I bought an IS350 in October. Wife is giving me a hard time that it's not a family car. Can't argue, especially when we're trying to squeeze our two kids into the car seats. I like the car and so does my wife, but I am kicking around the idea of trading it for the new ES. Of course I'd like your input on the comparison, but more than anything I'd like to get a sense of what I should expect to pay on the trade-in spread. My IS has almost 10k miles and has the lux package, nav and pref acc pkg. Sticker was $42,989. I am eying the ES with the Ultra-Luxury Package which puts it at $43,788.

Don't bother flaming me either.

 

If you were going to make the move go with trhe GS.

 

Agreed. The GS has the IS' sporting character, unlike the ES.

 

is the GS350 out yet? I wouldn't even consider it until then, but plan on saving that for the next version.

 

Just curious, did your wife not look at the IS350 with kids in mind prior to your purchase?

 

My wife and I have an IS250 we just bought and we also have a 2003 Nissan Maxima if we really need the extra room. We just got back from a weekend in Palm Springs and we took the Lexus. We packed the trunk full but still had plenty of room inside the car if we needed to haul any more junk with us for a 3 days weekend but we only have one child. I can see how the IS would be pretty cramped for a family of 4. Our son is only 4 years old too so he has plenty of room behind Mom (she's 5'4" and I'm 5'11").

Recently we had an ES330 loaner from Lexus overnight and it is much roomier than the IS but isn't nearly as sporty. For the money I'd get the GS.

 

I actually thought I'd be buying an ES. The ES is very different. Not sporty at all. Very soft, plush and a true luxury car.

Lots of room in the back seat. Huge trunk.

Power is decent. Very smooth power band. You get up to 60 pretty quick but it sure doesn't feel or sound like it.

Suspension is lush. It felt like riding on a pillow. The car feels super wide. A few suspension tweaks and this thing would probably feel a tad better for me.

Seats are slightly less bolstered and sit up higher than the IS. I felt like my eyeline with the seat all the way down was about even with the top of the windshield. I'm only 6'.

I also did not like the wood/leather steering wheel. Very hard, just not my style. Also a gripe I have with the GS.

Overall a great luxury car. If I had 2 car seats it woulda been my choice, but seeing as how I don't haev any kids yet the IS was just more me. But if this is your family mobility car, and you are finding yourself driving it everywhere and you really want to stick with Lexus, then the ES would be good. The GS isn't a bad choice either, just more expensive. Gets a sporty feel, the back seat is still small IMO. Bigger than the IS, and probably fine for kid seats, but when I have to sit in the back of my in laws, my head is right up against the rear window. Last gen GS felt like it had more room.

Otherwise the TL or G35 might be better choices as they feel/appear more sporty and have enough room in the back seat for a couple car seats.

 

yes we did. It works. A little tight, and after living with it it's just hard to get my wife to agree to take it out instead of our GX.

 

Yes. Saw one at the delaer yesterday. Pretty nice, same price as my IS 350.

 

So you also have a GX? Then what is the problem?

 

my buddy just bought the new es....very smooth driving...definately not sporty but looks very luxury....but i agree that u are paying for an avalon with a lexus badge on it.

 

If the IS is functionally adequate for now, keep the IS for a little longer. You'll lose if you trade it in so early.

As nice as the ES and GS are, don't make the move until you need it. We all want the newest and latest, and the ES and GS can be very enticing. If your family is quite comfortable with the IS, and you're enjoying its ride as well, keep it a little longer. Might as well take your time to decide, and get the ES/GS when prices are a little closer to invoice.

 

You're going to get seriously f'd on a trade in. Basically, you're absorbing the first years loss for the dealer (probably around $5k, plus the mileage hit), plus all your sunk costs like taxes, etc. that you're going to have to pay again on another new purchase.

My guess is you'll be offered around $35k by the dealer.

 

The ES puts the power to the wrong wheels.

 

Yep, taxes are the deal killer. Besides, in reality no matter how much bigger it is than the IS, I'll still have a hard time getting my wife to take it out in lieu of the GX.

Decision made: I'm sticking with the IS and will start planning for a 2011 GS