new tire choices
11-08-16, 01:07 PM
#46
Driver School Candidate
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This is absolutely the case. When all you drive is the Lexus you do start to take the ride, refinement and quietness for granted and it stops impressing you as much. Once you drive something else and then come back to the Lexus, all over again you realize how nice it really rides. Same is true in my LS.
11-08-16, 01:21 PM
#47
Lexus Fanatic
Remember that in 2013 both the ES and Avalon were firmed up a good bit, enough people noticed that they actually softened the Avalon (and my guess is the ES also) up for 2016.
11-08-16, 01:35 PM
#48
Lead Lap
My guess is that a good part of the perceived difference in ride firmness between the 2003 ES (or Avalon) and the Generation 6 ES is the result of the the Generation 6 ES using lower profile tires and the Generation 6 ES having a recommended tire pressure that is 4 pounds higher than what the recommended pressure for the 2003 ES was.
11-08-16, 02:05 PM
#49
Lexus Fanatic
I wouldn't disagree with that at all either
11-08-16, 03:20 PM
#50
I don't doubt at all that your dad's 2003 Avalon rides smoother than a 2013 ES350 or even a 2013 Avalon. I would disagree however that it rides smoother than a 2003 ES300.
Remember that in 2013 both the ES and Avalon were firmed up a good bit, enough people noticed that they actually softened the Avalon (and my guess is the ES also) up for 2016.
Remember that in 2013 both the ES and Avalon were firmed up a good bit, enough people noticed that they actually softened the Avalon (and my guess is the ES also) up for 2016.
Back in 1988, the Camry 2.5L V6 always spawned a Toyota Camry Windom 2.5L V6 with "heavy duty" suspension, and stiffer roll bars, and the Camry Windom then spawned the Lexus ES.
I have never compared 2003 Avalon to 2003 ES330.
However, back in 1997, I used to test drive my 1997 ES300 against my two friend's 1997 Camry V6's, and their suspension was much softer, such that Lexus changed my complete suspension set up, front and rear, including coils, shockies, roll bars, and bushings - a much better ride.
Back then, the 3ES300 was designed to be "sporty" - not sure what it is like these days...
Toyota Camry Windom hardtop [frameless windows] with "heavy duty" suspension and stiffer roll bars.
Lexus ES250
1997-01 Toyota Camry
Toyota Camry Windom hardtop [frameless windows] with "heavy duty" suspension.
Lexus ES300
11-08-16, 04:12 PM
#51
Lexus Fanatic
I had a 2003 ES300 and my uncle had a 2003 Avalon. The Avalon didn't ride better than the ES at that time.
11-08-16, 04:31 PM
#52
Someone on the other threads is thinking of changing his suspension.
11-08-16, 04:42 PM
#53
Lexus Fanatic
I haven't driven a refreshed Avalon. For 2013 I thought they rode about the same. I think the 2016 rides a little better than the 2013 ES.
BTW, the 03 ES is not the frameless door model you picture above, that's a 3ES. They went much more comfort oriented with the ES in 2002 since they had the IS.
BTW, the 03 ES is not the frameless door model you picture above, that's a 3ES. They went much more comfort oriented with the ES in 2002 since they had the IS.
11-08-16, 05:36 PM
#54
I haven't driven a refreshed Avalon. For 2013 I thought they rode about the same. I think the 2016 rides a little better than the 2013 ES.
BTW, the 03 ES is not the frameless door model you picture above, that's a 3ES. They went much more comfort oriented with the ES in 2002 since they had the IS.
BTW, the 03 ES is not the frameless door model you picture above, that's a 3ES. They went much more comfort oriented with the ES in 2002 since they had the IS.
On another note, I've tested 2012 Original and 2015 Updated Camry 3.5L V6's, and they both ride more firmly than 2016 Updated ES350, though I have not driven 5ES, nor the original version of the 2013 6ES.
I think the Camries may now have a firmer ride than ES, because they are intended for a younger age group?
11-09-16, 01:25 AM
#55
Instructor
Thread Starter
Before I bought my 2013 Lexus, I owned a 2007 Avalon.... loved that car, decent ride ( in spite of the rough riding turanza's that were on there ) with 17" rims and the car itself never gave me any real trouble. In 2013 I intended to trade in my 07 on a new avalon, but the first thing I noticed was how much firmer the ride was.. for me, too stiff and jarring... my 07 Avalon rode much smoother.... 20 minutes after I test drove the 13 Avalon I drove the Lexus ES and couldn't believe the difference.. Even with 18" rims, I thought the Lexus was a smoother ride that the 2013 Avalon with 17 inch rims...
11-09-16, 01:37 AM
#56
Before I bought my 2013 Lexus, I owned a 2007 Avalon.... loved that car, decent ride ( in spite of the rough riding turanza's that were on there ) with 17" rims and the car itself never gave me any real trouble. In 2013 I intended to trade in my 07 on a new avalon, but the first thing I noticed was how much firmer the ride was.. for me, too stiff and jarring... my 07 Avalon rode much smoother.... 20 minutes after I test drove the 13 Avalon I drove the Lexus ES and couldn't believe the difference.. Even with 18" rims, I thought the Lexus was a smoother ride that the 2013 Avalon with 17 inch rims...
So the current Avalon is indeed firmer than the current ES.
Can anyone else confirm if the current Camry V6 is also firmer than the current ES???
And how does the current Camry V6 ride compare with the current Avalon ride?
.
Last edited by peteharvey; 11-09-16 at 01:41 AM.
11-09-16, 08:04 AM
#57
Well apparently he's saying that was true for the 2013 Avalon compared to the 2014 ES. The appear to be tweaking the firmness/softness for each
type of car each year, so I don't think you can assume that just because the 2013 ES was softer than the 2013 Avalon, that that would also automatically
hold true for the 2016 Avalon versus the 2016 ES. I think you have to go out and test drive them unfortunately. You can't trust that the firmness will
be the same. And I don't think the manufacturers or dealers are necessarily going to be eager to disclose that information.
A good car salesman will kind of feel you out, get a sense of what you want, and then try to fit whatever he most needs to sell into what he thinks
is motivating you. So he could easily say a car is soft or a great ride when it's only mediocre.
type of car each year, so I don't think you can assume that just because the 2013 ES was softer than the 2013 Avalon, that that would also automatically
hold true for the 2016 Avalon versus the 2016 ES. I think you have to go out and test drive them unfortunately. You can't trust that the firmness will
be the same. And I don't think the manufacturers or dealers are necessarily going to be eager to disclose that information.
A good car salesman will kind of feel you out, get a sense of what you want, and then try to fit whatever he most needs to sell into what he thinks
is motivating you. So he could easily say a car is soft or a great ride when it's only mediocre.
11-09-16, 03:00 PM
#59
Instructor
Thread Starter
Just wanted to jump in here and thank all of you for your responses... called the tire shop i use here in town and ordered the Pirellis Cinturato P7 A/s plus...... they'll be here friday, but I won't be available to have them installed til the following weekend...appreciate all the input from you guys.. thanks again...
11-16-16, 09:24 PM
#60
Just wanted to jump in here and thank all of you for your responses... called the tire shop i use here in town and ordered the Pirellis Cinturato P7 A/s plus...... they'll be here friday, but I won't be available to have them installed til the following weekend...appreciate all the input from you guys.. thanks again...