jragosta

What other luxury cars would u recommend for leasing? Is Mercedes good? Thanks

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Depends on what you want.

From a pure dollars per month perspective, Volvo and Infiniti seem to be the best. BMW has decent deals on some models, but the 3 series seems pretty high.

Volvo subsidizes the lease like stated to help move the cars. It basically like a customer rebate that instead get applied to the lease.You will see that alot in Volvo and Infiniti.

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That's right. I forgot to mention that the Infiniti G35 is frequently advertised at $299. Given $299 for the G35 and over $400 for the ES (higher if you're talking about the 2006), it would be a pretty easy decision for me if I were leasing.

Remember that lexus411 is a Lexus salesperson (correct me if I'm wrong, I know you work for a dealer) and he knows these lease deals because they're his product. If he says the lease deal was a 2005, it was a 2005. This is what he does for a living.

To clarify a little bit what he's saying, states structure sales tax on a lease two ways. Some states (like Maryland) make you pay sales tax on the entire purchase price just like you were buying it. This tax can be paid upfront or it can be factored into the lease. In other states (like New Jersey) you pay a "monthly use tax" which is added onto the monthly payment instead of a sales tax. If the $507 includes the monthly use tax thats a pretty good lease. Keep in mind LeaseCompare.com's leases NEVER include any sales tax. You have to factor it in manually.

Those advertised lease deals are always for a limited time and on a specific feature set with a specific credit score. 730 is actually not bad, some carmakers require 800. Don't use those leases as a point of comparison.

$500 or so a month for an ES with premium equipment isn't bad.

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We're ready to start looking for lease deals since my wife's current lease runs out next year. It amazes me how poor the Lexus lease deals are compared to some alternatives. For example, at the time of her last lease, the best price for an ES (base) lease was $427 (MSRP was $32 K, cap cost reduction of $2 K). Instead, she gott a Volvo S70 wagon for $293 per month (MSRP $30 K, cap cost reduction of $2 K).

Given the similarity in MSRP and the fact that both makes are reported to have great resale value, the difference seemed huge to me. I asked the Volvo dealer and he said that Volvo was subsidizing the lease - both front end price and residual). Even so, I've never seen what I consider to be a great value on a Lexus lease.

I just picked up my car with new Bridgestone Turanza LSV tires. They're much, much quieter than the stock tires - I should have replaced them a long time ago.

Why in the world doesn't Lexus put good tires on in the first place? I guess it goes along with their not caring if their cars shift properly.

1. The reviews I've seen say that the LSVs are much quieter than the MXV4s.

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I don't see how that can be the case. The MXV4s are about as quiet a tire as I've ever experienced and are almost silent on all roadway surfaces and at all speeds. I'd buy that the LS-Vs are as quiet, but I think when you get down to this level of refinement from a touring tire you get about as quiet as modern tires will get.

Some of the reviews on places like TireRack say things like they're quieter than the MXV4s I've had before etc, but you have to remember they're comparing old worn out tires to new tires, and for some reason people who get the MXV4s OEM aren't as happy with them as those that get them aftermarket. Seems to be the case with most tires for whatever reason...

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Actually, I'm comparing the reviews for new tires. One place rated the LSVs at 4.3 (out of 5) for quietness compared to 3.8 for the MX4s. Another had the LSVs at 10 (out of 10) for quietness, but had the Michelins at 9.

Of course, YMMV, but when all the reviews say the LSVs are quieter, there's probably some element of truth.

www.carbargains.com and services like that are cool and real time savers. They have connections with dealerships and can get prices you can't get by the virtue that they're going to do more repeat business with a dealership and a salesperson than you can ever do.

For instance a dealer may be willing to sell an ES for $250 above invoice if he's going to sell 6 more that month to buyers from the same source.

As for there being only $3900 profit in an ES, if thats true thats since they reduced the pricing. I bought my ES for $4175 under MSRP in 2003, negotiating on my own, and there was still profit in the deal for the dealership.

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I like it for a different reason. Buying a car is generally an adversarial activity - you against the dealer. Since you're going to have to go back to that dealer regularly for years, starting out with an adversarial relationship isn't ideal.

From the buyer's side, there's another advantage. While most dealers will try to match the offer you get from their competition, but they require it in writing. OTOH, none of the dealers like to put their deals in writing. With carbargains, you get a hard copy of the offers - so you can choose the dealer you prefer rather than the cheapest (most dealers will honor a carbargains price). Over time, this will benefit the higher quality dealers since most people will choose the better dealer if price is the same.

Finally, if you're in a remote area, you have more options, There's only one Lexus dealer in Tulsa. I would not go to Dallas, Wichita, or Kansas City to LOOK at cars, but given a price from Carbargains where no negotiating is involved, I might easily go their to buy one. That meant that I had 5 dealers to get prices from rather than 1 if I did it myself. Since the local deaaler matched the low price (KC, IIRC), I still ended up buying locally.

One thing to watch for, though. You still have to negotiate on any trade-in and you probably won't get a great deal on your trade.

As for the Michie's being expensive, I paid less for them out the door than the Toyos, $150 less. You've just got to look around for the best deal, I got them at Costco for $160 a peice including lifetime rotation, balancing, and a road hazard warranty plus $60 off the top. Not a bad deal, just gotta shop for them.

I was also torn between the LS-Vs and the MXV4s, and I've heard nothing but good things about the LS-Vs. If you have a Costco near you they also sometimes stock LS-Vs and can order them for you. Great prices, and believe it or not Costco is the only place that ever balanced a Lexus right for me the first time. So...go Costco!

As for the Falken's I've said this before, but I really think they're too aggressive a tire for the ES. Anything that gets put low profile on sporty coupes shouldn't be mounted on a luxury sedan IMHO, I can't imagine you're getting the best ride you can get with them.

I didn't realize just how poorly the Toyos rode until I replaced them, and I imagine the same is probably true of the Falkens.

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I'm with you. I eventually decided on the LSVs for several reasons:

1. The reviews I've seen say that the LSVs are much quieter than the MXV4s.

2. The dealer that I prefer (who I trust completely) has both and he says that the LXV is a better tire, particularly with respect to ride comfort and noise level.

3. While price wasn't a major factor, the LXVs were about $15 per tire lower than the MXV4s.

My LXVs will be here tomorrow. I'll let you know how they feel.

Factory chrome rims will run you $350 to $500 depending on where you get them.

Another option would be to have you alloys chromed.

Last option would be to check out www.tirerack.com and go through their wheel selection routine as you will be able to see the rim in question on a picture of an 04 ES.

Keep in mind the higher you go above 16" the less the ride will be like the stock rims.  You will sacrifice smoothness for size.  But 18" do look sharp!!!  ;)

steviej

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Also keep in mind that the appearance is a very personal issue. Personally, I don't like the looks of 17 or 18" tires on this car. What really matters is what YOU think, not what anyone else here thinks.

I've been reading all the comments and replies to your topic of tires, Steve.  I put the Toyo Proxes on my 2001 ES and have had nothing but excellent results.  They now have about 8000 miles on them and they still perform like new.  What do you folks think about siping?  I bought my Toyo's through a Les Schwab tire dealer who recommended sipping the tires.  I had it done and it does provide significant traction one wet pavement and the overall steering seems better than before.  Has anyone had their tires siped?

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I tend to recommend staying away from things like this.

If improperly done, you could ruin a set of tires - or cause an accident due to a blowout at high speed.

Even if properly done, I doubt if it's going to add all that much to a properly designed tire (placebo effect notwithstanding). Tire manufacturers spend millions of dollars designing their tires and optimizing hundreds of parameters. Let's just say I'm skeptical that a guy with no more qualifications than that he knows how to use a razor knife is going to be able to improve it significantly.

And even if you can add a couple percent better performance, is it worth risking your life over?

I am dead set on purchasing an ES 330. Can anyone tell may what kind of a deal they have been getting? Also is it cheaper to purchase a 2006 or 2005 now? Thanks

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I'd suggest looking at www.carbargains.com.

You pay $200 and they get you negotiated prices with up to 5 local dealers. The prices they got for me were far better than I was able to negotiate on my own - and saved me about $700 - even after paying the $200 fee. If your a great negotiator and have lots of time, it's probably not worth it, but if you're like me (I'd rather have a tooth drilled than buy a new car), it could be money well spent.

I read somewhere that there is going to be a newly designed ES330 early next year (2006).  Can anyone confirm?  We're waiting for the '06 models to arrvie next week but....if there is going to be something really new in 6 months, we'll wait.

Thanks

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Yes the ES will be totally redesigned & be available in the spring of 2006 (as a 2007 model). The new model might be called the ES 350, but I've heard both that & the 330 might also remain. I'd be patient if I were you.....here is some info from Edmunds.com about the car. B)

http://www.edmunds.com/future/2007/lexus/e...33/preview.html

I know it says ES 330, but there have been many rumors of a possible 350 & then a Hybrid shortly after that. ;)

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I just hope they learn to build a car which shifts properly.

I live in Oklahoma - so we get perhaps 2 snow storms a year and the snow is gone in a few days. I've spent about 10 years in upstate NY and most of the rest of my life in PA, so a little snow doesn't bother me.

I think the size is 215 60 16 (V rated, if I remember correctly). It's a 2004 ES 330 with stock wheels.

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In that size, some tires to consider would be:

- Yokohama Avid H4S

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...e1=yes&place=18

- Folks like the Michelin MXV4's (not a huge fan personally as they are pricy)

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...e1=yes&place=28

- Also an MXV4 S8 version

http://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?ti...e1=yes&place=30

- Falken Ziex ZE-512 - H speed rated & good for 60,000 miles in this size. For the price, you will find that this is one of the very best values available in a performance all season tire. Made by the Sumitomo tire company in Japan. Awesome wet weather & snow performance.

Overall, I personally wouldn't go any lower that one speed rating down (in your case & mine that is H.....I currently have a V speed rating, but will be moving to the Goodyear Triple Tread in an H speed rating, but unfortunately you can only get this tire in a T speed rating) :(

http://www.falkentire.com/tires_512.htm

I hope this helps & good luck! B)

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Thanks for the feedback.

It turns out that the Bridgestone LSVs are getting very good reviews. I'll do a little more research and then probably go with the Bridgestones (the shop that carries them is right next door and they've treated me well in the past). The only downside is that they're almost as expensive as the Michelins. I'm a little hesitant to go with Falkens since none of the shops I trust carry them.

Well now I have a nail and slow leak in one of the sorry Bridgestone Potenza RE92's on my ES so I'm back shopping for tires.

[snip]

Any advice is appreciated...

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Although this thread is over a year old, I'm now in the same boat. My stock Turanza's have worn enough that I feel I can replace them without feeling too guilty. I'm looking for 3 things: ride comfort, quiet, and ride comfort. Tread life isn't an issue. Traction is potentially an issue, but we don't get much snow here. I don't need top traction, but would like better than average. I suspect almost anything will be better than the Turannzas.

After checking 3 dealers, I got the following recommendations:

Michelin MXV4

Toyo TPT

Bridgestone Turanza LSV

There has been a lot posted here about the MX4 and TPT, but not much about the LSV. Anyone know about this tire? Just the fact that it's a Turanza is almost enough to steer me away, but they claim that it's an entirely different technology than the stock Turanzas.

Unless I hear something to change my mind, I'll probably go with the Toyos.

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We should actually start a new thread here imo :whistles:

What tire size do you need jragosta & what part of the country are you from?

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I live in Oklahoma - so we get perhaps 2 snow storms a year and the snow is gone in a few days. I've spent about 10 years in upstate NY and most of the rest of my life in PA, so a little snow doesn't bother me.

I think the size is 215 60 16 (V rated, if I remember correctly). It's a 2004 ES 330 with stock wheels.

Well now I have a nail and slow leak in one of the sorry Bridgestone Potenza RE92's on my ES so I'm back shopping for tires.

[snip]

Any advice is appreciated...

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Although this thread is over a year old, I'm now in the same boat. My stock Turanza's have worn enough that I feel I can replace them without feeling too guilty. I'm looking for 3 things: ride comfort, quiet, and ride comfort. Tread life isn't an issue. Traction is potentially an issue, but we don't get much snow here. I don't need top traction, but would like better than average. I suspect almost anything will be better than the Turannzas.

After checking 3 dealers, I got the following recommendations:

Michelin MXV4

Toyo TPT

Bridgestone Turanza LSV

There has been a lot posted here about the MX4 and TPT, but not much about the LSV. Anyone know about this tire? Just the fact that it's a Turanza is almost enough to steer me away, but they claim that it's an entirely different technology than the stock Turanzas.

Unless I hear something to change my mind, I'll probably go with the Toyos.

I called my dealer to schedule the 30,000 mile service. Since I've given up on the transmission, I didn't mention it, but he said that there's still another upgrade even newer than the one I had done a couple months ago. He told me that they're still trying to get it right.

Once I get the newer one done, I'll post the results. However, after the last one, it was OK for a few weeks and went downhill from there, so it will take a while before I know.

Bottom line is to keep pestering your dealer since Lexus keeps tweaking it.

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If possible, could you ask your dealer if he has a TSB number for this update? This way I could speak to my dealer and ask them if they have it available.

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I just got back from the dealer. The service representative I talked to is mistaken - the June update is the latest. They did reset the computer again, but I can't imagine that the end result is going to be any different than before.

Good lord,

how many 'upgrades' can they possibly do?   

 

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As many as it takes?

At the rate they're going, it looks to me like they don't have any clue and they're just trying things randomly hoping that they'll eventually get something that fixes the problem.

I called my dealer to schedule the 30,000 mile service. Since I've given up on the transmission, I didn't mention it, but he said that there's still another upgrade even newer than the one I had done a couple months ago. He told me that they're still trying to get it right.

Once I get the newer one done, I'll post the results. However, after the last one, it was OK for a few weeks and went downhill from there, so it will take a while before I know.

Bottom line is to keep pestering your dealer since Lexus keeps tweaking it.

Hey Lexus owners!

Looking at a 1995 ES300 with 140,000 miles on her, sounds like highway miles, Car looks great interior and exterior, however, the A/C in not operational.  Asking price is $4500(USD).  Good buy?

Other option is a 1996 with 132,000, looks great in and out pearl white and tan 2 tone paint, everything works for $5500(USD).  Better?

Figured I'd leave it to the pros!

Thanks for the feedback!

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Find a mechanic you trust who will go over both cars with a fine toothed comb. It will be worth the money.

Toyota dealer, Jiffy Lube, it doesn't matter. Basically they're not going to ask. My dad has leased and turned in 6 cars and nobody's ever asked him for service reciepts.

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But I'll bet your father's cars were in good condition.

If the OP didn't service his car, you can bet it would be in poor enough condition that Lexus would question it - and possibly ask for receipts.

It's REALLY annoying!!

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Who cares? Why bother trying to justify your car purchase to anyone?

The one I have is much longer and has more detail, I'll try and find it again.

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Is this what you were talking about?

NHTSA Action Number : PE04021 NHTSA Recall Campaign Number : N/A

Make : LEXUS Model: ES300

Manufacturer : TOYOTA MOTOR NORTH AMERICA, INC. Year : 2002

Component : VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

Date Investigation Opened : March 3, 2004

Date Investigation Closed : July 22, 2004

Summary:

THE LEXUS MODELS WERE THE SUBJECT OF DEFECT PETITION (DP) 04-004. TWELVE ODI COMPLAINTS ARE DUPLICATIVE TO TOYOTA REPORTS, INCLUDING THE TWO MINOR CRASHES. THE V6 EQUIPPED SOLARA MODELS HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED BECAUSE THEY DO NOT CONTAIN THE SUBJECT THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM. TOYOTA INTRODUCED ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL (ETC) ON THE SUBJECT VEHICLES BEGINNING IN MODEL YEAR (MY) 2002. ODI OPENED THE INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE IF THE SYSTEM COULD BE THE CAUSE OF COMPLAINTS ALLEGING THE ENGINE SPEED INCREASED, OR FAILED TO DECREASE, (FOR A SHORT DURATION) WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS NOT DEPRESSED (THE ALLEGED DEFECT). DURING THE COURSE OF THE INVESTIGATION, ODI ANALYZED AGENCY DATA AND REVIEWED VEHICLE OWNER QUESTIONNAIRE (VOQ) REPORTS, CONDUCTED INTERVIEWS INVOLVING 113 VOQ AND 36 TOYOTA REPORTS, INSPECTED TWO COMPLAINANT VEHICLES, REVIEWED RELEVANT TOYOTA SERVICE AND NEW CAR FEATURE DOCUMENTATION, REVIEWED AND ANALYZED TOYOTA’S RESPONSES TO ODI’S INFORMATION REQUEST LETTER, CONDUCTED A LIMITED CONTROL PEDAL ASSESSMENT, AND ATTENDED A TOYOTA TECHNICAL PRESENTATION THAT INCLUDED THE ASSESSMENT OF TWO DEMONSTRATION VEHICLES. THROUGH INTERVIEWS, ODI IDENTIFIED 14 VOQ AND 6 TOYOTA REPORTS (20 UNIQUE VEHICLES) WHERE COMPLAINANTS REPORT MULTIPLE OCCURRENCES OF THE ALLEGED DEFECT. IN SOME CASES THE CONDITION WAS EXPERIENCED BY DIFFERENT VEHICLE OPERATORS OR WAS WITNESSED BY OTHER OCCUPANTS. ODI WAS UNABLE TO MAKE A DETERMINATION AS TO THE CAUSE OF 9 TOYOTA AND AN ADDITIONAL 37 VOQ REPORTS (WHICH DESCRIBE 28 UNIQUE INCIDENTS) DUE TO INSUFFICIENT INFORMATION. THE REMAINING COMPLAINANTS INTERVIEWED (62 VOQ, 21 TOYOTA) DESCRIBED CONDITIONS NOT CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THE THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM AND WERE THUS CONSIDERED UNRELATED TO THE INVESTIGATION. NONE OF THE COMPLAINANTS INTERVIEWED REPORTED A COMPONENT FAILURE (OR OTHER INDICATOR OF A SYSTEM FAILURE) AS THE POTENTIAL CAUSE OF INCIDENTS RELEVANT TO THIS INVESTIGATION. IN MANY CASES, THE COMPLAINT VEHICLES WERE SUBSEQUENTLY INSPECTED BY DEALERSHIP OR MANUFACTURER REPRESENTATIVES WHO ALSO FAILED TO IDENTIFY A FAULT WITHIN THE VEHICLE. TOYOTA IDENTIFIED 43 RELATED WARRANTY CLAIMS, 24 OF WHICH WERE FOR DIAGNOSTIC PURPOSES ONLY (NO REPAIRS PERFORMED). ODI FOUND NOTHING ABNORMAL IN THE CONTROL PEDAL CONFIGURATION OF THE SUBJECT VEHICLES. A DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED. ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED. THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST. THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. SEE THE ATTACHED SUMMARY FOR FURTHER DETAIL.

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Exactly. Note that this complaint was when engine speed increased while the accelerator was not depressed.

It has nothing to do with the topic of this thread. NHTSA has never ruled on the transmission hesitation and hard shifting problem, although I think I read that they've opened an investigation.

I just don't see it, niether did the NHTSA when they did an investigation into the transmission issue. There has never been a traffic accident reported blamed on the transmission hesitation that they could find, with all the ES's sold from 2002-2004 (when they did the investigation) you'd think they could have found ONE instance if it were truly dangerous. Anyways mine's still shifting smooth after the update and I'm getting better mileage than ever, but that may be due to my new tires.

Annoying sure, dangerous no. Old argument though.

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Actually, AFAIK, NHTSA has never investigated the ES transmission issue.

If you have a receipt I would definately jump all over that dealership.  But it also shows how good those spark plugs are to have survived for so long.  I still have my original spark plugs in my 97 and I just hit 161000 miles.

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Why in the world haven't you changed them?

First, you're losing money in gas mileage. More importantly, an old plug can literally fall apart - with one or more pieces falling off - and damaging your cylinder wall.

You're just asking for trouble, IMHO. Change those plugs. Now.

I have a 2005 ES330.  I have experienced all the well documented transmission hesitation problems and about a month ago had the TSB done on it.  I noticed a difference right away, primarily the shift point change almost 1,000 rpm higher.  Since I drive with a fairly light touch this was easy to work around and I have not noticed any appreciable drop in fuel economy.  On the other hand it seems as though the transmission has gone through its learning mode and adjusted itself to my driving style.  Unfortunately as it learned it seems to have regressed a bit and acquired some of its previous bad habits.  The hesitation which was almost gone immediately after the TSB install has re-emerged although not as bad as it was originally.  Has anyone else noticed this?

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My experience was similar, but not quite the same.

Immediately after the 'upgrade', the system was extremely clunky and shifted very hard - but the hesitation was improved.

Later (after about 300-500 miles, the clunkiness had smoothed out a bit and the transmission was working better than it ever had. Still, it shifted quite hard on occasion.

Now (about 2,000 miles later), it's back to shifting very hard. I get several clunky shifts a day. Still, the hesitation (where you step on the gas and have time to read a short story before the car starts to accelerate) is much improved and almost tolerable.

I have a 2003 ES300 on the Dallas area.

When it is hot outside (over 88/90) and the climate control is set to

Automatic, the fan seems to run too long and too loud.  Also varies widely

in speed - the LED segments on the dash show it at medium (3 of 5) speed

most of the time, but from the sound it is varying almost constantly.

If it was an automatic transmission I would say it was surging or seeking,

looking for the correct gear.

At times it happens when the exterior temp is 78-80 and the cabin is set to

74 - not a wide difference but it still races the fan...

Almost always happens during daytime - bright sun - seldom at night.

Dealer has checked it repeatedly, replaced the cabin temp sensor once, and

says it is operating normally.

Thanks in advance for any help or suggestions.

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I can't help with your problem (other than to suggest another dealer), but I'm getting very tired of hearing 'it is operating normally' from Lexus dealers when they can't fix a problem.