jgcec

In the past before we leased the 2010 ES350,
my family was fine just using the Corolla(s)
(actually we have two 1997s, one is white, purchased 2002 the other tan, purchased 2006. ),
and then renting a nice car for special occasions,
like if we went to Lake Tahoe, LA or something similar.
We traveled to Europe and Hawaii
and never thought about spending more on a car,
it didn't seem to be a priority.

Then we leased the 2010 ES and suddenly, we had to have a nice car.
But it can be a huge waste of money!

So I would ask you reading this message,
why don't you sell your ES and get a older Corolla, with 100,000+ miles on it?
You will save a lot of money in gas, repairs and maintenance.

jgcec

I just test drove a 2005 ES 330 tonight with 75k miles on it.
The Lexus dealer is asking 11k for it.
It was the nicest ES330 that I have driven, my 3rd.
I was in almost new condition and had a burgundy like color, with tan interior.
I was very tempted and I am not in love with the ES 330 seats compared to the ES 350 seats.

But my current thinking is 2008-09 ES 350, with about 80-90k miles,
and the must haves are nav, backup camera, heated seats
and parking sensors, preferably in silver, red or some other light color.

I can wait for the right car, at the right price.

I hope I can get that for around $12-13,000 from a Lexus dealer here in the SF area,
or maybe less from a private party.

Gekko

IMO - leasing is wasting money. buy a car and drive it "forever". we can do that with Lexus. i agree with Jay -

Jay Leno: Don't lease a car. Buy.
Kathleen Elkins @kathleen_elk
CNBC.com
Tuesday, 13 Dec 2016 10:03 AM ET
Leasing cars is becoming more and more popular as the price of new vehicles continues to climb. But is it the right option for you? Jay Leno, pioneering car builder and host of CNBC's "Jay Leno's Garage," would advise against it. "I always think it's better to buy a car," he tells CNBC. "Everyone seems to lease now. Everyone thinks you can write off this and write off that, and to a certain extent, you can. But at the end of the lease, you don't have anything." The comedian and former host of NBC's "The Tonight Show" prefers ownership when it comes to most things: "I don't carry debt. I own everything. I own my buildings. I own my cars. That way, if it ends tomorrow, I know what I've got." There are pros and cons to both leasing and owning that you'll want to consider. Lease payments per month are typically cheaper than loan payments per month. Buying offers more flexibility, though: The car is yours to keep or sell, and you don't have to worry about going over an annual mileage limit. Plus, once you pay off your auto loan, you eliminate a fixed monthly cost and won't have to worry about a car payment until you buy again. In an ideal world, you'd pay for your car in cash and avoid loans completely, says Leno. Of course, he is in the enviable position of being a uniquely high earner — he reportedly earned as much as $30 million a year at the height of his career — but he was financially conservative long before he hit it big. He says he didn't buy his first home until he had the cash to do so. After all, Leno says, "when you don't have to write checks every month, you're just better off." CNBC's "Jay Leno's Garage" airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET.

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/12/13/jay-l...a-car-buy.html

WILLYumD

Unfortunately I don't have an ES anymore as it was totaled out in an accident. Instead my parents and I decided on a used but well-loved Honda Accord. Better gas mileage, safety, but for less interior quality and "prestige". The latter two not mattering as much as reliability and that sweet sweet V6 performance haha.

And we were pushed plenty by the salespeople to lease but, of course, we opted to pay in full so we're not wasting any money that could go towards future timing belt replacements, brakes, and the like.

BUT, driving is different for everyone. Some people use their cars like appliances and some worship their cars as glorious vessels. I am somewhere in the middle just taking in all 6800 RPM of what I have. If you are in a financial position that allows you to be able to cycle through cars that you enjoy, all the power to you!

speedkar9

Yep, once you get into a Lexus, its hard to go to lesser, economy/family cars.
The quality isn't just there.

I went from an ES330 to my GS350 and like it. I think the 08-09 ES350 would be a good choice too.

jgcec

I have decided to follow your advice and keep driving my Corolla.

A month later, I am still driving my 97 Corolla,
(actually a 97 Geo Prizm, which is exactly the same mechanically as the 97 Corolla.
They were joint project of GM and Toyota and were built at the same Nummi assembly plant in Fremont CA.
Now the Tesla is built there)

I had finally found a 2011 ES with 55k miles on it for a very good price
with Nav and parking sensors, in exactly the color I wanted, (the same color as my 2010 ES that I leased).
But I decided to wait for a year or two and see if I still want it then.

It took me about a month to get used to driving the 97 Geo Prizm again after driving the Ford Fusion plugin for 3 years.
Now I actually like the Prizm better than the Fusion. It handles better and parking is easier.
I am going to put an upgraded stereo and speakers in it, for about $300.
The only negative is the potholes on US 101 are felt more.
But I only drive on 101 once or twice a month when I drive into San Francisco for various reasons.

Also I would like to get a car with advanced safety features, such as automatic braking.

jgcec

Yes I agree, see my post from a few minutes ago, above.