jim brennan

Hi Matt, I own the 08 es 350 and my wife owns and loves the 08 IS 250 awd. I drive hers enough to know the pros and cons compared to one another. I like the quiter ride, the roomier interior size, and the trunk room when we travel 1500 miles each way to key west. Trips that long would not be as comfortable in the IS. I'm 5'10, 195 and the IS is a little cramped for me. She is 5'4, 125 and loves small cars like her previous Carolla. I notice the tire/road noise in her car and the stiffer suspension. If someone is in the back seat the seat belt recepticals jab that person in the hip area. It drives great, looks awsome and the brakes are the best I've ever experienced. That being said, I still would take the ES over the IS because comfort is much more important to me than looks. Although I am 69 and my wife is 65 I still would have felt this way in my 30's. As to how to reply to the people who pose that question, suggest that they experience driving them both (at the dealer, not your car), and then tell you which one they would choose. Once doing so they may understand why you chose the ES. One thing is for sure, they are both great cars. JIm B

Steve, I had a 2000 es hard wired for my Valentine radar detector and had it transfered to the 2008 es 350 by the same dealer upon delivery of the new car. The wire is tucked behind the headliner and routed over to the drivers side pillar. It continues down the pillar and is wired into the fuse block that is in the area behind the coin drawer in the dash. Having the dealer do this retained the warrenty in case of any electrical issues in the future. Hope this helps. Just a note, I have 25,000 on the car since its purchase in Oct of 07. It is undoubtedly the most comfortable driving car I ever owned. I thought the 2000 es was great and this one is that much and more. Purchased form Metro Lexus in Cleveland and can't say enough about their excellent operation. Hope this helps, Jim B.

I recently have been having a problem filling the gas tank. This occurs no matter what level the gas quantity is at as I wish to fill the tank. The fuel rises in the filler pipe and triggers the shutoff of the pump handle after about 1 quart of fuel is pumped. The gas then drops from the filler pipe to the tank and I can pump another quart. The car has 101,000 K and I'm the original owner and sole driver and there has been no other problem with this car. A competent repair facility dropped the tank, confirmed all lines were clear and examined all the components and found nothing out of order. They consulted Lexus and were told they had no previous incedence of this problem with another Lexus. The technition who worked on my car is baffled and I was not charged due to their inability to repair the problem. I had consulted two Lexus dealers a week earlier and they also had no previous complaint of this type as well. Any information provided by someone who actually resolved a problem of this type would be appreciated.