mayfield

http://www.newcartestdrive.com/revie...?ReviewID=1441

amf1932

This writeup sounds like it was written by the top copyrighters for the Lexus Corporation, rather than an objective view by truly impartial writers(testers)! I think the main reason for this type of journalism is to make owners of recent ES's or older feel like their cars suffer from a lack of current technological improvements.
I'll wait until some more automotive magazines put this vehicle to their tests.

XeroK00L

I'm not really sensing what you're saying from reading that article, amf1932.
What makes you think that a review has to bash the car in some way or another to make it a just review?
Could it be that Lexus has really removed the very few flaws the previous ES had and made it just about perfect for its targeted market?
Let's face it--the new ES330 is a definite improvement over the ES300 we have, whether that makes us feel the urge to upgrade or not.

amf1932

Let me put it this way......There have been road tests by some of the top automotive magazines that more accurately give the pros & cons of an automobile under test. I really feel that this is necessary for me to make an informed decision when I purchase my next car. I say this because I read glowing reviews about my '03 ES before I bought it, and now I have to say I'm sadly disappointed with certain aspects of this car that have not been properly addressed by the manufacturer. Yes, I want honest reporting before I buy my next car. I realize that a newer model car with higher HP will give you better performance, but I sure as hell didn't expect a car with the Lexus badge to perform as poorly as the '02-'03 ES models have. This car cost me close to $40,000 dollars so I expect superior refinements in it's operation! Why should I have to deal with these "flaws"? Maybe I'm just pissed off that they didn't correct the transmission problems in '02 and when I bought my car in '03 they told me they were corrected and now it's '04 time and woopeee they fixed the transmission. I feel hood winked!!!!!!!!

purebliss

Just sux it up and trade the car in if it bothers you that much. If you wanted more performance you should have just went with the GS series. You gotta understand the engine is based on a camry. Also if you did so much reading up on the car you would have know they were changing it in '04. It was all over the place in fact my local dealer in brooklyn ( bayridge) told my brother in law in Feb to wait until '04 for the ES upgrades. I don't know what chop shop dealer you went to but he should have told you it was changing. If I were you I would complain to the manger. Just my 2 cents

amf1932

It just so happens that my 2003 Lexus ES was purchased from Bay Ridge Lexus in March 2003. I traded in my 1994 ES which I also purchased from them. My first Lexus was an 1991 ES250 purchased from Santa Monica Lexus. As you can see I've been a Lexus owner from almost the beginning of Toyota Motors new division.
I have always been extremely happy with their automobiles and performance in the past and I therefore was totally disappointed with the shifing performance in this '03 under certain conditions. I was NOT looking for better acceleration! I NEVER had any complaints with my previous Lexus's in the past and I therefore assumed that this new car would be refined even further than my previous models.
I will test drive the '04 Lexus next week and see if it's that much better than my '03 and than I'll make my decision if I'll trade it in or not. I just don't like losing so much money on a car that's only 5 months old because of a **** poor transmission!

purebliss

I don't blame you at all. But luckly you bought a Lexus with a great resale value so if your that unhappy you can lose very little money and I know they will work with you at Bay ridge. Just don't go back for service! Then you might end up with some problems