CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

You would still buy the ES if it came equipped like above even if it now cost nearly $50K? the car loaded is already over $40K. Throw in a V8 or a Hybrid and that cost will go up by a decent amount. In that price range you might as well just buy a GS350 or a GS450 Hybrid.

Shawnmack

I def go with the G35 against the ES350. The ES350 looks to much like a Camry to me. If you want sporty ride go with the G.

LexBob2

Apples to oranges comparison. I'm guessing not cross shopped much at all. With nearly 100K ES350's on the road, obviously a lot of people (most likely an older crowd) would buy one. G35 will attract a younger, more sport/performance oriented buyer.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

That's like trying to decide whether to get the LS460L versus the SL550.

Both are completely different cars for different purposes.

If you do NOT consider performance between the ES350 and G35, then it all depends on style, amenities, and cost.

And sometimes, the style of one is enough to pay for the extra cost...

SLegacy99

But the point is that you have a 270 hp, better fuel economy vehicle than the GS. GS = speed, not so much on the fuel efficiency. Not that its bad. I just see my dad buying a 30 mpg ES rather than a 24 mpg GS.
And you're exagerating, you wouldnt have a $50k ES. More like $45k.

So you add in AWD obviously to combat torque steer and stiffen the suspension. Make the car something a little more different than a Camry.

CK6Speed

iTrader: (1)

At MSRP prices, a fully loaded ES350 without Navigation (Because navi is not offered in my state on Lexus cars yet) is about $39,000. After taxes and doc fees that is about $42K. Throw in nav and I bet this is closer to $43-$44K already. Add a V8 option, or a hybrid option and that could add about $2-$3K to the MSRP. That puts the car about $47-$48K out the door. Now add that AWD you want and that puts this car at or over $50K. So yea, I did exaggerate a little a little at first by maybe a $1-$2K, but that makes the ES way too expensive either way. A fully loaded ES350 as it stands today at over $40K is already a pretty darn expensive car in its class.

Keep in mind I'm basing this of MSRP prices. Obviously each person negotiates for a lower price, but you can't use that for comparison purposes.

As for GS VS ES after all the hypothetical upgrades are made. Even if the cost is cheaper than the GS after all, you still have an entry level luxury sedan for nearly the same cost as a true luxury sedan.

SLegacy99

Yeah, but who said anything about fully loaded? The car starts at $32k. Add a hybrid powertrain and now we're talking $37-38k and you can add what you want from there. So make in the poor man's more sedanish, AWD, and $14k cheaper GS.

Which is why there is a $2,000 supercharger out there that brings the coupe's 0-60 time into the low 4 seconds range. My roomate's bro has one. Definately a fun ride. Nice exhaust note as well, though I thought the actual engine sounded kind of mini-vanish. Needs AWD....the coupe that is.

92 SC400

If youre like 50+ you'd probably take the ES, but say from 25-40ish, probably the G, but it depends on the type of driver you are too IMO. Personally, I wouldnt ever consider the ES given these two choices. It's like a rhetorical question... haha

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

That would be similar to a Cadillac DTS, only smaller.

lol - yeah, the batteries will either eat ALL the trunk space, or will have to go on the roof.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

No, it starts at 33720, plus the rip of $795 'destination and handling' of course so it's already at $34.5K without tax, tag, etc.

LexBob2

Good point. JD Power says that 18% of G35 sedan buyers are age 56+...And 49% of ES350 buyers are 56+.

encore888

On this board, or any car enthusiast board, obviously the G35 would appeal more. However, the ES 350 is selling like hotcakes to its target market which, believe it or not, is very large, if the sales figures are any indication.

Vlad_Stein

If the answer is to be in-line with the spirit of the question, then between ES350 and G35, I will choose a Porsche GT3 RS.

LexBob2

When I was looking at the JD Power information I noticed under their heading "Vehicle Demand" for the G Sedan it was "Medium" and for the ES it was "High".

Bean

iTrader: (1)

I agree. Cars arent even in the same ballpark in creature comforts either. ES350 = luxury car. The G35 is not.