sramas

Hi all,

I am still fighting over my decision between these 2 options. I test drove both and each is good in it's own right. All things equal ( meaning price) i would do a Lexus. But since price is a big factor for me, I am wanting some advice based on the number crunching I have done.

2012 Acura TL FWD Tech 2013 ES 350 Difference
MSRP 39,435 43,552
Agreed Price 33,000 38,500
% Dis to MSRP 16 12
Financing 0.90% 1.49%
Int in 5yrs 760.44 1475.82 715.38

Total Cost 33,760 39,976 6,215
Adjustments
End yearmodel 1,800 0
Premium Gas 900 0

Net Cost 5yrs 36,460 39,976 3,515

Can someone provide their feedback.

Thanks

potmilkz

if money isnt a factor, go with the lexus.
Personally, i like the luxury factor of the lexus.. especially the new looking ones. They are much sleeker than the previous gens..

Booya4139

why was an end year model cost of 1800 added? Just a subjective addon to monetize the fact you like the new lexus exterior more?

sramas

The $1800 was added because that was the residual value difference between a 2013 Acura TL and a 2012 Acura TL after 5 years. That way my comparision is between a 2013 Acura TL and 2013 ES.

Acura is giving that price of $33000 only because I am asking for a 2012, if I wanted to go with 2013, I am looking at closer to 35,000.

Thanks

wutaguy

According to

http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com...-Midsize-Cars/

TL is 1 and look where the ES is .... last

avikban

TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL TL ............
jokes apart i too test drove both and here I'm with '12 TL Black on Black. Couldn't be happier.

Edward'TLS

The 2012/13 TL is at the very end of the model cycle. There will be a face-lifted 2014 TL around this time next year.

The 2013 ES is at the very beginning of the model cycle. In fact, it has inherited the brand new face-lifted front end for the revised signature Lexus front grille.

potmilkz

The redesign look made me vote for lexus.. The car looks like a LS series..

Just look at that beautiful interior..






To me, if you are a luxury guy, get this car.. if you want a sportier car, the TL is the way to go.

i love the panoramic sun roof tho..

012TL-GLM

Lexus > TL FWD

Get a TL SH-AWD, no comparison - you'll never look at an ES again

Booya4139

interior shot is great looking, exterior is meh IMO...

Booya4139

gotcha, makes sense.

compewterbleu

The interior of the Lexus is pretty nice except it's like the old GM cars, straight across. That's like old-man style to me. The exterior isn't all that to me...especially the Jeepers-Creepers grille, but people give Lexus a pass, they're trending pretty well these days.

HeartTLs

iTrader: (5)

I really like the panoramic roof and interior layout except for the wood trim, i associate it with senior citizens. There are a few exceptions to wood trim for me but this isn't one of them.

docboy

I'm personally not a fan of Lexus since I last had a IS250AWD for only 4,000 miles. I would get the TL.

But...since you mentioned you like the Lexus given all things being equal (except price), get the Lexus (assuming the Lexus purchase will allow you to continue to live comfortably). Life is too short to not get the one you want.

weather

That is one of the best advice I have read here and the motto my life revolves around! We need more people like you my friend

jspagna1

^^^ Exactly. Two different cars imo. The Lexus is very smooth and quiet. No road feel and very numb feeling. The TL is sportier. More road feel and more of a drivers car. You need to make the ultimate decision. Both cars are very good/dependable cars.

weather

^^ I think the GS would be more similar to the TL as far as ride feel but it is priced more than the TL. That is the one I would get if I were to get rid of my TL today....although, I had a chance to test drive the BMW 335 the other day and must say that I came back with a different perspective on the brand. The dealership experience was quite amazing which is what shocked me the most given my past experience with the snobby BMW shoping experience.

123456SPEED

I'd have to really really love the current TL to pay the new car pricing at the end of it's life cycle. Next year it will be outdated and the style of it will date quicker than the previous TL has. The next TL will beat it in features, mpg, and maybe looks IMO. I'd be tempted to wait to hear more on the upcoming TL.

If you want more comfort, and cushcush get the Lexus. L is following the BMW dash look. I prefer the cockpit style in TL. The TL is a younger sportier style, the Lexus is more of a ladies car to me.
....and that front end? Your choice, a beak or a cow-catcher.
But it's kinda like asking who you should date.

Litt

My Dad's Lexus ES350 is has very light steering and very light gas pedel. It's hard to tell what your doing. I found my TL to be a much more engaging drive.

But for my 60 year old Dad I'd say the Lexus is the way to go!

Oswald Vater

A tough choice amongst two great cars. I like the TL for its more-sporty look/feel and "bang for the buck" technology. Bu I do like the ES new look, more-luxury ride and use of regular gas. I may be looking at this same decision a year from now myself. I'm assuming the ES was priced with comparable features? Let us know what you decide.

Edward'TLS

x2.

Don1

In 2010 I did a similar comparison. I found the Lexus to be a very boring drive even though it was quiet and comfortable. I like to be engaged with the car and the ES was so isolating that it was not much fun to drive. After 2 years I have not changed my thinking on that and still enjoy driving the TL. To me the choice came down to the driving experience with price a secondary factor.

Slithr

We looked at the previous ES (Camry based). The new one is based on the Avalon so it has a lot more room. Not much to add except that most of the reviewers tend to like the Toyota more than the Lexus. The general feeling is that Lexus made some bad choices on suspension tuning. I'd be sure to drive the Toyota before buying the Lexus if you are leaning that way.

potmilkz

yea but you cant compare toyota to lexus as they are two different league of cars.. its like comparing a honda civic to a tsx even though acura and honda is technically in the same family (so is toyota and lexus) they remain to be different as one is for "Bang for your buck" as the other is "Luxury line"

plus.. you dont buy a lexus and critique the suspension when all their models ride like a boat.

Rocketsfan

Not sure if you're willing to wait for it or not or exactly what you're looking for in a car, but Lexus is about to unveil their new IS next month at the NAIAS.

As for these two, it's a "neither" for me now. The TL is about to get replaced next year and I don't like the ES' driving feel. I'm also on the fence about its interior. I'm waiting for to see what the next G and the next IS have in store. They're both supposed to be revealed next month (well, I think the G is rumored to be, anyway). I don't know if I'll be able to hang on for the next TL.

Rick_TL-S

Notice the bottom 3 do not have available reliability ratings to factor into their scores, though.

pimpin-tl

That's the old ES dude. Lol. The new one IMHO blows the TL away.

Slithr

Well, surprisingly enough, you can compare them. In this particular case, the critique of the suspension centered around a combination of harsh ride and poor handling. If the problem would have merely been soft ride and poor handling, it would have probably been written off as typical Lexus handling. Anyway, since the body shell and drivetrain are the same, there really isn't much to choose from a basic mechanical standpoint, except in this case, suspension tuning. The Lexus does get you a more privileged ownership experience and the added cachet of the big "L". However, the testers preferred the Toyota straight up over the Lexus. Whatever buying decision gets made, I believe that the purchaser would be doing himself a disservice if the Lexus were purchased without examining the Toyota.

potmilkz

i would base my decision on what i am going to do with the car..

if im going to just drive it to work or daily the car and have a sports car on the side.. then a lexus would be a great option as it is comfortable, reliable, and stylish.

With the TL, you are going to get a more sportier feel for sure.. but there is a lot to that the ES has over the TL as far as being luxury.. aside from having a harsh ride.. but i am not going into details as you can look up yourself.

Acura2010

I have to admit, the new Lexus ES has really caught my eye. Love the styling, and love the new interior. I'm also curious to know how it compares to my TL SH-AWD. It probably can't compare to the AWD, i understand that. But i feel it would be a great comparison for the 2WD optioned TL Vs. ES. My question is, for all that are comenting on how blah the suspension is on the ES, or how Old man looking it is, how many of you have actually Test driven the car? I have a feeling that alot of people are comenting based on Lexus of the past. I am also very interested in this compairison, so thos who have actually Test driven the car, tune in. I think Lexus has stepped it up. I might actually have to go test drive the ES to get a true compairison.

wutaguy

Dude, read

It's the redesigned 2013 ES coming up at number 21 (Last)and the 2013 TL.
This is not just from on review but a collection of reviews.

It is intersting how the TL is on its last year and at number 1.

pimpin-tl

Reading from my phone didn't help. I saw 2012 all over the place when I saw the ES. Either way, it's a new model, not enough reviews on it yet since it just came out 2-3 months ago. The TL has been out since 09.

rossfarneth

I agree...nice interior, but I'm not a big fan of the wood grain. Perhaps b/c I am younger.

While it may not have all the features, the interior of the TL really sold me. very sleek!

Edward'TLS

Not fair, not fair.

It's not fair to compare the brand new gen. ES with the outgoing gen. TL.

Wait till end of next year for the 5G TL to come out, then it'll be an apple-to-apple comparison.

jjsC5

I'd buy the Lexus just because the front of the Avalon looks like a big mouth bass.

Lexus is getting away from the floaty suspensions. Drive the newer ones before ruling them out.

You have to compare what is out there right now. Playing the game of comparing a new model to what is coming out (we think) in a year or two is a never ending game. If the new TL were already announced and it's only a few months away, I'd agree. But its not and its not.

C8N

When I bought my car, I didn't even consider the ES.
Don't get me wrong, I think the ES is a fine car and I like the styling but I wanted/needed an AWD car and since Lexus does not offer the ES in a AWD model, it was off my radar.

You need to upgrade to the GS for the AWD and I believe there are in the mid $50k range as they start at around $49k.

If AWD is not a factor, ES is a very nice car and although the fully loaded ES has more options than a TL Advance, its a more expensive car.

Mr Marco

OP, you have got to be kidding me. If you really like the Lexus and the difference is that small, buy a Lexus and GTFO of AZ.