I just picked up my 2009 ES and I love it, have 3 weeks now.
I had a 2002 ES300 before this and it to was a great car, had it for 7 years and about 89,000 miles. I test drove the Infininti G35, Caddy CTS, Toyota Avalon, Nissan Mamium, Lincoln MKZ and MKS, the Lexus was the best of all of them. If I were you I would go for the extra bucks and get the Lexus you will not be be sorry.