I say the ES will be much better for you especially since you love your current ES. The new one is everything you have but more and better. MY .02

 

Drive them both back to back, or better yet, drive the IS, after you THINK you've made up your mind on another vehicle. The decision should be a simple one!

 

I know you're ruling out the GS based on price, but here's another vote for the GS300 AWD. It really is a nice combination of sport but in a more practical size than the IS. I know you don't want to spend $50K, but how about $46K? That's what I got mine for.

 

I was looking at the ES and IS late last year. Yes, the ES has more room. I'm over 6 feet and like the seat all the way back which makes the back seat a bit uncomfy for anyone but kids. But, when I have to have adults back there, I can move the seat up to where everyone is comfy enough.

If you are going to have adults back there all the time, you might want to consider the ES.

However...

The IS is just a fantastic car! I chose the 250 awd due to weather considertations. It doesn't have the same pickup as the 350, but it is healthy and handles well. It doesn't have the "floating on a cloud" smooth ride that the GS has, but is more sporty and responsive in its handling in my opinion.

And the IS is a tech geek's dream car. You get the aux port for your ipod right there in the console which I don't think the ES or any other Lexus has. You get smart keys which make for a keyless lifestyle, which the ES doesn't have... yet.

Unless you are a good bit overweight or need to haul around large adults, the snug cabin fits like a glove, rather than the claustrophobic feel of some smaller interiors. Do yourself a favor and test drive the IS. I love this car!

Look at those lines coming down the hood toward the center like fangs. You know you want this car. Why compromise? The folks in the back will silently forgive you as they stare in awe at the numerous luxuries of this car... like the cool rear window shade screen which is just luxury taken to a silly degree. Gotta love it.

 

Very different cars.

That said, the new Camry handles better than the old one. So the new ES might not be quite as much a boat as the old one.

The new center stack is a bit odd, though. Perhaps even obscene. Not sure what they were thinking.

 

the IS is entry level to the GS, the ES is entry level to the LS. not that one is meant to be a path to the other...but the IS is entry level and the top level in that category is the GS, its big brother sports sedan. same idea goes for the es->ls.

 

Well, I'm still waiting patiently for the ES350 to start showing up. In regards to that, check out this thread:

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=209210

I know the two cars cannot really be compared. But both are so far ahead of my '98 ES that either will be a huge improvement.