1SICKREVIEW!! 2005 Lexus ES 330
09-23-05 | 03:49 PM
#17
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 5,813
Likes: 1
From: The Bay Area, CA, USA
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
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!
09-23-05 | 05:20 PM
#18
Lexus Champion
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,695
Likes: 2
From: CA
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.
09-23-05 | 10:36 PM
#20
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,379
Likes: 22
From: Florida
Originally Posted by chuckb
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.
Back to the topic... yes I think the ES is a great car
09-24-05 | 08:58 AM
#21
Originally Posted by lkirchner
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. 
09-24-05 | 10:58 AM
#22
Registered User
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 212
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles
Originally Posted by 1SICKLEX
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 , 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
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
The world is getting more hectic. RIght now, it seems a lil crazy, the weather, the war, women
, 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
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
09-24-05 | 02:18 PM
#23
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,712
Likes: 89
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by Hameed
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]
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.
09-24-05 | 02:43 PM
#24
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 6,947
Likes: 4
From: Florida
Originally Posted by mmarshall
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.
.
.
09-24-05 | 06:37 PM
#25
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,712
Likes: 89
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by chuckb
that's interesting info MM, I did not know that
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.
09-24-05 | 06:37 PM
#26
Lead Lap
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 567
Likes: 0
From: GB/KW
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.
09-25-05 | 01:03 PM
#28
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 529
Likes: 0
From: California
Originally Posted by bitkahuna
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.
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.
09-25-05 | 07:35 PM
#29
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 91,712
Likes: 89
From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Originally Posted by lkirchner
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.
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.
Last edited by mmarshall; 09-25-05 at 07:39 PM.
