tnedator

Yep, that is how it works

LexBob2

That's funny, sad and true all at the same time.

BMT22033

I was in the same boat as you about a month ago. I really, really wanted an ES 350 but reports of the transmission problem were very worrisome. The service manager at the dealership where I bought my car also claimed that they had only seem the transmission problem in one or two cars. In the end, I took the chance and bought my ES 350 UL (a 10/06 build) right after Thanksgiving. Unfortunately, I haven't had a lot of time to drive it yet but with ~375 miles on the odometer, I haven't experienced the trans flare yet. I do, however, have the diesel engine noise (which mostly goes away after the engine is warm), a few creaks and rattles and finally, some wind noise. I just got my new owner survey in the mail so I'm going to take the car into the dealership to see if they can address any of these things before I fill out the survey.

Like you, I'd read the posts about all of these "issues" and I tried my best to look for them before I took delivery of the car. I don't know if they were there all along and my desire for the car just drowned them out or I just didn't start to notice them until I had driven the car several times. Anyway, good luck with your purchase! Let us know how it turns out.

ES350Bob

Say it aint so BMT!!!!

It's that new car, deer caught in the headlights thing I think that we all get when proximal to a brand new car.

I hope you get any issues resolved to your satisfaction and you are made happy.

BMT22033

Thanks for your post, Bob. I don't want to sound as if I'm completely unhappy with my purchase because overall, I AM happy. This was my first Lexus. Prior to this car I owned a 2000 Accord and before that a 92 Camry. I'm not sure what I really expected, but having never owned a luxury brand vehicle before, I just didn't expect things like the diesel engine noise or the wind noise. Those were things that I had in my previous "non-luxury" cars. But certainly not in a *LEXUS*. As I said before, I haven't taken the car to the dealer yet so there's a small (perhaps naive) part of me that hopes that the dealer will be able to resolve these things.

Ultimately, I'll still enjoy my car even if these issues remain. But my previous perception regarding the "perfection" of Lexus will have changed a little. The question I'm asking myself now is who's to blame for my prior misperception? I'm sure it's 99.9% my fault for having unrealistic expectations. The other .01% I blame squarely on the marketers who come up with slogans like "The * Pursuit of Perfection"!

ES350Bob

You are welcome.

My friends try to put this in a different perspective by teasing, one in particular who I cut a lot of slack for with some of the stuff he comes out with as his job in law enforcement is stressful and dangerous.

He had driven my former and was surprised.....then he showed up one day with a brand new Harley and said hey Bob this is your next ride, it has all that you are getting used to now in preperation, wind noise, engine noise, you just have to remember to keep your mouth shut during love bug season and you are good to go get one...

<VENOM>

03/06 no problems, in fact it probably shifts smoother and faster now with 8000 miles

Macklin

Good for you Edge! I wish I could say the same.

As y'all know, I have been very patient in waiting for Lexus to come out with a real fix given my slippage issues have been so minor. WELL....three days ago, after stopping at a local shop, I had to aggressively pull into traffic. I experieced a slippage that took me by surprise because the car was completely warmed up at that point. First time ever! What's worse is it happened so quick I think it may have been 2-3 rather than the normal 3-4! But I'm not sure. D*mnit!

I have been off work and not driving the car since then. But, I start a new job on Tuesday that is located just down the street from my dealer.

I guess that bridge just got moved a little closer.

ES350Bob

Mack...

I was alarmed at first pulling into traffic when that happened and for me it was 2 to 3 and 3 to 4 on first car but it always caught it's gear though can be very unnerving at first until you get used to it.

I know what you mean about not being sure which gear because otherwise you pay no attention to what gear you are in or not and have no reason to, then it happens, it's over and then is when you try to figure it out.

Macklin

Well, it was a wierd sensation for sure. Not like a typical slip where the car temporarilty looses power. It did not do that. The rpms went up in between shifts, but there was not a real loss of power, just reving. It was a unique experience.

Am I just being paranoid?

mrshyvley

Welcome to the flare.
If the engine revs up between a shift, then slides into gear, you have the flare.
Does it do it every time, or just when cold, then goes away when you've driven the car a while and got it warmed up?

ES350Bob

LOL ....no you are not being paranoid, that can happen and it will scare the you know what out of you the first time it does and maybe even the second time when pulling out in front of approaching traffic or turning off a road across traffic to a parking lot entry.

Yes RPM rev up and the sound of that is the part that gets your serious attention.


I won't gurantee it will always catch it's gear but I really believe it always will if that helps, it is just annoying as all get out.

I just hope it does not do it several times each week to you as it was for me on former car, as once a week is enough to pick up the phone to service department.

Macklin

Thanks, but did you read my post # 83....and many others in this and other threads?

2007es350

My car has the 3rd to 4th gear flare on cold start.

We were driving to my parents' house in the hills and my trans slipped from the 2nd to 3rd gear shift, and the car was warm as well. We were going uphill and it only happened once.

garsarno

It will only worsen as the miles increase. Go see your selling dealer.