Black is nice (usually nice with almost any car), but I'm still most interested in seeing an Aquamarine ES350 in person

 

I should tell my wife about the "cashmere" colored leather. She'll be sold on the spot.

 

Quoted weight is LESS than Avalon Limited that C/D drove 6.0 (or was it 6.1), so lets not get ahead of ourselves.

It is only 50 lbs more than IS350, which has "only" 10% more powerful engine. RWD is easier to launch, but at the same time FWD is more efficient...

I expect very close to 6.0 from C/D and their powerlaunch techniques...

 

One thing I miss, is that the new ES will not have the Lexus 'L' emblem on the hood, but on the grille.

 

I was thinking about this same thing. Con: numerous sedans cost the same or less. That's true but doesn't tell the whole story. Because it's the features you are paying for. Things like 2 person seat memory, panoramic sunroof, active headlights, ML stereo etc.. are not cheap. They are not available on a TL for exapmple.

And feature heavy cars do cost a pretty penny. For example the new Passat can top $40K. I'm not kidding.

In fact (I think) the price should be looked at in the context of the features and options you get. If the Nav + ML stereo + Active headlights + Panoramic Sunroof (etc..) are worth $8K or whatever they cost then than don't hold that against the car when it tops $40K and say, a TL is 9K cheaper for similar size car and similar engine etc.

 

You're right, in theory the ES350 "should be" just as quick if not quicker than the Avalon. But for all we know Lexus might have done something funky with the ECU like limiting throttle angle in 1st gear to soften up the acceleration and/or reduce torque steer. It could also be set for a more luxo soft shift pattern instead of quicker firmer upshifts. So you never know.

 

Wow, the new ES i'm sure is really going to be a hit....I like it alot more now that I see it in black.

 

never really thought of it that way, see learn something new everyday

 

Fantastic! That was well worth reading, wish it was longer.

 

True, but it's not like the Avalon is supposed to be tuned any sportier than the ES either. I still firmly believe the ES350 will be just as quick if not quicker than the Avalon in C&D's acceleration tests.

 

Acura SAE Horses> Lexus SAE Horses

But seriously, to me the ES retains its same character (and similar shape to the outgoing ES330) with a bit more power. Its for people who want more soft and smooth than sport (ie.people >40-50 yrs old) in the entry level luxury market. Nothing revolutionary, but still a good car in its niche.

 

They BOTH have downgraded hp for their cars under new SAE rules but I applaud them for willing to go with the new SAE rules for almost all of their models, unlike some other manufacturers .

 

yep, plus Lexus has brand new 6 speed. Quickness of the shifts is determined by how you press the pedal, if you gun it, it will do it fast...

 

Someone else on the posts had said that maybe Toyota bumped up the 0-60 number so that it didn't get too close on official marketing material to the IS and GS. I kind of suspect that. If they're going to release that the 0-60 is 6.1 (or maybe even 5.9) then potential buyers are going to be like "what the F---, what am I getting a GS for?" Although, there are other reasons to get the GS besides just 0-60 time.

As for Avalon or ES350, no comparison, ES350 all the way. The reason for Toyota having to release a Lexus division in the first place was the fact that Toyota will always just be seen as "Toyota." The small, economical, 'cheap' Japanese car company that came here to the US in the 70's (or late 60's?) and made a good car. Is that a fair image in people's minds? NO. They're no small any more, they're not cheap in price or quality, and yes, they are damn good cars...

Just take my parents for example, it doesn't matter how I try to sell them how good the Camry and Avalon are, they always go back to "who makes this car?" When I say Toyota, they just go "oh, so it's not expensive?" Shesh... but when I tell them that the ES350 has this and that and that it's a "Lexus" they say "Wow, it must be expensive and nice..." It's all one part image (marketing) and one part real addition value over a comparable Toyota.

ES350 to Camry, no comparison.
RX350 to Highlander, no comparison.

 

wait for the GS350 and GS460 Probably mid 5s for the GS350 and probably 5.0 for the GS460