Shoafb

Guys,

Thinking of trading out my 2005 LS430 after 7 years with it. My options are used 2015 GS350 AWD with 53k on it or.... a much lower mileage ES for a few thousand less.

Or.... Keep the LS...

all maintenance has been done on the LS
belt
struts
rotors and brakes.

thanks!

Mike728

If it were me, I would test drive the GS and ES. Then, compare them against my 13 year old LS. I would then chose the vehicle I liked best of the three.

Good luck!

BradTank

I came from a 2004 LS430 to a 2014 ES350.

I'm happy with the switch. My LS was well taken care of, but at around 180k miles was just starting to feel worn out. And I had replaced most of the suspension. It was starting to nickel and dime me a lot, left me stranded once, etc. Plus I had just had it long enough to where it was just time to move on and I didn't want to try and sell it when it had over 200k miles and was worth almost nothing. Then you're almost forced to keep it.

The LS was a little smoother and quieter (and felt like it was made of granite) but I would much rather have the ES as my daily driver.

The newer technology is a game changer, plus the ES "feels" quicker, has effortless handling, better fuel economy, etc. The downside is the ES does feel a little downmarket it material quality compared to the LS (but to me this is not a big deal)

But from a purely financial perspective, keeping the LS430 would have been the smarter play.



No regrets for me though, should have done it sooner.

gemigniani

2016-2018 ES350's are more refined in subtle, but noticable ways than than 2013-2015's.

Shoafb

Well, ended up with a 2015 GS350, it just worked best for me.

Thanks for for the advice!

Mike728

That's all that matters. Congrats!

jaymk

Can you please explain that in more detail?
Does the 2016's drive and handle better than the 2015's?
They sure do look almost alike with the same interior and exterior with very minimal changes.
Thank You.

SW17LS

lesz

I had a 2013 ES. In November, 2017, I traded it for a 2017 ES, and I agree 100% about the interior changes that came with the 2016 ES re-fresh. The addition of the wood trim on the center console, the use of soft trim around the perimeter of the center console, and the nicer stitching on the seats make a world of difference and, to me, make the interior feel much more upscale. Further, there are other changes, including nicer switch plates and LED dome and reading lights that make the interior nicer.

Besides the interior changes, another prime reason that led me to move to the 2017 was that, starting with the 2017 model year, the Safety System+ became standard on the ES. While an earlier version of the Safety System was available on the 2013-2015 ES, it was an (expensive) option, and it was included only on a small fraction of ES built in those years.

As far as ride quality, handling, and noise are concerned, if there is a difference between the the 2013 and the 2017, I don't see it. If you were to blindfold me and, then, take me for a ride in both the 2013 and the 2017, I wouldn't be able to tell you which was the the 2013 and which was the 2017.

To me, the only downside to the post-refresh ES is the change in the car's grille. While I've gotten used to the grille on the 2017, I still prefer the front end design on the 2013 to 2015 ES.

SW17LS

I’ve said numerous times that I went to the GS from my 2010 ES in 2013 because of the choices Lexus made in the interior of the 13 ES, had the 16 refresh ES have been what was out in 2013 I would have stayed with the ES for sure.