SteadyEddy

iTrader: (1)

I now have an 07 ES, but our first Lexus was an 02 ES300, it had 17,000 miles on it. It was one of their loaners. We kept it for 5 years and had over 60,000 when we traded it in on the new 07. The only reason we didn't buy another of their loaners was it was just as expensive to buy the new one veruses the loaner, (only a couple of thousand dollars) so we sprung for the new one. If you start having trouble you the CPO before it's out of warranty then dump it for another one or something else. If not, then keep it. You'll have time to figure it out. Also the CPO warranty is actually longer than the new car warranty. I always have trouble with time not miles. The first one wasn't a CPO cause you didn't get the time then, like you do now. They thought that I was nutz not wanting their CPO, cause back then they only added miles and I knew that I would never see the miles. Just my thoughts on the matter.

SteadyEddy

iTrader: (1)

Oh yeah I forgot, Welcome. Feels good not lurking anymore. Doesn't it? I lurked too before I tried posting anything!

Humaira

We are a family of Lexi (plural of Lexus--LOL) and Toyotas. My husband drives an RX and I drive 2008 ES and a 2003 Camry. Our oldest son has a 07 Corolla and the youngest a 99 Corolla. We have had a Previa, Corolla, and Tercel. They have been mechanically the most reliable cars we have ever driven. When we were looking for our Lexi, we talked to many people and did a lot of research and were told by friends, family, and even strangers--owners of BMWs--not to to get BMWs for their unreliability. Therefore, to say, that BMWs are better than Lexi, I beg to differ. BMWs drive better, but the Japanese make cars that run like tops (cliche). As a woman, I would say to Judd986S that your wife would enjoy the ES as it behaves in a very refined way, and you would enjoy it for how little downtime the car will have. Another reason for buying a Lexus is that you can have it serviced at a Toyota dealer and you would save hundreds of dollars in oil changes and repairs when your car is out of warranty.

judd986S

Thank you for the welcomes and I do look forward to inexpensive parts and a less expensive hourly rate if I need to take it in for service.
Humaira, you really do like your Toyota products! glad to hear they have been so reliable. That is exactly what I am looking for!

YotaCarFan

The ES350 is a great choice for people with long commutes and frequent job elated road trips due to its cushy and quiet ride. The nearly 300 hp engine is more than adequate for stress-free passing and merging.

I'd suggest looking for a 2009 model. IIRC, production changes to the torque converter to eliminate jerky/shuddering lockup operation part way through the 08 model year. Getting an 09 avoids the less desirable version. Also ensure the oil hose TSB has been done - it is free and you don't want a burst oil line.

Be sure your wife tries out the stereo to see if it's acceptable to her tastes. The standard audio in that car is mediocre at best. (The base system is called "Lexus Premium Audio"; the upgraded system is called "Mark Levinson" or "ML".) It's rare to find a pre-2010 model with ML audio - they didn't build many.

garsarno

Once you go ML audio, you can't go back.

judd986S

I can know some people are audiophiles but my wife and I are not into that. our 7 has the Logic7 sound system but I have not even adjusted the settings. she is on the phone nearly the entire time in the car and when I we go on trips we listen to very little music. I only put a CD in once.

If I find one loaded up and it has ML audio that is great but the technology is wasted on me.

However, a good set of tires with a built in Laser jammer / radar detector now we are talking!