Ty419

I went from an LS to an ES and hated that car. They are entry-level luxury cars and nothing like the experience of the LS. It's not even close to being in the same league. I got rid of it after only 6 months so I could get another LS. My LS is now for sale, and it's an 05 UL with every possible option. You can see it in the for sale section if you are interested.

GS3Tek

iTrader: (8)

These 2 criteria alone is good enough for me to stay with an LS (had one before).
You want the comfort and safety when driving long distances.

Not saying that the ES isn't any good, but an LS is more solid and well built as compared to an ES.

You don't really need to get the UL (although it would be nice) since the middle console will be folded up for the 3rd child.

Again, have the wife drive the LS because it is a larger sedan and see if she's comfortable with it. Have her check out the blind spots from the B and C pillar since it is large.

Have her close the door and hear the thud of the LS over the wimpy ES.

If the mileage and conditions are good, then the LS is worth it over that newer ES imo.

thinkin

ES = Camry. A nicer Camry, but a Camry, with all that entails.

LS = flagship. Mostly bespoke. Vastly better materials and quality. Obsessive over-engineering, not based on a mainstream family sedan. RWD. V8.

There is really no comparison beyond the badge and having four wheels.

AlexusAnja

Hate to say it, but you drive an ES350 and you'll always get the "oh, it's a luxury Camry" which in some ways it true, they do share under carriage and slightly different tuned engines... can't say that about the LS. Sized like Avalon, but nothing shared.

1. It's hard to sell a wife on RWD being better handling and more fun to drive, because honestly, they probably like the numbness of FWD. I don't see "fun to drive" as something you can sell to the wife.

2. I look at it this way, the LS430 was about $60K new, the ES350 only $40K. You're getting $20K of extraness and plush goodness for FREE !!!! Wives like to hear free, unless they're shopping for their own things..

3. Proof is in the test drive. You can't sit in the LS and ES and NOT NOTICE a different in fit, finish, and quality.

4. Fuel efficiency, I don't really think the ES is that much better than LS considering that it's a V6 vs. V8. I get easily 26 mpg on highway with the LS, the ES is what? 19 city 27 highway. The power of the V8 easily trumps those numbers.

5. LS430 to ES350 is like living as a king in a castle, or being the 2nd born prince, waiting to maybe one day make it to king. It's good to be king !!!

gsrell

Actually we have a 2002 Toyota Sequoia. It's paid for and used sparingly. Great when all kids are with us and on any trips. But 14 MPG makes it not good for daily driving

tkbalt

Both fine cars. We've had 4 ES models - always bought one from dealer with low miles when they came off 3 year lease. Kept the last one (a 2001 ES) 5 years and gave it to the mother in law to drive 2 1/2 years ago (at 58K miles). At same time went back to the dealer in search of an ES. I was shocked at the prices they were asking for a 3 year old ES. Dealer asked if we hade ever driven an LS....

We drove and promptly purchased an 03 CPO LS (ML, Nav, etc) in mint condition with 38K miles on the clock ($20K). There is no comparison between the 2 cars in my opinion. The ride is completely different and the room in the car (and trunk) is far greater. We have now had the car 2 1/2 years (just turned over 60K) and still love it. Other than a few parking sensor issues, we have had no problems. There is nothing like the LS ride in my opinion.

At to the MPG comparison - in the ES's we had - you could pretty much figure 20MPG on average. It did not seem to matter - in town / highway - you got 20 - 22MPG. I am sure an all highway tank would be higher, but we always had mixed city / hwy. The LS mileage (mixed city / hwy) is not much different - my average over the past 2 1/2 years is 21.7. That said - if you are mostly city - it will be lower - like 17.

Hope this helps - both are fine cars - and whatever she likes is the best....

beneteau

My wife owned, until last year (2010) a 2000 ES300 that she purchased in 2002. Great car, good gas mileage and never a problem. With some persuasion from me, she sold it (105k miles) when I stumbled across a 2005 LS with 58k miles at a local Toyota dealer. Almost kept the ES300 for myself; but, own a 06 Tundra which I didn't want to sell. We certainly don't need 3 vehicles; but, really hated to sell the ES300. She loves the LS but still misses her ES300.

P.S. I became interested in the LS when I kept reading on the ES thread how many ES owners stated "their next car would be a LS".

gsrell

I was right! After almost 2 years my wife want to another car. We drove my mother's Prius to Miami from Houston for our anniversary. Only cost 99 dollars to get there in gas, my wife never stop talking about the Prius. We figured she was spending $400 a month in gas on the Lexus that amount would be reduced to approximately $99 in a Prius. We negotiate a great deal on the Prius and was able to keep the LS 430. And my dreams have come true because I kept it for me. Now only 117000 miles near mint condition spend a little money having ot detailed this weekend I'm happy to go. I came across this posting and realize that I subconsciously wanted this car all along.

Kira X

iTrader: (24)

Wow! $99 in gas to Miami is crazy. It's good to see you got to keep the LS and also get the Prius.

gsrell

Yes $99 was actually slightly high because we drove 90 miles an hour all the way there. Averaged 40 miles to the gallon. It should have gotten around 48 miles to the gallon. However we were on a mission we made it into South Beach exactly 18 hours only stopping for gas three times.