sharmila19

I am thinking of ES 350 vs camy for about 65 mile drive each way - so about 135 miles of driving. I am thinking of picking the most basic ES 350 over Camry - any ideas?

LexBob2

If your budget allows, get the ES.

LexRuger

If you don't mind having a base model ES, go for it. If it were me, I'd get a used, mildly equipped ES over a brand new Camry..

alpinefun

I did buy ES for similar commute in the same state. Love it.

lesz

Your basis of comparison should really be between the ES and a Toyota Avalon. While the previous generations of the ES shared many components with the Camry, and the size of the ES was similar to that of the Camry, starting with the 2013 model, the ES now shares many components with the Avalon and is similar in size to the Avalon.

KennyLexus

I too have a long commute but if I had to choose I would pick the ES350 over the Camry. Also, if you're on a budget, I would seriously consider a nicely equipped 2011 or 2012 CPO Lexus ES 350 with Michelin Primacy tires. You can probably get a great deal on one between now and the end of the year.

I've owned both a 2011 ES350 and now a 2013 ES300H and can honestly say the 2011 was a better ride. Lexus tightened up on the suspension starting with the 2013 model and it does handle and track better. Don't get me wrong, the 2013 still has a good ride...heck it's a Lexus

Canesguy

Your statements seem contradictory. Correct me if I've misunderstood this.

LexBob2

I read it as the 2011 rode better, and the 2013 tracks and handles better. I could be wrong though.

lamar411

I think he means the 2011 had a better ride then the 2013. But the 2013 has better handling and tracks better. Handling and tracks are different from ride.

KennyLexus

Yeah, it took me a while to write that comment trying not to make it confusing but it's really something you would have to experience which I did with 60,000 miles on the 2011 Lexus ES350. With the first few thousand miles and the last few on the OEM Michelin Primacy tires...that car really did float.

Again, don't get me wrong, the 2013 ES300h has a very nice ride but just not as good as the 2011 ES350 with Michelin Primacy tires. However, the 2013 ES300h requires less steering correction than the 2011 ES350. I sold my 2006 Audi for the 2011 Lexus ES350 and immediately noticed the drift compared to the Audi.

Canesguy

So, the 2011 ES had a better ride but drifted more than the 2013 ES?

gemigniani

The 2013 es and Avalon track nicely on the highway so little steering correction is needed. But the seats are smaller and more thinly padded as compared to the 2011 models and the road imperfections are felt more and heard more. So it's a more fatiguing overall driving experience except for maybe for a small, lightweight young driver.

mspearl95

in my experience, the seats are WAY nicer in the 2013s than the previous gen. I owned a 2011 before purchasing a 2013, and the overall comfort on long drives is greatly increased. I do feel the road a bit more(probably partially due to the 18" wheels) but the car feels much more stable and 'heavy', and I don't feel thrown around as much by uneven road surfaces.