I looked at new Accord, Civic (all Honda dealers are thieves by the way; 08' new Civic had $3500 'Market adjustment mark-up!!!). My conclusion was either 06' BMW 330i ($28K), used 07' Avalon ($22-24K) or spanking new 09' Camry. Well, it was no brainer for me. I paid $18300 for CE model automatic 5-speed with 3 miles on it. The new Camry is a big improvement over 5th generation Camry, most importantly in the interior feel/quality and tighter suspension (no more floaty buick-like ride!!!). Best of all, for the price of 08' ES, you can get TWO 09' Camry CEs. I got $5000 for my 'well-maintanied' 03' camry. ES is nice but you should consider the flooding and the the risk of becoming dormantly demented prematurely.

I say get 09' Camry and save $15K for your kids' college money, or get 330i!!!

 

LOL

You would hate the Acura NSX, Mercedes CLS, Nissan Maxima, etc

Not sure if you would like the IS either!

Not be rude but "NO" where in your post does it describe why the GRAND GS feels clusterophobic inside. If your in the market for a Camry and ES than your not in the market for a GS yet!

 

So are you talking about to ES or the GS?

Anyway...to each its own...I'm in Socal...no floods to worry about...

 

My condolences on your "clusterophobia"

 

If you are 38, Avalon should have never been on the list....

 

the 330i has about as much space in it as the IS which is far less space than the GS, ES, Camry or Avalon so you have totally lost me with your logic.

steviej

 

this dude is a troll. es>gs...never.

 

ahaha i was about to say the same thing

 

ES really is made for old people and the RX is 100 yr old design that looks like it was designed strictly for women imo. I wouldnt touch either of them. I cant believe you like the ES and RX more than a GS. Thats like saying I want the 3 bedroom 2 bath instead of the 5 bedroom 3 bath with a view.

Dude I am 6'5" and I dont think its " clusterphobic ". It might have less head room than an egg shaped SUV , but hey ......to each his own. I love my GS, and I hope you will be happy with your new baby.


I turn heads in my GS.... I dont need to much ground clearance

 

Wow, you just invented a new word

 

I always loved the GS interior there is something about, it blends in so many aspects!

Its sporty yet luxurious and for me kinda gives off a jet cockpit feeling, especially after I got my radar an it kept beeping each time I passed a store...lol

 

1. The ES is actually LARGER than the GS, thus bigger dimensions. Its been like that the last 2 generations.
2. Lexus bucked the trend by keeping the GS the same size as the last generation pretty much. The 2nd gen was actually 5 inches shorter than the 1st gen. I LOVE THIS, b/c I do not want a giant car and it seems every car just gets HUGE every new generation. The current A6, 5 and M35/45 are just huge to me, down to an Altima, Camry, Accord. Some people don't want giant buick sized cars.
3. The GS is a sports luxury sedan, the cockpit is very coupe like in fashion as the whole car, to give a very sporty feel inside. While the 5 series is clearly sportier the drive, the interior leaves me confused as its not sporty at all.

Overall, i do find the GS interior to need slightly more headroom and I wish the window sills were lower but its not too bad at all.

Sadly we live in a world where "bigger is better" and with all the competition getting HUGE (hell the new Jag XF is also huge for its class and now the new TL is 195 inches long, as long as the RL) so the next GS will probably get bigger.

 

GS is a beautiful car... but to each his own. If someone thinks the ES is better so-be-it...

 

yeah, true. i wasn't thinking when i posted that. everyone has their own opinion. his logic is still lol, though.

 

Very True!

but he should respect our opinions also, coming into 3GS forum where everyone owns a 3GS and saying you should have bought a Camry and saved money is just well, lol

I understand his point of view but when a guy buys a Mercedes S Class for $105,00 he doesn't say, maybe I should buy the C350 and save myself $55,000!

Its "LOL" logic but its also smart in a couple ways like if you shouldn't be driving a GS in the first place!