encore888

I hope there's more wood that we haven't seen yet. The 4ES brochures have been all about the presence of lustrous wood inside the cabin...one line even goes 'there's even wood trim around the instrument panel...a reminder you're always surrounded by luxury." I'd hate to have the 5ES take a step back on this.

Admittedly, a fewer piece instrument panel has less gaps and places to rattle...hopefully the wood is elsewhere or optional or something.

dunfitz

let us not forget the vision of the es350-lexus will sell these like popcorn-it will receive all the acolades and when 6es comes lexus will have the whole luxury segment locked-just my professional opinion

Lexusfreak

The Camry is starting to look better to me now that it's in a different colour.....perhaps that will help change my mind for the new ES as well.

I wonder if any new Avalon owners are a bit peeved because the V6 Camry has a 6 speed auto......the Avalon is only 5 speed! Although I'm guessing that will change next year.

encore888

Welcome to the board, I agree...if the current pattern holds, this may very likely come true.

hottness

I love the hype this car is getting - it's almost unreal.
Ah well, as long is it looks better than the last gen I'll be happy!

halfpast3

Yeah me too. Once the ES 350 is selling Lexus will have the market cornered in my opinion. The new ES should steal some sales from the TL, G35 & M35, CTS, C-Class, and 3 series. Some will aways say the Germans are better driving cars and that is mostly true, but they have some SERIOUS quality issues. I love that Lexi give that teutonic thump when you close the doors or trunk. The Germans make that cheap tinny sound in their "near luxury" segment. 275 HP should ensure the ES will be at least competive with the rest of the gang now. I wish AWD or RWD was available with a 6 speed to boot. Oh well maybe the next one will be RWD being it will be independent from the Camry at last.

marshmallo

Who needs wood? Wood is ghetto

Seriously though, my GS was in the shop for 4 days for rattle problems. Just
because there is no wood does not mean it will not rattle. On the bright
side, early 3GS owners are guinea pigs with this whole L-finesse setup and the
LS and ES should not suffer from the same issues. I hope.

I do agree with your point that if you are sitting on the passenger side of my
car the car looks very austere, kind of empty

halfpast3

I guess it's something we're going to have to get used to. I like the new GS interior so I can get used to the new ES as well. If they added ambient lighting like the new S-Class that would be really cool.

DallasLex

iTrader: (1)

Considering the age of most Avalon owners, it's highly doubtful many of them even know how many speed their transmissions are. I think they'll be OK.

GS69

Sales are close enuf that I can see the ES outselling the TL but topping the 3-series is more of a challege - even tho I would take an IS anyday over it.

I for one am not a fan of wood inside cars - I wish they all had the option of wood or aluminum trim. Or @ least the black wood w/ black leather. Sexy.

chiawei

I seriously doubted that it will take sales away from 3 series. ES is probably not on the 3 series shopper's list to begin with. IS although selling good has not dented 3 series sales at all despite aiming at same customer profile.

The ES will appeal to a different crowd.

As far as german quality issues, it is way blown out of proportion in this forum.

sk72

Totally Agree!!! But I still prefer the 06 ES....

halfpast3

You're probably right about stealing sales from the 3. I'm a little excited about the new ES, that's all. I will say that with 275 BHP the ES should run with a 330is no problem. I think the new IS is definitely taking sales from the 3 at least around here in Philly it is. I have to disagree with you about problems with the German cars. They're great drivers cars with regards to performance, but they have serious electrical/mechanical problems and are nowhere near reliable as any Lexus, hell even Cadillac. I'm so tired or auto journalists praising the German cars and never really giving props to Lexus, Cadillac, and others for beating them in performance metrics and be more reliable to boot.

encore888

I wonder if there will be a hybrid ES?

halfpast3

SK72 you have a Black Diamond? That is a wicked design scheme. Did you get the black wood and black or ash leather? I wish I had waited for that car. I've got a pearl white with ash and birds eye maple.