My new ride... Again! lol
#1
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
My new ride... Again! lol
Just picked this up for my Dad, it's a 2020 ES 350 with Premium Package and Panorama Roof. I carpool to work with him so I'll be driving this almost daily and I'll be able to give a good comparison against my 2019 GS for those on the fence on getting a GS or this. Don't worry, I still have my GS and it's not going anywhere.
But so far I'm liking it, it's got good power for highway passes but the brakes aren't as good as the GS, not even close. I don't know if the FSport version is any different but the GS just feels like a well controlled wild animal on the road.
With the windows tinted. 20% all around.
But so far I'm liking it, it's got good power for highway passes but the brakes aren't as good as the GS, not even close. I don't know if the FSport version is any different but the GS just feels like a well controlled wild animal on the road.
With the windows tinted. 20% all around.
The following 6 users liked this post by ItzFilyO:
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#2
NICE! Def interested to heaar your thoughts after daily driving a bit. The tech and updates alone make this appealing. But ya, no GS. Plus your Cali, so going from RWD to FWD? ewwww, lol
#3
Lexus Champion
You had me worried for a second...
Great looking ES. I hope it serves your dad well and look forward to your impressions.
On a side note, I really don't get why Lexus didn't match the interior pillar color to the headliner...
Great looking ES. I hope it serves your dad well and look forward to your impressions.
On a side note, I really don't get why Lexus didn't match the interior pillar color to the headliner...
#4
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Oh yeah, u need to go easy on the gas on this one, the tires spins almost 90% of the time if u gun it too hard and it's already riding on Michelins but all season.
The following users liked this post:
NickMayer (01-24-20)
#5
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
Yes that's why I thought too, this will look a lot better with all black pillar and headliner like our GS.
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JDR76 (01-23-20)
#7
Interesting that you say the brakes on the ES aren’t as good as the GS. I had the opposite experience with the 19 ES I had as a loaner. I wonder if it’s because my GS’s have been AWD so didn’t get the better brakes.
Is there a reason the AWD GS doesn’t get the same brakes as the RWD? Is it not possible to retrofit the RWD F-Sport brakes on the AWD model? Might be worth it if so.
Is there a reason the AWD GS doesn’t get the same brakes as the RWD? Is it not possible to retrofit the RWD F-Sport brakes on the AWD model? Might be worth it if so.
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#8
Racer
Sweet! Can't wait to hear your thoughts between the two, especially since you have a RWD F-Sport
#9
Lexus Test Driver
Interesting that you say the brakes on the ES aren’t as good as the GS. I had the opposite experience with the 19 ES I had as a loaner. I wonder if it’s because my GS’s have been AWD so didn’t get the better brakes.
Is there a reason the AWD GS doesn’t get the same brakes as the RWD? Is it not possible to retrofit the RWD F-Sport brakes on the AWD model? Might be worth it if so.
Is there a reason the AWD GS doesn’t get the same brakes as the RWD? Is it not possible to retrofit the RWD F-Sport brakes on the AWD model? Might be worth it if so.
#10
Thanks for sharing. Please keep us updated. Sometimes I wonder if I would have to settle for a ES when it comes time for the GS to go away for good. Would be nice to have an objective comparison but of course, a ES will never truly replace a RWD GS.
#11
Lexus Test Driver
Thread Starter
I don't think it's really possible to compare the brakes between the two [very different] cars just based on a couple days of driving, especially when one of the cars is brand spanking new and the brakes aren't even fully bedded yet. One vehicle is not going to have the exact same feel or pressure response as another vehicle, which doesn't mean one is better or inferior to the other.
#12
I don't think it's really possible to compare the brakes between the two [very different] cars just based on a couple days of driving, especially when one of the cars is brand spanking new and the brakes aren't even fully bedded yet. One vehicle is not going to have the exact same feel or pressure response as another vehicle, which doesn't mean one is better or inferior to the other.
EDIT: Well looks like those of us with AWD will just have to live with inferior brakes to our RWD brethren. After doing some searching it seems it’s not the plug-n-play scenario I would have thought. Someone else here on CL thought the same and attempted it but found the differences between the two braking systems made it pretty much impossible. I don’t understand why Lexus didn’t also give the AWD F-Sports the same upgraded brakes, but it is what it is.
Last edited by OUT FOX EM; 01-23-20 at 06:06 PM.
#13
Lexus Test Driver
The few days I had with the ES, I definitely felt like it stopped shorter/better than either GS I’ve owned. Looks like all the 60-0 tests favor the ES in stopping distance by 8-10 feet over the base GS, which is pretty substantial, so it’s not just “feel”. I would definitely consider upgrading to the F-Sport brakes, depending on what all was needed to do it.
#14
Lexus Champion
I’m happy with the brakes in my AWD F Sport. What bothers me is that I couldn’t get VGRS or rear steering in the AWD model.
#15
Stopping distances usually are determined more by the tires (and pavement) than by the brakes. Brakes are no better than the difference between one's ability of 'threshold braking' (slowing down the quickest by maintaining brake force at the optimum level without locking up the wheels) versus locking-up the wheels and skidding the tires. Any vehicle's brakes can be used to 'threshold brake' by an experienced driver, and any vehicle's brakes can be used to lock 'em up and skid the tires. That only leaves the vehicle's weight and the vehicle's tires (along with the pavement friction) as variances. Now, if the vehicle is being tracked, then of course bigger brakes and track pads will stand the heat related abuse of heavy braking over and over and over in short periods of time, but that consideration is meaningless except on the track.