2004-2006 LS430 vs 2007-2008 ES350
01-20-18, 11:54 AM
#16
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
Yes. Premium 93
I can tell you that an 08 ES350 is definitely a nice car in its own right. My brother's ex had one back in the day and we took it up to Niagara Falls so it was a nice several hour road trip.
It's also smooth and quiet and a great highway car, but the interior build quality is going to be nowhere near the LS, it's considerably smaller inside in every dimension, and its reliability track also cannot touch the LS. The V6 fwd does not sound anywhere near as refined. I never liked the 3.5 motors when they came out,and now I have even less interest in them knowing all the issues they have and they always sound like they are on the verge of exploding when you get into the high RPMs. I drove a brand new IS350 F Sport and the only thing I remember is not wanting to floor it because when I did, it just sounded like the car is being overstressed. Not a good sound.
Also, the LS being an old car now is not going to depreciate as much as the ES is that matters to you. If you look around, even cars with 200k+ miles are still bringing in very respectable numbers.
I can tell you that an 08 ES350 is definitely a nice car in its own right. My brother's ex had one back in the day and we took it up to Niagara Falls so it was a nice several hour road trip.
It's also smooth and quiet and a great highway car, but the interior build quality is going to be nowhere near the LS, it's considerably smaller inside in every dimension, and its reliability track also cannot touch the LS. The V6 fwd does not sound anywhere near as refined. I never liked the 3.5 motors when they came out,and now I have even less interest in them knowing all the issues they have and they always sound like they are on the verge of exploding when you get into the high RPMs. I drove a brand new IS350 F Sport and the only thing I remember is not wanting to floor it because when I did, it just sounded like the car is being overstressed. Not a good sound.
Also, the LS being an old car now is not going to depreciate as much as the ES is that matters to you. If you look around, even cars with 200k+ miles are still bringing in very respectable numbers.
I hear that. I’ve test driven an es350 but not the LS. I noticed a similar response from the engine and from the videos I’ve seen the v8 sounds heavenly. Also upon putting the same question in the ES forum I got no responses despite more than 30 people seeing it..might be telling me something lol
01-20-18, 12:04 PM
#17
I hear that. I’ve test driven an es350 but not the LS. I noticed a similar response from the engine and from the videos I’ve seen the v8 sounds heavenly. Also upon putting the same question in the ES forum I got no responses despite more than 30 people seeing it..might be telling me something lol
01-20-18, 12:13 PM
#18
Driver School Candidate
Thread Starter
This is true. When looking at Lexus I knew an is250 wasn’t going to get it done from a performance standpoint either. Considered gs300s from 2006 as well but the only two I felt certain would be good cars that fit what I want are the Es and LS
01-21-18, 03:09 PM
#19
Racer
The LS is roomier inside with a much better interior, The biggest differences of the V8 / premium gas / real wheel drive needs to be considered too
Drive one and if thet V8 is not something you want, then buy the ES. It's a very nice car too.
I considered getting an ES to be practical and modest and have a V6 front wheel drive in the winter..... but I bought the LS,
I chose the LS because I wanted a "boss" ride. No regrets after 8 years !
Drive one and if thet V8 is not something you want, then buy the ES. It's a very nice car too.
I considered getting an ES to be practical and modest and have a V6 front wheel drive in the winter..... but I bought the LS,
I chose the LS because I wanted a "boss" ride. No regrets after 8 years !
01-22-18, 06:57 AM
#20
Pole Position
We have an 07 ES 350 (76k) and two LS 430 (01 with 133k and 04 with 65k).
I do not drive the ES much. My wife and oldest kid prefer the FWD. The ES does get a bit better gas mileage. The MSRP on the ES was $42k and the MSRP on the 04 LS was $62k. Hard to compare as they are quite different cars.
The ES is definitely smaller inside. The ES feels more like a Camry, Fusion, Accord. Hard to beat the smooth power of the LS 430 and ride comfort. It will come down to miles, condition, availability and price.
I do not drive the ES much. My wife and oldest kid prefer the FWD. The ES does get a bit better gas mileage. The MSRP on the ES was $42k and the MSRP on the 04 LS was $62k. Hard to compare as they are quite different cars.
The ES is definitely smaller inside. The ES feels more like a Camry, Fusion, Accord. Hard to beat the smooth power of the LS 430 and ride comfort. It will come down to miles, condition, availability and price.
01-22-18, 04:57 PM
#21
01-22-18, 05:19 PM
#22
If you are finding that the person or dealership is trying to hide some of these things that would be a major red flag.
01-23-18, 09:10 AM
#23
I work at a Lexus dealership and see ES350's all of the time. I think they are alright cars. Very comfortable but I don't care for the car at all. I found them to be ugly and plain.
In my opinion the 07-08 ES350 can't touch the build quality of an LS430. The power and quality of an LS430 is hard to beat.
In my opinion the 07-08 ES350 can't touch the build quality of an LS430. The power and quality of an LS430 is hard to beat.
01-23-18, 09:49 AM
#24
Lexus Fanatic
I think the LS430 is a stellar build, really seems like high quality, also to strangers who have never ridden in one. My only suggestion is the switches and ***** etc. could have been more upscale, but the car itself is pretty representative of a flagship....
01-23-18, 11:19 AM
#25
I work at a Lexus dealership and see ES350's all of the time. I think they are alright cars. Very comfortable but I don't care for the car at all. I found them to be ugly and plain.
In my opinion the 07-08 ES350 can't touch the build quality of an LS430. The power and quality of an LS430 is hard to beat.
In my opinion the 07-08 ES350 can't touch the build quality of an LS430. The power and quality of an LS430 is hard to beat.
I’d guess mostly a combination of 8-1 ratio of ES’s vs LS’s AND owners bringing them in for maintenance with a slightly higher break/fix rate of an ES.
Last edited by LS430inDE.; 01-29-18 at 07:45 AM. Reason: last sentence changed from break/fix rate of LS to ES
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