Fellas, looking to replace my already lost 2015 GS350 rwd due to an accident. Been looking around quite a bit and the prices are still up there. As a first GS, having driven it for a few years, absolutely love the car and very much enjoyed it. However, I feel it is too expensive now due to times and the discontinuation and am now considering the new ES250 awd. I'm afraid I could be making a mistake. Pay more for the GS or pay even more and got for something brand new..

Appreciate your thoughts!

 

Do you want a really slow car? Do you need AWD? 1st questions?

 

Don’t get the poverty spec ES. You’re better off in an Avalon.

 

Look for a GS200t, I have had mine for almost two years and love it. It has much more low end torque than a 350 with the D3 tune and it was super cheap when I bought it, although I agree with the pricing issue. The Carvana offer I priced recently was $4k higher than what I paid two years ago.

 

I think the ES is a nice car, albeit FWD. If you do get one, a must-have is the ML... the standard stereo is truly weak and sounds pretty bad. My sister had an ES and she kept complaining about how bad the stereo was; I did not believe her until I tried adjusting it to no avail. She recently traded it for a new Pilot, all because of the stereo, after less than a year. In this instance, she got top dollar for the ES which softened the Pilot's price at MSRP. Carvana just priced my 18 GS at $42K last month... been itching to get a 22 GX.

 

I'd recommend spending some time in the ES. I had an IS300 AWD for about 8 months in between GS. While it was a fun car the GS was night and day better and I started regretting the decision after a few months. I've had several loaner ES and the build quality and materials is far inferior. If you are looking to save some money get a Camry with a V6 or Avalon.

 

Yeah u won't be happy with the ES, especially the 4 cyl one. U've had a GS before and u will miss it. Do it right the first time and get another GS350 FSport RWD!

We don't need AWD in CA anyway.

 

IMO I would get a nice ES350 U/L 6th Gen 2013 - 2018. The U/L has more usable equipment and options than any GS. It was a much better car to me. Not sure why some think the ES350 build quality was not as good as the GS? It was just a s good. I guess if you read some test reviewer who never owned both cars you would buy into it. If you were on a track every weekend the GS might edge out the ES. Straight line performance the ES350 can beat the GS350. The 6th Gen ES350 is a very nice driving car for the money. Now I'm waiting for the GS enthusiast crowd to come along about the front wheel drive so they can Google the 1# title Acura TL FWD that waxed all the RWD cars on the track for years and years.

The 7th Gen ES350 is a Boat. The ES250 is not worth it with that sub par el cheapo engine if you were a GS Guy. I hope you got full value of todays Market for your 2015 insurance wise. It was worth alot if you held out and provided the insurance company the comp info.

As someone else mentioned the GS200t is also a good buy. They are working on Tunes for that car that just might have it out performing a stock GS350 and more of a pleasure to drive drivability retuned wise. If something happened and I had to get a new GS, I think I would get a GS200T myself as it getting some good mods and a future Turbo upgrade with a lower buying price.

 

How about that 2017 GS Lux in Riverside from the other thread?

https://redirect.viglink.com/?format...ux%20Riverside

The price is def on the higher end, but everything is expensive nowadays.

 

The answer is always "another GS".

Personally, I would not be that happy with an ES, especially a 250. I would just drive one if you can and see what you think.

 

I would find a GS id you want a GS. Life is full of comprimises, but pick your battles! The only cars I am interested in are GS and Model 3.
And an old Tundra...

Good luck!

 

Well, don't need awd but for some reason I want either awd or rwd. I've had the ES as a loaner several times with the ML and sounded great and drove well hence the reason I wanted to upgrade my speakers. Absolutely loved the GS and drove it tons as an enthusiast. I agree the older ES drove like a boat which I dislike and kind of why if it's an ES it'd have to be awd. The price I'd feel comfortable paying for a GS is the precovid ones which is not happening! I mean I don't know what's reasonable any more. The GS with some miles VS the ES is roughly in same price range. New car zero miles. I think that the IS is to small but have not drove it. Kind of considering the TLX and Q50. I like the model 3 but GS is definitely better built inside than it. I even drove the new camry se recently after many years and was impressed.

 

Can I throw a random suggestion out there and ask that you consider a Stinger? If I didn't have a GS, that's what I would likely get.

 

As a former track driver, canyon junkie, 19 cars many heavily modified, i think the whole OMG FWD NO I CAN'T GUY PROPERLY is overblown, particularly when it comes to the new TNGA chassis which handles extremely well. Well-engineered FWD is just fine for dudes, especially if you're over the age of 30. We spend time commuting, not drifting everywhere. If you want another GS, great. Great car. But since you're considering an ES, read on to someone who's now owned two 2021s.

I'd highly recommend the ES300h (avoid the 250) it has very sure-footed handling, high presence & class, extremely strong unibody (exotic car territory by my precise calculations). To me a good car starts with the bones. And in terms of safety, the ES is generations ahead. There's a new batch of VERY punishing side impact tests (new for 2021/2022) coming soon and TNGA is one of the few rockstars out of 20 platforms tested. So if safety matters, check it out.

ES also has more legroom than an LS and if you get the hybrid like I recommend, you'll get 41 mpg without breaking a sweat and the new hybrid powertrain of the ES300h (which also powers the 5,000 lb highlander) scoots very strongly with authority. So don't necessarily think it's Prius level slow which uses the last-gen hybrid system.

test drive one.

 

If you are considering an ES250, that means you are willing to pay around $40k as I haven't seen any ES250's for much less than that. I think once you own a GS, going to an ES is a bit of step down. The ES is well executed but is by no means a GS - fit/finish/handling will still be better in a well-cared for GS.

You should be able to find a really nice refreshed RWD GS350 for a similar price as an ES250:

https://www.porscherocklin.com/used/...71cdcf827a.htm
https://www.southtownecadillac.com/V...-GA/5176035980

https://www.terrylabontechevy.com/in...cz1bl9ja008057
https://www.parkerlexus.com/inventor...z1bl3ga007037/
https://www.audishrewsbury.com/exoti...18ee7ef20c.htm