Big thanks to the best Lexus dealer in GA, Hennessy Lexus of Gwinnett

The world is getting more hectic. RIght now, it seems a lil crazy, the weather, the war, women :D , it just is a little nutty. It seems we have more to do with less time and less help. Prices on everthing is up, our raises are 2% a year, add that up. On top of that, there seems to be more idiots on the road than ever before. Kids are grown up at 5 years old. The printer at work, will NEVER work right. So forget about it. Your cell phone service sucks. They got your order wrong at Wendy's. You try to come home, you seem to hit every red light.

I can't think of a BETTER car to be in, at ever red light, after going through so much daily crap, than the Lexus ES 330.

We live in a world where people are caught up in Horsepower and how fast a car can circle some damn cones. Do you have some cones are home? MArketing insists Nissan Altimas are sport sedans, every car need 500hp to be adequate and well, it does work, people do buy power. It seems if your car is not RWD and does not have the acceleration of an atom under intense pressure, well, your car sucks.

Well, let me explain, the ES 300/330 has NEVER been about that. Lexus TRIED that crap in the 90s but with the IS coming, made the ES 300/330 2002+ a full blown luxury car.

I kid you not, this interior is as good as anything on the market short of a Bently or Rolls Royce. Its that damn good. Panel gaps with incredible tolerances. Real wood all over. Chrom accents. Quiet, you can hear your heart beat. Space, this car is much larger than past ES 330s (though I seem to NEVER be able to get truly comfortable in a FWD car). Honesly this car is 32-40k and the interior is simply on par with the best in the world.

And you know what, after dealing with the crap daily, I like this feel and where this is going.

Image
When I took my lady peers to lunch a couple times this past week, well they knew it was a Lexus, b/c it was me. They didn't know what Lexus it was. They loved the interior and commented on it but otherwise, I didn't get the usual :eek2: or "lets go to bed" look like in some other Lexus and other cars. So image wise, its down from the RX 330. But it's a "Lexus" so it still garnishes that respect. And no "Camry comments" thus far.
7 out of 10 stars

Luxury
This interior is just ridiculous. Even with the newer Toyota Avalon out, this interior is still more luxurious, even with a couple less, newer features. High quality plastics, the same leather it seems in the RX 330, it jus smells expensive. Dual zone cimate control, 6 in dash CD, the usual beautiful gauges, it just puts you at ease. After a long day, YOU NEED this. I don't want aluminum and dark, this made me feel relaxed. I can't think of too many better interiors
9 out of 10 stars

Performance
Again, I am not comparing this to the RWD Sport sedans in its class. More the luxury cars, even cars like the 40-50k V-6 STS b/c this car is just fine. Engine power is fine, but I cannot lie, I would like MORE. There were a couple times the engine felt meager, which is funny as the RX never felt that way. Acceleration, well an 8 second car (0-60) and getting to 80mph is easy.
As for handling it really surprised me, reading some of the anti-Lexus guys here, you would think it would tip over. But it was very composed even when pushed hard, I could not get the tires to squeal except once. Now, I would NOT always take hard corners in it but if the situation came up, you would be fine.
7 out of 10 stars
Gas
I averaged 22-24 MPG, depeding on how I drove. Not bad at all. It was easily more fuel effiicent than the RX 330. I think I only gased the ES up twice. The Fuel cap has the string, so it won't fall off, like all new Lexus.


Review/Conclusion


I cannot lie, this car was too pleasing. After running around like mad for work and for NOPI, it was nice to be in a car, you know is tops in quality. It was nice, it was like the car, temperarily got me away from the MADNESS that is the world today. That alone is worth the asking price.

Of note, the #)()#$() Tranny shifted funny a few times, not as bad as the RX 330 I had but still, not the usual Lexus pefect. The GS/IS/LS/SC/GX DO NOT have htis problem. DOes the Camry and HIghlander have it?

You see, we seem to be taught today, it HAS to be sporty, it HAS to have 500hp, it HAS to corner like a Porsche. Well it DOESN'T. Clearly 70k buyers a year, cannot be wrong. Tell the reviewers that love these sports sedans to live with them, buy those low profile tires, listen to that noise, let that body feel the harshness day in day out.

I now can see living with that on weekends. For the week, I can see the ES 330 being PERFECt for most anyone.

Overall
8 outta 10 stars

I am also a fan of the new es. I like the 97-01 body style better but the new one isn't far behind. I totally agree about the ergomnomics of the car. It feels like a luxury car that costs thousands more. You feel isolated from the outside. After a hard day, that's exactly what we need sometimes. Materials are spot on. Also agree there could be a little more power but it is adequate. 97-01 models have much better pull but hey, it can't be perfect at 32k. I plan to get one for the wife. Once we put some wheels on it...it will feel like home.

Thanks, Mike. As usual, great review. I would change almost nothing, except to say that the LS430 is probably an even better car than the ES330 to be in after a stressful day.
I'm also glad to see that there are people who also think like I do.....that straight-luxury cars are NICE to relax in after a rough day.....and not have to put up with feeling every cigarette butt in the road with rubber-band tires and rock-hard suspensions.

I am also a fan of the new es. I like the 97-01 body style better but the new one isn't far behind. I totally agree about the ergomnomics of the car. It feels like a luxury car that costs thousands more. You feel isolated from the outside. After a hard day, that's exactly what we need sometimes. Materials are spot on. Also agree there could be a little more power but it is adequate. 97-01 models have much better pull but hey, it can't be perfect at 32k. I plan to get one for the wife. Once we put some wheels on it...it will feel like home.
Yeah, it really does feel more expensive
Thanks, Mike. As usual, great review. I would change almost nothing, except to say that the LS430 is probably an even better car than the ES330 to be in after a stressful day.
I'm also glad to see that there are people who also think like I do.....that straight-luxury cars are NICE to relax in after a rough day.....and not have to put up with feeling every cigarette butt in the road with rubber-band tires and rock-hard suspensions.
Yeah, amazing the LS does extend upon the ES's qualities.

Totally agree with you. I found the new ES to be one of the most pleasurable cars to drive. My Camry is good enough for now but it's not even close to the feeling of satisfaction derived from such a beautifully crafted interior.

I have to say that I think my 1999 ES is more elegant exterior wise than the new one.

i like to hear postive comments about the ES. personally my favorite lexus vehicle is the ES. everytime i see one, especially a new one (05) in black, my head turns becuase it really does look like a luxury vehicle. this car looks like its worth more than 32k. even in base trim with cashmere leather w/ the golden wood. i think it look like its worth 5 thousand more.

The ES to me is the baby LS, and yet not so much of a baby anymore...the interior and exterior complement each other very well, and despite the platform sharing I hold the ES in very, very high regard.

Totally agree with you. I found the new ES to be one of the most pleasurable cars to drive. My Camry is good enough for now but it's not even close to the feeling of satisfaction derived from such a beautifully crafted interior.

I have to say that I think my 1999 ES is more elegant exterior wise than the new one.
I agree the previous generation ES you have is the best looking ES to date :thumbup:
The interior of the current ES is the best ever in it's class though for luxury, I' ve had it as a loaner & is quite impressed with the interior for a car its price.

I agree as well. The interior is immaculate for a car of this price.


NICE review SICK.

As for handling it really surprised me, reading some of the anti-Lexus guys here, you would think it would tip over. But it was very composed even when pushed hard, I could not get the tires to squeal except once. Now, I would NOT always take hard corners in it but if the situation came up, you would be fine.

The word "Floaty" comes to mind. This word is used all the time when describing a smooth easy riding car. And to me its not the correct word to use when describing the ES330 or LS430. When I think of a floaty car I think of a 1992 Cadillac Fleetwood Bourgham or Deville. A Buick Roadmaster, a Lincoln Town Car(Ride or Drive one of these like I have and tell me if you still feel the same about Lexus vehicles. There is a big difference). That is floaty when the suspension keeps going up and down 20 times after its gone over a pothole or dip in the road(to the point where you can get sick). The Lexus cars do not float. They are smooth riding cars that are always controlled. Bump, Up, Down, thats it. Just because you barely feel or hear the bump doesnt mean that the car is floaty.

Great review. In urban and suburban chaos, a sporty car is pretty pointless. Had I stayed in Atlanta I feel fairly sure I would have sold my modded GS and gotten a 'library with wheels'. Now I don't drive much and I have empty roads around me, so the GS is great.

The ES is a soothing quality appliance. It works, it's comfy, it's refined, and it's priced right. It keeps the madness outside from entering in.

Id rather get the avalon limited fully loaded with navigation than a fully loaded ES...the avalon would still cost me less with more options than a fully loaded lexus ES330 would - the wood is shyt in the avalon..but besides that - it lacks nothing. it beats the ES330 in my opinion in terms of everything else. i dont care for that L badge too much - the GS is another story..its at a level of its own.

Id rather get the avalon limited fully loaded with navigation than a fully loaded ES...the avalon would still cost me less with more options than a fully loaded lexus ES330 would - the wood is shyt in the avalon..but besides that - it lacks nothing. it beats the ES330 in my opinion in terms of everything else. i dont care for that L badge too much - the GS is another story..its at a level of its own.I agree. While I love my ES for what it is, the Avalon is a much better buy for the year of 2005.

You do feel luxury sitting in an ES, however. I guess that's what makes the ES a Lexus and therefore the pricing difference.;)

Yeah but if you get the Avalon you've got to go to a Toyota dealer for service - and it ain't NOTHIN' like a Lexus dealer!

I am sure the ES is an amazing car to relax in etc. etc. Same goes for the LS, however I cannot get over those loooooooooooooooonnnng overhangs that the ES has.......... I have never driven an ES and obviously my opinion is purely based on its external looks that I am not a great fan of. :)

I don't drive a lot, but I drive my wife's car (97 Maxima SE) and mine all the time and I just hate her car. There's nothing wrong with the car mechanically, I just find the road feel non existent, and it has a very annoying tendency to shift to overdrive as soon as possible.

I absolutely love my GS with the TEIN Flex and EDFC. I can set the shock damping to rock hard or soft at the touch of a button and in 2 seconds the cars character is transformed. :thumbup:

I absolutely love the rush of the highly responsive high-speed-TC-and-LSD-combo throttle of my GS :thumbup: compared to the very lazy throttle on the Maxima............ :thumbdn:

I would much rather be in my GS any day even in slow traffic - it just brings a big smile to my face that the Maxima can never bring. I am sure the ES has a much better interior and overall feeling than the Maxima, but I would never drive an ES over my GS - I need to have some road feel and a very responsive throttle!

Yeah but if you get the Avalon you've got to go to a Toyota dealer for service - and it ain't NOTHIN' like a Lexus dealer!

Based on my "wonderful Lexus dealer service" thank God that you have to go to Toyota. My experience was the worst service experience that I ahve ever encountered. :sad:

"I kid you not, this interior is as good as anything on the market short of a Bently or Rolls Royce. Its that damn good."

What are they smoking??? I want some!!!! :woot: :woot:

Yeah but if you get the Avalon you've got to go to a Toyota dealer for service - and it ain't NOTHIN' like a Lexus dealer!The Lexus-grade service comes at a steep price. I'd rather spend that extra money for a nice hotel stay than some free coffee and free car wash. The only thing I'll really miss is a nice loaner car, but then with that much extra money I have to pay for Lexus service I could've gotten an even nicer rental car.:dunno:

I loved our old 2nd gen ES, but this latest ES takes sybarite ambience to the extreme...I loved sitting inside it in the showroom, if only it were a bit larger inside (haha, spoiled by LS)...still very comfy and spacious though.

I've had 3-4 loaner ES in the last year or so. they are nice. quiet and smooth.One weird thing, if you mash the gas pedal from a dead stop, the car sits there for a second, then takes off violently.

I've had 3-4 loaner ES in the last year or so. they are nice. quiet and smooth.One weird thing, if you mash the gas pedal from a dead stop, the car sits there for a second, then takes off violently.
There's a bit of a long story behind this, but the short end is that this lazy transmission shifting behavior is due to the software in the engine computer not being updated. Lexus has released a TSB (technical service bulletin) which allows owners of all '02-'05 ES to bring their ES to their Lexus dealership and have the chip software updated for free. Here's an ongoing thread we have in the ES forum: ES Transmission problem thread (http://www.clublexus.com/forums/showthread.php?t=87068).

Back to the topic... yes I think the ES is a great car :D

Based on my "wonderful Lexus dealer service" thank God that you have to go to Toyota. My experience was the worst service experience that I ahve ever encountered. :sad:

I hope you've told the GM of the dealership or even Lexus corporate if you got no satisfaction. Bad luxury car dealers should be forced by consumers to get their act together or close.

Big thanks to the best Lexus dealer in GA, Hennessy Lexus of Gwinnett

The world is getting more hectic. RIght now, it seems a lil crazy, the weather, the war, women :D , it just is a little nutty. It seems we have more to do with less time and less help. Prices on everthing is up, our raises are 2% a year, add that up. On top of that, there seems to be more idiots on the road than ever before. Kids are grown up at 5 years old. The printer at work, will NEVER work right. So forget about it. Your cell phone service sucks. They got your order wrong at Wendy's. You try to come home, you seem to hit every red light.

I can't think of a BETTER car to be in, at ever red light, after going through so much daily crap, than the Lexus ES 330.

We live in a world where people are caught up in Horsepower and how fast a car can circle some damn cones. Do you have some cones are home? MArketing insists Nissan Altimas are sport sedans, every car need 500hp to be adequate and well, it does work, people do buy power. It seems if your car is not RWD and does not have the acceleration of an atom under intense pressure, well, your car sucks.

Well, let me explain, the ES 300/330 has NEVER been about that. Lexus TRIED that crap in the 90s but with the IS coming, made the ES 300/330 2002+ a full blown luxury car.

I kid you not, this interior is as good as anything on the market short of a Bently or Rolls Royce. Its that damn good. Panel gaps with incredible tolerances. Real wood all over. Chrom accents. Quiet, you can hear your heart beat. Space, this car is much larger than past ES 330s (though I seem to NEVER be able to get truly comfortable in a FWD car). Honesly this car is 32-40k and the interior is simply on par with the best in the world.

And you know what, after dealing with the crap daily, I like this feel and where this is going.

Image
When I took my lady peers to lunch a couple times this past week, well they knew it was a Lexus, b/c it was me. They didn't know what Lexus it was. They loved the interior and commented on it but otherwise, I didn't get the usual :eek2: or "lets go to bed" look like in some other Lexus and other cars. So image wise, its down from the RX 330. But it's a "Lexus" so it still garnishes that respect. And no "Camry comments" thus far.
7 out of 10 stars

Luxury
This interior is just ridiculous. Even with the newer Toyota Avalon out, this interior is still more luxurious, even with a couple less, newer features. High quality plastics, the same leather it seems in the RX 330, it jus smells expensive. Dual zone cimate control, 6 in dash CD, the usual beautiful gauges, it just puts you at ease. After a long day, YOU NEED this. I don't want aluminum and dark, this made me feel relaxed. I can't think of too many better interiors
9 out of 10 stars

Performance
Again, I am not comparing this to the RWD Sport sedans in its class. More the luxury cars, even cars like the 40-50k V-6 STS b/c this car is just fine. Engine power is fine, but I cannot lie, I would like MORE. There were a couple times the engine felt meager, which is funny as the RX never felt that way. Acceleration, well an 8 second car (0-60) and getting to 80mph is easy.
As for handling it really surprised me, reading some of the anti-Lexus guys here, you would think it would tip over. But it was very composed even when pushed hard, I could not get the tires to squeal except once. Now, I would NOT always take hard corners in it but if the situation came up, you would be fine.
7 out of 10 stars
Gas
I averaged 22-24 MPG, depeding on how I drove. Not bad at all. It was easily more fuel effiicent than the RX 330. I think I only gased the ES up twice. The Fuel cap has the string, so it won't fall off, like all new Lexus.


Review/Conclusion


I cannot lie, this car was too pleasing. After running around like mad for work and for NOPI, it was nice to be in a car, you know is tops in quality. It was nice, it was like the car, temperarily got me away from the MADNESS that is the world today. That alone is worth the asking price.

Of note, the #)()#$() Tranny shifted funny a few times, not as bad as the RX 330 I had but still, not the usual Lexus pefect. The GS/IS/LS/SC/GX DO NOT have htis problem. DOes the Camry and HIghlander have it?

You see, we seem to be taught today, it HAS to be sporty, it HAS to have 500hp, it HAS to corner like a Porsche. Well it DOESN'T. Clearly 70k buyers a year, cannot be wrong. Tell the reviewers that love these sports sedans to live with them, buy those low profile tires, listen to that noise, let that body feel the harshness day in day out.

I now can see living with that on weekends. For the week, I can see the ES 330 being PERFECt for most anyone.

Overall
8 outta 10 stars

I agree with you on everything except....i'd give it 9.5 out 10 stars Overall. The transmission hesitation is slightly goofy but i don't think it will be a problem here in LA.

I am sure the ES is an amazing car to relax in etc. etc. Same goes for the LS, however I cannot get over those loooooooooooooooonnnng overhangs that the ES has.......... ![/b]

Long overhangs help smooth out the ride........one objective of a straight-luxury car like the ES......by placing more relative weight ABOVE the front and rear suspensions and less relative weight below. By having more weight above the suspension, when a wheel hits a bump, the suspension compresses more and absorbs the bump more rather than transmitting it through the car's unibody structure into the cabin.
That is why sports cars and sports-sedans, which are desighed more for handling than ride comfort, have very short overhangs. Good examples of this are the IS300, BMW 3-series, and, of course, the Mini Cooper. Short overhangs quicken up handling and steering response two ways......first, by making the front end lighter and taking weight off the front wheels, and, second, by helping to concentrate the weight in the center of the car for more neutral resonse. Unfortunately, ride comfort tends to suffer with this approach because the front and rear wheels both tend to transmit road impacts more.

Long overhangs help smooth out the ride........one objective of a straight-luxury car like the ES......by placing more relative weight ABOVE the front and rear suspensions and less relative weight below. By having more weight above the suspension, when a wheel hits a bump, the suspension compresses more and absorbs the bump more rather than transmitting it through the car's unibody structure into the cabin.
.

that's interesting info MM, I did not know that :)

that's interesting info MM, I did not know that :)

Simple...this is not rocket science, just simple physics. A long overhang has a leverlike effect that pushes the front end of the car down, increasing the relative weight on the front wheels. All else equal, more weight on the wheels means a smoother ride. Look at the Lincoln Town car.....one of the smoothest-riding cars today. HUGE overhangs on both ends of the car.

Now, off-road, a long overhang is your enemy....and will tend to help get you stuck That is why Jeeps, Land Rovers, and other similiar purposely-designed off-roaders have very short overhangs front and rear....as short as possible. That gives what are called large angles of approach, breakover, and departure, and allow both ends of the vehicle to climb over steep obstacles in front of them without the chassis and bumpers getting hung up. The supeme test of this....and the industry standard for designing these vehicles....is the famous Rubicon Trail in the California mountains.

I didn't really care for the ES until I got to drive an '02. First impressions before driving; very well designed exterior and interior, comfortable and supportive seats, its got that quality Lexus "feel"...but oh dear, its another FWD. But the last bit changed once I got driving. Sweet engine note at WOT, very decent acceleration and much better handling than I ever expected, particularly when cornering...even with the suspension in comfort mode. Even though the steering felt a tad bit too sensitive at first, it was great once I got used to it and it was pretty "addictive" for a FWD car...just like all other Lexus vehicles. I found it particularly enjoyable to drive with TC switched off. The lazy transaxle wasn't exactly something that distracted me though. To be perfectly honest, there was hardly anything at all that I disliked. :)

Look at the Lincoln Town car.....one of the smoothest-riding cars today.

I couldn't agree more...you can easily fall asleep in one...it's that comfortable. :thumbup:

I hope you've told the GM of the dealership or even Lexus corporate if you got no satisfaction. Bad luxury car dealers should be forced by consumers to get their act together or close.

Yes I did contact the GM and he was very nice. In fact he gave me 2 tickets to a dinner theater. I guess he didn't get the point; I wanted my SC430 made right. The experience pixed me off so much that I traded the car after 8 feeble attempts on their behalf. The car had 1,750 miles on it and I truly got taken to the cleaners on the trade in value. Guess I showed them. :woohoo: :woohoo:

My wife drives an LS430 that was purchased from the same dealer about 5 months after I purchased the SC. Let's see that was about $135,000 in cars, not counting taxes and fees, in 5 months from the same dealer. Even though the LS has had only one real problem ---wind noise that the fools said "They all do it", I will be trading it on either the new S Class or a CLS55 or 63 this spring. My experience has soured completely.

Even though the LS has had only one real problem ---wind noise that the fools said "They all do it", I will be trading it on either the new S Class or a CLS55 or 63 this spring. My experience has soured completely.

Well, two things here.
First, the line they gave you about the LS wind noise was almost total BS......a PROPERLY assembled LS is one of the quietest-riding cars on the planet. The LS has a well-deserved reputation throuighout the auto industry for extremely low noise levels. Check the car carefully yourself and see if the windows are going up all the way and the doors, hood, and trunk are shutting solidly.

Second, I'm sorry that you didn't get better service from this dealership....IMO you deserve better than that, but also IMO, if you think you have trouble with Lexus products and Lexus dealers, just wait till you start dealing with M-B shops.

just wait till you start dealing with M-B shops.

He might have already - look at his sig. ;)

Well, two things here.
First, the line they gave you about the LS wind noise was almost total BS......a PROPERLY assembled LS is one of the quietest-riding cars on the planet. The LS has a well-deserved reputation throuighout the auto industry for extremely low noise levels. Check the car carefully yourself and see if the windows are going up all the way and the doors, hood, and trunk are shutting solidly.

Second, I'm sorry that you didn't get better service from this dealership....IMO you deserve better than that, but also IMO, if you think you have trouble with Lexus products and Lexus dealers, just wait till you start dealing with M-B shops.

I have to agree with you on the reports of Lexus LS's being extremely quiet but mine is not. My experience with this particular dealer has been so dis-tasteful that I will not take the car back. The solution is to let my wife drive it and as I said then trade it in the spring. Thanks for your advice.

I have 3 Mercedes that are my alternating daily drivers and believe it or not on the few occasions that I have had to take them in for repairs ( 2 times in the last 3 years) the service knocks the socks off of Lexus of Sacramento. My other choice is to take it to Lexus of Roseville that is owned by the same people.

Service is all about the attitude of the dealership---some hold service very high in their overall delivery while some are after the all mighty sales dollar. It is obvious as to what this dealer is after, since I am not the only one to lodge their dis-satisfaction regardinmg their service. I have owned Mercedes autos continuously since 1968 and have had my fair share of the 3 Stooges working in the service departments at various MB shops as well.

1Sick, I remember reading in your "1Sickreview" of the RX330 that you said after driving the RX, you would not ever see need to get an ES. After driving the ES for a longer period of time, do you feel differently or do you still stick to that?

1Sick, I remember reading in your "1Sickreview" of the RX330 that you said after driving the RX, you would not ever see need to get an ES. After driving the ES for a longer period of time, do you feel differently or do you still stick to that?
This is a good question. The RX is luxurious but IMO, the ES takes it to another level, even though they are in the same price range. As quiet as the RX is, the ES is quieter, probably due to the fact the RX just has more open space.

Both though, are the same engine, both are FWD. Under normal driving, if my eyes were closed, I could not tell the difference between the 2. Therefore, I would go for the RX still, based on the extra utility of it all and it has almost the same feel of luxury.

I will rephrase, I do now SEE the need for the ES still, it brings unparalled luxury for the price. I will stick to picking the RX over the ES though.

I used to own a 98 ES. I took it in for service and was given an 04 ES. Looking at it closely, I liked the look of the 97-01 ES a lot more. It just had this sexy appearance to it. All my friends seem to think the same...

But the interior of the new ES is awesome. The gauges had a nice relaxing feeling to it. I could sit in the car for days, heck even live in one if it had a place for me to shower and cook dinner XD

There were no rattles. Everything fit perfectly And the first time I sat in the car, I knew how to control everything. Nothing gave me that: "um.... what's this button here for" feeling.

Great car.

He might have already - look at his sig. ;)

Yes, bit...good point. Didn't notice that.