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Considering downgrading to ES250

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Old Feb 17, 2021 | 06:08 PM
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Default Considering downgrading to ES250

My LS lease is coming up and considering downgrading to the ES. Never would have considered it, but they do now have AWD and I really am doing a LOT less driving.

It is a nice looking car, and would love to save big $$$$. I wish they made the ES350 AWD, then I would be all in....I'm a little nervous about the engine on the ES250 being too weak!
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Old Feb 18, 2021 | 06:40 AM
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going from an ls500 to a 4 cylinder 225 hp motor, will be a mistake
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Old Feb 18, 2021 | 06:59 AM
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Originally Posted by mikesrx350
going from an ls500 to a 4 cylinder 225 hp motor, will be a mistake
that’s obviously my concern, but I was also not pleased my 8 cyclinder LS went to a 6. Guess I have to test drive and see
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Old Feb 18, 2021 | 01:16 PM
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dont bother you will be miserable, its ok with technology and mpg, but to much of a drastic move
I recemond you move to a genesis v6 turbo not the 2.5 turbo... great car great performance lexus amenities for 50 k

good luck
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Old Feb 18, 2021 | 06:31 PM
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Originally Posted by mikesrx350
going from an ls500 to a 4 cylinder 225 hp motor, will be a mistake
The ES 250 is the same 2.5L engine as the Camry with 203 hp

https://www.lexus.com/models/ES?link[InfoLayer][SHOW_PAGE]=true&link[InfoLayerInner][setActiveTab]=1
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Old Feb 19, 2021 | 06:59 PM
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Originally Posted by 2oa
that’s obviously my concern, but I was also not pleased my 8 cyclinder LS went to a 6. Guess I have to test drive and see
. Keep us posted on your thoughts from the test drive.
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Old Feb 19, 2021 | 07:10 PM
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Originally Posted by 2oa
that’s obviously my concern, but I was also not pleased my 8 cyclinder LS went to a 6. Guess I have to test drive and see
Actually I would add some of my own. I have an 2018 GS 350 F Sport and drove a ES 350 F sport as a loaner. I thought it was a competent effort but was surprised how much more refined and sporty the GS, e.g., luxury, ride, build quality, platform stiffness,...etc. Was really surprised since the ES Is a much newer platform.
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Old Feb 19, 2021 | 08:55 PM
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Originally Posted by 2oa
that’s obviously my concern, but I was also not pleased my 8 cyclinder LS went to a 6. Guess I have to test drive and see
Feel the torque! 1600 rpm is peak torque! 10 speed automatic!
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Old Feb 24, 2021 | 09:39 AM
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Originally Posted by 2oa
My LS lease is coming up and considering downgrading to the ES. Never would have considered it, but they do now have AWD and I really am doing a LOT less driving.

It is a nice looking car, and would love to save big $$$$. I wish they made the ES350 AWD, then I would be all in....I'm a little nervous about the engine on the ES250 being too weak!

I had one as a loaner, you can downgrade like that you’ll never be satisfied. The LS makes the es250 feel like a Toyota Corolla.
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Old Feb 26, 2021 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Savjam
Actually I would add some of my own. I have an 2018 GS 350 F Sport and drove a ES 350 F sport as a loaner. I thought it was a competent effort but was surprised how much more refined and sporty the GS, e.g., luxury, ride, build quality, platform stiffness,...etc. Was really surprised since the ES Is a much newer platform.
I can guarantee you the 7ES is worlds stronger body wise than the newest GS. Maybe you're confusing ride firmness with platform stiffness?

Also ES has more combined legroom than newest LS.
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Old Feb 26, 2021 | 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by E46CT
I can guarantee you the 7ES is worlds stronger body wise than the newest GS. Maybe you're confusing ride firmness with platform stiffness?

Also ES has more combined legroom than newest LS.
has nothing to do with stiffness, the rwd vs fwd platform is night and day difference in driving performance and dynamics
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 07:31 PM
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Originally Posted by E46CT
I can guarantee you the 7ES is worlds stronger body wise than the newest GS. Maybe you're confusing ride firmness with platform stiffness?

Also ES has more combined legroom than newest LS.
Agree on the legroom. The 2018 GS platform felt more solid to me and no I am not confusing platform stiffness with ride stiffness. The 2016 and later GS’s are also stiffer than the 2013-2015 models but have a slightly softer ride. The GSF was released in 2016 and structural changes were implemented to improve the chassis stiffness. I suspect that some of these improvements were inherited by the regular GS models.

Last edited by Savjam; Mar 6, 2021 at 01:19 PM.
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Old Feb 28, 2021 | 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by mikesrx350
has nothing to do with stiffness, the rwd vs fwd platform is night and day difference in driving performance and dynamics
Agree the RWD of the GS makes it a better handling car than the ES. I was still impressed with ES’ balance between luxury and sport but it felt like a lower class car when compared to the GS.
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Old Mar 6, 2021 | 11:18 AM
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The ES is only marginally better than the Camry in the ride compartment.

The material quality is definitely below the GS.

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Old Mar 7, 2021 | 04:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Savjam
. Keep us posted on your thoughts from the test drive.
So, did give it a test drive. Car is actually quite nice in appearance and decent enough inside. Engine is not great. Perhaps if it was an ES350 AWD, this would be a quick and easy decision, but the 250 is lacking quite a bit of juice between 2nd and 3rd gear.

Now I have to decide how cheap I want to be!

In other news, but 2018 LS which is due to go back apparently has $5K of equity in it. Might be able to collect that from Carvana.
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