Msnowdon

I guess I am just an old fart, and want that soft ride like my grandma's buick. I just turned 37.

It was a really comfortable car, wish it was more priced like the TL. As I write, this I am maybe talking myself out of it.

Fully loaded it is about 43K.



Michael

MR1

I'm sure it's a good car. But why not just buy the Buick? I hear they are having a sale.

Take two aspirins and write in tomorrow morning.

CSI

I think the new ES is not good looking... I prefer to get a Buick... coz it looks better...

gogotl

the lexus is better built and more luxurious. if you prefer cushier ride and dont mind pay the extra, go for it.

neuronbob

If you want a softer ride in your TL, then you should go back to the stock 17" wheels and use the Michie MXMs (or whichever is stock on the recent TLs) from your staggered setup. I'm not hating, just suggesting. If you lowered the car, you'll want to go back to stock, which to me is a little floaty and disconnected. FWIW, I'm also 37 but I'm not ready for that boaty ride yet and hope I'll never be.

I think the ES is not very attractive.

The new Buick Lucerne is a great-looking car, and proof that The General is FINALLY figuring out auto design in something other than a Cadillac. It's also very luxurious, I've sat in one. If only it weren't so big....

You may also want to edit out your license plate from that pic...

g0tb00st

why not buy the new Camry? They're the same car and you can just put the "L" on your hood and trunk to make yourself feel better.

Erik

MichaelBenz

iTrader: (2)

Been there dont that personally.....he will be back! Came from Caddy DeVilles ... and have Lexus GS400......would NEVER do another caddy (after about 4 of em)...Lexus is GREAT quality wise and fit and finish....ride isnt bad either....but still...if he wants an old man ride....he will most likely become bored as I did within about 6 months and miss it! My Lady wouldnt drive the Caddy ("its an old man car and YOU bought it") so I had no choice but to go back out to market and buy another car to replace that hoopty. Which led to to Acura.....woohoo!

PS...I have always wondered about that license plate thing....why both with editing it out (I have done so too at times and wondered why). Its not like we dont pass about a million people a day on the road.....and they could all be jotting it down too? What can you do with said info anyway?? Its not like they can start a false claim with their insurance co or something...(somebody tried that on me once and made a complete fool out of themselves before it was over due to the fact my car was flawless?) Just took a trip to have it looked at and that was the end of it....lol!

hondafan

I like your wheels. Want to sell them before you trade her in?

Adobeman

NO NO don't go over to the other side. (j/k) The 350 is a fine car and it's all about what you want. Personally the bigger Lexs are a bit too conservative and plush for my taste. I prefer the more aggressive look of the TL. The big difference in price helps too.

But to come clean the 3G TL is the first car ever that I lusted for that I could actually afford. Until I saw it in 04 I was gonna drive my Saab 900 forever since nothing I could afford thrilled me. Then a 3G TL passed me it was all I could think about for a year. So having said that how could I tell you to get rid of your TL. I just still the the 3G TL is remarkable in its styling and value.

05TLTony

Me too. Had an ES a few years back and loved the interior, but the drive was boring. I wouldn't go back to an ES. The GS430 is another story.
I haven't been in the new ES350, but have test driven the new 06 GS300 a month ago (fiance was car shopping). All I can say is that the ride was not smooth at all. The engine was horrible. It was louder than the TL's.
In the end, we ended up purchasing the BMW 330i. She prefered the driving experience over the GS, although she admits the interior of the Lexus was "prettier."
As far as price, I've noticed that Lexus allows more negotiating room. When I purchased my ES, I got $5K off msrp.

05TLTony

Btw, my computer almost blew up after your car pic finished downloading!

JAB00

I'm pretty conservative and have kept my 05 TL stock but those are some nice rims and tires. Approximately how much did that cost? The new ES is definitely better than the previous model it's replacing. However, you might regret that purchase when you soon notice that only 70+ year old women driving it, like I do.

GNN60GT500

Hey where are you in CA? Interested in trading those wheels and tires for some stock ones and cash? My tires only have 5000 miles on them and my wheels are perfect, no curb rash

I am in Southern CA-

leedogg

Seriously, you can either have performance and a tight ride, or luxury and a cushy but floaty ride. Drop the wheel size, go back to stock rsb & suspension, etc. Find some nice quiet tires, (last i checked, I think the michelen continentals were supposed to be nice) If you havent done so already, add moleskin to the window blades, it should remove some of the vibration caused by the blades on the windows.

FightingTL

I sure hope you dont own a TL with that suggestion.

Why didnt we just buy accords and slap the A on them?

SilverUA5

43k for an upscale Camry......wow.

nhousepro

Well let me get your wheels???????????????????

weedeater

Hey, I spent $35K for an upscale Accord. Same 'wow'.

FightingTL

I spent 38k on an upscale Accord with navigation and an a spec package.


Stupid comments.

Ken1997TL

Get 16 inch wheels with tires that have a less stiff sidewall, you'll notice a world of difference.

FightingTL

Ick why ruin the styling of a car?

DMZ

Though I can't see it being worth the price difference, there's a # of features the new ES has that the new Camry doesn't.

For example, the rear window shade is power on the ES versus manual on the Camry XLE, the in-dash CD changer that comes with the Nav system is a 6 disk instead of 4 with surround sound DVD 7.1 audio, the headlights turn with the steering wheel like the RL, Nav system comes with backup camera, power activated seat cushion for extended thigh support, Power tilit-and-telescopic stering column, etc etc.

GSteg

I'm not a big fan of the ES-series. It's too soft and boring. Infact, all lexus are boring cars. Too isolated and quiet sometimes, especially when you want to rip it up. Hopefully one day Lexus will create a car that aren't so boring.

Ken1997TL

Because he wants a softer ride?

It wont change the styling THAT much.

AcuraTL06

Those are the exact wheels i was planning to get for my TL. Are they Axis Milanos? Anyone know what size those are, and if that car is lowered?

toynaround

The Tl is a great car but its suspension leaves alot to be desired IMO. I sympathisize about the harsh ride and often think about switching to something bigger and "cushier", I'm also getting older. You can still have a firm sport suspension and performance with a smooth ride, its just costs more money. Highly tuned shocks and springs, lightweight rims and brakes, proper weight distribution all add up to "feeling" the road without the bone jarring. My Boxster allows me to the feel the road with less jarring on tough bumps than the TL and every late model BMW I have driven will also do the same. I can't comment on the Lexus but I'm sure it will go around a corner plenty fast. The question to ask yourself is do you want to feel more or less of the road and does that give you enjoyment. For day to day driving I would prefer less road with the exception of a Porsche or BMW ride quality.

Black_6spd

Michael,

I feel your pain, man. I'm getting up there in age, too. There are many days after a long day of work where I don't want to feel 'connected' and feel every bump in the road. I'm sure as I get older I'm going to prefer a floaty suspension. However, with 43k, why not stay in the family and go for an RL? With the sluggish sales, it should be a steal and give you a good combination of sport and luxury.

Beckles

Are HID's still an (overpriced) option on the new ES?

I test drove an ES when I was shopping for the TL and the old ES just seemed really cramped to me, I could not find a comfortable seating position without feeling the roof above my head.

Msnowdon

I went back to Lexus, and drove the IS350, if it only had the backseat of the TL, it would be a great replacement.

GSteg

should be standard now

TL Maestro

I feel you, Msnowdon. The ES350 looks great, and nothing compares to the quiet and solitude of a Lexus. I drive my folks ES330 every once in a while when I join them for a trip to Vegas, and it's so smooth. The ES350 has even more power and looks great! I'm tempted to trade up my TL for one.

If you think you might miss the driving excitement of the TL, then shoot for the IS350. It still has all the refinement of the ES, just less backseat room and more oomph! than the TL.

weedeater

considering the price, you might look at an '06 ES330. Dealers should be selling these much lower to make room for the newer cars.

gotjesus

go for RL. Soft ride and Acura.

lilvinnyb

You should wait. Lexus is coming out with an IS500 (absolute monster). That may be my next 1/4 life crisis car! The comfort of a lexus and the performance of an M3.

pimpin-tl

I would recommend you read clublexus.com because the ES350 is plague with quality problems big time! Transmissions problems is the worse of them. Seriously I would stay away from the car and read the site to see all the problems its having.

pimpin-tl

Camry/ES350 are both having major quality problems and are being lemoned like crazy on the forums. It's plagued with problems both of those cars. See clublexus and toyotanation.com for the issues.

pimpin-tl

List of problems from just the first page of the general area for the ES350. Engine noises is another issue. Most sound like a diesel and there are videos of it sounding like this.

http://clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=236162

http://clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=250652

http://clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258432

http://clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=258432

http://clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=257555

http://clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255407

http://clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=255311

http://clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=242200

http://clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=253629

http://clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=231856

trancemission

This thread is off topic and belongs in Car Talk.

I dont know how many times I keep having to telll you this.

If you want to talk about any car OTHER THAN THE 3rd GENERATION TL DO IT IN CAR TALK!!!